Use of Health Technologies in Liver Transplantation: Integrative Review

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the available evidence in the literature on the use of mobile health technologies aimed at the self-management of candidates and recipients of liver transplantation. An integrative review method was used, which consisted of the following steps: development of the research question, literature search for primary studies, data extraction, evaluation of the studies included in the review, analysis and synthesis of the results, and presentation of the review. The LILACS, PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases were searched for primary studies that reported the use of mobile health technologies in candidates and recipients of liver transplantation, published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, in the last five years. Six of the 248 records submitted for title and abstract reading answered the research question. The use of mobile applications was highlighted, followed by text messages and telephone support. The analyzed evidence indicates positive outcomes regarding mobile technologies for self-management in liver transplant candidates and recipients. Therefore, with the evidence pointed out, professionals can explore a wide range of technologies. Encouragement of their use and subsequent studies evaluating the impact of this approach on the lives of candidates and liver transplant recipients are essential to standardize the use of these resources in the pre-and postoperative phases faced by this population.