Application of Telemonitoring Technologies in Monitoring the Condition of Surgical Patients in Crisis-Affected Areas: A Systematic Review

Background: Telemonitoring technologies have emerged as critical tools for enhancing healthcare delivery in crisis-affected areas, where access to immediate and reliable monitoring of surgical patients is challenging. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the application, effectiveness, and challenges of telemonitoring technologies in managing surgical patients in regions impacted by natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other crises. Matreials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase for studies published between ۲۰۰۰ and ۲۰۲۳. Keywords included "telemonitoring," "surgical patients," "crisis areas," and "remote monitoring." Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed studies assessing telemonitoring technologies applied to surgical patients in crisis contexts. Exclusion criteria included studies lacking primary data, reviews, or research outside healthcare crises. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results were synthesized using a narrative approach with descriptive statistics to present study characteristics and key outcomes. Result: From ۱,۳۵۰ screened articles, ۴۲ studies met the inclusion criteria, involving ۴,۲۰۰ surgical patients across diverse crisis settings. Telemonitoring demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced mortality (risk ratio: ۰.۷۵; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۶۲-۰.۸۹) and shorter hospital stays (mean difference: -۲.۴ days; ۹۵% CI: -۳.۶ to -۱.۲). However, barriers such as limited internet infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, and data security concerns were commonly reported. Studies consistently highlighted the necessity of adapting telemonitoring tools to the unique needs of low-resource, crisis-affected environments Conclusion: Telemonitoring technologies show considerable promise in enhancing surgical patient care in crisis-affected regions, improving outcomes and expanding access to care. Nonetheless, infrastructural and operational challenges hinder their widespread adoption. Future efforts should focus on developing scalable, user-friendly solutions and fostering collaborations among healthcare providers, technology developers, and policymakers to address implementation barriers. These findings underscore the potential for telemonitoring to bridge critical gaps in surgical care delivery during crises, ultimately contributing to global health equity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Telemonitoring ، surgical patients ، crisis areas ، remote monitoring