Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review

Abstract Objectives To review published studies on informal caregivers self-directed learning in the context of education through mobile health. Methods A literature search was conducted in September 2024 in the following electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Eric, CINAHL, a...

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Main Authors: Dauster Souza Pereira, Priscilla Perez da Silva Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13019-7
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author Dauster Souza Pereira
Priscilla Perez da Silva Pereira
author_facet Dauster Souza Pereira
Priscilla Perez da Silva Pereira
author_sort Dauster Souza Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives To review published studies on informal caregivers self-directed learning in the context of education through mobile health. Methods A literature search was conducted in September 2024 in the following electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Eric, CINAHL, and Scielo, as well as grey literature databases and manual searches. There were no restrictions on language or year of publication. The selection and extraction of data was done in a paired and independent manner using a personalized form. Methodological quality was assessed using a validated tool for observational studies. The analysis included quantitative and qualitative information without meta-analysis. Results Nine hundred twenty-three reports were identified, including 12 studies with a total sample of 5,087 caregivers. Most studies were conducted in the United States and were of high methodological quality. Most respondents had access to smartphones, ranging from 61% to 99% depending on the country. Being a woman, being married, having higher education, stable employment, and high income were associated with seeking health information online. Most described wanting information about the disease, specific care for the patient, and how to be a caregiver. Internet access and trust in information were identified as the main barriers to self-directed learning. Conclusion Mobile health is a powerful tool for self-directed learning by caregivers. For future studies, it is suggested to investigate the performance of learning acquired through the Internet.
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spelling doaj-art-e17f7085ba1c4e8fb7d3fec4eb05336e2025-08-20T03:03:24ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-07-0125111210.1186/s12913-025-13019-7Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic reviewDauster Souza Pereira0Priscilla Perez da Silva Pereira1Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB), Brasília CampusGraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília (UNB)Abstract Objectives To review published studies on informal caregivers self-directed learning in the context of education through mobile health. Methods A literature search was conducted in September 2024 in the following electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Eric, CINAHL, and Scielo, as well as grey literature databases and manual searches. There were no restrictions on language or year of publication. The selection and extraction of data was done in a paired and independent manner using a personalized form. Methodological quality was assessed using a validated tool for observational studies. The analysis included quantitative and qualitative information without meta-analysis. Results Nine hundred twenty-three reports were identified, including 12 studies with a total sample of 5,087 caregivers. Most studies were conducted in the United States and were of high methodological quality. Most respondents had access to smartphones, ranging from 61% to 99% depending on the country. Being a woman, being married, having higher education, stable employment, and high income were associated with seeking health information online. Most described wanting information about the disease, specific care for the patient, and how to be a caregiver. Internet access and trust in information were identified as the main barriers to self-directed learning. Conclusion Mobile health is a powerful tool for self-directed learning by caregivers. For future studies, it is suggested to investigate the performance of learning acquired through the Internet.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13019-7Self-directed learningInformal caregiversMobile healthInternetSystematic review
spellingShingle Dauster Souza Pereira
Priscilla Perez da Silva Pereira
Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
BMC Health Services Research
Self-directed learning
Informal caregivers
Mobile health
Internet
Systematic review
title Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
title_full Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
title_fullStr Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
title_short Self-directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health: a systematic review
title_sort self directed learning of informal caregivers using mobile health a systematic review
topic Self-directed learning
Informal caregivers
Mobile health
Internet
Systematic review
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13019-7
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