Using digital interventions for self-management of chronic physical health conditions: A meta-ethnography review of published studies.

The review synthesises experiences, not tested effects, so it cannot show whether digital self-management interventions improve health outcomes. Patient views may be more positive than average because included studies used people who volunteered for trials and follow-up qualitative research. The synthesis relied mainly on the primary author's analysis, and the authors acknowledged their own preconceptions could influence the themes. Some included studies were rated low or medium quality, and common omissions included researcher influence, ethical details, and justification of triangulation. Confidence in the themes was moderate, not high, so the findings are reasonable but not definitive representations of patient and professional experiences.

An author is Managing Director of a not-for-profit company that disseminates digital health interventions to the NHS. She states she has not and will not receive remuneration for this work.

Do not conclude that digital self-management interventions improve health outcomes or reduce clinician workload. This review synthesises patient and clinician experiences from qualitative studies, not tested effects on health outcomes, and clinicians reported monitoring burden and unclear responsibility.