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An investigation into telemedicine utilization for refugee mental health: a systematic review

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Title: An investigation into telemedicine utilization for refugee mental health: a systematic review
Authors: Arezoo Abasi, Seyed Ali Fatemi Aghda, Mehdi Zahedian, Zahra Jamshiddoust Miyanroudi, Sajjad Bahariniya, Benyamin yazdani, Saeed Fallah-Aliabadi, Shadi Hazhir
Source: Globalization and Health, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-21 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Public aspects of medicine
Subject Terms: MHealth, Telecare, Telepsychology, Asylum Seeker, Displaced Persons, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
Description: Abstract Background Telemedicine is mentioned as a technological solution in various fields of medicine and nowadays using telemedicine in the field of mental health in the refugee population, has attracted special attention in the world. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the usage of telemedicine in the refugee populations mental health. Methods This study, conducted in 2024, involved a comprehensive search of databases including Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Ovid, EBSCO, PubMed, and Scopus, up until April 2023. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 relevant articles were identified. The quality and methodology of the selected articles were evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) checklist. Results A total of 12 articles were included in the review. Feasibility and investigation of telemedicine challenges (5 articles) and its evaluation and effectiveness investigation (7 articles) were used. Most of the studies were quantitative (8 cases) and mostly dealt with socio-economic-cultural application issues (5 cases) and screening (2 cases). Most of the studies were purely focused on refugees (5 cases). Conclusions Results have shown that paying attention to the challenges, disadvantages, and telemedicine required Infrastructure in the field of mental health, will lead to effectiveness, screening, and treatment. This causes positive social, economic, and cultural effects on refugees. However, the need for future studies with more attention to technical and governmental challenges and their issues (security and reimbursement), the refugee population with various ethnicities, and different health fields (prevention, treatment, follow-up, rehabilitation, etc.) seems to be necessary.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1744-8603
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1744-8603
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-025-01119-2
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/dbaefdb296d94ebd8de38bbbb47fa02d
Accession Number: edsdoj.baefdb296d94ebd8de38bbbb47fa02d
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Abstract Background Telemedicine is mentioned as a technological solution in various fields of medicine and nowadays using telemedicine in the field of mental health in the refugee population, has attracted special attention in the world. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the usage of telemedicine in the refugee populations mental health. Methods This study, conducted in 2024, involved a comprehensive search of databases including Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Ovid, EBSCO, PubMed, and Scopus, up until April 2023. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 relevant articles were identified. The quality and methodology of the selected articles were evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) checklist. Results A total of 12 articles were included in the review. Feasibility and investigation of telemedicine challenges (5 articles) and its evaluation and effectiveness investigation (7 articles) were used. Most of the studies were quantitative (8 cases) and mostly dealt with socio-economic-cultural application issues (5 cases) and screening (2 cases). Most of the studies were purely focused on refugees (5 cases). Conclusions Results have shown that paying attention to the challenges, disadvantages, and telemedicine required Infrastructure in the field of mental health, will lead to effectiveness, screening, and treatment. This causes positive social, economic, and cultural effects on refugees. However, the need for future studies with more attention to technical and governmental challenges and their issues (security and reimbursement), the refugee population with various ethnicities, and different health fields (prevention, treatment, follow-up, rehabilitation, etc.) seems to be necessary.
ISSN:17448603
DOI:10.1186/s12992-025-01119-2