The use of digital technologies in the promotion of health literacy and the empowerment of the Informal Caregiver: a scoping review

Abstract Background: Informal Caregivers (ICs) play an important role in the community as healthcare providers to people who are dependent. Health literacy contributes to empowering care and self-management of one’s own health and can be enhanced by using digital technologies. Aim: To map scientific evidence about the use of digital technologies to promote health literacy and the empower the IC. Method: A scoping review was made using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. CINALH, MEDLINE, SCOPUS e PUBMED were the databases used to search for the keywords informal caregivers, family caregiver, health literacy, empower, digital technology, and community. Inclusion criteria were made using the Population, Concept, and Context mnemonic and used as a record screening strategy. Paper relevance analysis was made by two independent reviewers, and the results were analysed according to their content. Results: Nine studies were included, which verified that ICs used digital tools, such as computers and smartphones, with smartphones being the preferred tool. ICs use the Internet to access information, social and economic materials, home management tasks and communication with relatives, with their peers, healthcare professionals, and forums. Due to difficulties in leaving the house, forums are highly valued because this way ICs are still able to preserve human connections. There are factors that facilitate or complicate the use of digital tools by the ICs, and such information can be used to improve their user experience. Conclusion: The use of digital technologies to convey clear, objective, reliable, and accessible information is a strategic action for promoting health literacy and for contemplating the variable care needs of ICs. By working with ICs in the development of new technologies, researchers are building a new tool that meets ICs’ needs.