Scoping review examines home-based digital health in rural Canadian healthcare settings

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Frontiers in Medicine Published May 2, 2026 Medically reviewed May 2, 2026 Study authors: Joy Lai, Amareena Saleh-Singh, Gladys Olisaekee DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Consider co-design and barrier mitigation for digital health in rural Canada.

This scoping review synthesizes findings from sixteen studies focused on home-based digital health technologies within rural or remote Canadian contexts, including British Columbia, Ontario, the Prairie provinces, and the Atlantic provinces. The review does not report a specific primary outcome or adverse events but instead evaluates readiness tools, frameworks, indicators, patient and provider perspectives, barriers, strategies, and implementation impacts.

The authors conclude that these technologies have the potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural Canada. However, the review notes that successful implementation requires careful consideration of contextual factors and proactive mitigation of barriers.

A central argument is the necessity of focusing on co-design with users to ensure equitable access and outcomes. The authors caution that practice relevance relies on addressing these contextual elements rather than assuming universal applicability of digital tools.

No specific adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability data were reported in the source material. The review underscores that while the potential benefits exist, their realization depends on tailored approaches to local settings and user engagement.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

This scoping review maps the current evidence on implementing home-based digital health technologies in rural Canada. It examines available readiness tools and indicators, stakeholder perspectives, barriers, and outcomes to provide evidence-based insights for successful implementation. A comprehensive search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus between February and March 2025. Eligible studies focused on patient-facing, home-based digital health technologies in rural or remote Canadian contexts. Articles addressing pre-implementation, implementation, or adoption of home-based digital health solutions were also included. Data extraction and thematic analysis were performed to synthesize findings. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, spanning diverse rural regions of British Columbia, Ontario, and several Prairie and Atlantic provinces. Findings were categorized under four major themes: (1) readiness tools, frameworks, and indicators; (2) patient and provider perspectives; (3) barriers and corresponding strategies; and (4) outcomes and impacts of home-based digital health implementation in rural Canada. While patients and providers are generally positive towards home-based digital health technologies, several context-dependent factors influence their success. Key barriers include digital divides, infrastructure limitations, and varying digital literacy. Effective implementation necessitates addressing these challenges through tailored strategies, such as culturally sensitive design, infrastructure development, digital literacy training, and community engagement. Home-based digital health technologies have the potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural Canada. Successful implementation requires careful consideration of contextual factors, proactive barrier mitigation, and a focus on co-design with users to ensure equitable access and outcomes.