Digital Transformation in the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Scoping Review
Purpose of Review: There is an increasing interest in the role of digital health in the healthcare industry, focusing on enhancing patient care through technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health applications, telemedicine, and other advancements. The purpose of this review is to highlight the enormous potential of digital transformation tools in managing and mitigating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect millions of people worldwide, particularly in the Global South. To meet this purpose, we conducted a scoping review of existing literature and investigated the specific application of these technologies to NTDs. Briefly, the review entailed three main components: a bibliometric analysis, a content analysis, and the design of an ontological model to illustrate the relationships between technologies and diseases.
Recent Findings: The review highlights the emerging use of smartphones as a promising tool not only to increase communication and awareness on NTDs but also to enhance the possibilities of their management. The findings also underscore the use of artificial intelligence in the development of new drugs, as well as the application of deep learning in predicting and detecting diseases and vectors. Content analysis stated the main NTDs in literature addressed by when associated to the use of digital health like dengue and malaria. From this review, an ontological model was developed to link diseases and digital tools used to combat NTDs in the Global South. These findings suggest that a new and growing field of research and application that utilises digital technology to address the challenges posed by NTDs.
Summary: The present scoping review identifies the significant potential of digital technologies in the fight against NTDs. Important barriers such as sustainable financing, data privacy, and the need for capacity building are recognised. A novel aspect of this review is the design of an ontological model to serve as a guide to new technological products applied to solve issues related to NTDs. The model connects concepts and major results found in the literature, indicating a structured approach to understanding and applying digital transformation in combating NTDs.