JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) facilitate integration of research findings into clinical practice and promote the translation of peer-reviewed evidence into strategies for health outcome improvement. Chronic diseases represent a substantial concern in the United States, and addressing this burden requires innovation. This study aims to identify best practices regarding digital health approaches within the most representative CPGs for the ten most common chronic illnesses present in the United States population. Each CPG was screened using pre-determined search terms and true recommendations and suggestions regarding digital health technologies in the treatment of chronic conditions were extracted from the data. Seven CPGs did not return results consistent with inclusion of digital health technology in standard practice. Results showed a total of four recommendations and six suggestions from the mood disorders, diabetes, and coronary atherosclerosis CPGs. Five of these ten findings referenced telehealth interventions, and two referenced digital monitoring. Embedding evidence-based digital health approaches to chronic disease could become a standard component of the healthcare arsenal and deliver greater impact than has been realized to date. CPG review committees should systematically consider the growing evidence for digital health technology and update guidelines accordingly.