A Digital First Healthcare Approach to Managing Pandemics: A Scoping Review of Pandemic Self-Triage Tools (Preprint)

BACKGROUND During COVID-19, many tools were designed to allow people to input their own information and the digital tool providing direction to care which could include self-care. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this scoping review was to look at the state of the literature on self-triage tools that direct or advise care for adults during a pandemic. METHODS A scoping review was conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane. Articles were selected if they reported on digital self-triage tools that directed to care specifically regarding pandemic virus and included adults. RESULTS A total of 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles were published in 2020 or 2021 and addressed the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one study was published in 2011 and related to the H1N1 pandemic. The studies reported on tools in 17 different countries. Related to the direction of care, advice might include to go to an ER, seek urgent care, contact, or see a doctor, or stay at home and self-isolate. Two of the studies evaluated the usability of the tool, and one evaluated the quality of triage advice. CONCLUSIONS The key findings from the studies suggest that the tools, while having similarities in directing to care (ER, physician, self-care), differ in a variety of ways. Some tools provide data to predict healthcare demand and others are intended to be used repeatedly by the end user. Future studies should evaluate the quality of these screening tools to ensure quality and effectiveness. CLINICALTRIAL n/a