Table 1. Definition of digital health interventions used in this study.

Telehealth Telehealth refers to the use of electronic medium (e.g. videoconferencing, telephone calls) which facilitates synchronous (real-time) communication between a patient and healthcare provider. The aim of such technology is to reduce the geographical barrier between both individual without sacrificing access to tailored treatment and live interaction.

mHealth

mHealth can be subdivided into 2 distinct technologies namely messaging systems and mobile applications. Messaging systems Messaging systems technologies include short message service (SMS), text messaging, and email. These are asynchronous communications, do not include an auditory component, and typically are unlikely to be personalised to the individual’s need. Mobile applications Applications (apps) or software downloaded from a website or an app store and accessible via smartphones and tablet devices. The software is designed to fulfil a particular purpose, which can include self-management education, psychoeducation, reference sources (eg, database of nutritional content of foods), data tracking (e.g., physical activity, diet, blood glucose levels), and behavioural interventions.

Game-based support

Computer and video games which have been developed to facilitate diabetes education and promote self-management. Typically, they include situational problem-solving and interactive activities and reinforce health behaviours to improve diabetes outcomes. They are largely targeted at children, adolescents, and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Social platforms

Web-based social platforms enable people with diabetes to access social support without geographic boundaries, forming online health communities. These platforms include widely used social media sites (eg, Facebook, Twitter), and various other discussion forums. Web-based social platforms create unique opportunities for online peer support as well as diabetes education and intervention.

Patient portals

Online interactive treatment environments are systems that facilitate sharing of personal health records between the individual with type 1 or 2 diabetes and their health professionals and provide multiple methods for self-managing health information. Portal functions can include online appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, prescription refill requests, journaling and tracking tools, opportunities for health professional support, psychoeducational tools, and the ability to upload, view, and manage health information.