e-Health for Traumatized Refugees: A Scoping Review

Background: High prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reported among refugees exposed to traumatic experiences, while escaping from their home country, entering a third country, and adjusting to a new society. Electronic health (e-health) treatments have been utilized to overcome challenges such as high costs, limited access to care, and a shortage of resources faced by traumatized refugees.Objective: The aim of this scoping review was to summarize the current science on e-health to screen and treat PTSD in traumatized refugees, examine its benefits and challenges, and suggest strategies for future research.Methods: We conducted a scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's 6-stage scoping review framework.Results: Of the 2,782 articles identified, 8 studies were included for the final analysis. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, the synthesis of results was not feasible. However, the findings of individual studies were examined. The most commonly used technology modality was the smartphone (n = 5). One study revealed the possibility of telephonic screening of PTSD to be equally efficacious as in-person screening, and all interventions through smartphone and the internet reported high feasibility and acceptability.Conclusion: e-Health is suggested to be a novel and scalable platform to provide mental health care in settings with limited resources. Larger and highly robust studies in refugee populations with PTSD-targeted, theory-based approaches and diverse technological formats such as video conferencing and virtual reality are warranted.

Automated summary

This scoping review aimed to summarize the current science on e-health for screening and treating PTSD in traumatized refugees, examining its benefits and challenges. The findings suggest that smartphone is the most commonly used technology modality and telephonic screening of PTSD is equally effective as in-person screening. Interventions through smartphone and the internet demonstrate high feasibility and acceptability.