title: A critical review of the use of technology to provide psychosocial support for children and young people with long-term conditions.
abstract: Advances in technology have offered health professionals alternative mediums of providing support to patients with long-term conditions. This critical review evaluated and assessed the benefit of electronic media technologies in supporting children and young people with long-term conditions. Of 664 references identified, 40 met the inclusion criteria. Supportive technology tended to increase disease-related knowledge and improve aspects of psychosocial function. Supportive technology did not improve quality of life, reduce health service use or decrease school absences. The poor methodological quality of current evidence and lack of involvement of users in product development contribute to the uncertainty that supportive technology is beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University, London UK. Electronic address: susiealdiss@lsbu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldiss
authors.affiliation: Cancer Clinical Trials Office, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baggott
authors.affiliation: Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University, London UK; Centre for Outcomes and Experiences Research in Children's Health, Illness, and Disability, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London UK.
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University, London UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mobbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University, London UK; Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London UK.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000379:methods*; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Critical review; Long-term conditions; Supportive care; Technology