JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Dementia is a global health challenge, particularly in Nigeria, where limited healthcare infrastructure, cultural stigmas, and poor awareness hinder its care. Telemedicine can improve patient outcomes, increase healthcare access, and support caregivers. However, challenges like poor internet connectivity, digital literacy, and lack of integrated strategies hinder its adoption, particularly in rural areas

Objective:

This study evaluates the adoption of telemedicine for dementia care in Nigeria, examining effectiveness in improving patient outcomes, reducing caregiver burden, and enhancing accessibility. It also identifies infrastructural and cultural barriers, proposing strategies for a sustainable telemedicine framework tailored to Nigeria’s sociocultural context.

Methods:

A scoping review guided by the (PRISMA) framework used databases like PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Search terms included “telemedicine”, "dementia care," “Nigeria”, “digital health”, “telehealth interventions”, “video consultations”, and “remote monitoring tools”. Out of 640 results, 23 articles were selected. Issues like poor digital literacy, internet access, and lack of a cohesive policy were identified.

Results:

Out of 23 studies, 10 (43.5%) focused on m(Health) applications, 8 (34.8%) on video consultations, and 5 (21.7%) on remote monitoring tools. These interventions improved caregiver support, medication adherence, and access to specialist care but faced challenges in rural settings.

Conclusions:

There is an urgent need for an all-inclusive policy in Nigeria that integrates technological solutions into existing dementia care frameworks. mHealth apps, video consultations, and remote monitoring tools show potential for enhancing healthcare access, improving outcomes, and reducing caregiver burden.