Digital Interventions in Hospital‐To‐Home Transitions: Self‐Care and Quality of Life Through Fundamental Care and Navigation Health Literacy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Healthcare complexity and fragmentation challenge the delivery of person-centred fundamental care, particularly during hospital-to-home transitions. Digital technologies may support continuity of care by facilitating access to health information, communication and self-management. These functions are conceptually relevant to Navigation Health Literacy (HL-NAV). However, evidence regarding the effects of digital interventions on self-care and quality of life during care transitions remains limited. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review following the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA guidance. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised controlled trials (nRCTs) evaluating digital interventions during hospital-to-home transitions that reported self-care and/or quality-of-life outcomes. We used HL-NAV and the Fundamentals of Care Framework as conceptual lenses to interpret intervention components. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection and assessed risk of bias using design-appropriate Cochrane tools. RESULTS: From 2152 identified records, 12 studies met the eligibility criteria. Mobile applications and digital assistants showed favourable findings in some studies, although the overall pattern was mixed. Web-based programmes and telehealth interventions also showed variable findings, while evidence for stand-alone SMS and QR code-based interventions was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Digital interventions may support self-care and quality of life during hospital-to-home transitions. Components including access to health information, personalised guidance, communication with healthcare professionals and self-management support are conceptually relevant to HL-NAV and person-centred fundamental care. However, neither construct was directly assessed; therefore, no conclusions can be drawn regarding their improvement. Future research should directly assess HL-NAV using validated measures and examine how digital interventions can support person-centred fundamental care and be integrated into nursing practice in effective, equitable and sustainable ways. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: As this study was a systematic review of published literature, patients or members of the public were not directly involved in its design, conduct, analysis or reporting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024619220.