Digital health technologies for chronic disease self-management: A qualitative systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to synthesize chronic disease patients' authentic experiences of using digital health technologies (DHTs) for self-management. METHODS: 10 databases were searched from inception to February 2026. Qualitative studies reporting patient experiences with DHTs for chronic disease self-management were included. Quality appraisal followed JBI guidelines, and data synthesis used thematic analysis. RESULTS: 40 studies were included. Three themes with 10 subthemes were identified: (1) Empowerment and Connection (cognitive empowerment, behavioral empowerment, emotional empowerment, and doctor-patient connection); (2) Coexistence of Empowerment and Burden (burden of data stewardship, information overload and misalignment, and heightened disease identity); and (3) Multi-level Factors Influencing Experience (individual agency, social support networks, system integration). CONCLUSION: Patients' experiences with DHTs involve both empowerment and burden. Effective implementation requires alignment between technology design, individual capacity, social support, and healthcare integration. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should recognize the empowerment-burden duality when recommending DHTs. Designers should prioritize personalization, privacy, and user-friendly interfaces. Policymakers should address digital literacy and system integration to promote equitable access.