Telehealth in the management of diabetes in regional and remote First Nations populations in Australia: where are the gaps

First Nations Australians in regional areas diagnosed with diabetes can face challenges such as difficulty accessing health care, leading to poor health outcomes. This study aimed to review the literature on the use of telehealth to manage diabetes in these populations. A systematic review of the literature based upon PRISMA guidelines was conducted from 2010 to 2021 using keywords relevant to the management of diabetes via telehealth, with a focus on First Nations communities. While certain studies provide evidence of the role of telehealth in improving management of diabetes, there are certain disadvantages to telehealth such as patients not accessing vital pathology services and this can be detrimental to the long-term health of diabetic patients. Based upon the findings of this review, it is clear that more studies are required to investigate how telehealth could be used to improve health outcomes for First Nations populations with diabetes, not just in Australia but globally.