The current landscape of remote patient monitoring regarding diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia: protocol for a scoping review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired glucose regulation, predisposing patients to both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, particularly frequent in insulin-treated individuals, remains a serious but underrecognized complication. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors, smartphone apps, and hybrid closed-loop systems with remote monitoring capabilities, have emerged as promising tools to improve glycemic control and prevent hypoglycemia in nonclinical settings. Evidence examining the use of RPM technologies has expanded rapidly; however, the scope, characteristics, and reported outcomes of these interventions remain fragmented across modalities and settings. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to systematically map and describe the extent, range, and characteristics of published evidence on RPM interventions for glycemic management among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in nonclinical settings. METHODS: The review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and adhere to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) reporting guidelines. The population, concept, and context framework defines the population as adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who experience or are at risk for hypoglycemia; the concept as RPM techniques (continuous glucose monitors, hybrid closed-loop systems with remote monitoring capabilities, telemedicine, and smartphone apps); and the context as nonclinical environments. The PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases will be searched, supplemented by gray literature. Eligible studies will include clinical trials, observational studies, and cohort studies; reviews, case studies, and non-English articles will be excluded. Two independent reviewers will conduct screening, data extraction, and summarization. Findings will be synthesized descriptively in tabular and narrative formats. RESULTS: At the time of submission, the protocol has been registered, and the formal search strategy is being finalized. As of March 2026, the formal database search has been completed, and screening of studies is scheduled to begin in April 2026. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol outlines a structured approach to mapping the current landscape of RPM interventions for glycemic management in nonclinical settings. The completed review will synthesize reported intervention characteristics and outcomes to clarify existing evidence and identify areas for future investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registries 10.17605/OSF.IO/XNBWF; https://osf.io/xnbwf/overview. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/88197.