Hospitals worldwide are using digital tools like video consultations, electronic health records, and smartphone apps to help nutrition experts assess and treat patients more effectively. According to Gram Research analysis of 101 studies involving 333,517 patients, telehealth was the most common technology (31% of studies), followed by electronic medical records and mobile apps (19% each), with most showing favorable results for patient care and hospital efficiency.
Hospitals around the world are using digital tools to help nutrition experts do their jobs better. A Gram Research analysis of 101 studies found that doctors and nutrition specialists are using technologies like video visits, electronic health records, and smartphone apps to assess patients, deliver care, and track results. The research shows that these digital tools are mostly helping with patient outcomes, though more studies are needed to understand exactly how much they improve health. The most common tools are video consultations, electronic medical records, and mobile health apps, with most being used to assess patients and deliver nutrition care in hospitals.
Key Statistics
A 2026 scoping review of 101 studies involving 333,517 patients found that telehealth video consultations were the most frequently used digital health technology by nutrition experts in hospitals, appearing in 31% of studies across 24 countries.
According to research reviewed by Gram, electronic medical records and mobile health apps were each used in 19% of the 101 studies examined, making them the second and third most common digital tools for nutrition care in hospital settings.
A scoping review of 333,517 hospitalized patients found that malnutrition was the primary health target for digital health technologies in 39% of studies, with most technologies applied during assessment and intervention stages of nutrition care.
Research shows that 67% of the 101 studies examining digital health in nutrition care used observational designs rather than randomized trials, suggesting stronger evidence is needed to confirm how much these technologies improve actual patient health outcomes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How hospitals use digital health technologies (like video visits, apps, and computer systems) to help nutrition experts care for patients
- Who participated: 101 research studies from 24 countries involving 333,517 patients and 2,846 nutrition professionals working in hospital settings
- Key finding: Telehealth video visits were the most common digital tool used (31% of studies), followed by electronic medical records and smartphone apps (19% each), with most technologies showing favorable or mixed results for patient care
- What it means for you: If you’re hospitalized, nutrition experts may use digital tools to assess your needs and provide care, which can improve how quickly they help you and reduce errors. However, more research is needed to confirm how much these tools improve actual health outcomes.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a scoping review, which means they searched through published research to map out what scientists already know about a topic. They looked through six major medical databases from January 2014 to April 2025, finding 101 studies from 24 countries. A scoping review is like creating a big map of existing research rather than doing a new experiment. This approach helps identify what we know, what gaps exist, and where future research should focus. The researchers organized their findings by looking at how digital tools were used at different stages of nutrition care: assessment (figuring out what patients need), intervention (providing treatment), and monitoring (checking if the treatment is working).
This research approach is important because it gives a complete picture of how digital health is already being used in nutrition care across many hospitals and countries. Rather than looking at just one study, a scoping review shows patterns across many studies, which helps identify which tools work best and where hospitals should invest in new technology. This type of research guides hospitals and nutrition experts on what digital tools are available and effective.
This scoping review followed strict international guidelines (JBI guidance) and was reported using a standardized checklist (PRISMA-ScR), which means it was conducted carefully and transparently. The review included 101 studies, which is a substantial amount of research. However, most studies included were observational (67%), meaning researchers watched what happened rather than randomly assigning patients to different treatments. Only 33% were intervention studies with stronger evidence. Most studies came from high-income countries (85%), so findings may not apply equally worldwide. The review focused on process outcomes (like efficiency and safety) more than actual health improvements, which is a limitation.
What the Results Show
Telehealth, or video consultations between patients and nutrition experts, was the most frequently used digital technology, appearing in 31% of studies. Electronic medical records (computer systems that store patient information) and mobile health apps (smartphone applications) were used in 19% of studies each. Clinical decision support systems (computer tools that help experts make treatment decisions) appeared in 15% of studies. Machine learning and computerized ordering systems were less common, used in only 5% of studies each. Malnutrition, or not getting enough nutrients, was the main health problem that digital tools targeted in 39% of studies. Most digital technologies were used during two key stages: assessment (when experts figure out what patients need) in 35 studies, and intervention (when experts provide treatment) in 55 studies. Fewer studies looked at monitoring and evaluation stages, suggesting this is an area needing more research.
The research found that digital tools were applied across the entire nutrition care process, showing hospitals are using technology at multiple stages of patient care. Nutrition experts had diverse roles with these technologies, such as interpreting computer-generated risk scores during assessment, delivering video consultations as treatment, and pulling data from electronic medical records for monitoring. Most studies reported favorable or mixed outcomes when digital technologies were the main focus, suggesting these tools generally help rather than harm. However, studies more often measured process outcomes (like how efficiently care was delivered or how safe it was) rather than actual health outcomes (like whether patients gained weight or recovered faster). This means we know digital tools help hospitals work better, but we need more research to confirm they improve patient health.
This scoping review is the first comprehensive map of how digital health technologies are being used specifically by nutrition experts in hospital settings. Previous research has looked at digital health in general healthcare or at nutrition care without focusing on digital tools. This review fills that gap by showing that nutrition experts are adopting digital technologies at similar rates to other healthcare professionals. The finding that telehealth is most common aligns with trends in other medical fields since the COVID-19 pandemic increased video consultations. The emphasis on process outcomes over health outcomes reflects a broader pattern in healthcare research, where measuring efficiency and safety is often easier than measuring long-term health improvements.
Most studies came from wealthy countries (85%), so findings may not reflect how digital tools work in hospitals with fewer resources. The review included mostly observational studies (67%), which are weaker evidence than randomized controlled trials where patients are randomly assigned to different treatments. Most studies measured whether the technology worked smoothly or improved efficiency, not whether patients actually got healthier, which is the most important outcome. The review covered studies from 2014 to 2025, but technology changes rapidly, so some older studies may describe outdated tools. Different studies measured different outcomes, making it hard to compare results across studies. The review did not assess the quality of individual studies in detail, so some included research may have been conducted less rigorously than others.
The Bottom Line
Hospitals should consider implementing telehealth, electronic medical records, and mobile health apps for nutrition care, as these are the most studied and show mostly favorable results (moderate confidence). Nutrition experts should receive training to use these digital tools effectively (high confidence). Healthcare systems should invest in research measuring actual patient health outcomes, not just efficiency, to better understand which digital tools truly improve nutrition care (high confidence). Hospitals in low-income countries should receive support to implement these technologies, as most research comes from wealthy nations (moderate confidence).
Hospital administrators and nutrition departments should care about this research when deciding which digital tools to purchase. Nutrition experts and dietitians should understand which technologies are available and how peers are using them. Patients in hospitals may benefit from knowing that digital tools can help nutrition experts assess and treat them more efficiently. Policymakers should use this information to guide funding for digital health in nutrition care. Researchers should focus on studying health outcomes rather than just efficiency. People in low-income countries should advocate for access to these technologies.
Hospitals that implement digital tools may see improvements in efficiency and safety within weeks to months. However, actual improvements in patient nutrition status and health outcomes may take months to years to become apparent, as nutrition recovery is a gradual process. Telehealth consultations can be set up within days. Electronic medical records integration may take weeks to months. Long-term benefits like reduced hospital readmissions may not be visible for 6 to 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What digital tools do hospitals use to help nutrition experts?
Hospitals most commonly use telehealth video visits (31%), electronic health records (19%), and smartphone apps (19%). Other tools include computer systems that help make treatment decisions (15%) and machine learning programs (5%). These tools help nutrition experts assess patients, deliver care, and track progress.
Do digital health tools actually help patients get better nutrition?
Most studies show favorable or mixed results, meaning digital tools generally help. However, 67% of studies measured efficiency and safety rather than actual health improvements. More research is needed to confirm whether these technologies help patients recover faster or improve their nutrition status.
Can I use telehealth to see a nutrition expert instead of going to the hospital?
Telehealth is used in hospitals to help nutrition experts care for hospitalized patients, not typically as a replacement for hospital visits. However, some hospitals may offer telehealth follow-up appointments after discharge. Ask your hospital nutrition department about telehealth options available to you.
Are these digital nutrition tools available everywhere in the world?
Most research comes from wealthy countries (85% of studies), so digital nutrition tools are more available in high-income nations. Hospitals in low-income countries have less access to these technologies. This is an area where more support and resources are needed globally.
How can I track my nutrition if my hospital uses digital tools?
Ask your nutrition expert if they use apps or electronic systems you can access. Many hospitals allow patients to view nutrition plans and food logs through patient portals. You can also keep your own food diary using smartphone apps and share it with your nutrition team.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily nutrition intake using a food logging feature, noting meals, snacks, and drinks. Record weekly weight and how you feel (energy level, appetite). If hospitalized, ask your nutrition expert if they use digital tools and request updates on your nutrition plan through the app.
- Use the app to set a daily nutrition goal based on your hospital nutrition plan. Set reminders to eat meals and snacks at scheduled times. Share your food log with your nutrition expert through the app so they can adjust your plan if needed. If using telehealth with a nutrition expert, prepare questions before your video visit and take notes during the call.
- Weekly review of nutrition intake trends to identify patterns (are you eating enough protein? Getting enough calories?). Monthly check-ins with your nutrition expert to discuss progress. Track how you feel alongside nutrition data to connect eating patterns with energy and recovery. If hospitalized, use the app to communicate between in-person visits with your nutrition team.
This article summarizes research on how hospitals use digital tools for nutrition care. It is not medical advice. If you are hospitalized or have nutrition concerns, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Digital health tools should complement, not replace, in-person nutrition assessment and care. The effectiveness of these tools may vary based on individual circumstances, hospital resources, and your specific health conditions. Always discuss digital health options with your healthcare team before using them.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.