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Muschol J, Heinrich M, Heiss C, Hernandez AM, Knapp G, Repp H, Schneider H, Thormann U, Uhlar J, Unzeitig K, Gissel C. Digitization of Follow-Up Care in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery With Video Consultations: Health Economic Evaluation Study From a Health Provider's Perspective. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e46714. [PMID: 38145481 PMCID: PMC10775022 DOI: 10.2196/46714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recommendations for health care digitization as issued with the Riyadh Declaration led to an uptake in telemedicine to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluations based on clinical data are needed to support stakeholders' decision-making on the long-term implementation of digital health. OBJECTIVE This health economic evaluation aims to provide the first German analysis of the suitability of video consultations in the follow-up care of patients in orthopedic and trauma surgery, investigate the financial impact on hospital operations and personnel costs, and provide a basis for decisions on digitizing outpatient care. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled trial that evaluated video consultations versus face-to-face consultations in the follow-up care of patients in orthopedic and trauma surgery at a German university hospital. We recruited 60 patients who had previously been treated conservatively or surgically for various knee or shoulder injuries. A digital health app and a browser-based software were used to conduct video consultations. The suitability of telemedicine was assessed using the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire and the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Economic analyses included average time spent by physician per consultation, associated personnel costs and capacities for additional treatable patients, and the break-even point for video consultation software fees. RESULTS After 4 withdrawals in each arm, data from a total of 52 patients (telemedicine group: n=26; control group: n=26) were used for our analyses. In the telemedicine group, 77% (20/26) of all patients agreed that telemedicine provided for their health care needs, and 69% (18/26) found telemedicine an acceptable way to receive health care services. In addition, no significant difference was found in the change of patient utility between groups after 3 months (mean 0.02, SD 0.06 vs mean 0.07, SD 0.17; P=.35). Treatment duration was significantly shorter in the intervention group (mean 8.23, SD 4.45 minutes vs mean 10.92, SD 5.58 minutes; P=.02). The use of telemedicine saved 25% (€2.14 [US $2.35]/€8.67 [US $9.53]) in personnel costs and increased the number of treatable patients by 172 annually, assuming 2 hours of video consultations per week. Sensitivity analysis for scaling up video consultations to 10% of the hospital's outpatient cases resulted in personnel cost savings of €73,056 (US $ 80,275.39) for a senior physician. A total of 23 video consultations per month were required to recoup the software fees of telemedicine through reduced personnel costs (break-even point ranging from 12-38 in the sensitivity analysis). CONCLUSIONS Our study supports stakeholders' decision-making on the long-term implementation of digital health by demonstrating that video consultations in the follow-up care of patients in orthopedic and trauma surgery result in cost savings and productivity gains for clinics with no negative impact on patient utility. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023445; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00023445.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Muschol
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Heinrich
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Heiss
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alher Mauricio Hernandez
- Bioinstrumentation and Clinical Engineering Research Group, Bioengineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gero Knapp
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger Repp
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Henning Schneider
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Thormann
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna Uhlar
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kai Unzeitig
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Gissel
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Munasinghe NL, O'Reilly G, Cameron P. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 response in Sri Lankan hospitals: an interview of frontline healthcare professionals. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1280055. [PMID: 38125853 PMCID: PMC10731292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1280055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lack of preparedness in health systems, even in developed countries. Studies published on COVID-19 management experiences in developing countries, including Sri Lanka, are significantly low. Therefore, lessons learned from pandemic management would be immensely helpful in improving health systems for future disaster situations. This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to COVID-19 management in Sri Lankan hospitals through healthcare workers' perceptions. Methods Frontline doctors and nurses from different levels of public hospitals were interviewed online. Both inductive and deductive coding and thematic analysis were performed on the transcribed data. Result and discussion This study identified four themes under enablers: preparing for surge, teamwork, helping hands and less hospital-acquired infections. Seven themes were identified as barriers: lack of information sharing, lack of testing facilities, issues with emergency equipment, substandard donations, overwhelmed morgues, funding issues and psychological impact. These preparedness gaps were more prominent in smaller hospitals compared with larger hospitals. Recommendations were provided based on the identified gaps. Conclusion The insights from this study will allow health administrators and policymakers to build upon their hospital's resources and capabilities. These findings may be used to provide sustainable solutions, strengthening the resilience of the local Sri Lankan health system as well as the health systems of other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimali Lakmini Munasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Hollis S, Stolow J, Rosenthal M, Morreale SE, Moses L. Go.Data as a digital tool for case investigation and contact tracing in the context of COVID-19: a mixed-methods study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1717. [PMID: 37667290 PMCID: PMC10476402 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A manual approach to case investigation and contact tracing can introduce delays in response and challenges for field teams. Go.Data, an outbreak response tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, streamlines data collection and analysis during outbreaks. This study aimed to characterize Go.Data use during COVID-19, elicit shared benefits and challenges, and highlight key opportunities for enhancement. METHODS This study utilized mixed methods through qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey with Go.Data implementors on their experiences during COVID-19. Survey data was analyzed for basic univariate statistics. Interview data were coded using deductive and inductive reasoning and thematic analysis of categories. Overarching themes were triangulated with survey data to clarify key findings. RESULTS From April to June 2022, the research team conducted 33 interviews and collected 41 survey responses. Participants were distributed across all six WHO regions and 28 countries. While most implementations represented government actors at national or subnational levels, additional inputs were collected from United Nations agencies and universities. Results highlighted WHO endorsement, accessibility, adaptability, and flexible support modalities as main enabling factors. Formalization and standardization of data systems and people processes to prepare for future outbreaks were a welcomed byproduct of implementation, as 76% used paper-based reporting prior and benefited from increased coordination around a shared platform. Several challenges surfaced, including shortage of the appropriate personnel and skill-mix within teams to ensure smooth implementation. Among opportunities for enhancements were improved product documentation and features to improve usability with large data volumes. CONCLUSIONS This study was the first to provide a comprehensive picture of Go.Data implementations during COVID-19 and what joint lessons could be learned. It ultimately demonstrated that Go.Data was a useful complement to responses across diverse contexts, and helped set a reproducible foundation for future outbreaks. Concerted preparedness efforts across the domains of workforce composition, data architecture and political sensitization should be prioritized as key ingredients for future Go.Data implementations. While major developments in Go.Data functionality have addressed some key gaps highlighted during the pandemic, continued dialogue between WHO and implementors, including cross-country experience sharing, is needed ensure the tool is reactive to evolving user needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hollis
- Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Jeni Stolow
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Melissa Rosenthal
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Lina Moses
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Dugani SB, Kiliaki SA, Nielsen ML, Fischer KM, Lunde M, Kesselring GM, Lawson DK, Coons TJ, Schenzel HA, Parikh RS, Pagali SR, Liwonjo A, Croghan IT, Schroeder DR, Burton MC. Postdischarge Video Visits for Adherence to Hospital Discharge Recommendations: A Randomized Clinical Trial. MAYO CLINIC PROCEEDINGS. DIGITAL HEALTH 2023; 1:368-378. [PMID: 37641718 PMCID: PMC10460477 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpdig.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Objective To determine whether a postdischarge video visit with patients, conducted by hospital medicine advanced practice providers, improves adherence to hospital discharge recommendations. Patients and Methods We conducted a single-institution 2-site randomized clinical trial with 1:1 assignment to intervention vs control, with enrollment from August 10, 2020, to June 23, 2022. Hospital medicine patients discharged home or to an assisted living facility were randomized to a video visit 2-5 days postdischarge in addition to usual care (intervention) vs usual care (control). During the video visit, advanced practice providers reviewed discharge recommendations. Both intervention and control groups received telephone follow-up 3-6 days postdischarge to ascertain the primary outcome of adherence to all discharge recommendations for new and chronic medication management, self-management and action plan, and home support. Results Among 1190 participants (594 intervention; 596 control), the primary outcome was ascertained in 768 participants (314 intervention; 454 control). In intervention vs control, there was no difference in the proportion of participants with the primary outcome (76.7% vs 72.5%; P=.19) or in the individual domains of the primary outcome: new and chronic medication management (94.1% vs 92.8%; P=.50), self-management and action plan (76.5% vs 71.5%; P=.18), and home support (94.1% vs 94.3%; P=.94). Women receiving intervention vs control had higher adherence to recommendations (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.08-2.91). Conclusion In hospital medicine patients, a postdischarge video visit did not improve adherence to discharge recommendations. Potential gender differences in adherence require further investigation.Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT04547803.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar B Dugani
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN; Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Shangwe A Kiliaki
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Megan L Nielsen
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Karen M Fischer
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Megan Lunde
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Gina M Kesselring
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Donna K Lawson
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Trevor J Coons
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Holly A Schenzel
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Riddhi S Parikh
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Sandeep R Pagali
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Anne Liwonjo
- Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Lake City, MN
| | - Ivana T Croghan
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of General Internal Medicine; Department of Medicine, Clinical Research Office; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - M Caroline Burton
- Division of Hospital, Internal Medicine, Mayo, Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Bloom CI. Covid-19 pandemic and asthma: What did we learn? Respirology 2023; 28:603-614. [PMID: 37154075 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This review addresses some of the major lessons we have learnt regarding asthma and the covid-19 pandemic, including susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe covid-19, potentially protective factors, comparison to other respiratory infections, changes in healthcare behaviour from the perspective of patients and clinicians, medications to treat or prevent covid-19, and post-covid syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe I Bloom
- Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK
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Cassidy L, Quirke MB, Alexander D, Greene J, Hill K, Connolly M, Brenner M. Integrated care for children living with complex care needs: an evolutionary concept analysis. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:1517-1532. [PMID: 36780041 PMCID: PMC9924191 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04851-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Children with complex care needs (CCNs) are in need of improved access to healthcare services, communication, and support from healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality care is delivered to meet their needs. Integrated care is viewed as a key component of care delivery for children with CCNs, as it promotes the integration of healthcare systems to provide family and child-centred care across the entire health spectrum. There are many definitions and frameworks that support integrated care, but there is a lack of conceptual clarity around the term. Furthermore, it is often unclear how integrated care can be delivered to children with CCNs, therefore reinforcing the need for further clarification on how to define integrated care. An evolutionary concept analysis was conducted to clarify how integrated care for children with CCNs is defined within current literature. We found that integrated care for children with CCNs refers to highly specialised individualised care within or across services, that is co-produced by interdisciplinary teams, families, and children, supported by digital health technologies. Conclusion: Given the variation in terms of study design, outcomes, and patient populations this paper highlights the need for further research into methods to measure integrated care. What is Known: • Children with complex care needs require long-term care, and are in need of improved services, communication, and information from healthcare professionals to provide them with the ongoing support they need to manage their condition. • Integrated care is a key component in healthcare delivery for children with complex care needs as it has the potential to improve access to family-centred care across the entire health spectrum. What is New: • Integrated care for children with CCNs refers to highly specialised individualised care within or across services, that is co-produced by interdisciplinary teams, families, and children, supported by digital health technologies. • There is a need for the development of measurement tools to effectively assess integrated care within practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Cassidy
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Mary Brigid Quirke
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Denise Alexander
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Jo Greene
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Katie Hill
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Michael Connolly
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Maria Brenner
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland
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He Y, Iiams-Hauser C, Henri Assoa P, Kouabenan YR, Komena P, Pongathie A, Kouakou A, Kirk M, Antilla J, Rogosin C, Sadate Ngatchou P, Kohemun N, Bernard Koffi J, Flowers J, Abiola N, Adjé-Touré C, Puttkammer N, Perrone LA. Development and national scale implementation of an open-source electronic laboratory information system (OpenELIS) in Côte d'Ivoire: Sustainability lessons from the first 13 years. Int J Med Inform 2023; 170:104977. [PMID: 36608629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2022.104977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Côte d'Ivoire has a tiered public health laboratory system of 9 reference laboratories, 77 laboratories at regional and general hospitals, and 100 laboratories among 1,486 district health centers. Prior to 2009, nearly all of these laboratories used paper registers and reports to collect and report laboratory data to clinicians and national disease monitoring programs. PROJECT Since 2009 the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Côte d'Ivoire has sought to implement a comprehensive set of activities aimed at strengthening the laboratory system. One of these activities is the sustainable development, expansion, and technical support of an open-source electronic laboratory information system (OpenELIS), with the long-term goal of Ivorian technical support and managerial sustainment of the system. This project has addressed the need for a comprehensive, customizable, low- to no-cost, open-source LIS to serve the public health systems with initial attention to HIV clients and later expansion to cover the general population. This descriptive case study presents the first published summary of original work which has been ongoing since 2009 in Côte d'Ivoire to transform the laboratory information management systems and processes nationally. IMPACT OpenELIS is now in use at 106 laboratories across Côte d'Ivoire. This article describes the iterative planning, design, and implementation process of OpenELIS in Côte d'Ivoire, and the evolving leadership, ownership, and capacity of the Ivorian MOH in sustaining the system. This original work synthesizes lessons learned from this 13-year experience towards strengthening laboratory information systems in other low resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao He
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Casey Iiams-Hauser
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | | | | | - Adama Pongathie
- Direction de l'Informatique et de l'Information Sanitaire (DIIS), Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Alain Kouakou
- Direction de l'Informatique et de l'Information Sanitaire (DIIS), Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Mary Kirk
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Jennifer Antilla
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Carli Rogosin
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Patricia Sadate Ngatchou
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Natacha Kohemun
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jean Bernard Koffi
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jan Flowers
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | | | - Nancy Puttkammer
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Lucy A Perrone
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA.
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Ahmed SK, Hussein S, Chandran D, Islam MR, Dhama K. The role of digital health in revolutionizing healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes in conflict zones. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231218158. [PMID: 38047160 PMCID: PMC10693218 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231218158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The provision and planning for healthcare delivery in conflict is a pressing imperative. Healthcare within these environments is naturally complex, given the entanglement of affected populations, militaries and oft-deteriorating public services. The field of digital health, placed at the intersection of healthcare and technology, has the power to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes worldwide. Its impact is particularly significant in conflict zones, where it can address the unique challenges faced by these regions. Violence, damaged infrastructure, restricted mobility, forced migration, and overstretched healthcare facilities are all hallmarks of conflict zones that demand novel approaches to addressing them. Health care delivery is being revolutionized by the introduction of digital health technology in conflict zones, which are improving access, emergency response capacities, health information management, and mental health assistance. Doctors and aid organizations can more easily overcome challenges and reach out to underserved populations in these regions because to digital technological improvements. Recent decades have seen a shift in the nature of conflict, and with it, a corresponding shift in the range of digital health solutions available to address geographical, epidemiological, and clinical gaps. The purpose of this letter is to inquire into the application of digital health in conflict zones and its potential to lessen the pressing healthcare needs of affected communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirwan Khalid Ahmed
- Department of Adult Nursing, College Nursing, University of Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health-Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Safin Hussein
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Deepak Chandran
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala, Kerala, India
| | | | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Roberts S, Kelman I. Governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2241894. [PMID: 37620749 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2241894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTHow can governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks be enhanced? In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously represented both the potential and marked limitations of digital health practices for infectious disease outbreaks. During the pandemic's initial stages, states along with Big Data and Big Tech actors unleashed a scope of both established and experimental digital technologies for tracking infections, hospitalisations, and deaths from COVID-19 - and sometimes exposure to the virus SARS-CoV-2. Despite the proliferation of these technologies at the global level, transnational and cross-border integration, and cooperation within digital health responses to COVID-19 often faltered, while digital health regulations were fragmented, contested, and uncoordinated. This article presents a critiquing reflection of approaches to conceptualising, understanding, and implementing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks, observed from COVID-19 and previous examples. In assessing the strengths and limitations of existing practices of governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks, this article particularly examines 'informal' digital health to build upon and consider how digitised responses to addressing and governing infectious disease outbreaks may be reconceptualised, revisited, or revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Roberts
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ilan Kelman
- Institute for Global Health, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), University College London, London, UK
- University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
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Ranney ML, Stettenbauer EG, Delgado MK, Yao KA, Orchowski LM. Uses of mHealth in Injury Prevention and Control: a Critical Review. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2022; 9:273-281. [PMID: 36404873 PMCID: PMC9644389 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-022-00312-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Reviews The purpose of this review was to summarize the current state of the literature on the use of "mHealth" (the use of mobile devices for health promotion) for injury prevention and control. Recent Findings mHealth is being used to measure, predict, and prevent the full spectrum of injuries. However, most literature remains preliminary or in a pilot stage. Use of best-of-class design principles (e.g., user-centered design, theory-based development) is uncommon, and wide-scale dissemination of effective monitoring or intervention tools is rare. Summary mHealth for injury prevention holds promise, but further work is needed across the full spectrum of development and translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Ranney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School Brown University, Providence, USA
- Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, Providence, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Science, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - E. G. Stettenbauer
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - M. Kit Delgado
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Lindsay M. Orchowski
- Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, Providence, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI USA
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Brommeyer M, Liang Z. A Systematic Approach in Developing Management Workforce Readiness for Digital Health Transformation in Healthcare. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13843. [PMID: 36360722 PMCID: PMC9658786 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up digital health transformation across the health sectors to enable innovative health service delivery. Such transformation relies on competent managers with the capacity to lead and manage. However, the health system has not adopted a holistic approach in addressing the health management workforce development needs, with many hurdles to overcome. The objectives of this paper are to present the findings of a three-step approach in understanding the current hurdles in developing a health management workforce that can enable and maximize the benefits of digital health transformation, and to explore ways of overcoming such hurdles. METHODS A three-step, systematic approach was undertaken, including an Australian digital health policy documentary analysis, an Australian health service management postgraduate program analysis, and a scoping review of international literatures. RESULTS The main findings of the three-step approach confirmed the strategies required in developing a digitally enabled health management workforce and efforts in enabling managers in leading and managing in the digital health space. CONCLUSIONS With the ever-changing landscape of digital health, leading and managing in times of system transformation requires a holistic approach to develop the necessary health management workforce capabilities and system-wide capacity. The proposed framework, for overall health management workforce development in the digital health era, suggests that national collaboration is necessary to articulate a more coordinated, consistent, and coherent set of policy guidelines and the system, policy, educational, and professional organizational enablers that drive a digital health focused approach across all the healthcare sectors, in a coordinated and contextual manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Brommeyer
- College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Zhanming Liang
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
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Berger SE, Baria AT. Assessing Pain Research: A Narrative Review of Emerging Pain Methods, Their Technosocial Implications, and Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Approaches. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:896276. [PMID: 35721658 PMCID: PMC9201034 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.896276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain research traverses many disciplines and methodologies. Yet, despite our understanding and field-wide acceptance of the multifactorial essence of pain as a sensory perception, emotional experience, and biopsychosocial condition, pain scientists and practitioners often remain siloed within their domain expertise and associated techniques. The context in which the field finds itself today-with increasing reliance on digital technologies, an on-going pandemic, and continued disparities in pain care-requires new collaborations and different approaches to measuring pain. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in human pain research, summarizing emerging practices and cutting-edge techniques across multiple methods and technologies. For each, we outline foreseeable technosocial considerations, reflecting on implications for standards of care, pain management, research, and societal impact. Through overviewing alternative data sources and varied ways of measuring pain and by reflecting on the concerns, limitations, and challenges facing the field, we hope to create critical dialogues, inspire more collaborations, and foster new ideas for future pain research methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Berger
- Responsible and Inclusive Technologies Research, Exploratory Sciences Division, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, United States
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