Efficacy of three-dimensional visualization in mobile apps for patient education regarding orthognathic surgery

The design, development and usability testing of a smartphone-based mobile system for management of children's oral health

The aim of the study was to design and develop a mobile system for better management of children's oral health by using the internet technology. This study was followed in a three-step approach. (1) Design stage: participatory design (including patients, dentists and computer scientists) was taken in order to adapt the system to the clinical practice of dentistry; (2) Development stage: dentists and computer scientists were involved in this stage to develop the system by using internet technology; (3) Usability testing stage: the quality (MARS), usability (SUS) and satisfaction of the system were assessed by children's caregivers. The system contains patient-side app, doctor-side app and Web side program for manager. Children and their caregivers could acquire many useful services through the app, such as oral healthcare education, brushing management, dietary record, online consultation, online appointment, feedback of adverse events. The overall value of SUS was 67.75. The final quality mean score was 3.44 ± 0.95, with the highest mean score of functionality. The majority of caregivers were satisfied with the system. They expressed the system could improve the current medical services and their oral health literacy.

The use of mobile devices in oculoplastic and oral and maxillofacial surgery: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The use of smartphones in the United States has more than doubled since 2011. Mobile phone applications have versatile functions in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery, such as increasing patient engagement in treatment, decreasing no-shows to appointments, and providing patient education. They also provide practical advantages to the clinician, including supplementing an otoscope, laryngoscope, or ophthalmoscope. Their use in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and oculoplastic surgery has shown effectiveness for a variety of applications, such as for photography and medical reference. Research suggests that smartphones may improve clinical outcomes and efficiency.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date systematic review of the available literature investigating mobile phone use in oculoplastic surgery and OMFS.

METHODS

A query of terms relevant to oculoplastic surgery and OMFS was conducted using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsychINFO to identify studies meeting inclusion criteria that investigated the implementation, efficacy, and outcomes of mobile device use in oculoplastic surgery and OMFS. A qualitative summary and discussion of the literature was subsequently synthesized.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 289 articles reviewed, 171 were removed due to duplication across the four databases. Of the 118 studies remaining, 19 of them were included within the final qualitative review after screening the abstracts and full text for relevance. The articles were published between 2005 and 2020 from 7 different countries. Review of the relevant articles showed three settings in which mobile devices were used: communication between providers, communication between providers and patients, and as surgical supplementation. The literature review included use of mobile device photography for quality improvement, visual representation of procedures for patient education, and improved communication amongst providers and patients in the setting of oculoplastics and OMFS.

CONCLUSION

Mobile device use has become ubiquitous across cultures worldwide. The literature suggests that mobile phone use in oculoplastic surgery and OMFS may improve clinical practice in multiple settings. However, further investigation is necessary to quantify the clinical benefits of mobile device use in oculoplastic and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Orthognathic patient perception of 3D facial soft tissue prediction planning

The primary aim of this study was to explore patients' perceptions regarding the impact of 3D prediction planning (3D PP) of facial soft tissue changes following orthognathic surgery. The study was carried out on 30 patients who were shown photorealistic 3D soft tissue prediction planning before undergoing orthognathic surgery to demonstrate the expected facial changes. Distraction osteogenesis and cleft deformities were excluded from the study before consenting to surgery. Following surgery, the included patients were asked to complete a standard questionnaire to explore their perceptions regarding the impact, accuracy, and value of 3D prediction planning. The majority of the 30 participants perceived 3D PP to be beneficial in reducing their presurgical anxiety, increasing their motivation to undergo surgery, improving the accuracy of their surgical expectations, and enhancing doctor-patient communication. Most of the patients perceived their surgical soft tissue changes to be better than the predictions. Significant positive correlations were detected between satisfaction with the delivered service and the facility of seeing 3D PP (r_s = 0.4; p = 0.034). Similarly, 3D PP improved patients' confidence in the surgical decision (r_s = 0.4; p = 0.031), as well as increasing their motivation to undergo surgery (r_s = 0.5; p = 0.010). 3D PP was found to be effective in improving the quality of orthognathic surgical care.

The relationship of smartphone addiction with psychological distress and neuroticism among university medical students

Background

Smartphone plays a vital role in higher education as it serves as a device with multiple functions. Smartphone addiction was reported on the rise among college and university students. The addiction may result in unwanted consequences on their academic performance and psychological health. One factor that consistently relates to psychological distress and smartphone addiction is the neurotic personality trait. This study explored the relationship of smartphone addiction with psychological health and neuroticism among USM medical students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on medical students in a public medical school. DASS-21, the neuroticism-subscale of USMaP-i and SAS-SV were administered to measure psychological distress, neuroticism, and smartphone addiction of the medical students. Spearman correlation was performed to examine the correlation between smartphone addiction with psychological distress and neuroticism. Simple linear regression was performed to investigate relationship factors of smartphone addiction.

Results

A total of 574 medical students participated in this study. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 40.6%. It was higher among male (49.2%) compared to female (36.6%) medical students. The result showed a fair positive correlation between smartphone addiction and psychological health (rdepression = 0.277, p-value < 0.001; ranxiety = 0.312, p-value < 0.001; rstress = 0.329, p-value < 0.001). However, there was a poor positive correlation between smartphone addiction and neuroticism (r = 0.173, p-value < 0.001). The simple linear regression showed a significant increase in the levels of depression, anxiety, stress and neuroticism upon one unit increase in smartphone addiction (bdepression = 0.101, p-value < 0.001; banxiety = 0.120, p-value < 0.001; bstress = 0.132, p-value < 0.001; bneuroticism = 0.404, p-value < 0.05). These results indicated significant relationships between smartphone addiction, psychological health and neuroticism.

Conclusion

This study suggested a high prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students, particularly in male medical students. The smartphone addiction might lead to psychological problems and the most vulnerable group is the medical student with the neurotic personality trait.

Assent for Orthognathic Surgery: Features, Challenges, and Benefits

The ideal age to undergo orthognathic surgery approximates the age of majority, and as a result a considerable portion of the patient population undergoing orthognathic surgery are legal minors. When a patient cannot legally provide consent, assent is often sought. Assent for surgical orthodontics is complicated by particular changes in cognitive variables during adolescence, the multiphased and multi-provider treatment course, and the intervention's elective nature. Ultimately, inclusion of a high-quality assent process can help identify patients most likely to benefit from orthognathic surgery and increase patient satisfaction.

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery is ready for patient-centred eHealth interventions - the outcomes of a scoping review

Within the field of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery, eHealth is expected to be a tool to improve quality of care. The aim of this study is to map the research of patient-centred eHealth interventions within OMF surgery by means of a scoping review. After a systematic literature search, relevant studies on patient-centred eHealth interventions for OMF-surgery patients were selected. The interventions were mapped based on their key components, target population and outcome measures. To gain insight in the research phase of evaluation, the framework of the Medical Research Council (MRC) was used. Forty-one papers were included, comprising 34 unique interventions. Nineteen interventions were designed for head and neck cancer patients, 11 interventions concernd video-teleconsultation. According to the MRC framework, 26 papers fitted into the feasibility and piloting phase of research, 8 into the evaluation phase, 7 were in the development phase. No implementation studies were found. This scoping review can be a starting point for those who are interested in applying and evaluating eHealth in their practice. Since many feasibility and pilot studies were found on similar interventions, a more extensive collaboration with and connecting to each other is recommended to catalyze the implementation of eHealth in daily practice. Profound involvement of patients in developing and evaluating eHealth interventions is essential to achieve true patient-centred OMF surgery.

Mobile learning in medicine: an evaluation of attitudes and behaviours of medical students

BACKGROUND

Mobile learning (mLearning) devices (such as tablets and smartphones) are increasingly part of the clinical environment but there is a limited and somewhat conflicting literature regarding the impact of such devices in the clinical learning environment. This study aims to: assess the impact of mLearning devices in the clinical learning environment on medical students' studying habits, attitudes towards mobile device supported learning; and the perceived reaction of clinicians and patients to the use of these devices as part of learning in the clinical setting.

METHODS

Over three consecutive academic years, 18 cohorts of medical students (total n = 275) on a six-week rotation at a large teaching hospital in London were supplied with mLearning devices (iPad mini) to support their placement-based learning. Feedback on their experiences and perceptions was collected via pre- and post-use questionnaires.

RESULTS

The results suggest mLearning devices have a positive effect on the students' perceived efficiency of working, while experience of usage not only confirmed pre-existing positive opinions about devices but also disputed some expected limitations associated with mLearning devices in the clinical workplace. Students were more likely to use devices in 'down-time' than as part of their clinical learning. As anticipated, both by users and from the literature, universal internet access was a major limitation to device use. The results were inconclusive about the student preference for device provision versus supporting a pre-owned device.

CONCLUSION

M-learning devices can have a positive impact on the learning experiences medical students during their clinical attachments. The results supported the feasibility of providing mLearning devices to support learning in the clinical environment. However, universal internet is a fundamental limitation to optimal device utilisation.