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Sánchez-Machín I, Poza-Guedes P, Mederos-Luis E, González-Pérez R. The paradigm shift in allergy consultations through a digital ecosystem. Front Digit Health 2024; 6:1402810. [PMID: 38725446 PMCID: PMC11079116 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1402810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In Spain, specialist outpatient care traditionally relied on in-person consultations at public hospitals, leading to long wait times and limited clinical analysis in appointment assignments. However, the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has transformed patient care, creating a seamless healthcare ecosystem. At the Allergy Department, we aimed to share our experience in transitioning form a traditional linear model of patient flow across different healthcare levels to the implementation of a digital ecosystem. By telemedicine, we can prioritize individuals based on clinical relevance, promptly and efficiently addressing potentially life-threatening conditions such as severe uncontrolled asthma or hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis. Furthermore, our adoption of telephone consultations has markedly reduced the need for in-person hospital visits, while issues with unstable patients are swiftly addressed via WhatsApp. This innovative approach not only enhances efficiency but also facilitates the dissemination of personalized medical information through various channels, contributing to public awareness and education, particularly regarding allergies. Concerns related to confidentiality, data privacy, and the necessity for informed consent must thoroughly be addressed. Also, to ensure the success of ICT integration, it is imperative to focus on the quality of educational information, its efficient dissemination, and anticipate potential unforeseen consequences. Sharing experiences across diverse health frameworks and medical specialties becomes crucial in refining these processes, drawing insights from the collective experiences of others. This collaborative effort aims to contribute to the ongoing development of a more effective and sustainable healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paloma Poza-Guedes
- Allergy Department, Canary Islands University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Severe Asthma Unit, Canary Islands University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Elena Mederos-Luis
- Allergy Department, Canary Islands University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ruperto González-Pérez
- Allergy Department, Canary Islands University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Severe Asthma Unit, Canary Islands University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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2
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Smolinska S, Popescu FD, Izquierdo E, Antolín-Amérigo D, Price OJ, Alvarez-Perea A, Eguíluz Gracia I, Papadopoulos NG, Pfaar O, Fassio F, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K, Dramburg S, Agache I, Jutel M, Brough HA, Fonseca JA, Angier E, Boccabella C, Bonini M, Dunn Galvin A, Gibson PG, Gawlik R, Hannachi F, Kalayci Ö, Klimek L, Knibb R, Matricardi P, Chivato T. Telemedicine with special focus on allergic diseases and asthma-Status 2022: An EAACI position paper. Allergy 2024; 79:777-792. [PMID: 38041429 DOI: 10.1111/all.15964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Efficacious, effective and efficient communication between healthcare professionals (HCP) and patients is essential to achieve a successful therapeutic alliance. Telemedicine (TM) has been used for decades but during the COVID-19 pandemic its use has become widespread. This position paper aims to describe the terminology and most important forms of TM among HCP and patients and review the existing studies on the uses of TM for asthma and allergy. Besides, the advantages and risks of TM are discussed, concluding that TM application reduces costs and time for both, HCP and patients, but cannot completely replace face-to-face visits for physical examinations and certain tests that are critical in asthma and allergy. From an ethical point of view, it is important to identify those involved in the TM process, ensure confidentiality and use communication channels that fully guarantee the security of the information. Unmet needs and directions for the future regarding implementation, data protection, privacy regulations, methodology and efficacy are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Smolinska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Florin-Dan Popescu
- Department of Allergology, Nicolae Malaxa Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Izquierdo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada Nemesio Díez (IMMA), Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darío Antolín-Amérigo
- Servicio de Alergia, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oliver J Price
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Alberto Alvarez-Perea
- Allergy Service, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ibon Eguíluz Gracia
- Allergy Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga and Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND). RICORS "Inflammatory Diseases", Malaga, Spain
| | - Nikolaos G Papadopoulos
- Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Stephanie Dramburg
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Care, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ioana Agache
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- "ALL-MED" Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Helen A Brough
- Children's Allergy Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - João A Fonseca
- CINTESIS@RISE, MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elizabeth Angier
- Primary Care, Population Science and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Cristina Boccabella
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Bonini
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Peter G Gibson
- John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Radoslaw Gawlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Farah Hannachi
- Immuno-Allergology Unit, Hospital Centre of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Ömer Kalayci
- Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ludger Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Rebecca Knibb
- School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paolo Matricardi
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Care, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tomás Chivato
- Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Allenbrand R, DiDonna A, Marshall J, Kennedy K. Establishing a Virtual Home Assessment Program: from Concept to Implementation as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:531-540. [PMID: 37405680 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01099-6] [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] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Environmental home assessments have traditionally been performed in-person at the homes of Children's Mercy Kansas City patients. The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to the way patients interact with their healthcare providers, including home visiting programs. Reaching out to patients with high-risk asthma and immunocompromised health was still needed, despite the pandemic. This project's purpose was to develop a virtual (telemedicine) healthy home assessment protocol that would continue to meet patients' needs during the isolation resulting from the pandemic. RECENT FINDINGS This is a newly developing approach to performing home environmental assessments with limited published research. Research on the effective use of telemedicine as an alternative to in-person clinic visits has shown that for some health conditions telemedicine represents a useful technique to engage with patients and caregivers. For some conditions, like pediatric asthma, it provides a similar level of efficacy in disease management while providing a more efficient form of interaction. This article describes the development and delivery process, timelines of caregiver interaction, and guidelines for performing virtual home assessments. It summarizes the challenges and benefits of using a virtual process for delivering home assessment services for asthma and allergy patients. Overall, caregivers indicated they found the use of virtual technology had significant benefits for them including their personal comfort and the time efficiency gained by using virtual visits to interact with Healthy Homes Program staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Allenbrand
- Environmental Health Program, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - Anita DiDonna
- Environmental Health Program, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Jenny Marshall
- Department of Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Kevin Kennedy
- Environmental Health Program, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
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4
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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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5
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Use of modern information communication technology to enable real-time consultation between primary and specialty care providers. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:966-967.e1. [PMID: 36410661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Bittner B. Drug delivery improvements to enable a flexible care setting for monoclonal antibody medications in oncology - Analogue-based decision framework. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:457-470. [PMID: 36855292 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2184343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The substantial acceleration in healthcare spending together with the expenditures to manage the COVID19 pandemic demand drug delivery solutions that enable a flexible care setting for high-dose monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in oncology. AREAS COVERED This expert opinion introduces an analogue-based framework applied to guide decision-making for associated product improvements for mAb medications that are either already authorized or in late-stage clinical development. The four pillars of this framework comprise (1) the drug delivery profile of current and emerging treatments in the market, (2) the needs and preferences of people treated with mAbs, (3) existing healthcare infrastructures, and (4) country-dependent reimbursement and procurement models. The following product optimization examples for mAb-based treatments are evaluated based on original research and review articles in the field: subcutaneous formulations, an established drug delivery modality to reduce parenteral dosing complexity, fixed-dose combinations, an emerging concept to complement combination therapy, and (connected) on-body delivery systems, an identified future opportunity to support dosing outside of a controlled healthcare institutional environment. EXPERT OPINION Leveraging existing synergies and learnings from other disease areas is a measure to reduce associated development and commercialization costs and thus to provide sustainable product offerings already at the initial launch of a medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Bittner
- Global Product Strategy - Product Optimization, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
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Pleasants RA, Chan AH, Mosnaim G, Costello RW, Dhand R, Schworer SA, Merchant R, Tilley SL. Integrating digital inhalers into clinical care of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med 2022; 205:107038. [PMID: 36446239 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.107038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Modernizing inhaled medications through digital technology can help address persistent problems of non-adherence and poor inhaler technique in patients with obstructive lung diseases. With a growing body of supportive clinical studies, advances in digital inhaler sensors and platforms, greater support from payers and healthcare organizations, significant growth with these technologies is expected. While all digital (smart) inhalers record adherence, these are distinguished by their compatibility with commercial inhalers, capabilities to guide inhaler technique, use of patient-reported outcomes, and user-friendliness for both the healthcare professional (HCP) and patient. Due to the complexity and novelty of employing digital inhalers, collaboration with multiple entities within health systems is necessary and a well-planned integration is needed. For HCPs and patients, cybersecurity and privacy are critical, it will require review by each healthcare organization. In the US, some payers reimburse for remote monitoring using digital inhalers, but reimbursement is currently unavailable in other countries. There are several models for remote patient care, as employing an active, ongoing digital interface between the HCP and patient or they may choose to only review data at clinical encounters. Personalization of therapies and feedback are key to success. While digital inhaler malfunction uncommonly occurs, patient attrition over a year is significant. Some patients will be challenged to use digital platforms or have the necessary technology. Additional research is needed to address cost-effectiveness, in vivo accuracy of inspiratory measurement capable devices, ability to teach inhaler technique, their application for monitoring lung function, and lastly real-world adoption and implementation in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A Pleasants
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Amy Hy Chan
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, USA.
| | - Giselle Mosnaim
- NorthShore University Health System, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Richard W Costello
- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 YN77, Ireland.
| | - Rajiv Dhand
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Stephen A Schworer
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Rajan Merchant
- Woodland Clinic Medical Group, Dignity Health Medical Foundation, CommonSpirit Health Research Institute, CommonSpirit Health Dignity Health, Woodland Clinic, 632 W Gibson Rd, Woodland, CA, USA.
| | - Stephen L Tilley
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Mak HW, Yeung MH, Wong JC, Chiang V, Li PH. Differences in beta-lactam and penicillin allergy: Beyond the West and focusing on Asia-Pacific. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:1059321. [PMID: 36483185 PMCID: PMC9723361 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.1059321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Beta-lactam (BL) antibiotic "allergy" labels are common, but often overdiagnosed. Although much research has been focused on the BL allergy and the delabelling process in the West, studies from other parts of the world remain sparse. This review outlines the contrasting global epidemiology, shifting clinical practices and disparities of BL allergy in the Asia-Pacific region compared with the West. Innovative strategies to overcome barriers in BL allergy workup are discussed and potential directions for future research and service development are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo W.F. Mak
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Maegan H.Y. Yeung
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jane C.Y. Wong
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Valerie Chiang
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Philip H. Li
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Rehman N, Portnoy J, Wu AC. Could Telemedicine Be Here to Stay? Understanding the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Telemedicine in Allergy and Immunology Practice. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2550-2551. [PMID: 36216459 PMCID: PMC9538626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Narmeen Rehman
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Mich
| | - Jay Portnoy
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Mass,Corresponding author: Ann Chen Wu, MD, MPH, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Dr, Ste 401, Boston, MA 02215
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