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Makhlouf Y, Nessib DB, Ferjani H, Triki W, Maatallah K, Dhia K, Hamdi. The concept of telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology in Tunisia: Parents' perceptions. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 69:6-9. [PMID: 36584592 PMCID: PMC9797351 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.005] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems are facing challenges in delivering proper patient care. Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis require specialized and comprehensive attention. In this context, telemedicine is an alternative that has the potential to improve access to healthcare in addition to cost savings. The objective of our study was to evaluate parents' willingness for telemedicine and factors helping to adopt this alternative in the era of COVID-19. METHODS We undertook a cross-sectional study via structured phone interviews of parents' JIA patients as well as those with no established diagnoses. We evaluated their point of view and willingness to adhere to TM. RESULTS The study included 40 parents. The main reasons for favoring TM were avoiding hospitals during the pandemic (32.5%), time saving (27.5%) as well as avoiding school absenteeism (27.5%). The main reasons for preferring a live consultation were the fear of a possible discrepancy between physical and distant evaluation (47.5%) and the fear of the trivialization of the disease (38.5%). There was no association between preference for TM and a family history of COVID-19 (p = 0.704) as well as electronic devices afforded (p = 0.263). However, patients who lived away from hospital, not familiar with the concept of TM and with higher income adhered less to TM. CONCLUSION Unlike the literature data, our study showed the low prevalence of parents willing to accept TM as a model of care. This imply an urgent need for parent and patient education to promote TM especially in pediatric rheumatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Makhlouf
- Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia.
| | - Dorra Ben Nessib
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia
| | - Hanene Ferjani
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia.
| | - Wafa Triki
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia
| | - Kaouther Maatallah
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia
| | - Kaffel Dhia
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia
| | - Hamdi
- University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Mohammed Kassab National Institute of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology department, La Mannouba, Tunisia
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Pego-Reigosa JM, Peña-Gil C, Rodríguez-Lorenzo D, Altabás-González I, Pérez-Gómez N, Guzmán-Castro JH, Varela-Gestoso R, Díaz-Lambarri R, González-Carreró-López A, Míguez-Senra O, Bóveda-Fontán J, Charle-Crespo Á, Caramés-Casal FJ, Barbazán-Álvarez C, Hernández-Rodríguez Í, Maceiras-Pan F, Rodríguez-López M, Melero-González R, Rodríguez-Fernández JB. Analysis of the implementation of an innovative IT solution to improve waiting times, communication with primary care and efficiency in Rheumatology. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:60. [PMID: 35022061 PMCID: PMC8754366 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe in detail an innovative program based on telemedicine for semi-automated prioritization of referrals from Primary Care (PC) to Rheumatology, for reproducibility purposes, and to present the results of the implementation study. METHODS The context and situation were carefully analyzed, paying attention to all processes in place, referral numbers, waiting times, and number of complementary tests prior to discharge from Rheumatology. The composition of the team, aims, users, scope, and implementation phases were defined. Eight process indicators were established and measured before and 32 months after the program implementation. RESULTS The program, which includes IT circuits, algorithms based on response to specific guideline-based checklists, e-consultation, and appointments based on priority, was fully implemented in our health area after a pilot study in two PC centers. After implementation, 6185 rheumatology referrals showed an e-consultation response delay of 8.95 days, and to first face-to-face visit (after e-consultation) of 12.6 (previous delay before program implementation was 83.1 days). Resolution by e-consultation reached 20% (1195 patients did not need seeing the rheumatologist to have the problem solved), and 1369 patients (32%) were discharged after the first visit. The overall resolution rate was 44.0% (2564 discharges/5830 e-consultations). From a random sample of 100 visits, only 10% of patients needed additional complementary tests to make a diagnosis and decision by Rheumatology (20.9% decrease from previous period). CONCLUSION A careful analysis of the situation and processes, with implementation of simple IT circuits, allows for the improvement of the efficiency and resolution of problems in Rheumatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Pego-Reigosa
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
- IRIDIS (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases) Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos Peña-Gil
- Cardiology Department, Santiago de Compostela Health Area, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Service of Research, Education, and Innovation, Galician Health Service, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Irene Altabás-González
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
- IRIDIS (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases) Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Naír Pérez-Gómez
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
- IRIDIS (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases) Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - John Henry Guzmán-Castro
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ceferino Barbazán-Álvarez
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Íñigo Hernández-Rodríguez
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Francisco Maceiras-Pan
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
- IRIDIS (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases) Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Marina Rodríguez-López
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
| | - Rafael Melero-González
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo Health Area, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
- IRIDIS (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases) Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo, Spain
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Mbunge E, Muchemwa B, Batani J. Are we there yet? Unbundling the potential adoption and integration of telemedicine to improve virtual healthcare services in African health systems. SENSORS INTERNATIONAL 2022; 3:100152. [PMID: 34901894 PMCID: PMC8648577 DOI: 10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the attention has now shifted towards universal vaccination to gracefully lift strict COVID-19 restrictions previously imposed to contain the spread of the disease. Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an exponential increase of infections and deaths coupled with vaccines shortages, personal protective equipment, weak health systems and COVID-19 emerging variants. Some developed countries integrated telemedicine to reduce the impacts of the shortage of healthcare professionals and potentially reduce the risk of exposure, ensuring easy delivery of quality health services while limiting regular physical contact and direct hospitalization. However, the adoption of telemedicine and telehealth is still nascent in many sub-Saharan Africa countries. Therefore, this study reflects on progress made towards the use of telemedicine, virtual health care services, challenges encountered, and proffers ways to address them. We conducted a systematic literature review to synthesise literature on telemedicine in sub-Saharan Africa. The study revealed that telemedicine provides unprecedented benefits such as improving efficiency, effective utilization of healthcare resources, forward triaging, prevention of medical personnel infection, aiding medical students' clinical observation and participation, and assurance of social support for patients. However, the absence of policy on virtual care and political will, cost of sustenance of virtual health care services, inadequate funding, technological and infrastructural barriers, patient and healthcare personnel bias on virtual care and cultural barriers are identified as limiting factors to the adoption of virtual health care in many African health systems. To alleviate some of these barriers, we recommend the development of robust policies and frameworks for virtual health care, the inclusion of virtual care in the medical school curriculum, supporting virtual care research and development, increasing health funding, removing monopolisation of telecommunication services, developing of virtual health solutions that address eccentricities of African health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Mbunge
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Eswatini, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Eswatini,Corresponding author
| | - Benhildah Muchemwa
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Eswatini, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Eswatini
| | - John Batani
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Botho University, Maseru, Lesotho
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Scarpa R, Caso F, Costa L, Passavanti S, Vitale MG, Trojaniello C, Del Puente A, Ascierto PA. May the analysis of 1918 influenza pandemic give hints to imagine the possible magnitude of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)? J Transl Med 2020; 18:489. [PMID: 33353549 PMCID: PMC7753514 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02673-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1918 an unknown infectious agent spread around the world infecting over one-third of the general population and killing almost 50 million people. Many countries were at war, the First World War. Since Spain was a neutral country and Spanish press could report about the infection without censorship, this condition is commonly remembered as "Spanish influenza". This review examines several aspects during the 1918 influenza pandemic to bring out evidences which might be useful to imagine the possible magnitude of the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS In the first part of this review we will examine the origin of the SARS-Coronavirus-2 and 1918 Spanish Influenza Virus and the role played by host and environment in its diffusion. We will also include in our analysis an evaluation of different approaches utilized to restrain the spread of pandemic and to treat infected patients. In the second part, we will try to imagine the magnitude of the present COVID-19 pandemic and the possible measures able to restrain in the present environment its spread. RESULTS Several factors characterize the outcome in a viral pandemic infection. They include the complete knowledge of the virus, the complete knowledge of the host and of the environment where the host lives and the pandemic develops. CONCLUSION By comparing the situation seen in 1918 with the current one, we are now in a more favourable position. The experience of the past teaches us that their success is linked to a rapid, constant and lasting application. Then, rather than coercion, awareness of the need to observe such prevention measures works better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Scarpa
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio, Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesco Caso
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio, Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luisa Costa
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio, Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Saverio Passavanti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio, Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Vitale
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Trojaniello
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Del Puente
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio, Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
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