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da Silva RGL. The advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation: challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. Global Health 2024; 20:44. [PMID: 38773458 PMCID: PMC11107016 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01049-5] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithm optimization and high-throughput experiments has enabled scientists to accelerate the discovery of new chemicals and materials with unprecedented efficiency, resilience and precision. Over the recent years, the so-called autonomous experimentation (AE) systems are featured as key AI innovation to enhance and accelerate research and development (R&D). Also known as self-driving laboratories or materials acceleration platforms, AE systems are digital platforms capable of running a large number of experiments autonomously. Those systems are rapidly impacting biomedical research and clinical innovation, in areas such as drug discovery, nanomedicine, precision oncology, and others. As it is expected that AE will impact healthcare innovation from local to global levels, its implications for science and technology in emerging economies should be examined. By examining the increasing relevance of AE in contemporary R&D activities, this article aims to explore the advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation, highlighting its implications, challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. AE presents an opportunity for stakeholders from emerging economies to co-produce the global knowledge landscape of AI in health. However, asymmetries in R&D capabilities should be acknowledged since emerging economies suffers from inadequacies and discontinuities in resources and funding. The establishment of decentralized AE infrastructures could support stakeholders to overcome local restrictions and opens venues for more culturally diverse, equitable, and trustworthy development of AI in health-related R&D through meaningful partnerships and engagement. Collaborations with innovators from emerging economies could facilitate anticipation of fiscal pressures in science and technology policies, obsolescence of knowledge infrastructures, ethical and regulatory policy lag, and other issues present in the Global South. Also, improving cultural and geographical representativeness of AE contributes to foster the diffusion and acceptance of AI in health-related R&D worldwide. Institutional preparedness is critical and could enable stakeholders to navigate opportunities of AI in biomedical research and health innovation in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva
- Health Ethics and Policy Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Hottingerstrasse 10, HOA 17, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland.
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Bhuin A, Udayakumar S, Gopalarethinam J, Mukherjee D, Girigoswami K, Ponraj C, Sarkar S. Photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics and antimicrobial and anticancer activities of two-dimensional ZnO nanosheets. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10406. [PMID: 38710736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59842-6] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Active pharmaceutical ingredients have emerged as an environmentally undesirable element because of their widespread exploitation and consequent pollution, which has deleterious effects on living things. In the pursuit of sustainable environmental remediation, biomedical applications, and energy production, there has been a significant focus on two-dimensional materials (2D materials) owing to their unique electrical, optical, and structural properties. Herein, we have synthesized 2D zinc oxide nanosheets (ZnO NSs) using a facile and practicable hydrothermal method and characterized them thoroughly using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The 2D nanosheets are used as an efficient photocatalyst for antibiotic (herein, end-user ciprofloxacin (CIP) was used as a model antibiotic) degradation under sunlight. It is observed that ZnO NSs photodegrade ~ 90% of CIP within two hours of sunlight illumination. The molecular mechanism of CIP degradation is proposed based on ex-situ IR analysis. Moreover, the 2D ZNO NSs are used as an antimicrobial agent and exhibit antibacterial qualities against a range of bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and MIC of the bacteria are found to be 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively. Despite having the biocompatible nature of ZnO, as-synthesized nanosheets have also shown cytotoxicity against two types of cancer cells, i.e. A549 and A375. Thus, ZnO nanosheets showed a nontoxic nature, which can be exploited as promising alternatives in different biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhik Bhuin
- Physics Division, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600127, India
| | - Saranya Udayakumar
- Medical Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, India
| | - Janani Gopalarethinam
- Medical Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, India
| | - Debdyuti Mukherjee
- Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (CFCT), International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), IIT-M Research Park, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, India
| | - Koyeli Girigoswami
- Medical Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, India
| | - Caroline Ponraj
- Physics Division, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600127, India.
| | - Sujoy Sarkar
- Chemistry Division, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600127, India.
- Electric Vehicle Incubation, Testing and Research Centre (EVIT-RC), Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600127, India.
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Breda J, Darzi A, Ashrafian H, Goiana-da-Silva F, Azzopardi-Muscat N. Editorial: Innovations in quality of care. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2024; 3:1352322. [PMID: 38249426 PMCID: PMC10796819 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1352322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- João Breda
- WHO Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Athens, Greece
| | - Ara Darzi
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hutan Ashrafian
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat
- Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
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da Silva RGL, Blasimme A. From lab to society: Fostering clinical translation of molecular systems engineering. Bioeng Transl Med 2024; 9:e10564. [PMID: 38193130 PMCID: PMC10771552 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, bioengineering has seen a sustained growth in scientific publications, patents, and clinical trials. As the field attempts to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical application, a broader societal dialogue is needed to build public trust and address potential ethical, societal, and regulatory challenges. In this essay, we discuss societal aspects linked to the clinical use of biomedical engineering approaches and technologies, with a specific focus on molecular systems engineering. Drawing on data from interviews with 24 scientists, we identified four key aspects for fostering societal support for translational efforts in this domain: (1) effective science communication and internal awareness; (2) open societal dialogue; (3) fair and equitable access to new technologies; and (4) adequate science and technology policies. We conclude that molecular systems engineering would benefit from anticipating future challenges with the view of building a robust bond of trust with lay publics, regulators, and society at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva
- Health Ethics and Policy Lab, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Alessandro Blasimme
- Health Ethics and Policy Lab, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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Au L, Capotescu C, Curi A, Gonçalves Leonel da Silva R, Eyal G. Long Covid requires a global response centred on equity and dialogue. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2244757. [PMID: 37581581 PMCID: PMC10431739 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2244757] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Long Covid, or Post-Covid Conditions, is a global health problem. Yet we know strikingly little about the different experiences of Long Covid patients cross-nationally. To address this shortcoming, we conducted an online survey of Long Covid patients active on social media in the U.S. (n = 334, October to December 2021) and Brazil (n = 144, January to April 2022). Our analysis of short answer responses indicates patient dissatisfaction with medical care provided for Long Covid in both the U.S. and Brazil. For Long Covid patients in Brazil, there were additional concerns raised about the lack of local expertise about their condition. Based on these results, we urge policymakers to expand the education of medical professionals in order to raise awareness of Long Covid. Experts in the Global North should also be encouraged to engage in dialogue with patient groups and experts in the Global South, in order to better understand how local contexts shape the experience of Long Covid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry Au
- Department of Sociology, The City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Amanda Curi
- Trust Collaboratory, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Gil Eyal
- Department of Sociology and Trust Collaboratory, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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da Silva RGL, Blasimme A. Organ chip research in Europe: players, initiatives, and policies. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1237561. [PMID: 37731764 PMCID: PMC10507620 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1237561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Organ chips are microfabricated devices containing living engineered organ substructures in a controlled microenvironment. Research on organ chips has increased considerably over the past two decades. Aim: This paper offers an overview of the emerging knowledge ecosystem of organ chip research in Europe. Method: This study is based on queries and analyses undertaken through the bibliometric software Dimensions.ai. Results: Organ chip research has been rapidly growing in Europe in recent years, supported by robust academic science consortia, public-private initiatives, dedicated funding, and science policy instruments. Our data shows that previous investment in basic and fundamental research in centers of excellence in bioengineering science and technology are relevant to future investment in organ chips. Moreover, organ chip research in Europe is characterized by collaborative infrastructures to promote convergence of scientific, technical, and clinical capabilities. Conclusion: According to our study, the knowledge ecosystem of organ chip research in Europe has been growing sustainably. This growth is due to relevant institutional diversity, public-private initiatives, and ongoing research collaborations supported by robust funding schemes.
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Leonel Da Silva RG, Au L. The Blind Spots of Sociotechnical Imaginaries: COVID-19 Scepticism in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09717218221125217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, experts and policymakers mobilised various slogans to compel the public to help defeat COVID-19. By comparing Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States, this study shows how dominant sociotechnical imaginaries tied to the slogans were mobilised. We argue that the blind spots of these dominant sociotechnical imaginaries contributed to subversive sociotechnical imaginaries and made room for COVID-19 scepticism. In Brazil, calls to ‘take care of yourself’ contributed to a sceptical stance that individualised responsibility. In the United Kingdom, calls to ‘protect the NHS’ contributed to sceptical accusations of whataboutism and the neglect of other vital social institutions during the lockdown. In the United States, calls to ‘flatten the curve’ contributed to scepticism that challenged public health interventions through discourses of individual choice and freedom. By paying attention to the blind spots of dominant sociotechnical imaginaries, we argue that experts and policymakers should be sensitive to how public health messaging may have feedback effects that detract from the initial aims of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Gonçalves Leonel Da Silva
- Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva (corresponding author), Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Switzerland Health Ethics & Policy Lab, ETH Zürich, HOA H 17, Hottingerstrasse 10, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Larry Au
- Larry Au, Department of Sociology, The City College of New York, New York, USA
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Alguacil Ojeda J. [Biomedical research and innovation and COVID-19 syndemic. SESPAS Report 2022]. GACETA SANITARIA 2022; 36 Suppl 1:S87-S92. [PMID: 35781155 PMCID: PMC9244786 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Objetivo Describir críticamente la respuesta en investigación e innovación (I + I) contra la sindemia por COVID-19 en el ámbito nacional, contextualizada internacionalmente. Método Revisión narrativa dirigida. Resultados En la sindemia por COVID-19 se ha pasado la presión a la comunidad científica en general, e innovadora biomédica en particular, para aportar soluciones sobre todo de productos biotecnológicos. La mayoría de las recomendaciones de paneles expertos no van orientadas a una respuesta biotecnológica (que también debe existir), sino de gobernanza, organizativa, socioeconómica y de apoyo a las infraestructuras de salud pública. Existe un déficit importante en la inclusión de la perspectiva de género en la I + I por COVID-19. La sindemia ha ofrecido una oportunidad (desaprovechada) para potenciar la I + I desde la perspectiva epidemiológica contra brotes infecciosos con potencial de provocar crisis en salud pública reivindicando el liderazgo desde la epidemiología. Hace falta evaluar si la gran inversión en I + I biomédica orientada a la medicina personalizada puede integrarse eficientemente en los proveedores públicos de salud ante crisis sanitarias. Conclusiones Es urgente diseñar una estrategia de I + I en España en línea con los fondos disponibles internacionalmente y que se beneficie de ellos, pero que provea al país del máximo de independencia de cara a afrontar situaciones críticas para la salud pública.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Alguacil Ojeda
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales, Medio Ambiente y Salud (RENSMA), Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España.
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Castañeda-Delgado JE, Macias-Segura N, Ramos-Remus C. Non-Coding RNAs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications for Biomarker Discovery. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8030035. [PMID: 35736632 PMCID: PMC9228273 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in gene expression analysis techniques and increased access to technologies such as microarrays, qPCR arrays, and next-generation sequencing, in the last decade, have led to increased awareness of the complexity of the inflammatory responses that lead to pathology. This finding is also the case for rheumatic diseases, importantly and specifically, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The coincidence in major genetic and epigenetic regulatory events leading to RA’s inflammatory state is now well-recognized. Research groups have characterized the gene expression profile of early RA patients and identified a group of miRNAs that is particularly abundant in the early stages of the disease and miRNAs associated with treatment responses. In this perspective, we summarize the current state of RNA-based biomarker discovery and the context of technology adoption/implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These advances have great potential for clinical application and could provide preclinical disease detection, follow-up, treatment targets, and biomarkers for treatment response monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Enrique Castañeda-Delgado
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico
- Cátedras CONACYT, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Cd. México 03940, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.E.C.-D.); (C.R.-R.)
| | - Noé Macias-Segura
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64460, Mexico;
| | - Cesar Ramos-Remus
- Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.E.C.-D.); (C.R.-R.)
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Bedeker A, Nichols M, Allie T, Tamuhla T, van Heusden P, Olorunsogbon O, Tiffin N. A framework for the promotion of ethical benefit sharing in health research. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:e008096. [PMID: 35144922 PMCID: PMC8845198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing recognition of the importance of including benefit sharing in research programmes in order to ensure equitable and just distribution of the benefits arising from research. Whilst there are global efforts to promote benefit sharing when using non-human biological resources, benefit sharing plans and implementation do not yet feature prominently in research programmes, funding applications or requirements by ethics review boards. Whilst many research stakeholders may agree with the concept of benefit sharing, it can be difficult to operationalise benefit sharing within research programmes. We present a framework designed to assist with identifying benefit sharing opportunities in research programmes. The framework has two dimensions: the first represents microlevel, mesolevel and macrolevel stakeholders as defined using a socioecological model; and the second identifies nine different types of benefit sharing that might be achieved during a research programme. We provide an example matrix identifying different types of benefit sharing that might be undertaken during genomics research, and present a case study evaluating benefit sharing in Africa during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This framework, with examples, is intended as a practical tool to assist research stakeholders with identifying opportunities for benefit sharing, and inculcating intentional benefit sharing in their research programmes from inception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Bedeker
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Michelle Nichols
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Taryn Allie
- Computational Biology Division, Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tsaone Tamuhla
- Computational Biology Division, Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter van Heusden
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Olorunyomi Olorunsogbon
- Department of Health promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Nicki Tiffin
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Computational Biology Division, Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Wong ZSY, Rigby M. Identifying and addressing digital health risks associated with emergency pandemic response: Problem identification, scoping review, and directions toward evidence-based evaluation. Int J Med Inform 2022; 157:104639. [PMID: 34768031 PMCID: PMC8572581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital health applications in multifaceted disease management dimensions. This study aims (1) to identify risk issues relating to the rapid development and redeployment of COVID-19 related e-health systems, in primary care, and in the health ecosystems interacting with it and (2) to suggest evidence-based evaluation directions under emergency response. METHOD After initial brainstorming of digital health risks posed in this pandemic, a scoping review method was adopted to collect evidence across databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Peer-review publications, reports, news sources, and websites that credibly identified the challenges relating digital health scaled for COVID-19 were scrutinized. Additional supporting materials were obtained through snowball sampling and the authors' global digital health networks. Studies satisfying the selection criteria were charted based on their study design, primary care focus, and coverage of e-health areas of risk. RESULTS Fifty-eight studies were mapped for qualitative synthesis. Five identified digital health risk areas associated with the pandemic were governance, system design and coordination, information access, service provision, and user (professional and public) reception. We observed that rapid digital health responses may embed challenges in health system thinking, the long-term development of digital health ecosystems, and interoperability of health IT infrastructure, with concomitant weaknesses in existing evaluation theories. CONCLUSION Through identifying digital health risks posed during the pandemic, this paper discussed potential directions for next-generation informatics evaluation development, to better prepare for the post-COVID-19 era, a new future epidemic, or other unforeseen global health emergencies. An updated evidence-based approach to health informatics is essential to gain public confidence in digital health across primary and other health sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoie Shui-Yee Wong
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Japan.
| | - Michael Rigby
- School of Social, Political and Global Studies, and School of Primary, Community and Social Care, Keele University, UK
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