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Akbari K, Zareiyan A, Yari A, Najafi M, Azizi M, Ostadtaghizadeh A. Mental health preparedness and response to epidemics focusing on COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in Iran. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1980. [PMID: 39048978 PMCID: PMC11270955 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19526-2] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During epidemics, the number of individuals whose mental health is affected is greater than those affected by the infection itself. This is because psychological factors have a direct relationship with the primary causes of the disease and mortality worldwide. Therefore, an increasing investment in research and strategic actions for mental health is essential globally, given the prevalence of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to elucidate and describe the strategies for mental health preparedness and response during epidemics, with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted in Iran from 2022 to 2023. Purposeful Sampling was employed, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and observational notes with 20 managers and experts possessing expertise, experience, and knowledge in mental health. Ultimately, the participants' opinions, based on their experiences, were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method with a conventional approach, resulting in the categorization of data into codes, subcategories, and categories. RESULTS The study revealed participants' opinions and experiences, categorized into two overarching categories: Preparedness, Policy-Making, and Planning Strategies (with four subcategories), and Response Strategies (comprising thirteen subcategories). CONCLUSION The opinions and experiences of managers and experts in this study revealed that an appropriate mental health response during pandemics requires preparedness before the occurrence of such crises and the implementation of suitable response strategies after the occurrence. Managers, policymakers, and decision-makers in this field should pay attention to the solutions derived from the experiences of such crises to respond more preparedly in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Akbari
- Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poorsina Ave, Tehran, 14177-43578, Iran
- Department of Nursing, 501 Hospital (Imam Reza), Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armin Zareiyan
- Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arezoo Yari
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mehdi Najafi
- Department of Rescue and Relief, Iran Helal Applied Science Higher Education Institute, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Azizi
- Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh
- Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poorsina Ave, Tehran, 14177-43578, Iran.
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Comer L, Donelle L, Hiebert B, Smith MJ, Kothari A, Stranges S, Gilliland J, Long J, Burkell J, Shelley JJ, Hall J, Shelley J, Cooke T, Ngole Dione M, Facca D. Short- and Long-Term Predicted and Witnessed Consequences of Digital Surveillance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e47154. [PMID: 38788212 PMCID: PMC11129783 DOI: 10.2196/47154] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the deployment of digital technologies for public health surveillance globally. The rapid development and use of these technologies have curtailed opportunities to fully consider their potential impacts (eg, for human rights, civil liberties, privacy, and marginalization of vulnerable groups). OBJECTIVE We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed and gray literature to identify the types and applications of digital technologies used for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predicted and witnessed consequences of digital surveillance. METHODS Our methodology was informed by the 5-stage methodological framework to guide scoping reviews: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the findings. We conducted a search of peer-reviewed and gray literature published between December 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. We focused on the first year of the pandemic to provide a snapshot of the questions, concerns, findings, and discussions emerging from peer-reviewed and gray literature during this pivotal first year of the pandemic. Our review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) reporting guidelines. RESULTS We reviewed a total of 147 peer-reviewed and 79 gray literature publications. Based on our analysis of these publications, we identified a total of 90 countries and regions where digital technologies were used for public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most frequently used technologies included mobile phone apps, location-tracking technologies, drones, temperature-scanning technologies, and wearable devices. We also found that the literature raised concerns regarding the implications of digital surveillance in relation to data security and privacy, function creep and mission creep, private sector involvement in surveillance, human rights, civil liberties, and impacts on marginalized groups. Finally, we identified recommendations for ethical digital technology design and use, including proportionality, transparency, purpose limitation, protecting privacy and security, and accountability. CONCLUSIONS A wide range of digital technologies was used worldwide to support public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of our analysis highlight the importance of considering short- and long-term consequences of digital surveillance not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but also for future public health crises. These findings also demonstrate the ways in which digital surveillance has rendered visible the shifting and blurred boundaries between public health surveillance and other forms of surveillance, particularly given the ubiquitous nature of digital surveillance. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053962.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigha Comer
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lorie Donelle
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bradley Hiebert
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Maxwell J Smith
- School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Anita Kothari
- School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Saverio Stranges
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- The Africa Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jason Gilliland
- Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jed Long
- Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn Burkell
- Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jodi Hall
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - James Shelley
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tommy Cooke
- Surveillance Studies Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Danica Facca
- Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Beygi Z, Tighband Jangali R, Derakhshan N, Alidadi M, Javanbakhsh F, Mahboobizadeh M. An Overview of Reviews on the Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Depression and Anxiety. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2023; 18:248-257. [PMID: 37383966 PMCID: PMC10293686 DOI: 10.18502/ijps.v18i2.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Emotional disturbances are the most common mental health problems in different populations and societies. We intend to provide the latest evidence related to the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on depression and anxiety by reviewing systematic review and meta-analysis studies published in the last three years. Method : PubMed and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched between January 1, 2019 and November 25, 2022 with relevant keywords for English systematic review and meta-analysis articles reviewing the utilization of ACT to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: 25 articles were included in our study: 14 systematic review and meta-analysis studies and 11 systematic reviews. These studies have investigated the effects of ACT on depression and anxiety in populations of children or adults, mental health patients, patients with different cancers or multiple sclerosis, people with audiological problems, parents or caregivers of children with mental or physical illnesses as well as normal people. Furthermore, they have examined the effects of ACT in individual, group, Internet, computerized, or combined delivery formats. Most of the reviewed studies reported significant effect sizes (small to large effect sizes) of ACT, regardless of the delivery method, compared to passive (placebo, waitlist) and active (treatment as usual and other psychological interventions except cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)) controls for depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Recent literature mainly agrees on the small to moderate effect sizes of ACT on depression and anxiety symptoms in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Beygi
- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Sirjan, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Reyhane Tighband Jangali
- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Clinical Psychology, Anar Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Derakhshan
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Allameh Tabatabaei, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Alidadi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Farzane Javanbakhsh
- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Sirjan, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Mahboobizadeh
- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Sirjan, Sirjan, Iran
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Khodaveisi T, Dehdarirad H, Bouraghi H, Mohammadpour A, Sajadi F, Hosseiniravandi M. Characteristics and specifications of dashboards developed for the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GESUNDHEITSWISSENSCHAFTEN = JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 32:1-22. [PMID: 36747505 PMCID: PMC9894516 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-023-01838-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Aim The use of information-based solutions such as dashboards is on the rise for taking fact-based actions against the COVID-19 crisis. This scoping review aimed to comprehensively investigate COVID-19 dashboards from different technical perspectives. Subject and methods Three main bibliographic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched on 28 August 2021 to retrieve relevant studies. Arksey and O'Malley's (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19-32, 2005) methodological framework and the enhanced version of this methodology developed by Levac et al. (Implement Sci 5(1):1-9, 2010) were adopted for conducting this review. Results In total, 26 articles were included. The COVID-19 dashboards mainly focused on the infected (n = 25), deceased (n = 17), and recovered cases (n = 13), as well as the performed test (n = 10). Most of the dashboards were interactive, with public accessibility targeting various user groups. While some dashboards were both informative and supportive (38%), most were mainly informative (92%). The dashboard data were generally analyzed using simple techniques (58%) and delivered through web-based applications (88%). Conclusion Dashboards can help immediately manage, analyze, and summarize a huge amount of information about a COVID-19 outbreak. The findings revealed that the developed COVID-19 dashboards share more or less analogous characteristics that could lay the groundwork for designing and developing dashboards for any other pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taleb Khodaveisi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hossein Dehdarirad
- Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Bouraghi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadpour
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fereydun Sajadi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosseiniravandi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh, Razavi Khorasan Iran
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Donelle L, Comer L, Hiebert B, Hall J, Shelley JJ, Smith MJ, Kothari A, Burkell J, Stranges S, Cooke T, Shelley JM, Gilliland J, Ngole M, Facca D. Use of digital technologies for public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231173220. [PMID: 37214658 PMCID: PMC10196539 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231173220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of digital technologies have been leveraged for public health surveillance worldwide. However, concerns remain around the rapid development and deployment of digital technologies, how these technologies have been used, and their efficacy in supporting public health goals. Following the five-stage scoping review framework, we conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify the types and nature of digital technologies used for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of these measures. We conducted a search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 1 December 2019 and 31 December 2020 to provide a snapshot of questions, concerns, discussions, and findings emerging at this pivotal time. A total of 147 peer-reviewed and 79 grey literature publications reporting on digital technology use for surveillance across 90 countries and regions were retained for analysis. The most frequently used technologies included mobile phone devices and applications, location tracking technologies, drones, temperature scanning technologies, and wearable devices. The utility of digital technologies for public health surveillance was impacted by factors including uptake of digital technologies across targeted populations, technological capacity and errors, scope, validity and accuracy of data, guiding legal frameworks, and infrastructure to support technology use. Our findings raise important questions around the value of digital surveillance for public health and how to ensure successful use of technologies while mitigating potential harms not only in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also during other infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorie Donelle
- College of Nursing, University of South
Carolina, USA
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | - Leigha Comer
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | - Brad Hiebert
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | - Jodi Hall
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | | | | | - Anita Kothari
- School of Health Studies, Western University, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn Burkell
- Faculty of Information and Media
Studies, Western University, Canada
| | - Saverio Stranges
- Schulich School of Medicine &
Dentistry, Western University, Canada
| | - Tommy Cooke
- Surveillance Studies Centre, Queen's University, Canada
| | - James M. Shelley
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | - Jason Gilliland
- Department of Geography and
Environment, Western University, Canada
| | - Marionette Ngole
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, Canada
| | - Danica Facca
- Faculty of Information and Media
Studies, Western University, Canada
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6
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Perez-Cepeda M, Arias-Bolzmann LG. Sociocultural factors during COVID-19 pandemic: Information consumption on Twitter. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH 2022; 140:384-393. [PMID: 35034997 PMCID: PMC8743443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the research is to describe the sociocultural factors that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter is used as an instrument for data collection. The study is qualitative and uses the netnographic method. To analyze the flow of messages posted on Twitter, the model proposed by Perez-Cepeda and Arias-Bolzmann (2020), which describes sociocultural factors, is taken as a basis. The semantics that people use are a type of functional knowledge that reveals sociocultural factors. Sentiments were analyzed through lexicon-based methods, which are the most suitable. The categorization and classification of the data are performed based on the information that users post on Twitter. The tweets related to COVID-19 describe the sociocultural issues and the level of sentiment around the pandemic. The discussion centers on the COVID-19 pandemic, information consumption, lexicon, sociocultural factors and sentiment analysis. The study was limited to the social media Twitter; another limitation was not to consider the social group of the users who interact with @pandemic_Covid-19, official account of the World Health Organization (WHO). This research contributes to the social sciences, focusing on sociocultural interaction through the use of the social network Twitter. It describes the link between sociocultural factors and the level of sentiment on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Perez-Cepeda
- Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Address Av. Pdte. Carlos Julio Arosemena Tola, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Leopoldo G Arias-Bolzmann
- CENTRUM Graduate Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Address Jirón Daniel Alomía Robles 125 Urbanización Los Álamos de Monterrico, Santiago de Surco, Lima 33, Peru
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Kanji F, Cohen T, Alfred M, Caron A, Lawton S, Savage S, Shouhed D, Anger JT, Catchpole K. Room Size Influences Flow in Robotic-Assisted Surgery. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7984. [PMID: 34360275 PMCID: PMC8345669 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of surgical technology into existing operating rooms (ORs) can place novel demands on staff and infrastructure. Despite the substantial physical size of the devices in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), the workspace implications are rarely considered. This study aimed to explore the impact of OR size on the environmental causes of surgical flow disruptions (FDs) occurring during RAS. Fifty-six RAS procedures were observed at two academic hospitals between July 2019 and January 2021 across general, urologic, and gynecologic surgical specialties. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant effects of room size in the pre-docking phase (t = 2.170, df = 54, β = 0.017, p = 0.035) where the rate of FDs increased as room size increased, and docking phase (t = -2.488, df = 54, β = -0.017, p = 0.016) where the rate of FDs increased as room size decreased. Significant effects of site (pre-docking phase: p = 0.000 and docking phase: p = 0.000) were also demonstrated. Findings from this study demonstrate hitherto unrecognized spatial challenges involved with introducing surgical robots into the operating domain. While new technology may provide benefits towards patient safety, it is important to consider the needs of the technology prior to integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falisha Kanji
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (T.C.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (J.T.A.)
| | - Tara Cohen
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (T.C.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (J.T.A.)
| | - Myrtede Alfred
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (M.A.); (S.L.); (K.C.)
| | - Ashley Caron
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (T.C.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (J.T.A.)
| | - Samuel Lawton
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (M.A.); (S.L.); (K.C.)
| | - Stephen Savage
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Daniel Shouhed
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (T.C.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (J.T.A.)
| | - Jennifer T. Anger
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (T.C.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (J.T.A.)
| | - Ken Catchpole
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (M.A.); (S.L.); (K.C.)
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The Adoption of Robotic Process Automation Technology to Ensure Business Processes during the COVID-19 Pandemic. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13148020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The study provides knowledge on the adoption of the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in 110 Polish service companies. As this research was the first of its kind in Poland, the objectives of the CAWI survey were to identify the technology features of the RPA technology and the related determinants and barriers influencing the adoption of the RPA as well as to determine correlations between them. Moreover, the statistical analyses involved considering whether there were differences in the evaluation of individual RPA technology features, mainly in terms of perceived usefulness, ease of use, security and functionality. The results of the study show that almost 60% of the respondents indicated that robotization tools allowed maintaining continuity of business processes during the pandemic. The highest rated were features related to usefulness of the RPA technology. Furthermore, the analysis pointed to the most frequently indicated barriers to technology implementation that were related to nonoptimized, nonstandardized and non-digitized processes with a large number of exceptions. The study contributes to scientific knowledge and has practical implications for process automation decision-makers concerned with the adoption of the Robotic Process Automation technology. The obtained results can help them to understand the potential drivers of and barriers to the adoption of software robots by enterprises and may be an important determinant for companies’ managers in the field of implementing such solutions.
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Wang XV, Wang L. A literature survey of the robotic technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS 2021; 60:823-836. [PMID: 33612914 PMCID: PMC7881735 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmsy.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Since the late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has been spread all around the world. The pandemic is a critical challenge to the health and safety of the general public, the medical staff and the medical systems worldwide. It has been globally proposed to utilise robots during the pandemic, to improve the treatment of patients and leverage the load of the medical system. However, there is still a lack of detailed and systematic review of the robotic research for the pandemic, from the technologies' perspective. Thus a thorough literature survey is conducted in this research and more than 280 publications have been reviewed, with the focus on robotics during the pandemic. The main contribution of this literature survey is to answer two research questions, i.e. 1) what the main research contributions are to combat the pandemic from the robotic technologies' perspective, and 2) what the promising supporting technologies are needed during and after the pandemic to help and guide future robotics research. The current achievements of robotic technologies are reviewed and discussed in different categories, followed by the identification of the representative work's technology readiness level. The future research trends and essential technologies are then highlighted, including artificial intelligence, 5 G, big data, wireless sensor network, and human-robot collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Vincent Wang
- Department of Production Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Production Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
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10
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Donida B, da Costa CA, Scherer JN. Making the COVID-19 Pandemic a Driver for Digital Health: Brazilian Strategies. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 7:e28643. [PMID: 34101613 PMCID: PMC8244723 DOI: 10.2196/28643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak exposed several problems faced by health systems worldwide, especially concerning the safe and rapid generation and sharing of health data. However, this pandemic scenario has also facilitated the rapid implementation and monitoring of technologies in the health field. In view of the occurrence of the public emergency caused by SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System created a contingency plan. In this paper, we aim to report the digital health strategies applied in Brazil and the first results obtained during the fight against COVID-19. Conecte SUS, a platform created to store all the health data of an individual throughout their life, is the center point of the Brazilian digital strategy. Access to the platform can be obtained through an app by the patient and the health professionals involved in the case. Health data sharing became possible due to the creation of the National Health Data Network (Rede Nacional de Dados em Saúde, RNDS). A mobile app was developed to guide citizens regarding the need to go to a health facility and to assist in disseminating official news about the virus. The mobile app can also alert the user if they have had contact with an infected person. The official numbers of cases and available hospital beds are updated and published daily on a website containing interactive graphs. These data are obtained due to creating a web-based notification system that uses the RNDS to share information about the cases. Preclinical care through telemedicine has become essential to prevent overload in health facilities. The exchange of experiences between medical teams from large centers and small hospitals was made possible using telehealth. Brazil took a giant step toward digital health adoption, creating and implementing important initiatives; however, these initiatives do not yet cover the entire health system. It is expected that the sharing of health data that are maintained and authorized by the patient will become a reality in the near future. The intention is to obtain better clinical outcomes, cost reduction, and faster and better services in the public health network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Donida
- SOFTWARELAB - Software Innovation Laboratory, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brazil
| | - Cristiano André da Costa
- SOFTWARELAB - Software Innovation Laboratory, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brazil
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Céspedes N, Raigoso D, Múnera M, Cifuentes CA. Long-Term Social Human-Robot Interaction for Neurorehabilitation: Robots as a Tool to Support Gait Therapy in the Pandemic. Front Neurorobot 2021; 15:612034. [PMID: 33732130 PMCID: PMC7959832 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2021.612034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has affected the population worldwide, evidencing new challenges and opportunities for several kinds of emergent and existing technologies. Social Assistive Robotics could be a potential tool to support clinical care areas, promoting physical distancing, and reducing the contagion rate. In this context, this paper presents a long-term evaluation of a social robotic platform for gait neurorehabilitation. The robot's primary roles are monitoring physiological progress and promoting social interaction with human distancing during the sessions. A clinical validation with ten patients during 15 sessions were conducted in a rehabilitation center located in Colombia. Results showed that the robot's support improves the patients' physiological progress by reducing their unhealthy spinal posture time, with positive acceptance. 65% of patients described the platform as helpful and secure. Regarding the robot's role within the therapy, the health care staff agreed (>95%) that this tool can promote physical distancing and it is highly useful to support neurorehabilitation throughout the pandemic. These outcomes suggest the benefits of this tool to be further implemented in the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Céspedes
- Departament of Biomedical Engineering, Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Denniss Raigoso
- Departament of Biomedical Engineering, Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marcela Múnera
- Departament of Biomedical Engineering, Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos A Cifuentes
- Departament of Biomedical Engineering, Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito, Bogotá, Colombia
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