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Blocker A, Datay MI, Mwangama J, Malila B. Development of a telemedicine virtual clinic system for remote, rural, and underserved areas using user-centered design methods. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241256752. [PMID: 38812852 PMCID: PMC11135119 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241256752] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Virtual clinics are an emerging form of telemedicine which can positively impact healthcare accessibility in remote, rural, and underserved areas. However, a virtual clinic system for these contexts must be designed appropriately. The user-centered design method can be employed to develop an appropriate virtual clinic. Methods The development of the virtual clinic used the user-centered design method. First, a situational analysis was conducted to understand the context of public primary healthcare facilities in South Africa. Literature review, observations, and interviews were conducted, which then informed system requirements. A virtual clinic system was then developed and its usability was evaluated with doctors and nurses in a lab setting using healthy participants acting as patients. Doctors and nurses completed system usability scale surveys and provided interview feedback. Results The situational analysis revealed 10 key themes which were translated into a problem statement and 10 system requirements. A virtual clinic system was then developed based on these requirements. 5 doctors and 11 nurses were recruited to complete usability testing with the system. The system received an average of 80.6 scores (good to excellent) out of 100 on the system usability scale. Feedback from participants revealed key areas for improvement of the virtual clinic system, as well as opportunities for further implementation. Conclusion The developed virtual clinic system demonstrated the application of the user-centered design method to telemedicine technologies for remote, rural, and underserved areas. The positive feedback received from the participants demonstrated the importance of the user-centered design method in developing technologies for enhancing service delivery in health systems. Further work will implement this system in real-world clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby Blocker
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Ishaaq Datay
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joyce Mwangama
- Directorate of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bessie Malila
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Sommer F, Waterkeyn F, Hussain I, Navarro-Ramirez R, Goldberg J, Ahmad AA, Balsano M, Kirnaz S, Shabani H, Haber S, Sullivan V, Ng A, Gadjradj P, Härtl R. Telemedical Support Using Smartphones for Spine Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1834-1842. [PMID: 37126940 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0250] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face many challenges compared to industrialized nations, most notably in regard to the health care system. Patients often have to travel long distances to receive medical care with few reliable transportation mechanisms. In time-critical emergencies, this is a significant disadvantage. One specialty that is particularly affected by this is spine surgery. Within this field, traumatic injuries and acutely compressive pathologies are often time-critical. Increasing global networking capabilities through internet access offers the possibility for telemedical support in remote regions. Recently, high-performance cameras and processors became available in commercially available smartphones. Due to their wide availability and ease of use, this could provide a unique opportunity to offer telemedical support in LMICs. Methods: We conducted a feasibility study with a neurosurgical institution in east Africa. To ensure telemedical support, a commercially available smartphone was selected as the experimental hardware. Preoperatively, resolution, contrast, brightness, and color reproduction were assessed under theoretical conditions using a test chart. Intraoperatively, the image quality was assessed under different conditions. In the first step, the instrumentation table was displayed, and the mentor surgeon marked an instrument that the mentee surgeon should recognize correctly. In the next evaluation step, the surgical field was shown on film and the mentor surgeon marked an anatomical structure, and in the last evaluation step, the screen of the X-ray machine was captured, and the mentor surgeon again marked an anatomical structure. Subjective image quality was rated by two independent reviewers using the similar modified Likert scale as before on a scale of 1-5, with 1 indicating inadequate quality and 5 indicating excellent quality. Results: The image quality during the video calls was rated as sufficient overall. When evaluating the test charts, a quality of 97% ± 5 on average was found for the chart with the white background and a quality of 84% ± 5 on average for the chart with the black background. The color reproduction, the contrast, and the reproduction of brightness were rated excellent. Intraoperatively, the visualization of the instrument table was also rated excellent. Visualization of the operative site was rated 1.5 ± 0.5 on average and it was not possible to recognize relevant anatomical structures with the required confidence for surgical procedures. Image quality of the X-ray screen was rated 1.5 ± 0.9 on average. Conclusion: Current generation smartphones have high imaging performance, high computing power, and excellent connectivity. However, relevant anatomical structures during spine surgery procedures and on the X-ray screen in the operating room could not be identified with reliability to provide adequate surgical support. Nevertheless, our study showed the potential in smartphones supporting surgical procedures in LMICs, which could be helpful in other surgical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Sommer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Francois Waterkeyn
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
- Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ibrahim Hussain
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rodrigo Navarro-Ramirez
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Goldberg
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alaaeldin Azmi Ahmad
- Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Palestine Polytechnic University, Ramallah, Palestine
| | - Massimo Balsano
- Regional Spinal Department, UOC Ortopedia A, AOUI, Verona, Italy
| | - Sertac Kirnaz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hamisi Shabani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sam Haber
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vincent Sullivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amanda Ng
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Pravesh Gadjradj
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roger Härtl
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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Mahmoud Z, Sanusi M, Nartey C, Adedinsewo D. Using Technology to Deliver Cardiovascular Care in African Countries. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:1823-1830. [PMID: 37966691 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01988-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to explore the applications of digital technology in cardiovascular care across African countries. It highlights the opportunities and challenges associated with leveraging technology to enhance patient self-monitoring, remote patient-clinician interactions, telemedicine, clinician and patient education, and research facilitation. The purpose is to highlight how technology can transform cardiovascular care in Africa. RECENT FINDINGS Recent findings indicate that the increasing penetration of mobile phones and internet connectivity in Africa offers a unique opportunity to improve cardiovascular care. Smartphone-based applications and text messaging services have been employed to promote self-monitoring and lifestyle management, although challenges related to smartphone ownership and digital literacy persist. Remote monitoring of patients by clinicians using home-based devices and wearables shows promise but requires greater accessibility and validation studies in African populations. Telemedicine diagnosis and management of cardiovascular conditions demonstrates significant potential but faces adoption challenges. Investing in targeted clinician and patient education on novel digital technology and devices as well as promoting technology-assisted research for participant recruitment and data collection can facilitate cardiovascular care advancements in Africa. Technology has the potential to revolutionize cardiovascular care in Africa by improving access, efficiency, and patient outcomes. However, barriers related to limited resources, supportive infrastructure, digital literacy, and access to devices must be addressed. Strategic actions, including investment in digital infrastructure, training programs, community collaboration, and policy advocacy, are crucial to ensuring equitable integration of digital health solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Mahmoud
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8086, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.
| | | | - Cecilia Nartey
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8086, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
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Keino BC, Carrel M. Spatial and temporal trends of overweight/obesity and tobacco use in East Africa: subnational insights into cardiovascular disease risk factors. Int J Health Geogr 2023; 22:20. [PMID: 37620831 PMCID: PMC10463724 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-023-00342-7] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Overweight/obesity and tobacco use are modifiable CVD risk factors, however literature about the spatiotemporal dynamics of these risk factors in the region at subnational or local scales is lacking. We describe the spatiotemporal trends of overweight/obesity and tobacco use at subnational levels over a 13-year period (2003 to 2016) in five East African nations. METHODS Cross-sectional, nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were used to explore the subnational spatiotemporal patterns of overweight/obesity and tobacco use in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, five East African Community (EAC) nations with unique cultural landscapes influencing CVD risk factors. Adaptive kernel density estimation and logistic regression were used to determine the spatial distribution and change over time of CVD risk factors on a subnational and subpopulation (rural/urban) scale. RESULTS Subnational analysis shows that regional and national level analysis masks important trends in CVD risk factor prevalence. Overweight/obesity and tobacco use trends were not similar: overweight/obesity prevalence increased across most nations included in the study and the inverse was true for tobacco use prevalence. Urban populations in each nation were more likely to be overweight/obese than rural populations, but the magnitude of difference varied widely between nations. Spatial analysis revealed that although the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased over time in both urban and rural populations, the rate of change differed between urban and rural areas. Rural populations were more likely to use tobacco than urban populations, though the likelihood of use varied substantially between nations. Additionally, spatial analysis showed that tobacco use was not evenly distributed across the landscape: tobacco use increased in and around major cities and urban centers but declined in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS We highlight the importance of de-homogenizing CVD risk factor research in SSA. Studies of national or regional prevalence trends mask important information about subpopulation and place-specific behavior and drivers of risk factor prevalence. Spatially explicit studies should be considered as a vital tool to understand local drivers of health, disease, and associated risk factor trends, especially in highly diverse yet low-resourced, marginalized, and often homogenized regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Chebet Keino
- Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Margaret Carrel
- Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Highton PJ, Cassambai S, Jessen N, Agot GN, Hadjiconstantinou M, Davies M, Seidu S, Njoroge PK, Olenja JM, Godia P, Damasceno A, Lamptey R, Khunti K. Cardiometabolic disease and multiple long-term condition healthcare provision in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities for new models of care in the post-COVID era. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2023; 17:102681. [PMID: 36521305 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Highton
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK; National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.
| | - Shabana Cassambai
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK
| | - Neusa Jessen
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - George N Agot
- Department of Public and Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Melanie Davies
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK
| | - Samuel Seidu
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK; National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK
| | - Peter K Njoroge
- Department of Public and Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joyce Muhenge Olenja
- Department of Public and Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pamela Godia
- Department of Public and Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Roberta Lamptey
- Family Medicine Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra Ghana & Department of Community Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kamlesh Khunti
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK; National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK
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Sommer F, Waterkeyn F, Hussain I, Goldberg JL, Kirnaz S, Navarro-Ramirez R, Ahmad AA, Balsano M, Medary B, Shabani H, Ng A, Gadjradj PS, Härtl R. Feasibility of smart glasses in supporting spinal surgical procedures in low- and middle-income countries: experiences from East Africa. Neurosurg Focus 2022; 52:E4. [PMID: 35921190 DOI: 10.3171/2022.3.focus2237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telemedicine technology has been developed to allow surgeons in countries with limited resources to access expert technical guidance during surgical procedures. The authors report their initial experience using state-of-the-art wearable smart glasses with wireless capability to transmit intraoperative video content during spine surgery from sub-Saharan Africa to experts in the US. METHODS A novel smart glasses system with integrated camera and microphone was worn by a spine surgeon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during 3 scoliosis correction surgeries. The images were transmitted wirelessly through a compatible software system to a computer viewed by a group of fellowship-trained spine surgeons in New York City. Visual clarity was determined using a modified Snellen chart, and a percentage score was determined on the smallest line that could be read from the 8-line chart on white and black backgrounds. A 1- to 5-point scale (from 1 = unrecognizable to 5 = optimal clarity) was used to score other visual metrics assessed using a color test card including hue, contrast, and brightness. The same scoring system was used by the group to reach a consensus on visual quality of 3 intraoperative points including instruments, radiographs (ability to see pedicle screws relative to bony anatomy), and intraoperative surgical field (ability to identify bony landmarks such as transverse processes, pedicle screw starting point, laminar edge). RESULTS All surgeries accomplished the defined goals safely with no intraoperative complications. The average download and upload connection speeds achieved in Dar es Salaam were 45.21 and 58.89 Mbps, respectively. Visual clarity with the modified white and black Snellen chart was 70.8% and 62.5%, respectively. The average scores for hue, contrast, and brightness were 2.67, 3.33, and 2.67, respectively. Visualization quality of instruments, radiographs, and intraoperative surgical field were 3.67, 1, and 1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Application of smart glasses for telemedicine offers a promising tool for surgical education and remote training, especially in low- and middle-income countries. However, this study highlights some limitations of this technology, including optical resolution, intraoperative lighting, and internet connection challenges. With continued collaboration between clinicians and industry, future iterations of smart glasses technology will need to address these issues to stimulate robust clinical utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Sommer
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Francois Waterkeyn
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.,2Department of Neurosurgery, Clinique Universitaire Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,3Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ibrahim Hussain
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jacob L Goldberg
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sertac Kirnaz
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Rodrigo Navarro-Ramirez
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Alaaeldin Azmi Ahmad
- 4Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Palestine Polytechnic University, Ramallah, Palestine; and
| | - Massimo Balsano
- 5Regional Spinal Department, UOC Ortopedia A, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Branden Medary
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Hamisi Shabani
- 3Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amanda Ng
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Pravesh Shankar Gadjradj
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Roger Härtl
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Samuel O, Zewotir T, North D. Decomposing the urban-rural inequalities in the utilisation of maternal health care services: evidence from 27 selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reprod Health 2021; 18:216. [PMID: 34717668 PMCID: PMC8557532 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01268-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There has been a substantial improvement in reducing maternal mortality in the Sub-Saharan African region. The vast rural-urban gap in maternal health outcomes, however, is obscured by this average achievement. This study attempts to measure the contribution of identified risk factors to describe the average rural-urban difference in the use of antenatal care, health facilities for delivery, and health professional assistance at delivery. Method To achieve this objective, we used descriptive analysis and Fairlie non-linear decomposition method to quantify covariates’ contribution in explaining the urban–rural difference in maternal healthcare services utilisation. Result The study’s finding shows much difference between urban and rural areas in the use of maternal healthcare services. Socio-economic factors such as household wealth index, exposure to media, and educational level of women and their husbands/partners contributed the most in explaining the gap between urban and rural areas in healthcare services utilisation. Conclusions Interventions to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas in maternal healthcare services utilisation in Sub-Saharan Africa should be centred towards socio-economic empowerment. Government can enforce targeted awareness campaigns to encourage women in rural communities in Sub-Sharan Africa to take the opportunity and use the available maternal health care services to be at par with their counterparts in urban areas. Maternal health refers to the health of women throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period. Each step should be a good experience that ensures mothers, and their infants realize their maximum health and well-being potential. In this study, we used individual, demographic, and socio-economic characteristics to measure the urban–rural discrepancies in maternal health care services in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used Information of 220 164 women of child-bearing age (15–49) gathered from National Demographic Health Surveys from 27 countries in the Sub-Sahara African region. We found 46.1% of women in rural areas had no education, 39.7% of the women in rural areas have husbands/partners with no education, and 60.1% of the women in rural areas are from households with poor wealth indexes. The use of maternal health care services found to be predominant in the urban areas than rural areas, and the measure of this difference can inform policymakers on the level of effort that needed to be put in place to balance the discrepancies and improve maternal health in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oduse Samuel
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
| | - Temesgen Zewotir
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Delia North
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa
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Oloyede AA, Faruk N, Raji WO. COVID-19 lockdown and remote attendance teaching in developing countries: A review of some online pedagogical resources. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2021.1889768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkarim A. Oloyede
- Department of Telecommunication Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Department of Electronics Engineering, University of York, York, UK
| | - Nasir Faruk
- Department of Telecommunication Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Wasiu O. Raji
- Department of Geophysics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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Faruk N, Abdulkarim A, Emmanuel I, Folawiyo YY, Adewole KS, Mojeed HA, Oloyede AA, Olawoyin LA, Sikiru IA, Nehemiah M, Ya'u Gital A, Chiroma H, Ogunmodede JA, Almutairi M, Katibi IA. A comprehensive survey on low-cost ECG acquisition systems: Advances on design specifications, challenges and future direction. Biocybern Biomed Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbe.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Senbekov M, Saliev T, Bukeyeva Z, Almabayeva A, Zhanaliyeva M, Aitenova N, Toishibekov Y, Fakhradiyev I. The Recent Progress and Applications of Digital Technologies in Healthcare: A Review. Int J Telemed Appl 2020; 2020:8830200. [PMID: 33343657 PMCID: PMC7732404 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8830200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of medical digital technologies can provide better accessibility and flexibility of healthcare for the public. It encompasses the availability of open information on the health, treatment, complications, and recent progress on biomedical research. At present, even in low-income countries, diagnostic and medical services are becoming more accessible and available. However, many issues related to digital health technologies remain unmet, including the reliability, safety, testing, and ethical aspects. PURPOSE The aim of the review is to discuss and analyze the recent progress on the application of big data, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, block-chain platforms, smart devices in healthcare, and medical education. Basic Design. The publication search was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Sciences, Medline, Wiley Online Library, and CrossRef databases. The review highlights the applications of artificial intelligence, "big data," telemedicine and block-chain technologies, and smart devices (internet of things) for solving the real problems in healthcare and medical education. Major Findings. We identified 252 papers related to the digital health area. However, the number of papers discussed in the review was limited to 152 due to the exclusion criteria. The literature search demonstrated that digital health technologies became highly sought due to recent pandemics, including COVID-19. The disastrous dissemination of COVID-19 through all continents triggered the need for fast and effective solutions to localize, manage, and treat the viral infection. In this regard, the use of telemedicine and other e-health technologies might help to lessen the pressure on healthcare systems. Summary. Digital platforms can help optimize diagnosis, consulting, and treatment of patients. However, due to the lack of official regulations and recommendations, the stakeholders, including private and governmental organizations, are facing the problem with adequate validation and approbation of novel digital health technologies. In this regard, proper scientific research is required before a digital product is deployed for the healthcare sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksut Senbekov
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Timur Saliev
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | | | | | - Nazym Aitenova
- NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Ildar Fakhradiyev
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Harerimana A, Wicking K, Biedermann N, Yates K. Integrating nursing informatics into undergraduate nursing education in Africa: A scoping review. Int Nurs Rev 2020; 68:420-433. [PMID: 32893345 PMCID: PMC8519132 DOI: 10.1111/inr.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Information and communication technologies have become omnipresent in healthcare systems globally, and since nurses comprise the majority of the health sector workforce, they are expected to be adequately skilled to work in a technology‐mediated environment. Integrating nursing informatics into undergraduate nursing education is a cornerstone to nursing education and practice in Africa. Aim This scoping review aimed to evidence the integration of nursing informatics into undergraduate nursing education in Africa. Methods A scoping review of the literature used electronic databases including CINAHL Plus databases; EmCare; MEDLINE Ovid; Scopus; ERIC ProQuest; Web of Science; Google; and Google Scholar to locate papers specific to the African context. From a total of 8723 articles, 19 were selected for critique and synthesis. Results Selected studies indicated that nursing students used several information and communication technologies tools primarily for academic purposes, and rarely for clinical practice. In Africa, the challenges for teaching informatics in nursing education included: limited information and communication technologies skills among faculty and students; poor teaching strategies; and a lack of standardization of nursing informatics competencies. Successful integration of nursing informatics into undergraduate nursing education in African countries depends on restructuring nursing informatics content and teaching strategies, capacity building of the faculty and students in information and communication technologies, political commitment, and collaborative partnership. Conclusion Nursing informatics is scarce in undergraduate nursing education in Africa due to the implementation and adoption challenges. Responding to these challenges requires a multi‐sectoral approach in the revision of undergraduate nursing curricula. Implication for nursing education, practice, policy and research This study highlights the importance of nursing informatics in undergraduate nursing education, with its challenges and success. Nursing education policies should support the development of well‐standardized nursing informatics content and appropriate teaching strategies to deliver it. Further research is needed to establish which aspects of nursing informatics are integrated into undergraduate nursing education and nursing practice, implementation process, challenges and possible solutions. Collaborative partnerships are vital to developing nursing informatics policies to better prepare graduate nurses for the African healthcare workforce in the digital era.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Harerimana
- College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - K Wicking
- College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - N Biedermann
- College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - K Yates
- College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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