| Title | Device integration of electrochemical biosensors. |
| Authors | Wu, J; Liu, H; Chen, W; Ma, B; Ju, H |
| Journal | Nature reviews bioengineering |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 12 May 2023 |
| Abstract | Electrochemical biosensors incorporate a recognition element and an electronic transducer for the highly sensitive detection of analytes in body fluids. Importantly, they can provide rapid readouts and they can be integrated into portable, wearable and implantable devices for point-of-care diagnostics; for example, the personal glucose meter enables at-home assessment of blood glucose levels, greatly improving the management of diabetes. In this Review, we discuss the principles of electrochemical biosensing and the design of electrochemical biosensor devices for health monitoring and disease diagnostics, with a particular focus on device integration into wearable, portable and implantable systems. Finally, we outline the key engineering challenges that need to be addressed to improve sensing accuracy, enable multiplexing and one-step processes, and integrate electrochemical biosensing devices in digital health-care pathways. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-023-00032-w |
| Title | Digital Health Policy and Programs for Hospital Care in Vietnam: Scoping Review. |
| Authors | Tran, DM; Thwaites, CL; Van Nuil, JI; McKnight, J; Luu, AP; Paton, C; Phuoc Luu, A; Quang Ho, C; Hong Du, D; Minh Tran, D; Thi Phuong Nguyen, D; Thi Nguyen, G; Bich Ho, H; Van Ho, H; Manh Trinh, H; Quang Nguyen, H; Nguyen Quoc Phan, K; Dinh Van Le, K; Trung Dang, K; Khanh Phung, L; Thi Pham, L; Thanh Nguyen, N; Tran Huy Phung, N; Thanh Le, P; Than Ha Nguyen, Q; Thi Le Nguyen, T; Bui Xuan Doan, T; Trung Huynh, T; Huu Khanh Dong, T; Minh Tu Hoang, V; Thi Thanh Ninh, V; Lam Nguyen, V; Minh Lam, Y; Ahmed, S; Donovan, J; Geskus, R; Kestelyn, E; Mcbride, A; Thwaites, G; Thwaites, L; Turner, H; Ilo Van Nuil, J; Yacoub, S; Thi Cao, T; Bich Duong, T; Thi Hai Ha, D; Dang Trung Ha, N; Buu Le, C; Ngoc Minh Le, T; Thi Mai Le, T; Thi Hue Luong, T; Hoan Nguyen, P; Quoc Nguyen, V; Thanh Nguyen, N; Thanh Nguyen, P; Thi Kim Nguyen, A; Van Nguyen, H; Van Thanh Nguyen, D; Van Vinh Nguyen, C; Kieu Nguyet Pham, O; Thi Hong Phan, V; Tu Phan, Q; Vinh Phan, T; Thi Phuong Truong, T; Clifton, D; English, M; Ghiasi, S; Greeff, H; Hagenah, J; Lu, P; McKnight, J; Paton, C; Zhu, T; Georgiou, P; Hernandez Perez, B; Hill-Cawthorne, K; Holmes, A; Karolcik, S; Ming, D; Moser, N; Rodriguez Manzano, J; Gomez, A; Kerdegari, H; Modat, M; Razavi, R; Guru Dutt, A; Karlen, W; Verling, M; Wicki, E; Denehy, L; Rollinson, T |
| Journal | Journal of medical Internet research |
| Publication Date | 9 Feb 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 10 Feb 2022 |
| Abstract | There are a host of emergent technologies with the potential to improve hospital care in low- and middle-income countries such as Vietnam. Wearable monitors and artificial intelligence-based decision support systems could be integrated with hospital-based digital health systems such as electronic health records (EHRs) to provide higher level care at a relatively low cost. However, the appropriate and sustainable application of these innovations in low- and middle-income countries requires an understanding of the local government's requirements and regulations such as technology specifications, cybersecurity, data-sharing protocols, and interoperability. This scoping review aims to explore the current state of digital health research and the policies that govern the adoption of digital health systems in Vietnamese hospitals. We conducted a scoping review using a modification of the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for academic publications, and Thư Viện Pháp Luật, a proprietary database of Vietnamese government documents, and the Vietnam Electronic Health Administration website were searched for government documents. Google Scholar and Google Search were used for snowballing searches. The sources were assessed against predefined eligibility criteria through title, abstract, and full-text screening. Relevant information from the included sources was charted and summarized. The review process was primarily undertaken by one researcher and reviewed by another researcher during each step. In total, 11 academic publications and 20 government documents were included in this review. Among the academic studies, 5 reported engineering solutions for information systems in hospitals, 2 assessed readiness for EHR implementation, 1 tested physicians' performance before and after using clinical decision support software, 1 reported a national laboratory information management system, and 2 reviewed the health system's capability to implement eHealth and artificial intelligence. Of the 20 government documents, 19 were promulgated from 2013 to 2020. These regulations and guidance cover a wide range of digital health domains, including hospital information management systems, general and interoperability standards, cybersecurity in health organizations, conditions for the provision of health information technology (HIT), electronic health insurance claims, laboratory information systems, HIT maturity, digital health strategies, electronic medical records, EHRs, and eHealth architectural frameworks. Research about hospital-based digital health systems in Vietnam is very limited, particularly implementation studies. Government regulations and guidance for HIT in health care organizations have been released with increasing frequency since 2013, targeting a variety of information systems such as electronic medical records, EHRs, and laboratory information systems. In general, these policies were focused on the basic specifications and standards that digital health systems need to meet. More research is needed in the future to guide the implementation of digital health care systems in the Vietnam hospital setting. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.2196/32392 |
| Title | A digital mask to safeguard patient privacy. |
| Authors | Yang, Y; Lyu, J; Wang, R; Wen, Q; Zhao, L; Chen, W; Bi, S; Meng, J; Mao, K; Xiao, Y; Liang, Y; Zeng, D; Du, Z; Wu, Y; Cui, T; Liu, L; Iao, WC; Li, X; Cheung, CY; Zhou, J; Hu, Y; Wei, L; Lai, IF; Yu, X; Chen, J; Wang, Z; Mao, Z; Ye, H; Xiao, W; Yang, H; Huang, D; Lin, X; Zheng, WS; Wang, R; Yu-Wai-Man, P; Xu, F; Dai, Q; Lin, H |
| Journal | Nature medicine |
| Publication Date | 1 Sep 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 16 Sep 2022 |
| Abstract | The storage of facial images in medical records poses privacy risks due to the sensitive nature of the personal biometric information that can be extracted from such images. To minimize these risks, we developed a new technology, called the digital mask (DM), which is based on three-dimensional reconstruction and deep-learning algorithms to irreversibly erase identifiable features, while retaining disease-relevant features needed for diagnosis. In a prospective clinical study to evaluate the technology for diagnosis of ocular conditions, we found very high diagnostic consistency between the use of original and reconstructed facial videos (κ ≥ 0.845 for strabismus, ptosis and nystagmus, and κ = 0.801 for thyroid-associated orbitopathy) and comparable diagnostic accuracy (P ≥ 0.131 for all ocular conditions tested) was observed. Identity removal validation using multiple-choice questions showed that compared to image cropping, the DM could much more effectively remove identity attributes from facial images. We further confirmed the ability of the DM to evade recognition systems using artificial intelligence-powered re-identification algorithms. Moreover, use of the DM increased the willingness of patients with ocular conditions to provide their facial images as health information during medical treatment. These results indicate the potential of the DM algorithm to protect the privacy of patients' facial images in an era of rapid adoption of digital health technologies. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01966-1 |
| Title | Application of Improved Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Telesurgery with 5G Technology in Urology. |
| Authors | Li, J; Yang, X; Chu, G; Feng, W; Ding, X; Yin, X; Zhang, L; Lv, W; Ma, L; Sun, L; Feng, R; Qin, J; Zhang, X; Gou, C; Yu, Z; Wei, B; Jiao, W; Wang, Y; Luo, L; Yuan, H; Chang, Y; Cai, Q; Wang, S; Giulianotti, PC; Dong, Q; Niu, H |
| Journal | European urology |
| Publication Date | 1 Jan 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 12 Jul 2022 |
| Abstract | The demand for telesurgery is rising rapidly, but robust evidence regarding the feasibility of its application in urology is still rare. From March to October 2021, a surgeon-controlled surgical robot in a tertiary hospital in Qingdao was used to remotely conduct robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RN) in 29 patients located in eight primary hospitals. The median round-trip delay was 26 ms (interquartile range [IQR] 5) and the median distance between the primary hospital and the surgeon was 187 km (IQR 57). Both the master unit and the slave unit were guaranteed by network and mechanical engineers, and surgical assistants were well prepared on the patient side to prevent complications. The primary evaluation metric was the success rate, defined as the percentage of patients who underwent successful remote RN without conversion to other surgical procedures and no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. The results demonstrate that the combination of 5G technology and surgical robots is a novel potential telemedicine-based therapy choice for renal tumors. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our study shows that telesurgery using 5G technology is a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with kidney tumors. The total delay between the remote location and the operating rooms where surgery was being performed was just 200 ms. This approach could reduce health care costs and improve the quality of medical services accessed by patients. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2022.06.018 |
| Title | Estimation of health impact from digitalizing last-mile Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Mozambique: A Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model analysis. |
| Authors | Fritz, J; Herrick, T; Gilbert, SS |
| Journal | PloS one |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2021 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 26 Oct 2021 |
| Abstract | Digital health has become a widely recognized approach to addressing a range of health needs, including advancing universal health coverage and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. At present there is limited evidence on the impact of digital interventions on health outcomes. A growing body of peer-reviewed evidence on digitalizing last-mile electronic logistics management information systems (LMIS) presents an opportunity to estimate health impact. The impact of LMIS on reductions in stockouts was estimated from primary data and peer-reviewed literature, with three scenarios of impact: 5% stockout reduction (conservative), 10% stockout reduction (base), and 15% stockout reduction (optimistic). Stockout reduction data was inverted to stock availability and improved coverage for vaccines and essential medicines using a 1:1 conversion factor. The Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model was used to estimate health impact from lives saved in newborns and children in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia between 2022 and 2026 across the three scenarios. Improving coverage of vaccines with a digital LMIS intervention in the base scenario (conservative, optimistic) could prevent 4,924 (2,578-6,094), 3,998 (1,621-4,915), and 17,648 (12,656-22,776) deaths in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, respectively over the forecast timeframe. In addition, scaling up coverage of non-vaccine medications could prevent 17,044 (8,561-25,392), 21,772 (10,976-32,401), and 34,981 (17,543-52,194) deaths in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, respectively. In the base model scenario, the maximum percent reduction in deaths across all geographies was 1.6% for vaccines and 4.1% for non-vaccine medications. This study projects that digitalization of last-mile LMIS would reduce child mortality by improving coverage of lifesaving health commodities. This analysis helps to build the evidence base around the benefits of deploying digital solutions to address health challenges. Findings should be interpreted carefully as stockout reduction estimates are derived from a small number of studies. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258354 |
| Title | Wearable sensor systems for infants. |
| Authors | Zhu, Z; Liu, T; Li, G; Li, T; Inoue, Y |
| Journal | Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) |
| Publication Date | 5 Feb 2015 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 11 Feb 2015 |
| Abstract | Continuous health status monitoring of infants is achieved with the development and fusion of wearable sensing technologies, wireless communication techniques and a low energy-consumption microprocessor with high performance data processing algorithms. As a clinical tool applied in the constant monitoring of physiological parameters of infants, wearable sensor systems for infants are able to transmit the information obtained inside an infant's body to clinicians or parents. Moreover, such systems with integrated sensors can perceive external threats such as falling or drowning and warn parents immediately. Firstly, the paper reviews some available wearable sensor systems for infants; secondly, we introduce the different modules of the framework in the sensor systems; lastly, the methods and techniques applied in the wearable sensor systems are summarized and discussed. The latest research and achievements have been highlighted in this paper and the meaningful applications in healthcare and behavior analysis are also presented. Moreover, we give a lucid perspective of the development of wearable sensor systems for infants in the future. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.3390/s150203721 |
| Title | Examining Mental Workload Relating to Digital Health Technologies in Health Care: Systematic Review. |
| Authors | Kremer, L; Lipprandt, M; Röhrig, R; Breil, B |
| Journal | Journal of medical Internet research |
| Publication Date | 28 Oct 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 29 Oct 2022 |
| Abstract | The workload in health care is increasing and hence, mental health issues are on the rise among health care professionals (HCPs). The digitization of patient care could be related to the increase in stress levels. It remains unclear whether the health information system or systems and digital health technologies (DHTs) being used in health care relieve the professionals or whether they represent a further burden. The mental construct that best describes this burden of technologies is mental workload (MWL). The measurement methods of MWL are particularly relevant in this sensitive setting. This review aimed to address 2 different but related objectives: identifying the factors that contribute to the MWL of HCPs when using DHT and examining and exploring the applied assessments for the measurement of MWL with a special focus on eye tracking. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 statement, we conducted a systematic review and processed a literature search in the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Academic Search Premier and CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO. Studies were eligible if they assessed the MWL of HCPs related to DHT. The review was conducted as per the following steps: literature search, article selection, data extraction, quality assessment (using the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluation Primary Research Papers From a Variety of Fields [QualSyst]), data analysis, and data synthesis (narrative and tabular). The process was performed by 2 reviewers (in cases of disagreement, a third reviewer was involved). The literature search process resulted in 25 studies that fit the inclusion criteria and examined the MWL of health care workers resulting from the use of DHT in health care settings. Most studies had sample sizes of 10-50 participants, were conducted in the laboratory, and had quasi-experimental or cross-sectional designs. The main results can be grouped into two categories: assessment methods and factors related to DHT that contribute to MWL. Most studies applied subjective methods for the assessment of MWL. Eye tracking did not play a major role in the selected studies. The factors contributing to a higher MWL were clustered into organizational and systemic factors. Our review of 25 papers shows a diverse assessment approach toward the MWL of HCPs related to DHT as well as 2 groups of relevant contributing factors to MWL. Our results are limited in terms of interpretability and causality due to methodological weaknesses of the included studies and may be limited by some shortcomings in the search process. Future research should concentrate on adequate assessments of the MWL of HCPs dependent on the setting, the evaluation of quality criteria, and further assessment of the contributing factors to MWL. PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) CRD42021233271; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021233271. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.2196/40946 |
| Title | Semantic data interoperability, digital medicine, and e-health in infectious disease management: a review. |
| Authors | Gansel, X; Mary, M; van Belkum, A |
| Journal | European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology |
| Publication Date | 1 Jun 2019 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 17 Feb 2019 |
| Abstract | Disease management requires the use of mixed languages when discussing etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. All phases require data management, and, in the optimal case, such data are interdisciplinary and uniform and clear to all those involved. Such semantic data interoperability is one of the technical building blocks that support emerging digital medicine, e-health, and P4-medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory). In a world where infectious diseases are on a trend to become hard-to-treat threats due to antimicrobial resistance, semantic data interoperability is part of the toolbox to fight more efficiently against those threats. In this review, we will introduce semantic data interoperability, summarize its added value, and analyze the technical foundation supporting the standardized healthcare system interoperability that will allow moving forward to e-health. We will also review current usage of those foundational standards and advocate for their uptake by all infectious disease-related actors. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-019-03501-6 |
| Title | Multimedia Data-Based Mobile Applications for Dietary Assessment. |
| Authors | Vasiloglou, MF; Marcano, I; Lizama, S; Papathanail, I; Spanakis, EK; Mougiakakou, S |
| Journal | Journal of diabetes science and technology |
| Publication Date | 1 Jul 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 30 Mar 2022 |
| Abstract | Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are chronic medical conditions associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Accurate macronutrient and energy estimation could be beneficial in attempts to manage DM and obesity, leading to improved glycemic control and weight reduction, respectively. Existing dietary assessment methods are subject to major errors in measurement, are time consuming, are costly, and do not provide real-time feedback. The increasing adoption of smartphones and artificial intelligence, along with the advances in algorithms and hardware, allowed the development of technologies executed in smartphones that use food/beverage multimedia data as an input, and output information about the nutrient content in almost real time. Scope of this review was to explore the various image-based and video-based systems designed for dietary assessment. We identified 22 different systems and divided these into three categories on the basis of their setting for evaluation: laboratory (12), preclinical (7), and clinical (3). The major findings of the review are that there is still a number of open research questions and technical challenges to be addressed and end users-including health care professionals and patients-need to be involved in the design and development of such innovative solutions. Last, there is a clear need that these systems should be validated under unconstrained real-life conditions and that they should be compared with conventional methods for dietary assessment. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1177/19322968221085026 |
| Title | Empowering Patients Through Digital Health Literacy and Access to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) in the Developing World. |
| Authors | Sham, S; Shiwlani, S; Kirshan Kumar, S; Bai, P; Bendari, A |
| Journal | Cureus |
| Publication Date | 1 Apr 2024 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 6 May 2024 |
| Abstract | This editorial discusses the transformative potential of digital health literacy and the critical role of electronic medical records (EMRs) in promoting patient empowerment in the healthcare landscape of developing countries. It examines the impact of digital media in healthcare, noting its ability to both democratize access to information and services and pose risks of misinformation among populations with limited health literacy. The discussion includes an overview of key literacy components critical for effectively navigating the digital healthcare ecosystem. Our article highlights the critical role of EMR in facilitating a patient-centered care (PCC) model, with a special emphasis on making EMR systems accessible and user-friendly for vulnerable groups in developing countries. The core aim of our study is twofold: First, it sheds light on the significant challenges - be they technical, financial, or infrastructural - that obstruct the adoption of sophisticated EMR systems in these areas. Second, it explores the essential aspect of digital health literacy, advocating for its improvement as a vital step toward enabling patients to effectively engage with their medical records. By addressing these key issues, our study seeks to illustrate how enhancing digital health literacy, alongside increasing the accessibility of EMR systems, can empower patients in the developing world to actively participate in their healthcare processes. This dual focus aims to contribute to the broader discourse on improving healthcare outcomes through more inclusive and patient-centered approaches, particularly in settings that are currently underserved by modern healthcare technologies. In conclusion, the editorial advocates for a concerted effort toward creating a more inclusive and empowered healthcare paradigm. It suggests integrating PCC principles, tailoring EMR systems to diverse needs, and enhancing digital health literacy as strategies to harness digital health innovations for better healthcare outcomes and equity. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing investment in education, technology, and policy to fully leverage digital health solutions in the developing world. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57527 |