scholarly journals Emerging digital technologies in cancer treatment, prevention, and control

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2009-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradford W Hesse ◽  
Dominika Kwasnicka ◽  
David K Ahern
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Medicine ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Anniversary Issue ◽  
And Control

Abstract The very first issue of the journal of Translational Behavioral Medicine (TBM) was dedicated, in part, to the theme of Health Information Technology as a platform for evidence implementation. The topic was timely: legislation in the USA was passed with the intent of stimulating the adoption of electronic health records; mobile smartphones, tablets, and other devices were gaining traction in the consumer market, while members within the Society of Behavioral Medicine were gaining scientific understanding on how to use these tools to effect healthy behavior change. For the anniversary issue of TBM, we evaluated the progress and problems associated with deploying digital health technologies to support cancer treatment, prevention, and control over the last decade. We conducted a narrative review of published literature to identify the role that emerging digital technologies may take in achieving national and international objectives in the decade to come. We tracked our evaluation of the literature across three phases in the cancer control continuum: (a) prevention, (b) early detection/screening, and (c) treatment/survivorship. From our targeted review and analyses, we noted that significant progress had been made in the adoption of digital health technologies in the cancer space over the past decade but that significant work remains to be done to integrate these technologies effectively into the cancer control systems needed to improve outcomes equitably across populations. The challenge for the next 10 years is inherently translational.

scholarly journals Mapping the Role of Digital Health Technologies in Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Pandemic: Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 026-037
Author(s):  
Binyam Tilahun ◽  
Kassahun Dessie Gashu ◽  
Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen ◽  
Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu ◽  
Dessie Abebaw Angaw
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Internet Of Things

Summary Background: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is currently spreading exponentially around the globe. Various digital health technologies are currently being used as weapons in the fight against the pandemic in different ways by countries. The main objective of this review is to explore the role of digital health technologies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and address the gaps in the use of these technologies for tackling the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The articles were searched using electronic databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Hinari. In addition, Google and Google scholar were searched. Studies that focused on the application of digital health technologies on COVID-19 prevention and control were included in the review. We characterized the distribution of technological applications based on geographical locations, approaches to apply digital health technologies and main findings. The study findings from the existing literature were presented using thematic content analysis. Results: A total of 2,601 potentially relevant studies were generated from the initial search and 22 studies were included in the final review. The review found that telemedicine was used most frequently, followed by electronic health records and other digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things (IoT). Digital health technologies were used in multiple ways in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including screening and management of patients, methods to minimize exposure, modelling of disease spread, and supporting overworked providers. Conclusion: Digital health technologies like telehealth, mHealth, electronic medical records, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and big data/internet were used in different ways for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in different settings using multiple approaches. For more effective deployment of digital health tools in times of pandemics, development of a guiding policy and standard on the development, deployment, and use of digital health tools in response to a pandemic is recommended.

scholarly journals A technology-assisted life of recovery from psychosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dror Ben-Zeev ◽  
Benjamin Buck ◽  
Sarah Kopelovich ◽  
Suzanne Meller
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Illness Management ◽  
Illness Management And Recovery ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Innovations ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum

Abstract Developments in digital health technologies have the potential to expedite and strengthen the path towards recovery for people with psychosis. This perspective piece provides a snapshot of how a range of digital technologies can be deployed to support a young adult’s efforts to cope with schizophrenia-spectrum illness. In conjunction with a day in the life of this individual, we provide examples of innovations in digital health research designed for this clinical population, as well as brief summaries of the evidence supporting the usability, feasibility, or effectiveness of each approach. From early detection to ongoing symptom management and vocational rehabilitation, this day-in-the-life vignette provides an overview of the ways in which digital health innovations could be used in concert to augment, scaffold, and enhance schizophrenia-spectrum illness management and recovery.

Digital health technology enhances resilient behaviour: evidence from the ward

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iacopo Rubbio ◽  
Manfredi Bruccoleri ◽  
Astrid Pietrosi ◽  
Barbara Ragonese
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Management Domain ◽  
Operational Failure

PurposeIn the healthcare management domain, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the role of resilience practices in improving patient safety. The purpose of this paper is to understand the capabilities that enable healthcare resilience and how digital technologies can support these capabilities.Design/methodology/approachWithin- and cross-case research methodology was used to study resilience mechanisms and capabilities in healthcare and to understand how digital health technologies impact healthcare resilience. The authors analyze data from two Italian hospitals through the lens of the operational failure literature and anchor the findings to the theory of dynamic capabilities.FindingsFive different dynamic capabilities emerged as crucial for managing operational failure. Furthermore, in relation to these capabilities, medical, organizational and patient-related knowledge surfaced as major enablers. Finally, the findings allowed the authors to better explain the role of knowledge in healthcare resilience and how digital technologies boost this role.Practical implicationsWhen trying to promote a culture of patient safety, the research suggests healthcare managers should focus on promoting and enhancing resilience capabilities. Furthermore, when evaluating the role of digital technologies, healthcare managers should consider their importance in enabling these dynamic capabilities.Originality/valueAlthough operations management (OM) research points to resilience as a crucial behavior in the supply chain, this is the first research that investigates the concept of resilience in healthcare systems from an OM perspective, with only a few authors having studied similar concepts, such as “workaround” practices.

scholarly journals Digital Health Platforms in Saudi Arabia: Determinants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1517
Author(s):  
Saeed M. Alghamdi ◽  
Abdullah S. Alsulayyim ◽  
Jaber S. Alqahtani ◽  
Abdulelah M. Aldhahir
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Narrative Form ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Mobile Health Applications

COVID-19 poses a significant burden to healthcare systems. Healthcare organisations with better health innovation infrastructures have faced a reduced burden and achieved success in curbing COVID-19. In Saudi Arabia, digital technologies have played a vital role in fighting SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this paper, we aimed to summarise the experience of optimising digital health technologies in Saudi Arabia as well as to discuss capabilities and opportunities during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature search was conducted up to September 2021 to document the experience of using DHTPs in Saudi Arabia in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We also considered any published data, press briefings, and announcements by the MOH in Saudi Arabia. The findings were synthesised in narrative form. Health officials succeeded in optimising and maintaining a strategy to mitigate the spread of the virus via different digital technologies, such as mobile health applications, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The quick digital response in Saudi Arabia was facilitated by governmental support and by considering users and technology determinants. Future research must concentrate on establishing and updating the guidelines for using DHTPs.

Evolution of Digital Technologies and Use of Virtual Assistants in Drug Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Manu Venugopal
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Development Phase ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
The World

The drug development phase is one of the most time-consuming and expensive stages in the lifecycle of a drug. Marred by patent expirations, price regulations, complexities in disease conditions, life sciences companies are facing a daunting task to bring new molecular entities into the market. Digital health technologies are playing a critical role in addressing some of the challenges faced during drug development. In this chapter, the author talks about the challenges and key trends in the world of drug development, use of new digital health technologies, and the future of drug development. As an example, the author dives into a specific case study on the use of virtual assistants in clinical trials and the benefits of its usage on patients, healthcare professionals, and life sciences companies.

Queensland Digital Health Clinical Charter: a clinical consensus statement on priorities for digital health in hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 661
Author(s):  
Clair Sullivan ◽  
Andrew Staib ◽  
Keith McNeil ◽  
David Rosengren ◽  
Ian Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Executive Leadership ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Clinical Community ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
High Level

Digital transformation of Australian hospitals is occurring rapidly. Although the clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into digital health technologies, as these technologies increasingly transform the way patients are cared for, the clinical community must influence the digital health agenda and be an integral part of the decision-making process. This case study details the process and lessons learnt during the development of the state-wide consensus statement detailing the clinical requirements for digital health initiatives to form the Queensland Digital Health Clinical Charter. To the best of our knowledge, Queensland is the first Australian jurisdiction to create a Digital Clinical Charter to be specifically referenced in the investment in and governance of digital health in hospitals. By developing this clinical charter for digital health, and in articulating the needs of clinicians, a clinical framework will be added to both the decision-making process around the investments in digital health and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments. What is known about the topic? Digital transformation of healthcare is occurring rapidly. The clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into these digital health technologies. Tension currently exists between the clinical community who must use the new digital technologies and the technical groups that govern the introduction of the new technologies. This tension can be manifest as clinicians refusing to adopt new systems, safety concerns and an inability to reach consensus on direction. There are few peer reviewed publications addressing this tension between the clinical community and technical providers. What does this paper add? This paper is the first attempt to create a list of clinical requirements for digital transformation that crosses professional streams and is endorsed by the state-wide executive leadership team to inform the acquisition and governance of digital health technologies. What are the implications for practitioners? Clinicians can feel excluded and marginalised during the decision-making process for new digital technologies, despite the fact that they are often using these technologies to deliver hands-on care to patients. This charter clearly articulates the requirements of clinicians for digital transformation and has been endorsed by the executive leadership team of Queensland Health. The charter adds a clinical framework to be referenced during the decision-making process around the investments in digital health, and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments. As the digital landscape in public hospitals evolves, clinicians are becoming increasingly reliant upon digital technologies. It is critical that clinicians have a strong effect on technology acquisition and governance to maximise the quality and efficiency of the care they provide.

scholarly journals Barriers to Creating Scalable Business Models for Digital Health Innovation in Public Systems: Qualitative Case Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Taylor Kelley ◽  
Jamie Fujioka ◽  
Kyle Liang ◽  
Madeline Cooper ◽  
Trevor Jamieson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Barriers To Entry ◽  
Health Innovation ◽  
Health Technologies

BACKGROUND Health systems are increasingly looking toward the private sector to provide digital solutions to address health care demands. Innovation in digital health is largely driven by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet these companies experience significant barriers to entry, especially in public health systems. Complex and fragmented care models, alongside a myriad of relevant stakeholders (eg, purchasers, providers, and producers of health care products), make developing value propositions for digital solutions highly challenging. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify areas for health system improvement to promote the integration of innovative digital health technologies developed by SMEs. METHODS This paper qualitatively analyzes a series of case studies to identify health system barriers faced by SMEs developing digital health technologies in Canada and proposed solutions to encourage a more innovative ecosystem. The Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care established a consultation program for SMEs to help them increase their innovation capacity and take their ideas to market. The consultation involved the SME filling out an onboarding form and review of this information by an expert advisory committee using guided considerations, leading to a recommendation report provided to the SME. This paper reports on the characteristics of 25 SMEs who completed the program and qualitatively analyzed their recommendation reports to identify common barriers to digital health innovation. RESULTS A total of 2 central themes were identified, each with 3 subthemes. First, a common barrier to system integration was the lack of formal evaluation, with SMEs having limited resources and opportunities to conduct such an evaluation. Second, the health system’s current structure does not create incentives for clinicians to use digital technologies, which threatens the sustainability of SMEs’ business models. SMEs faced significant challenges in engaging users and payers from the public system due to perverse economic incentives. Physicians are compensated by in-person visits, which actively works against the goals of many digital health solutions of keeping patients out of clinics and hospitals. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant disconnect between the economic incentives that drive clinical behaviors and the use of digital technologies that would benefit patients’ well-being. To encourage the use of digital health technologies, publicly funded health systems need to dedicate funding for the evaluation of digital solutions and streamlined pathways for clinical integration.

scholarly journals Elements of Trust in Digital Health Systems: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afua Adjekum ◽  
Alessandro Blasimme ◽  
Effy Vayena
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Health Technologies

BACKGROUND Information and communication technologies have long become prominent components of health systems. Rapid advances in digital technologies and data science over the last few years are predicted to have a vast impact on health care services, configuring a paradigm shift into what is now commonly referred to as digital health. Forecasted to curb rising health costs as well as to improve health system efficiency and safety, digital health success heavily relies on trust from professional end users, administrators, and patients. Yet, what counts as the building blocks of trust in digital health systems has so far remained underexplored. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyze what relevant stakeholders consider as enablers and impediments of trust in digital health. METHODS We performed a scoping review to map out trust in digital health. To identify relevant digital health studies, we searched 5 electronic databases. Using keywords and Medical Subject Headings, we targeted all relevant studies and set no boundaries for publication year to allow a broad range of studies to be identified. The studies were screened by 2 reviewers after which a predefined data extraction strategy was employed and relevant themes documented. RESULTS Overall, 278 qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and intervention studies in English, published between 1998 and 2017 and conducted in 40 countries were included in this review. Patients and health care professionals were the two most prominent stakeholders of trust in digital health; a third—health administrators—was substantially less prominent. Our analysis identified cross-cutting personal, institutional, and technological elements of trust that broadly cluster into 16 enablers (altruism, fair data access, ease of use, self-efficacy, sociodemographic factors, recommendation by other users, usefulness, customizable design features, interoperability, privacy, initial face-to-face contact, guidelines for standardized use, stakeholder engagement, improved communication, decreased workloads, and service provider reputation) and 10 impediments (excessive costs, limited accessibility, sociodemographic factors, fear of data exploitation, insufficient training, defective technology, poor information quality, inadequate publicity, time-consuming, and service provider reputation) to trust in digital health. CONCLUSIONS Trust in digital health technologies and services depends on the interplay of a complex set of enablers and impediments. This study is a contribution to ongoing efforts to understand what determines trust in digital health according to different stakeholders. Therefore, it offers valuable points of reference for the implementation of innovative digital health services. Building on insights from this study, actionable metrics can be developed to assess the trustworthiness of digital technologies in health care.

scholarly journals The 100 top-Cited Studies on Ebola: A Bibliometric Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Kawuki ◽  
Taha Hussein Musa ◽  
Shireen Salome Papabathini ◽  
Upama Ghimire ◽  
Nathan Obore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: The achievements in Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention and control can be reflected by scientific studies, particularly in the top-cited studies. The study thus aimed to identify and characterise the 100 top-cited studies of Ebola.Methods: The study used a retrospective bibliometric analysis, which was performed in January 2020. Studies were searched from the Web of Science using the keywords: “Ebola” or “Ebola virus” or “Ebola virus disease” to identify the 100 top-cited ebola studies. Studies were analysed for the number of citations, authorship, and journal, year of publication, country and institution. The analyses were carried out using SPSS, HistCite and VOSviewer.Results: The 100 top-cited studies were published between 1977 and 2017, were cited from 169 to 808 times and had an average citation of 290.5, and 8 studies were cited more than 500 times. They were published in 31 journals, and Journal of Virology published most of the studies (n=14). They were produced by 33 countries, and the USA published most of the studies (63), followed by Germany (8) and Gabon (6). Centre for Disease prevention and Control-USA (26) was the leading institution, while Geisbert TW and Sanchez A were the most productive authors.Conclusions: This study provides insights into the historical advancements reflected by the top-cited studies and has highlighted the leading roles played by various stakeholders in addressing EVD. However, the contribution of African countries is not sufficiently reflected among these studies, and so more focus, funding and involvement in clinical research is needed for effective prevention and control of EVD in Africa.

scholarly journals Mapping Stakeholders to Enhance Coordination of Cancer Prevention and Control: The Kenyan Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 93s-93s
Author(s):  
A. Karagu ◽  
M. Cira ◽  
M. Akhavan ◽  
K. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Cancer Prevention And Control ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
And Control

Background: Coordination of stakeholders in cancer prevention and control ensures prudent use of available resources toward a common goal while limiting overlaps and redundancies. The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) is a statutory body with an overall mandate to coordinate and centralize all activities related to cancer prevention and control in Kenya. To identify baseline status of cancer control stakeholder activity to guide implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy, NCI-K collaborated with US National Cancer Institute (NCI-US) to map stakeholders involved in cancer control in Kenya. Aim: The survey set out to determine the geographical distribution, scope of cancer prevention and control activities, and sources of financing for identified stakeholders involved in cancer prevention and control in Kenya. Methods: Between October 2017 and March 2018, we conducted an online survey among stakeholders involved in cancer prevention, research and control in Kenya adapted from similar stakeholder mapping activities coordinated by NCI-US in other settings. Using attendance lists to past multisectoral forums organized by NCI-K, Kenyan Ministry of Health, and NCI-US, a Google link to a standard pretested questionnaire was circulated. Descriptive analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 52 responses were received with 38 respondents reporting Kenya as their institution country. Twenty (38%) had ongoing activities in all the counties in Kenya. Nairobi County had the highest reported number of active institutions (19) followed by Kisumu (16) and Uasin Gishu (10). The three program focus areas most reported were training 28 (54%), clinic-based screening 27 (52%) and advocacy/information and educational 26 (50%), while the least reported was financing 12 (23%). For organizations involved in cancer screening, 22 (81%) focused on breast cancer while 18 (67%) prioritized cervical cancer. Among the programs that identified cancer prevention as one of their focus areas, a large majority (91%) were involved in health education, while only 1 organization focused on environmental control activities. The most reported source of funding for the cancer programs was grant funding 17 (33%). Conclusion: This stakeholder mapping activity has identified a strong stakeholder presence in most parts of the country while also highlighting gaps in the focus of cancer prevention and control programs. This baseline information on stakeholder activity will help shape future collaborations in cancer prevention and control and will guide NCI-K in developing appropriate policies and ensuring effective coordination.

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