New digital models of care in ophthalmology, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-317683
Author(s):  
Yih-Chung Tham ◽  
Rahat Husain ◽  
Kelvin Yi Chong Teo ◽  
Anna Cheng Sim Tan ◽  
Annabel Chee Yen Chew ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has led to massive disruptions in societal, economic and healthcare systems globally. While COVID-19 has sparked a surge and expansion of new digital business models in different industries, healthcare has been slower to adapt to digital solutions. The majority of ophthalmology clinical practices are still operating through a traditional model of ‘brick-and-mortar’ facilities and ‘face-to-face’ patient–physician interaction. In the current climate of COVID-19, there is a need to fuel implementation of digital health models for ophthalmology. In this article, we highlight the current limitations in traditional clinical models as we confront COVID-19, review the current lack of digital initiatives in ophthalmology sphere despite the presence of COVID-19, propose new digital models of care for ophthalmology and discuss potential barriers that need to be considered for sustainable transformation to take place.

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gauthier ◽  
Julie Bastianutti ◽  
Meyer Haggège

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L. Jackson ◽  
Maria Donald ◽  
Anthony W. Russell ◽  
H. David McIntyre

This case study describes the development and implementation of an innovative integrated primary–secondary model of care for people with complex diabetes. The aim of the paper is to present the experiences of clinicians and researchers involved in implementing the ‘Beacon’ model by providing a discussion of the contextual factors, including lessons learned, challenges and solutions. Beacon-type models of community care for people with chronic disease are well placed to deliver on Australia’s health care reform agenda, and this commentary provides rich contextual information relevant to the translation of such models into policy and practice. What is known about the topic? Better integrated clinical models of care with close cooperation between hospital-based specialists and general practitioners (GPs) is fundamental to chronic disease management. What does this paper add? A real world example of the challenges faced in implementing models of integrated care across diverse settings and business models. What are the implications for clinicians? Practice, organisational and external factors including energy clinician leadership and resourcing are critical for translation of evidence into ongoing practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696773
Author(s):  
Abi Eccles ◽  
Mike Hopper ◽  
Helen Atherton

BackgroundOnline triage software is a new way to triage patients online that allows patients to describe their problem via an online form. A GP then contacts the patient to arrange either a face-to-face or telephone consultation.AimThis study aimed to explore use of online consultation software and gain insight into patients’ experiences of using online consultations, identifying potential barriers and facilitators to use.MethodThis is a mixed methods retrospective study analysing data about patient users and their associated feedback. Data from a sample of 5591 patients were quantitatively analysed to describe characteristics of users. 576 out of the 5591 users left free-text feedback comments on their experience of use. These were thematically analysed.ResultsThe highest levels of use were observed in 25–35-year olds and lowest from those aged >65. Key themes identified included convenience, consultation quality, appropriateness, resource-use and functionality. Within each, a range of subthemes were present representing both positive and negative perceptions, suggesting that experiences of using online triage varied and were often context-dependentConclusionThere are various advantages to online triage software, but these are context-dependent. Therefore, such applications should be offered as an additional way to contact the GP surgery, rather than a replacement for more established methods, to ensure appropriate and equal access for patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4839
Author(s):  
Satoru Kikuchi ◽  
Kota Kadama ◽  
Shintaro Sengoku

In recent years, technological progress in smart devices and artificial intelligence has also led to advancements in digital health. Digital health tools are especially prevalent in diabetes treatment and improving lifestyle. In digital health’s innovation ecosystem, new alliance networks are formed not only by medical device companies and pharmaceutical companies but also by information and communications technology (ICT) companies and start-ups. Therefore, while focusing on digital health for diabetes, this study explored the characteristics of companies with high network centralities. Our analysis of the changes in degree, betweenness, and eigenvector centralities of the sample companies from 2011 to 2020 found drastic changes in the company rankings of those with high network centrality during this period. Accordingly, the following eight companies were identified and investigated as the top-ranking technology sector companies: IBM Watson Health, Glooko, DarioHealth, Welldoc, OneDrop, Fitbit, Voluntis, and Noom. Lastly, we characterized these cases into three business models: (i) intermediary model, (ii) substitute model, and (iii) direct-to-consumer model, and we analyzed their customer value.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Diana ◽  
Sylvia Snijders ◽  
Alison Rieple ◽  
Laura Ann Boyle

Abstract Background In addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is critical to understand the barriers to the uptake of strategies for the reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in the pig industry. In several EU countries, factors such as education level, habits and social pressures are recognised as affecting farmers’ decision-making process in relation to AMU. However, there is a lack of information on the Irish scenario. The aim of this study was to investigate pig farmers’ perspectives and their behaviour towards AMU to identify potential barriers to effectively reduce AMU in Irish pig production. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 30 pig farmers, 5 pig veterinarians and 4 focus groups of pig farm personnel. We employed qualitative analyses to explore the objective of the study. Results Qualitative analysis revealed six convergent themes as potential barriers: perceptions about the need for AMU on farm, concept of animal welfare and associated management practices, legislation, culture, economics and standards of communication/type of advice-network. Overall, pig farmers believed that there is poor communication between stakeholders (i.e. farmers, vets and advisors) and a lack of reliable people to approach for advice. They considered themselves as operating responsibly in terms of AMU compared to their national and international colleagues and expressed the importance of a so-called ‘Irish solution’ to the problem of AMU because it was associated with what ‘has always been done’ and was therefore considered reliable and safe. Conclusions Barriers and challenges were in line with those identified in other EU countries highlighting similarities in behavioural and attitudinal patterns among pig farmers. Overall, farmers appeared to be more likely to rely on previous experiences or to wait for an imposed change (e.g. legislation) instead of taking personal action. Thus, considerable behavioural and attitudinal changes are needed to adopt a more responsible AMU in Irish pig production and to develop effective intervention strategies.


2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802096734
Author(s):  
Mengtong Chen ◽  
Ko Ling Chan

Digital technologies are increasingly used in health-care delivery and are being introduced into work to prevent unintentional injury, violence, and suicide to reduce mortality. To understand the potential of digital health interventions (DHIs) to prevent and reduce these problems, we conduct a meta-analysis and provide an overview of their effectiveness and characteristics related to the effects. We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant reviews to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in or before March 2020 evaluating DHIs on injury, violence, or suicide reduction. Based on the 34 RCT studies included in the meta-analysis, the overall random effect size was 0.21, and the effect sizes for reducing suicidal ideation, interpersonal violence, and unintentional injury were 0.17, 0.24, and 0.31, respectively, which can be regarded as comparable to the effect sizes of traditional face-to-face interventions. However, there was considerable heterogeneity between the studies. In conclusion, DHIs have great potential to reduce unintentional injury, violence, and suicide. Future research should explore DHIs’ successful components to facilitate future implementation and wider access.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bénédicte Branchet ◽  
Pierre-Yves Sanseau

Purpose Existing research infers that in the information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) fields, a shift may occur between technical and non-technical skills. However, relatively little research has focused on going changes in terms of key skills in the IS suppliers sector. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by investigating these skills evolution in the IS suppliers domain and discusses their impacts on IS and IT curricula. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a qualitative method based on 15 semi-structured face-to-face interviews, with highly dedicated operational managers in senior positions in the field. Findings This study identifies, for the IS suppliers, the critical skills, which are basically non-technical, and peripheral skills, which are primarily technical. It then considers the consequences of this change and the necessary adaptations it requires for businesses and training for this field. Practical implications The findings suggest the need to redesign the educational curricula for future managers, and the adaptations required to the work organization, human resource management and business models of firms in the field. Originality/value The paper’s value is twofold. First, it focuses on IS service suppliers, an understudied area (most research examines IS outsourcing from the customer’s standpoint); second, it reveals the shift away from technical toward non-technical skills in a field that is intrinsically technical – a change that may occur more slowly than in other less technical sectors – and the consequences of this change for firms, education and society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-42
Author(s):  
Helena Zentner ◽  
Mario Spremić

Digital business models are reshaping industries nowadays. This trend certainly includes the tourism and hospitality sector, where several digital business models have already gained extraordinary momentum and transformed the way business is done. There is a growing body of scholarly literature concerning individual digital business models in tourism, yet papers with comprehensive comparison of digital business models in tourism are scarce. The aim of the paper is to fill this research gap and provide a thorough overview and comparison of the most important types of digital business models in tourism. Methods used to achieve this include case studies and structured literature review supplemented with content analysis. The most important characteristics of each business model have been identified and analyzed using relevant frameworks. Further, a tourism digital business models typology has been proposed that classifies the currently prevailing digital business models in this sector into seven distinct types.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 1135-1143
Author(s):  
Amalie Dyda ◽  
Magid Fahim ◽  
Jon Fraser ◽  
Marianne Kirrane ◽  
Ides Wong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced rapid digital transformation of many health systems. These innovations are now entering the literature, but there is little focus on the resulting disruption. Objective We describe the implementation of digital innovations during the COVID-19 response of Australia's largest health service, Metro North (in Brisbane, Queensland), the challenges of the subsequent digital disruption, how these were managed, and lessons learned. Methods Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian state of Queensland created the Queensland Digital Clinical Charter, which provides guidance for the development of digital health programs. The guidelines utilize three horizons: digitizing workflows, leveraging digital data to transform clinical care, and reimagining new and innovative models of care. The technical response to COVID-19 in Metro North is described across these horizons. The rapid digital response caused significant disruption to health care delivery; management of the disruption and the outcomes are detailed. This is a participatory action research project, with members of the research team assisting with leading the implementation project informing the case report content. Results Several digital innovations were introduced across Metro North during the COVID-19 response. This resulted in significant disruption creating digital hypervigilance, digital deceleration, data discordance, and postdigital “depression.” Successful management of the digital disruption minimized the negative effects of rapid digital transformation, and contributed to the effective management of the pandemic in Queensland. Conclusion The rapid digital transformation in Metro North during COVID-19 was successful in several aspects; however, ongoing challenges remain. These include the need to improve data sharing and increase interoperability. Importantly, the innovations need to be evaluated to ensure that Metro North can capitalize on these changes and incorporate them into long-term routine practice. Moving forward, it will be essential to manage not only the pandemic, but increasingly, the resultant digital disruption.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document