The use of telemedicine for delivering healthcare in Japan: Systematic review of literature published in Japanese and English languages

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 828-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ito ◽  
Sisira Edirippulige ◽  
Takeshi Aono ◽  
Nigel R Armfield

Background In common with other countries, Japan has an ageing population and geographical impediments to healthcare access. The role of telemedicine within the Japanese health system may be of wide interest, yet it has not been comprehensively explored and documented. Thus, the aim of this study was to systematically review the Japanese and English language literature relating to the clinical use of telemedicine in Japan. Methods For studies published in Japanese, we searched Ichushi and CiNii. For English language publications, we searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. All peer-reviewed articles describing the clinical use of telemedicine and published between 2007 and 2016 were included. Data on clinical area, study type, technology used, and type of communication were extracted. Studies were categorised by prevention, screening, diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment. Results The search yielded 1476 records; 26 Japanese language and 15 English language articles were selected for review. A wide range of clinical areas were represented; however, home care and life-style related studies were dominant. More than 50% of studies were related to prevention and early diagnosis. The majority of Japanese studies involved doctor-to-doctor consultation. Smartphones and remote monitoring systems were the main types of technology used. Conclusions Most studies of telemedicine in Japan are published in the Japanese language and are thus relatively inaccessible to the rest of the world; for the first time, this study has provided an overview of the clinical use of telemedicine in Japan. The clinically related papers reflect the Japanese cultural focus on disease prevention.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Pappalardo ◽  
Patrick Heinrich

In this volume European specialists of Japanese language present new and original research into Japanese over a wide spectrum of topics which include descriptive, sociolinguistic, pragmatic and didactic accounts. The articles share a focus on contemporary issues and adopt new approaches to the study of Japanese that often are specific to European traditions of language study. The articles address an audience that includes both Japanese Studies and Linguistics. They are representative of the wide range of topics that are currently studied in European universities, and they address scholars and students alike.


English Today ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Barrs

The Japanese linguistic landscape is a dynamically vibrant area with words and phrases appearing in a vast array of locations written in a wide range of scripts, fonts, sizes and colours, and all serving a complex and interconnected array of functions. This visual landscape of shop signs, street signs, advertising posters, information boards and vending machines is complemented by a similar vibrancy and dynamism in more private domains such as restaurant menus, product packaging, clothing, newspaper articles, magazine stories and TV advertising. Immediately striking an observer of these contexts is the fact that, although the Japanese language has a highly complex writing system incorporating an admixture of logographic, syllabic and alphabetic characters, a great many of the words and phrases in Japanese social contexts are transcribed in Latin alphabet characters. Because the vast majority of these lexical items are either direct imports of words from the English language (often termed ‘loanwords' or ‘borrowings') or domestic creations based on English vocabulary (often termed ‘wasei eigo'/‘Japan-created English'), those who are familiar with the English language are assisted in their orientation around Japan by this pervasive use of English-based vocabulary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 2411-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enakshee Jamnadass ◽  
Bhavan Prasad Rai ◽  
Domenico Veneziano ◽  
Theodoros Tokas ◽  
Juan Gomez Rivas ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims and objectives To review the available literature regarding the use of prostate cancer-related mobile phone applications (PCA). Materials and methods The search was for English language articles between inceptions of databases to June 2019. Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched. Full-text articles were reviewed, and the following data were extracted to aid with app analysis: name of application, developer, platform (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and factors assessed by the article. Results The search yielded 1825 results of which 13 studies were included in the final review. 44 PCAs were identified from the data collected of which 59% of the PCAs had an educational focus. 11 apps were inactive and 5 weren’t updated within the last year. Five studies focused on the development and testing of apps (MyHealthAvatar, CPC, Rotterdam, Interaktor, NED). Two studies evaluated the readability of PCAs. Most PCAs had a reading level greater than that of the average patient. Two studies evaluated the quality and accuracy of apps. Majority of PCAs were accurate with a wide range of information. The study reported most PCAs to have deficient or insufficient scores for data protection. Two studies evaluated the accuracy of Rotterdam, CORAL and CPC risk calculators. Rotterdam was the best performer. Conclusions PCAs are currently in its infancy and do require further development before widespread integration into existing clinical practise. There are concerns with data protection, high readability standards and lack of information update in current PCAs. If developed appropriately with responsible governance, they do have the potential to play important roles in modern-day prostate cancer management


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5-s) ◽  
pp. 236-253
Author(s):  
Bamidele Johnson Alegbeleye ◽  
Oke-Oghene Philomena Akpoveso ◽  
Rana Kahdim Mohammed ◽  
Bernard Yeboah-Asiamah Asare

Background: Aspirin is one of the most frequently used and cheapest drugs in medicine. Since its first synthesis in 1897, several medicinal roles and mechanisms of action of Aspirin have become apparent, the latest among these being its role in cancer prevention and treatment. Objective: We present a review of Aspirin's biochemistry and pharmacology, as well as the clinical use of Aspirin. The communiqué also suggests possible strategies for maximizing the gain of Aspirin as a wonder-drug of the future. Methods: The  literature  search  strategy  covered  printed  and  online  sources,  including  manual  library search (PubMed), Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library. For papers written in English and published in the last ten years.  A  systematic  analysis  of  available  data  was  subsequently  performed  based  on  the review questions. An  estimated  155  articles  were  found  online,  and  twenty-eight  articles  utilized  in  the  final analysis. Discussion: Aspirin belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including analgesic, antipyretic, and antiplatelet properties. Discovery of antiplatelet effects led to the increasing use of Aspirin as an anti-thrombotic agent in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases from the 1980s, and firm evidence supporting its usefulness has continued to accumulate. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function by acetylating cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the production of a potent platelet stimulator, thromboxane A2. The inhibition of COX-2 by Aspirin forms the basis of its anticipated role in preventing colorectal cancer and Alzheimer's disease and the inhibition of the progression of these diseases. It has been pointed out that the incidence of cardiovascular events tends to be high among patients who are Aspirin resistant, but the reason for this increased incidence remains unclear. Conclusion: The emerging future interest is to accrue evidence in favor of Aspirin as the novel therapeutic drug for combating severe acute inflammation and thrombosis associated with the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. Notably, a randomized clinical trial, to test a range of potential treatments for COVID-19, includes low-dose Aspirin as anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet treatment. Keywords: Aspirin; Anti-platelet; Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug; Pharmaceutic; Pharmacodynamic; Pharmacokinetic.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
Ena Pritišanac ◽  
Berndt Urlesberger ◽  
Bernhard Schwaberger ◽  
Gerhard Pichler

Continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) is the main method to guide respiratory and oxygen support in neonates during postnatal stabilization and after admission to neonatal intensive care unit. The accuracy of these devices is therefore crucial. The presence of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in neonatal blood might affect SpO2 readings. We performed a systematic qualitative review to investigate the impact of HbF on SpO2 accuracy in neonates. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health database (CINAHL) and Cochrane library databases were searched from inception to January 2021 for human studies in the English language, which compared arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) from neonatal blood with SpO2 readings and included HbF measurements in their reports. Ten observational studies were included. Eight studies reported SpO2-SaO2 bias that ranged from −3.6%, standard deviation (SD) 2.3%, to +4.2% (SD 2.4). However, it remains unclear to what extent this depends on HbF. Five studies showed that an increase in HbF changes the relation of partial oxygen pressure (paO2) to SpO2, which is physiologically explained by the leftward shift in oxygen dissociation curve. It is important to be aware of this shift when treating a neonate, especially for the lower SpO2 limits in preterm neonates to avoid undetected hypoxia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 783
Author(s):  
Fabiola Atzeni ◽  
Ignazio Francesco Masala ◽  
Javier Rodríguez-Carrio ◽  
Roberto Ríos-Garcés ◽  
Elisabetta Gerratana ◽  
...  

Introduction: While waiting for the development of specific antiviral therapies and vaccines to effectively neutralize the SARS-CoV2, a relevant therapeutic strategy is to counteract the hyperinflammatory status, characterized by an increase mainly of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which hallmarks the most severe clinical cases. ‘Repurposing’ immunomodulatory drugs and applying clinical management approved for rheumatic diseases represents a game-changer option. In this article, we will review the drugs that have indication in patients with COVID-19, including corticosteroids, antimalarials, anti-TNF, anti-IL-1, anti-IL-6, baricitinib, intravenous immunoglobulins, and colchicine. The PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for English-language papers concerning COVID-19 treatment published between January 2020 and October 2020. Results were summarized as a narrative review due to large heterogeneity among studies. In the absence of specific treatments, the use of immunomodulatory drugs could be advisable in severe COVID-19 patients, but clinical outcomes are still suboptimal. An early detection and treatment of the complications combined with a multidisciplinary approach could allow a better recovery of these patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106002802110299
Author(s):  
S. Lena Kang-Birken

Objective: To evaluate recent publications on efficacy of single-dose azithromycin and 7-day doxycycline when treating Chlamydia trachomatis. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane library was conducted (1990 to June 13, 2021) using the terms: Chlamydia trachomatis, genital chlamydia, rectal chlamydia, extragenital chlamydia, azithromycin, doxycycline, and treatment guidelines. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched to identify ongoing trials. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English language studies, including controlled studies, retrospective analyses, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports, reporting microbiological or clinical outcomes in adolescents and adults were considered. Data Synthesis: Systemic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized trials reported azithromycin efficacy of 96% to 97% in genital chlamydia. However, reports of treatment failure have emerged, especially among symptomatic males, with an increased risk of microbiological failure after azithromycin than doxycycline (relative risk = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.36-4.41). Retrospective analyses and prospective observational cohort studies reported lower efficacy range following azithromycin than doxycycline (74%-87% vs 92%-100%, respectively) in rectal chlamydia. First randomized controlled trial comparing azithromycin and doxycycline reported significantly higher microbiological cure following doxycycline, with absolute difference of 26% (95% CI = 16%-36%; P < 0.001). The proposed 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treatment guidelines designate doxycycline as the preferred agent for treatment at any site. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: A growing body of evidence for treatment failure following azithromycin, especially in rectal chlamydia supports updating current practice. Conclusions: Doxycycline continues to achieve high efficacy in genital and rectal chlamydia. Clinicians should consider efficacy with convenience of dosing regimen, medication compliance, and sexual behavior risks when treating chlamydia infections.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew McNeill ◽  
Sayed K. Ali ◽  
Daniel E. Banks ◽  
Ishak A. Mansi

Abstract Background Morning report is accepted as an essential component of residency education throughout different parts of the world. Objective To review the evidence of the educational value, purpose, methods, and outcomes of morning report. Methods A literature search of PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library for English-language studies published between January 1, 1966, and October 31, 2011, was performed. We searched for keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms related to medical education, methods, attitudes, and outcomes in regard to “morning report.” Title and abstract review, followed by a full-text review by 3 authors, was performed to identify all pertinent articles. Results We identified 71 citations; 40 articles were original studies and 31 were commentaries, editorials, or review articles; 56 studies (79%) originated from internal medicine residency programs; 6 studies (8%) focused on ambulatory morning report; and 63 (89%) originated from the United States. Identified studies varied in objectives, methods, and outcome measures, and were not suitable for meta-analysis. Main outcome measures were resident satisfaction, faculty satisfaction, preparation for professional examinations, use of evidence-based medicine, clinical effects on patient care, adverse event detection, and utilization of a curriculum in case selection. Conclusions Morning report has heterogeneous purposes, methods, and settings. As an educational tool, morning report is challenging to define, its outcome is difficult to measure, and this precludes firm conclusions about its contribution to resident education or patient care. Residency programs should tailor morning report to meet their own unique educational objectives and needs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
David Connolly

First of all, I would like to thank Freda Mishan (2021) for a fascinating and insightful article into English language teaching (ELT) coursebooks. She covers a wide range of perspectives and raises many important issues. Although I may have different views on some of these, I think she has done a great service in helping me look with fresh eyes at what many teachers take for granted: the humble yet ubiquitous ELT coursebook.


Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1790S-1801S
Author(s):  
Guglielmo Schiavon ◽  
Gianluigi Capone ◽  
Monique Frize ◽  
Stefano Zaffagnini ◽  
Christian Candrian ◽  
...  

Objective Inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases as well as in osteoarthritis. Temperature, which can be quantified using infrared thermography, provides information about the inflammatory component of joint diseases. This systematic review aims at assessing infrared thermography potential and limitations in these pathologies. Design A systematic review was performed on 3 major databases: PubMed, Cochrane library, and Web of Science, on clinical reports of any level of evidence in English language, published from 1990 to May 2021, with infrared thermography used for diagnosis of osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases, monitoring disease progression, or response to treatment. Relevant data were extracted, collected in a database, and analyzed for the purpose of this systematic review. Results Of 718 screened articles 32 were found to be eligible for inclusion, for a total of 2094 patients. Nine studies reported the application to osteoarthritis, 21 to rheumatic diseases, 2 on both. The publication trend showed an increasing interest in the last decade. Seven studies investigated the correlation of temperature changes with osteoarthritis, 16 with rheumatic diseases, and 2 with both, whereas 2 focused on the pre-post evaluation to investigate treatment results in patients with osteoarthritis and 5 in patients with rheumatic diseases. A correlation was shown between thermal findings and disease presence and stage, as well as the clinical assessment of disease activity and response to treatment, supporting infrared thermography role in the study and management of rheumatic diseases and osteoarthritis. Conclusions The systematic literature review showed an increasing interest in this technology, with several applications in different joints affected by inflammatory and degenerative pathologies. Infrared thermography proved to be a simple, accurate, noninvasive, and radiation-free method, which could be used in addition to the currently available tools for screening, diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and response to medical treatment.


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