scholarly journals A Gig mHealth Economy Framework: Scoping Review of Internet Publications

10.2196/14213 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e14213
Author(s):  
Fahad Alanezi ◽  
Turki Alanzi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Gig Economy

Background The gig economy (characterized by short-term contracts rather than being a full-time employee in an organization) is one of the most recent and important tendencies that have expanded through the global economic market thanks to advances in internet and communication technologies. Similarly, mobile health (mHealth) technologies have also evolved rapidly with the development of the internet and mobile apps, attracting attention globally for their health care benefits. Objective This study aimed to propose an integration of mHealth within the framework of the gig economy that leads to a new dimension of health care services and the proposal of a new term: gig mHealth. Methods A review and systematic search of articles, books, and opinions that allowed for answering the research questions were executed through the internet. In this sense, the concept of the gig economy and examples, advantages and disadvantages, were reviewed. Similarly, the general characteristics of mHealth technologies were revised. In addition, the role of technology in supporting the development of the gig economy and mHealth technologies and the interactions between them were investigated. Results The findings suggested that the gig economy is characterized by its flexibility in working hours, on-demand work, free agents, freelancing, freedom in the choice of work, and independent contracts. In addition, an analysis of an mHealth system indicated that it was composed of patients, specialists, nurses, and database administrators. In this system, patients and specialists or nurses are connected to cloud services for the transmission of data and medical information through a mobile app. Here, the administrators update the database and app features, among other technical tasks. Conversely, a general structure of an integrated gig mHealth system was developed. In this structure, the mHealth care services and the mHealth care activities were incorporated into a gig economy model. In addition, a practical example of an integrated view of a gig economy app in mHealth that illustrates the interaction between the patients (consumers) and providers (partners) of mHealth care services, mHealth care activities, health care professionals, and individual contractors was presented. The consumers and providers were interconnected with the health care company, brand, or firm through digital means using a mobile app or Windows platforms. Conclusions The analysis carried out in this study suggested the possibility of integrating mHealth within the framework of the gig economy enhancing health care service delivery and the management of health care activities. The following 4 major areas of apps proposed in the mHealth framework that can catalyze the operations using the features of the gig economy were sharing/renting medical and diagnostic equipment and resources, on-demand appointments/self-health management, on-demand health care services, and assigning health care activities/gigs to individual contractors. This integration leads to a new dimension for health care services and the proposal of a new term: gig mHealth.

scholarly journals Rural Michigan Farmers’ Health Concerns and Experiences: A Focus Group Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110535
Author(s):  
Nathan Wright ◽  
Marylee Scherdt ◽  
Michelle L. Aebersold ◽  
Marjorie C. McCullagh ◽  
Barbara R. Medvec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care System

Objectives: Rural residents comprise approximately 15% of the United States population. They face challenges in accessing and using a health care system that is not structured to meet their unique needs. It is important to understand rural residents’ perceptions of health and experiences interacting with the health care system to identify gaps in care. Methods: Our team conducted focus groups with members of the Michigan Farm Bureau during their 2019 Annual Meeting. Topics explored included resources to manage health, barriers to virtual health care services, and desired changes to localized healthcare delivery. Surveys were used to capture demographic and internet access information. Conclusion: Analysis included data from 2 focus groups (n = 14). Participants represented a wide age range and a variety of Michigan counties. The majority were full-time farm owners with most—93% (n = 13)—reporting they had access to the internet in their homes and 86% (n = 12) reporting that their cellphones had internet capabilities. Participants identified challenges and opportunities in 4 categories: formal health care; health and well-being supports; health insurance experiences; and virtual health care. Conclusion: The findings from this study provide a useful framework for developing interventions to address the specific needs of rural farming residents. Despite the expressed challenges in access and use of health care services and resources, participants remained hopeful that innovative approaches, such as virtual health platforms, can address existing gaps in care. The study findings should inform the design and evaluation of interventions to address rural health disparities.

Bridging Domains in Efforts to Reduce Disparities in Health and Health Care

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiriki K. Kumanyika ◽  
Christiaan B. Morssink
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Individual

The concept of health disparities is a familiar one, but we must continually challenge our thinking on how disparities issues are framed. The 1985 Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health established a disease-oriented focus on “excess deaths” as the primary targets of disparities initiatives. However, progress in reducing disparities has been limited. The disease focus, which emphasizes the individual-level and health care services, may be too narrow. A “population health” perspective can foster a more comprehensive and integrated approach. Both disease-oriented and population health perspectives have advantages and disadvantages, for both policy and practical purposes. The challenge is to effectively leverage both approaches to improve the health of ethnic minority and other disadvantaged populations. We need bridge builders who can articulate and hear diverse perspectives, work with systems, and maintain a long-term vision for affecting the social dynamics of society

scholarly journals What Are the Potential Advantages and Disadvantages of Merging Health Insurance Funds? A Qualitative Policy Analysis from Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bazyar ◽  
Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi ◽  
Nouroddin Rahimi ◽  
Arash Rashidian
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Insurance Funds ◽  
Rich Data ◽  
Health Insurance Funds

Abstract Background:In countries with health insurance systems, the number and size of insurance funds along with the amount of risk distribution among them are a major concern. One possible solution to overcome problems resulting from fragmentation is to combine risk pools to create a single pool. This study aimed to investigate the potential advantages and disadvantages of merging health insurance funds in Iran. Methods:In this qualitative study, a purposeful sampling with maximum variation was used to obtain representativeness and rich data. To this end, sixty-seven face-to-face interviews were conducted. Moreover, a documentary review was used as a supplementary source of data collection. Content analysis using the 'framework method' was used to analyze the data. Four trustworthiness criteria, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, were used to assure the quality of results. Results:The potential consequences were grouped into seven categories, including stewardship, financing, population, benefit package, structure, operational procedures, and interaction with providers. According to the interviewees, controlling total health care expenditures; improving strategic purchasing; removing duplication in population coverage; centralizing the profile of providers in a single database; controlling the volume of provided health care services; making hospitals interact with single insurance with a single set of instructions for contracting, claiming review, and reimbursement; and reducing administrative costs were among the main benefits of merging health insurance funds. The interviewees enumerated the following drawbacks as well: the social security organization’s unwillingness to collect insurance premiums from private workers actively as before; increased dissatisfaction among population groups enjoying a generous basic benefits package; risk of financial fraud and corruption due to gathering all premiums in a single bank; and risk of putting more financial pressure on providers in case of delay in reimbursement with a single-payer system. Conclusion:Merging health insurance schemes in Iran is influenced by a wide range of potential merits and drawbacks. Thus, to facilitate the process and lessen opponents’ objection, policy makers should act as brokers by taking into account contextual factors and adopting tailored policies to respectively maximize and minimize the potential benefits and drawbacks of consolidation in Iran.

scholarly journals Mobile Apps, a tool for public health

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (16) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Ma. Elena Cruz-Cortes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Effective Counseling ◽  
Access And Quality

The use of mobile apps in healthcare turned around the paradigm in which the medical service is underneath. M-Health is an increasing sector that offers a lot of innovation possibilities, it makes information available at any time. It allows the access to a large universe of tools that pledge to be of great benefit and become an important resource in the provision of health services due to its easy diffusion, use and wide acceptance. The mobile app help in diagnosis, treatment, disease prevention and effective counseling of health information. The reviewed literature reveal that M-Health in Mexico has a great potential to ameliorate access and quality of health-care services, boosting effectiveness of public health programs and the abatement of health care costs. The objective of this article is to explain the relation and benefits of e-Health and m- Health in the health care field and to identify the mobile app developed in public and private health care services in Mexico

Enhanced Use of Digital Solutions to Enable New Health Care Services on Calm Buoys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Jeannin ◽  
Rodrigo Vieira Camara de Castro ◽  
Jonathan Peter ◽  
Sebastien de Tessieres
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Telemetry System ◽  
Web Portal ◽  
Remotely Operated Vehicle ◽  
Care Services

Summary Offshore fields present a growing need to guarantee safety and productivity while minimizing operational costs and increasing remote assistance. Brownfields are more exposed to risks due to the presence of aged assets requiring in depth inspections to assess potential life extensions. This challenge was tackled with a comprehensive approach to asset integrity management based on the enhanced use of digital solutions to enable new health care services on offshore assets, like CALM Buoys. In line with the recent Oil & Gas industry trends, new digital technologies have been recently developed and deployed on board our fleet of CALM (Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring) Buoys, such as the 3C Telemetry system, Inspection Tablets, the IDEA Web Portal and the Marine Drone. All these new digital solutions will be presented in the proposed paper concerning their technical capabilities and the overall integrity performance improvements achieved with their enhanced use on offshore assets. The 3C Telemetry system converts and upgrades CALM Buoys into smart, internet-friendly offloading terminals, connecting the system to Cloud services and ensuring secured data transmission, treatment, storage, and privacy, while delivering reliable accurate information to operators anywhere in the world. Inspection tablets are used to optimize health check campaigns on Buoys with a real-time and remote back office engineering support. These systems can also be connected to the IDEA (Imodco Digital Experience Access) Web Portal to allow online data visualization and analysis of the mooring systems performance. "The Marine Drone is an unmanned survey vehicle to perform diverless UWILD (Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-docking). The system can perform in depth visual inspections with its ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and high-resolution subsea layout mapping of CALM buoys’ structures with its 3D bathymetry system, all providing high quality digital data post processed by advanced analytical tools for integrity analysis and preventive maintenance planning" (Castro, R., et al. 2020). Data management has become the most valuable asset for companies seeking to have a better understanding and to continuously improve operations. This paper will demonstrate how Buoys and passive (process wise) equipment, like Turrets, can be operated in new ways: 1. Connected Asset (IoT): 3C Telemetry, Tablets, and the Marine Drone. 2. Platform to share/connect data to algorithms/users: IDEA System. 3. New operating business models enabled by health care approach.

scholarly journals Managing Data Diversity on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Iram Mehmood ◽  
◽  
Sidra Anwar ◽  
AneezaDilawar ◽  
IsmaZulfiqar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Different Sources

In the healthcare industry, the Internet of Medical Services (IOMT) plays a vital role throughout the increasing performance, reliability, and efficiency of an electronic device. Healthcare is also characterized as being complicated due to its highly diverse and large number of shareholders. Data diversity refers to the continuum of various types of elements in the data. The integration of data is difficult where different sources can adopt different identification for the same entity, but there is no explicit connection. Researches are contributing to a digitized Health care system through interconnections available medical resources and health care services. This Research presents the contribution of IoT to people in the field of Healthcare, highlighting the issues in different data integration, analysis of the existing algorithms and models, applications, and future challenges of IoT in terms of healthcare medical services. Big data analytics that incorporates millions of fragmented, organized, and unstructured sources of data will play a key role in how health care will be delivered in the future.

scholarly journals User-Centered Design of a Mobile App for Weight and Health Management in Adolescents With Complex Health Needs: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Rivera ◽  
Amy C McPherson ◽  
Jill Hamilton ◽  
Catherine Birken ◽  
Michael Coons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Specialized Health Care ◽  
Meal Planning

BACKGROUND Growing research has been conducted into the deployment and evaluation of mobile technology interventions for weight management in adolescents. However, no work has yet been conducted toward the development of these technologies for adolescents with complex health needs receiving specialized tertiary-level health care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a user-centered needs assessment of adolescents interested in weight management with complex health needs requiring specialized health care services, their parents, and health care providers (HCPs) to inform the design and development of a mobile app for weight and health management. METHODS A qualitative study design was employed. Participants were recruited from two tertiary health care centers. Separate audiotaped focus group interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, parents, and HCPs. Interviews were transcribed, and field notes were collected by research staff. Iterative simple content analysis was performed independently by 4 research team members using computer software NVivo (QSR International) 10.0. RESULTS A total of 19 adolescents, 16 parents, and 21 HCPs were interviewed. Qualitative analysis revealed seven major themes related to app functionality: healthy eating, social support, self-monitoring, communicating with HCPs, supporting mental health, gamification and incentives, and user interface (UI) design. Adolescents provided several ideas related to each feature, whereas parents’ views focused on assistance with meal planning and greater access to HCPs. HCPs viewed the app as a novel and more acceptable platform to connect remotely with adolescents than conventional methods. They also strongly endorsed the value of social support capabilities and the ability to connect with an HCP. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to conduct a qualitative needs assessment in adolescents receiving specialized health care services toward the design of a mobile app for weight and health management. Our results indicate that core components of the app should include tailored meal recommendations and assistance with meal planning, social networking for peer support, customized and convenient tracking, remote access to HCPs, features to support mental health, and an attractive and engaging UI. These findings will be used to develop and evaluate a mobile app targeting adolescents with complex health needs.

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