Addressing the Digital Inverse Care Law in the Time of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Potential for Digital Technology to Exacerbate or Mitigate Health Inequalities (Preprint)

Addressing the Digital Inverse Care Law in the Time of COVID-19: Potential for Digital Technology to Exacerbate or Mitigate Health Inequalities

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/21726 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. e21726 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alisha R Davies ◽

Matthew Honeyman ◽

Bob Gann

Keyword(s):

Health Inequalities ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Social Deprivation ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Digital Inequality ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Public Response ◽

Inverse Care Law ◽

The Future ◽

Information Law

Digital technologies have been transforming methods of health care delivery and have been embraced within the health, social, and public response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this has directed attention to the “inverse information law” (also called “digital inverse care law”) and digital inequalities, as people who are most in need of support (in particular, older people and those experiencing social deprivation) are often least likely to engage with digital platforms. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic represents a sustained shift to the adoption of digital approaches to working and engaging with populations, which will continue beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying factors contributing to digital inequalities and act immediately to avoid digital inequality contributing to health inequalities in the future. The response to COVID-19 represents a sustained shift to adopting digital approaches to working and engaging with populations which will continue beyond this pandemic. Therefore it is important that we understand the underlying factors contributing to digital inequalities, and act now to protect against digital inequality contributing to health inequalities in the future.

Substantiation of Efficiency of Digital Technologies in the Control of Health Quality Indicators Levels

Interactive science ◽

10.21661/r-541252 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 20-22

Author(s):

Diana Vladimirovna Kolomiitseva

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Quality Indicators ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Great Promise ◽

Modern Health Care ◽

Health Quality ◽

Low Costs ◽

Fitness Trackers ◽

Different Levels

The article is devoted to substantiating the effectiveness of digital technologies in controlling the level of health quality indicators on the example of medical bracelets and fitness trackers. Digital technology has become an integral part of the modern health care system at different levels. The possibility of using such technologies to monitor the health status of almost any person has great promise, since at fairly low costs significant results are shown. Controlling the level of health quality indicators with the use of digital technologies can be used to prevent serious diseases and provide the necessary assistance to patients in time.

Leveraging Digital Technology to Overcome Barriers in the Prosthetic and Orthotic Industry: Evaluation of its Applicability and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies ◽

10.2196/23827 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e23827

Author(s):

Trevor Binedell ◽

Karupppasamy Subburaj ◽

Yoko Wong ◽

Lucienne T M Blessing

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Web Based ◽

Hands On ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Lower Limb Amputees

Background The prosthetic and orthotic industry typically provides an artisan “hands-on” approach to the assessment and fitting of orthopedic devices. Despite growing interest in digital technology for prosthetic and orthotic service provision, little is known of the quantum of use and the extent to which the current pandemic has accelerated the adoption. Objective This study’s aim is to assess the use of digital technology in prosthetics and orthotics, and whether its use can help overcome challenges posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based survey of working prosthetists, orthotists, and lower limb patients was conducted between June and July 2020 and divided into three sections: lower limb amputees, prosthetist and orthotist (P&O) currently using digital technologies in their practice, and P&O not using any digital technology. Input was sought from industry and academia experts for the development of the survey. Descriptive analyses were performed for both qualitative (open-ended questions) and quantitative data. Results In total, 113 individuals responded to the web-based survey. There were 83 surveys included in the analysis (patients: n=13, 15%; prosthetists and orthotists: n=70, 85%). There were 30 surveys excluded because less than 10% of the questions were answered. Out of 70 P&Os, 31 (44%) used digital technologies. Three dimensional scanning and digital imaging were the leading technologies being used (27/31, 88%), primarily for footwear (18/31, 58%), ankle-foot orthoses, and transtibial and transfemoral sockets (14/31, 45%). Digital technology enables safer care during COVID-19 with 24 out of 31 (77%) respondents stating it improves patient outcomes. Singapore was significantly less certain that the industry's future is digital (P=.04). The use of virtual care was reported by the P&O to be beneficial for consultations, education, patient monitoring, or triaging purposes. However, the technology could not overcome inherent barriers such as the lack of details normally obtained during a physical assessment. Conclusions Digital technology is transforming health care. The current pandemic highlights its usefulness in providing safer care, but digital technology must be implemented thoughtfully and designed to address issues that are barriers to current adoption. Technology advancements using virtual platforms, digitalization methods, and improved connectivity will continue to change the future of health care delivery. The prosthetic and orthotic industry should keep an open mind and move toward creating the required infrastructure to support this digital transformation, even if the world returns to pre–COVID-19 days.

FEATURES OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IN HEALTH CARE

Business Strategies ◽

10.17747/2311-7184-2020-8-223-227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 223-227

Author(s):

P. A. Eremeeva

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Health Workers ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Maternity Hospital ◽

Ordinary People ◽

Technology Application ◽

Medical Institutions

The article studies the implementation of digital technologies in medical institutions using the example of a maternity hospital. We used a review of the technologies that in modern healthcare is carried out, tasks that can be solved using digital technologies are identified, and ways to create digital technologies in healthcare are identified. Based on a survey of users of digital technologies in medical institutions (health workers, ordinary people), the effectiveness of the use of digital technologies in health care is estimated. We concluded that it is necessary to manage this process and improve the applied digital technologies.

Delivery of Compassionate Mental Health Care in a Digital Technology–Driven Age: Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16263 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Kemp ◽

Timothy Zhang ◽

Fiona Inglis ◽

David Wiljer ◽

Sanjeev Sockalingam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Digital Health ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Compassionate Care

BACKGROUND Compassion is a vital component to the achievement of positive health outcomes, particularly in mental health care. The rise of digital technologies may influence the delivery of compassionate care, and thus this relationship between compassion and digital health care needs to be better understood. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to identify existing digital technologies being used by patients and health professionals in the delivery of mental health care, understand how digital technologies are being used in the delivery of compassionate mental health care, and determine the facilitators of and barriers to digital technology use among patients and health professionals in the delivery of compassionate mental health care. METHODS We conducted this scoping review through a search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), MEDLINE In-Process and EPub Ahead of Print, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for articles published from 1990 to 2019. RESULTS Of the 4472 articles screened, 37 articles were included for data extraction. Telemedicine was the most widely used technology by mental health professionals. Digital technologies were described as facilitating compassionate care and were classified using a conceptual model to identify each digital intersection with compassionate care. Facilitators of and barriers to providing compassionate care through digital technology were identified, including increased safety for providers, health care professional perceptions and abilities, and the use of <i>picture-in-picture</i> feedback to evaluate social cues. CONCLUSIONS Implementing digital technology into mental health care can improve the current delivery of compassionate care and create novel ways to provide compassion. However, as this is a new area of study, mental health professionals and organizations alike should be mindful that compassionate human-centered care is maintained in the delivery of digital health care. Future research could develop tools to facilitate and evaluate the enactment of compassion within digital health care.

Delivery of compassionate mental health care in a digital technology-driven age: protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027989 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e027989 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gillian Strudwick ◽

Timothy Zhang ◽

Fiona Inglis ◽

Sanjeev Sockalingam ◽

Mikayla Munnery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Compassionate Care ◽

Study Results

IntroductionAs digital technologies become an integral part of mental health care delivery, concerns have risen regarding how this technology may detract from health professionals’ ability to provide compassionate care. To maintain and improve the quality of care for people with mental illness, there is a need to understand how to effectively incorporate technologies into the delivery of compassionate mental health care. The objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) identify the digital technologies currently being used among patients and health professionals in the delivery of mental health care; (2) determine how these digital technologies are being used in the context of the delivery of compassionate care and (3) uncover the barriers to, and facilitators of, digital technology-driven delivery of compassionate mental health care.Methods and analysisSearches were conducted of five databases, consisting of relevant articles published in English between 1990 and 2019. Identified articles will be independently screened for eligibility by two reviewers, first at a title and abstract stage, and then at a full-text level. Data will be extracted and compiled from eligible articles into a data extraction chart. Information collected will include a basic overview of the publication including the article title, authors, year of publication, country of origin, research design and research question addressed. On completion of data synthesis, the authors will conduct a consultation phase with relevant experts in the field.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this scoping review. With regards to the dissemination plan, principles identified from the relevant articles may be presented at conferences and an article will be published in an academic journal with study results. The authors also intend to engage interested mental health professionals, health professional educators and patients in a discussion about the study findings and implications for the future.

ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH INEQUALITIES AMONG OLDER PEOPLE USING THE EPICES SCORE: A COMPOSITE INDEX OF SOCIAL DEPRIVATION

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2016.96 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

B. BONGUE ◽

A. COLVEZ ◽

E. AMSALLEM ◽

L. GERBAUD ◽

C. SASS

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Older People ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Social Deprivation ◽

Composite Index ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Health Care Use ◽

Assistive Device ◽

Health Examination

Background: Most of the indicators commonly used to assess social deprivation are poorly suited to study health inequalities in older people. The EPICES (Evaluation of Deprivation and Inequalities in Health Examination Centres) score is a new composite index commonly used to measure individual deprivation. Objective: To assess the relationships between health indicators and the EPICES score in older people. Design, Setting, and participants: We performed a cross-sectional study using the data from the 2008 ESPS Survey (Health, HealthCare and Insurance Survey). Of the 4235 survey respondents aged 60 and over in 2008, 2754 completed the 11 items of the EPICES score and were included in the study. Main outcomes and measures: Deprivation was measured using the EPICES score. Health indicators were: Disability, physical performance, cognitive decline, self-perceived health status, and health-care use and participation in prevention programs (missing teeth not replaced, healthcare renunciation, no hemoccult test [60-75 years] and no mammography [60-75 years]). Results: Of the 4235 survey respondents aged 60 and over in 2008, 2754 completed the 11 items of the EPICES score and were included in the study. The mean age was 70.5± 8.2 years. 52.8% were women. 25.8% were living in poor households. According to the EPICES score, 35.1% were deprived. The EPICES score is linked to all the health indicators assessed in this study: Physical disability, cognitive decline; lifestyle and health care accessibility. These relationships increase steadily with the level of social deprivation. For example, the risk of having difficulties in walking 500m without help or an assistive device is multiplied by 13 (RR=13.5 [7.9-20.8]) in the elderly of quintile 5 (maximum precariousness). Limitations: The observational nature limits inferences about causality. Conclusion: The EPICES score is linked to health indicators. It could be a useful instrument to assess health inequalities in older people living in the community.

Leveraging Digital Technology to Overcome Barriers in the Prosthetic and Orthotic Industry: Evaluation of its Applicability and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23827 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Trevor Binedell ◽

Karupppasamy Subburaj ◽

Yoko Wong ◽

Lucienne T M Blessing

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Web Based ◽

Hands On ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Lower Limb Amputees

BACKGROUND The prosthetic and orthotic industry typically provides an artisan “hands-on” approach to the assessment and fitting of orthopedic devices. Despite growing interest in digital technology for prosthetic and orthotic service provision, little is known of the quantum of use and the extent to which the current pandemic has accelerated the adoption. OBJECTIVE This study’s aim is to assess the use of digital technology in prosthetics and orthotics, and whether its use can help overcome challenges posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A web-based survey of working prosthetists, orthotists, and lower limb patients was conducted between June and July 2020 and divided into three sections: lower limb amputees, prosthetist and orthotist (P&O) currently using digital technologies in their practice, and P&O not using any digital technology. Input was sought from industry and academia experts for the development of the survey. Descriptive analyses were performed for both qualitative (open-ended questions) and quantitative data. RESULTS In total, 113 individuals responded to the web-based survey. There were 83 surveys included in the analysis (patients: n=13, 15%; prosthetists and orthotists: n=70, 85%). There were 30 surveys excluded because less than 10% of the questions were answered. Out of 70 P&Os, 31 (44%) used digital technologies. Three dimensional scanning and digital imaging were the leading technologies being used (27/31, 88%), primarily for footwear (18/31, 58%), ankle-foot orthoses, and transtibial and transfemoral sockets (14/31, 45%). Digital technology enables safer care during COVID-19 with 24 out of 31 (77%) respondents stating it improves patient outcomes. Singapore was significantly less certain that the industry's future is digital (<i>P</i>=.04). The use of virtual care was reported by the P&O to be beneficial for consultations, education, patient monitoring, or triaging purposes. However, the technology could not overcome inherent barriers such as the lack of details normally obtained during a physical assessment. CONCLUSIONS Digital technology is transforming health care. The current pandemic highlights its usefulness in providing safer care, but digital technology must be implemented thoughtfully and designed to address issues that are barriers to current adoption. Technology advancements using virtual platforms, digitalization methods, and improved connectivity will continue to change the future of health care delivery. The prosthetic and orthotic industry should keep an open mind and move toward creating the required infrastructure to support this digital transformation, even if the world returns to pre–COVID-19 days.

Leveraging mobile-social learning for continuing professional development in low-and-middle-income countries: An integrative review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.32614 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dominique Guillaume ◽

Erica Troncosco ◽

Brenice Duroseau ◽

Julia Bluestone ◽

Judith Fullerton

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Social Learning ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Peer To Peer ◽

Middle Income ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Care Workers ◽

Virtual Interaction ◽

Low And Middle Income

BACKGROUND Access to continuing professional development (CPD) for health care workers in low-and-middle- income countries (LMICs) is severely limited. Digital technology serves as a promising platform in supporting CPD for health care workers through providing educational content virtually, along with enabling virtual peer-to-peer and mentor interaction for enhanced learning. Digital strategies for CPD that foster virtual interaction can increase workforce retention and bolster the health workforce in LMICs. OBJECTIVE The objective of this integrative review was to evaluate evidence in which digital platforms were utilized to provide CPD to health care workers and clinical students in LMICs which was complemented with virtual peer-to-peer and/or mentor interaction. We have phrased this intersection of virtual learning and virtual interaction as mobile-social learning. METHODS A comprehensive database and grey literature search was conducted to identify qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies, along with empirical evidence employing digital technology to provide CPD and virtual interaction with peers and/or mentors. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. Eligible articles were written in English, took place in a low-and-middle-income country, and utilized a mobile device to provide CPD and facilitated virtual peer-to-peer and/or mentor interaction. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened, followed by assessment of the quality of evidence and appraisal of articles. Content analysis was then used to deductively code data into emerging themes. RESULTS A total of 750 articles were identified, and 31 articles were included in the review. Text messaging, mobile instant messaging (MIM), and short-message services (SMS) was the most common method used to provide continuing education and virtual interaction between peers and mentors (n=25). Across included articles, participants had high acceptability of using digital platforms for learning and interaction. Virtual peer interaction and mentorship was found to contribute to positive learning outcomes across the majority of studies (n=27) through increased knowledge sharing, knowledge gains, improved clinical skills, and improved service delivery. Peer-to-peer and mentor interaction was found to improve social support and reduce feelings of isolation (n=9). Several challenges existed in the implementation and utilization of digital technology for mobile-social learning which included limited access to resources (e.g. internet coverage and stable electricity), flexibility in scheduling to participate in CPD, and sociobehavioral challenges among students. CONCLUSIONS This integrative review demonstrates that digital platforms that foster mobile-social learning can serve as an innovative method in providing health care providers and clinical students in LMICs with CPD while simultaneously enabling supportive interaction among peers and mentors. This evidence synthesis demonstrates the added value of social learning networks in enhancing the utility and effectiveness of digital learning platforms, whether as independent dissemination strategies, or as part of blended-learning approach. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Delivery of Compassionate Mental Health Care in a Digital Technology–Driven Age: Scoping Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/16263 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. e16263 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jessica Kemp ◽

Timothy Zhang ◽

Fiona Inglis ◽

David Wiljer ◽

Sanjeev Sockalingam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Digital Health ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Compassionate Care

Background Compassion is a vital component to the achievement of positive health outcomes, particularly in mental health care. The rise of digital technologies may influence the delivery of compassionate care, and thus this relationship between compassion and digital health care needs to be better understood. Objective This scoping review aimed to identify existing digital technologies being used by patients and health professionals in the delivery of mental health care, understand how digital technologies are being used in the delivery of compassionate mental health care, and determine the facilitators of and barriers to digital technology use among patients and health professionals in the delivery of compassionate mental health care. Methods We conducted this scoping review through a search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), MEDLINE In-Process and EPub Ahead of Print, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for articles published from 1990 to 2019. Results Of the 4472 articles screened, 37 articles were included for data extraction. Telemedicine was the most widely used technology by mental health professionals. Digital technologies were described as facilitating compassionate care and were classified using a conceptual model to identify each digital intersection with compassionate care. Facilitators of and barriers to providing compassionate care through digital technology were identified, including increased safety for providers, health care professional perceptions and abilities, and the use of picture-in-picture feedback to evaluate social cues. Conclusions Implementing digital technology into mental health care can improve the current delivery of compassionate care and create novel ways to provide compassion. However, as this is a new area of study, mental health professionals and organizations alike should be mindful that compassionate human-centered care is maintained in the delivery of digital health care. Future research could develop tools to facilitate and evaluate the enactment of compassion within digital health care.