Use of chatbots during the coronavirus pandemic: A scoping review and case study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erlyn Rachelle King Macarayan ◽  
Justin Vincent Tan
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND Digital technologies such as chatbots have been widely used during the pandemic. However, the use of such technologies has both benefits and risks. OBJECTIVE An updated review of COVID-19 chatbots is needed to determine how such technologies can be used to provide maximum health benefits, especially during a pandemic METHODS In this study, we reviewed the literature on the use of chatbots during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identifies any issues and gaps in the literature, so the results can inform future scholars on chatbot and emergency response design and evaluation. RESULTS : The results indicate that chatbots have been widely used at both small and national levels across countries. Known uses of chatbots during the pandemic were in population surveillance, case identification, contact tracing, disease management, and general public communication. Although chatbots have offered ease of use and scalability, concerns have been raised, particularly about how chatbots will ensure data privacy and cybersecurity, bias due to limited user representation, and the risks of misinformation. Thus, we highlight both the benefits and risks of chatbots that provide COVID-related information. We found that chatbots offer speed, scalability, accessibility, personalization, and quickness support for self-care while also reducing hospital load and stigma. Despite these benefits, chatbots have some risks and issues to address, including issues pertaining to the actual effectiveness of chatbots, data privacy, cybersecurity, safety risks, and misinformation. There is also a need for a solid infrastructure, guidance, and representative user groups and engagement. Beyond outlining the key benefits and risks of using chatbots during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also highlighted the best practices from the literature and strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations to address the key issues in the use of chatbots for pandemic preparedness and response. We also determined the different chatbot strategies used by the WHO to address COVID-19 that are critical in guiding future pandemic preparedness and response efforts worldwide. We found specific use cases showing how interfaces across various sectors, as well as support from different funding sources, are critical to reaching and engaging additional chatbot users and ensuring high chatbot quality. CONCLUSIONS Health systems in the future will likely become digital. Additional guidelines and research must be done in the evaluation and use of new technologies, such as chatbots, in emergency preparedness and response. Collaborations across multiple actors are needed to the ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the use of chatbots in the healthcare system.

scholarly journals CRITICAL PREPAREDNESS, READINESS AND RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Ravindra Pathirathna ◽  
Pamila Adikari ◽  
Dedunu Dias ◽  
Udara Gunathilake
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Priority Areas ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Globally, countries took actions to slow the spread and avoid overwhelming the health system. The WHO issued interim guidelines on critical preparedness, readiness and response actions against COVID-19 to assist level of preparedness and readiness.Aim: This study reviewed the work of Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom on actions and priority areas of work as described in interim guidelines by the WHO in relation to the first two phases of disease transmission scenario.Methods: A non-systematic narrative review was conducted. Relevant documents available in selected websites were searched. The data generated were compiled, and information was synthesised within the WHO framework for critical preparedness, readiness and response actions against COVID-19. Further, scenarios of “no cases” and “sporadic cases” were analysed against the actions and priority areas of work of said framework.Results: Study revealed differences in implementation approach of strategic actions and priority areas of work, such as in terms of activation, timeliness of implementing emergency response plans, variations in case management strategies as seen in contact tracing, management of asymptomatic contacts, isolation, quarantine and selection of cohort for laboratory investigation. Besides, gaps were found in availability and activation of business continuity plans.Conclusion: Global political and health authorities need much robust mechanisms for preparedness, response and coordination of contagious diseases with similar nature. Even the occurrence of one case shall trigger stringent transmission prevention measures and initiate the actions and priority areas of work as stated in the WHO interim guideline.Keywords: pandemics, emergency response, health policy, COVID-19, emergency preparedness. 

scholarly journals A Global Survey of Emergency Department Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1037-1044
Author(s):  
Prashant Mahajan ◽  
Chong Shu-Ling ◽  
Camilo Gutierrez ◽  
Emily White ◽  
Benjamin Cher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Emergency Research ◽  
Emerge Network ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Medicine Education

Introduction: Emergency departments (ED) globally are addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with varying degrees of success. We leveraged the 17-country, Emergency Medicine Education & Research by Global Experts (EMERGE) network and non-EMERGE ED contacts to understand ED emergency preparedness and practices globally when combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We electronically surveyed EMERGE and non-EMERGE EDs from April 3–June 1, 2020 on ED capacity, pandemic preparedness plans, triage methods, staffing, supplies, and communication practices. The survey was available in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish to optimize participation. We analyzed survey responses using descriptive statistics. Results: 74/129 (57%) EDs from 28 countries in all six World Health Organization global regions responded. Most EDs were in Asia (49%), followed by North America (28%), and Europe (14%). Nearly all EDs (97%) developed and implemented protocols for screening, testing, and treating patients with suspected COVID-19 infections. Sixty percent responded that provider staffing/back-up plans were ineffective. Many sites (47/74, 64%) reported staff missing work due to possible illness with the highest provider proportion of COVID-19 exposures and infections among nurses. Conclusion: Despite having disaster plans in place, ED pandemic preparedness and response continue to be a challenge. Global emergency research networks are vital for generating and disseminating large-scale event data, which is particularly important during a pandemic.

scholarly journals Investigating the effectiveness of re-opening policies before vaccination during a pandemic: SD modelling research based on COVID-19 in Wuhan

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Qian ◽  
Wei Xie ◽  
Jidi Zhao ◽  
Ming Xue ◽  
Shiyong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Simulation ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Medical Resources ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background Lockdown policies were widely adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to control the spread of the virus before vaccines became available. These policies had significant economic impacts and caused social disruptions. Early re-opening is preferable, but it introduces the risk of a resurgence of the epidemic. Although the World Health Organization has outlined criteria for re-opening, decisions on re-opening are mainly based on epidemiologic criteria. To date, the effectiveness of re-opening policies remains unclear. Methods A system dynamics COVID-19 model, SEIHR(Q), was constructed by integrating infection prevention and control measures implemented in Wuhan into the classic SEIR epidemiological model and was validated with real-world data. The input data were obtained from official websites and the published literature. Results The simulation results showed that track-and-trace measures had significant effects on the level of risk associated with re-opening. In the case of Wuhan, where comprehensive contact tracing was implemented, there would have been almost no risk associated with re-opening. With partial contact tracing, re-opening would have led to a minor second wave of the epidemic. However, if only limited contact tracing had been implemented, a more severe second outbreak of the epidemic would have occurred, overwhelming the available medical resources. If the ability to implement a track-trace-quarantine policy is fixed, the epidemiological criteria need to be further taken into account. The model simulation revealed different levels of risk associated with re-opening under different levels of track-and-trace ability and various epidemiological criteria. A matrix was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the re-opening policies. Conclusions The SEIHR(Q) model designed in this study can quantify the impact of various re-opening policies on the spread of COVID-19. Integrating epidemiologic criteria, the contact tracing policy, and medical resources, the model simulation predicts whether the re-opening policy is likely to lead to a further outbreak of the epidemic and provides evidence-based support for decisions regarding safe re-opening during an ongoing epidemic. Keyords COVID-19; Risk of re-opening; Effectiveness of re-opening policies; IPC measures; SD modelling.

scholarly journals The postcoital test in the development of new vaginal contraceptives†

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-444
Author(s):  
Christine K Mauck ◽  
Kathleen L Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Ease Of Use ◽  
World Health ◽  
Phase Ii Trials ◽  
High Power Field ◽  
Test Product ◽  
Efficacy Trials ◽  
Contraceptive Effectiveness ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Postcoital tests (PCTs) have been used for over a century in the clinical evaluation of infertile couples, and for nearly 70 years in the evaluation of new vaginal contraceptive products. PCTs have been largely replaced by more modern methods in the study of infertility, but they remain the most useful way to obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of vaginal contraceptive products. The World Health Organization has described important aspects of the procedure. It involves collection of cervical mucus at a certain time point after intercourse and the counting and characterization of sperm found in the mucus. A wide range of progressively motile sperm (PMS) has been associated with pregnancy rates in infertility studies. Eligibility for contraceptive trials includes the requirement that couples achieve a certain threshold number of PMS per high power field at midcycle in a baseline cycle without the test product. The primary endpoint, or definition of a satisfactory result in test cycles, is predefined. A literature review identified 10 PCT studies of vaginal contraceptives involving nine test products. Phase II trials of vaginal contraceptives have not been deemed feasible in the development of any vaginal contraceptive to date. A PCT study of a test product can be predictive of contraceptive efficacy, although ultimate contraceptive effectiveness is influenced by the ease of use of the product, along with patient compliance. PCT results similar to results seen with products that later showed satisfactory performance in efficacy trials is the best indicator of likely success of a test product.

scholarly journals Modelling and Simulating the Novel Coronavirus with Implications of Asymptomatic Carriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ghassane Benrhmach ◽  
Khalil Namir ◽  
Jamal Bouyaghroumni
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Asymptomatic Carriers ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization declared that the total number of confirmed cases tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, affecting 210 countries, exceeded 3 million on 29 April 2020, with more than 207,973 deaths. In order to end the global COVID‐19 pandemic, public authorities have put in place multiple strategies like testing, contact tracing, and social distancing. Predictive mathematical models for epidemics are fundamental to understand the development of the epidemic and to plan effective control strategies. Some hosts may carry SARS‐CoV‐2 and transmit it to others, yet display no symptoms themselves. We propose applying a model (SELIAHRD) taking in consideration the number of asymptomatic infected people. The SELIAHRD model consists of eight stages: Susceptible, Exposed, Latent, Symptomatic Infected, Asymptomatic Infected, Hospitalized, Recovered, and Dead. The asymptomatic carriers contribute to the spread of disease, but go largely undetected and can therefore undermine efforts to control transmission. The simulation of possible scenarios of the implementation of social distancing shows that if we rigorously follow the social distancing rule then the healthcare system will not be overloaded.

scholarly journals From “Nurturing” to “Indecent”: Discomfort Towards Photographs of Breastfeeding Among Adults in Nova Scotia, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1099-1099
Author(s):  
Kyly Whitfield ◽  
Kathleen Chan
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Public Breastfeeding ◽  
Child Age

Abstract Objectives Although the World Health Organization recommends continued breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond, adherence rates are low in Canada and the United States. One major barrier to following this recommendation is an unsupportive culture and social stigma around breastfeeding. Our objective was to assess attitudes towards photographs of breastfeeding children of varying ages and locations among the general population in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods In a self-administered questionnaire, participants recruited in public spaces were asked to react to six photographs depicting women breastfeeding children aged 2 weeks, 13 months and 30 months in both private (e.g., home) and public (e.g., store) locations. Participants self-rated their comfort levels using a visual analog scale (VAS; scale from 0 [not at all comfortable] to 10 [very comfortable]), and also provided open-ended qualitative reactions to the images. Sociodemographic information was also collected. Results We surveyed 229 participants (60% women, 40% men). Mean age was 44 years (range 19–95 years), 73% self-identified as white, and 77% were born in Canada. The majority of participants were parents (69%), and 69% of parents reported that their children were breastfed. Mean (95% CI) self-rated comfort differed significantly by location and child age. VAS scores indicated higher comfort for images in private locations (7.9, 7.7–8.1) compared to public locations (7.3, 7.0–7.5; P = 0.001), and for images of younger (8.5, 8.3–8.7) compared to older children (6.9, 6.6–7.2; P < 0.001). Women and parents had higher comfort with all images compared to men and non-parents (P < 0.05). Younger participants (19–29 years) were less comfortable with images of public breastfeeding compared to older participants (P < 0.05). Text-based reactions suggest lower approval of images of public breastfeeding and increased child age, but varied highly, including comments from “nurturing” to “indecent”. Conclusions Comfort and acceptance of breastfeeding among adults in Nova Scotia is influenced by location and child age. Negative perceptions of public breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding into young childhood may affect adherence to global breastfeeding recommendations. Funding Sources Mount Saint Vincent University New Scholars Grant, CN Student Research Internship.

The Anthropologist as AIDS Activist

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Kalka
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Voluntary Associations ◽  
Voluntary Association ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Member ◽  
Personal Involvement ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Aids Activism ◽  
Grant Proposals ◽  
Health Organization

By recounting my personal involvement with AIDS activism in Israel, I wish to highlight certain issues regarding the fight against AIDS in this country. As an active member of one voluntary association, my contribution was only indirectly related to anthropology. I promoted the association's cause, adding academic argumentation and complementing the work of other activists. I wrote grant proposals and applied for resources from funding sources such as the World Health Organization and voluntary associations abroad. In addition, I was used as a public relations figure, for reasons which I shall soon spell out. While my work in the association was not explicitly anthropological, my background in anthropology helped me understand the problems faced by AIDS activists in Israel and propose strategies for alleviating those problems.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity of the COVID-19 epidemic in Australia: What can we learn from it?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuli Chen ◽  
Yibeltal Assefa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The World ◽  
Effective Community ◽  
One Year ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract It has been more than one year since the World Health Organization declared the pandemic of COVID-19. Countries around the world are still struggling to control their epidemics. Australia has shown its resilience in the fight against the epidemic by providing a comprehensive response involving the whole-of-government and whole-of-society. Despite the overall successful national response, the epidemic in Australia has been heterogeneous across states. We conducted a mixed-methods study to analyze the epidemic and explain the variable manifestation of the epidemic across states in Australia. Most of the COVID-19 cases and deaths were in Victoria and New South Wales states due to differences in governance of the epidemic and public health responses (quarantine and contact tracing) among states. Countries could learn not only from Australia’s overall successful response, through good governance, effective community participation, adequate public health and health system capacity and multisectoral actions, but also from the heterogeneity of the epidemic among states. Successful response to epidemics in countries with a decentralized administration requires multi-level governance with alignment and harmonization of the response.

scholarly journals SIKAP MAHASISWA TERHADAP PESAN PENGINGAT DONOR DARAH DENGAN TEKNOLOGI SMS GATEWAY

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-128
Author(s):  
Ayulia Fardila Sari
Keyword(s):  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Least Square ◽  
World Health ◽  
Message Content ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Health Organization

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) blood supply recommendation,Indonesia has 2.5 million blood bags less than it is needed. The majority of Indonesian peoplehave already had mobile phones and thus favorable for the application of short message service(SMS). It is feaseable to use SMS in order to improve donor motivation. This study would like toevaluate students' attitude toward blood donor's message reminder using SMS from the BloodDonors Directory, Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University. It was a quantitative study withcross-sectional design. Undergraduate medical students recorded in the database of Blood DonorsDirectory Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University were chosen as the study population.Simple random sampling was applied to choose the subjects. This study used the framework ofTechnology Acceptance Model (TAM) and data were analyzed using Partial Least Square basedStructural Equation Modelling (SEM). Attitude of blood donor's message reminder significantlyinfluenced perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of SMS technology. Attitude of blooddonor's message reminder significantly influenced perceived entertainment, irritation, as well ascredibility of message content. No significantly influenced by perceived informative. Theintention to donate blood were significantly influenced by the attitude of blood donor's messagereminder. Students' attitude in donating blood was positively influenced by good perceptionabout ease of use and usefulness of SMS technology. It was also positively influenced by positiveperception to entertaining and credible messages, as well as negative perception to irritatingmessages. The positive attitude towards donor's message reminder would support the intention tobehave as blood donors.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Recomposition of Norms and Representations in the Field of Psychiatry and Mental Health in the Age of Electronic Mental Health: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot Morgiève ◽  
Déborah Sebbane ◽  
Bianca De Rosario ◽  
Vincent Demassiet ◽  
Soraya Kabbaj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
World Health ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Social Autonomy ◽  
Therapeutic Activities

BACKGROUND For the World Health Organization, electronic health (eHealth) is seen as an effective way to improve therapeutic practices and disease prevention in health. Digital tools lead to major changes in the field of mental medicine, but specific analyses are required to understand and accompany these changes. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to highlight the positions of the different stakeholders of the mental health care system on eHealth services and tools, as well as to establish professional and user group profiles of these positions and the uses of these services. METHODS In order to acquire the opinions and expectations of different categories of people, we carried out a qualitative study based on 10 focus groups (n=70, from 3-12 people per group) composed of: general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, caregivers, mental health services users, user representatives, and the general public. The analyses of focus group discussions were performed independently by four investigators through a common analysis grid. The constant comparative method was adopted within this framework. RESULTS The interviewees expressed different problems that new technologies engender in the field of mental health. What was previously strictly under the jurisdiction of physicians now tends to be fragmented and distributed over different groups and locations. New technologies reposition care in the field of domestic, rather than therapeutic, activities, and thus the conception of care as an autonomous activity in the subject’s life is questioned. The ideal of social autonomy through technology is part of the new logic of health democracy and empowerment, which is linked to a strong, contemporary aspiration to perform. Participants emphasized that there was the potential risk of a decrease in autonomy for the digitally engaged patient, while personal empowerment could become a set of obligations. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative research highlights the heterogeneity of opinions among the groups and within each group. It suggests that opinions on electronic mental health devices are still far from being stabilized, and that a change management process should be set up to both regulate the development and facilitate the use of these tools.

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