scholarly journals A Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence-Based, Patient-Centric Healthcare System for Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Applications

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1019
Author(s):  
Mohamed Yaseen Jabarulla ◽  
Heung-No Lee
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Data ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
Drug Manufacturing ◽  
Digital Healthcare ◽  
Patient Centric

The world is facing multiple healthcare challenges because of the emergence of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The pandemic has exposed the limitations of handling public healthcare emergencies using existing digital healthcare technologies. Thus, the COVID-19 situation has forced research institutes and countries to rethink healthcare delivery solutions to ensure continuity of services while people stay at home and practice social distancing. Recently, several researchers have focused on disruptive technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), to improve the digital healthcare workflow during COVID-19. Blockchain could combat pandemics by enabling decentralized healthcare data sharing, protecting users’ privacy, providing data empowerment, and ensuring reliable data management during outbreak tracking. In addition, AI provides intelligent computer-aided solutions by analyzing a patient’s medical images and symptoms caused by coronavirus for efficient treatments, future outbreak prediction, and drug manufacturing. Integrating both blockchain and AI could transform the existing healthcare ecosystem by democratizing and optimizing clinical workflows. In this article, we begin with an overview of digital healthcare services and problems that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, we conceptually propose a decentralized, patient-centric healthcare framework based on blockchain and AI to mitigate COVID-19 challenges. Then, we explore the significant applications of integrated blockchain and AI technologies to augment existing public healthcare strategies for tackling COVID-19. Finally, we highlight the challenges and implications for future research within a patient-centric paradigm.

scholarly journals ICT Framework to Support a Patient-Centric approach in Public Healthcare

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 45-76
Author(s):  
Richard Pankomera ◽  
Darelle Van Greunen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Patient Centric

Although Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the healthcare sector are extensively deployed globally, they are not used effectively in developing countries. Many resource poor countries face numerous challenges in implementing the ICT interventions. For instance, many health applications that have been deployed are not user-centric. As a result, such ICT interventions do not benefit many health consumers. The lack of an ICT framework to support patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi renders the e-health and mhealth interventions less sustainable and less cost effective. The aim of the study was therefore to develop an ICT Framework that could support patient-centric healthcare services in the public health sector in Malawi. The comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews highlighted many challenges underlying ICT development in Malawi. An ICT framework for patient-centric healthcare services is therefore proposed to ensure that eHealth and mobile health interventions are more sustainable and cost effective. The framework was validated by five experts selected from different areas of expertise including mhealth application developers, ICT policy makers and public health practitioners. Results show that the framework is relevant, useful and applicable within the setting of Malawi. The framework can also be implemented in various countries with similar settings.

scholarly journals The healthcare technology needs you

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumarno Adi Subrata ◽  
Jonathan Bayuo ◽  
Busra Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Healthcare Technology ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Digital Healthcare

The growing evidence and technology in healthcare lead to an improvement in the patient's health across a continuum of services in clinical and community settings. A multidisciplinary team should work in tandem on this phenomenon. Therefore, innovative healthcare technology must be designed intensively to optimize productivity and provide new insight along with support the standard treatment for particular diseases. In the coming years, technology is needed to change the way of caring for the patient. This is a fundamental aspect because the recent technology has shaped up in front of our practice with advances in digital healthcare services, such as 3D printing, robotics, nanotechnology and even artificial intelligence (The Medical Futurist, 2021). To respond to this, updated studies should be developed and published focusing on innovative technology including in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other health-related topics.

scholarly journals Robotics and AI for Teleoperation, Tele-Assessment, and Tele-Training for Surgery in the Era of COVID-19: Existing Challenges, and Future Vision

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navid Feizi ◽  
Mahdi Tavakoli ◽  
Rajni V. Patel ◽  
S. Farokh Atashzar
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Operative Assessment

The unprecedented shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has severely influenced the delivery of regular healthcare services. Most non-urgent medical activities, including elective surgeries, have been paused to mitigate the risk of infection and to dedicate medical resources to managing the pandemic. In this regard, not only surgeries are substantially influenced, but also pre- and post-operative assessment of patients and training for surgical procedures have been significantly impacted due to the pandemic. Many countries are planning a phased reopening, which includes the resumption of some surgical procedures. However, it is not clear how the reopening safe-practice guidelines will impact the quality of healthcare delivery. This perspective article evaluates the use of robotics and AI in 1) robotics-assisted surgery, 2) tele-examination of patients for pre- and post-surgery, and 3) tele-training for surgical procedures. Surgeons interact with a large number of staff and patients on a daily basis. Thus, the risk of infection transmission between them raises concerns. In addition, pre- and post-operative assessment also raises concerns about increasing the risk of disease transmission, in particular, since many patients may have other underlying conditions, which can increase their chances of mortality due to the virus. The pandemic has also limited the time and access that trainee surgeons have for training in the OR and/or in the presence of an expert. In this article, we describe existing challenges and possible solutions and suggest future research directions that may be relevant for robotics and AI in addressing the three tasks mentioned above.

Managers do it their way: How managers act in a decentralised healthcare services provider organisation – a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
pp. 095148482110654
Author(s):  
Mikael Ohrling ◽  
Sara Tolf ◽  
Karin Solberg-Carlsson ◽  
Mats Brommels
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Organisation ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Community Healthcare

Purpose: Decentralisation is considered a way to get managers more committed and more prone to respond to local needs. This study analyses how managers perceive a decentralised management model within a large public healthcare delivery organisation in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach: A programme theory evaluation was performed applying direct content analysis to in-depth interviews with healthcare managers. Balance score card data were used in a blinded comparative content analysis to explore relations between performance and how the delegated authority was perceived and used by the managers. Findings: Managers’ perceptions of the decentralised management model supported its intentions to enable the front-line to make decisions to better meet customer needs and flexibly adapt to local conditions. The managers appreciated and used their delegated authority. Central policies and control on human resources and investments were accepted as those are to the benefit of the whole organisation. Leadership development and organisation-wide improvement programmes were of support. Units showing high organisational performance had proactive managers, although differences in manager perceptions across units were small. Originality: This, one of the first of its kind, study of a decentralisation in service delivery organisation shows a congruence between the rationale of a management model, the managers’ perceptions of the authority and accountability as well as management practises. These observations stemming from a large public primary and community healthcare organisation has not, to our knowledge, been reported and provide research-informed guidance on decentralisation as one strategy for resolving challenges in healthcare service delivery organisations.

Exploring the Role of Service Quality and Knowledge for Mobile Health Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 1632-1653
Author(s):  
Nabila Nisha ◽  
Mehree Iqbal ◽  
Afrin Rifat ◽  
Sherina Idrish
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Facilitating Conditions

The use of mobile technology-based services has made healthcare delivery more accessible and affordable in recent times. In fact, mobile health services today act as an effective means of providing healthcare knowledge to users directly from providers. However, the cynical behavior of users regarding this medium of healthcare services often encircles around the quality of such services. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of service quality and knowledge among other underlying factors that can influence future use intentions of m-Health services in the context of Bangladesh. The conceptual model of the study identifies that certain aspects of service qualities like reliability, privacy, responsiveness, empathy and information quality along with facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, performance expectancy and social influence plays an important role in capturing users' overall perceptions of mobile health services. Finally, the study highlights managerial implications, future research directions and limitations from the Bangladesh perspective.

Management of public healthcare facilities in the Philippines: issues and concerns

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Z Dela Cruz ◽  
Ruth A Ortega-Dela Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

Background/Aims Public hospitals are the primary means of healthcare delivery in developing countries. Given the pressing need for efficient health services, it is imperative to know the extent to which a country's public healthcare institutions meet an ever increasing public demand. This study aimed to assess the state of hospital facilities among public health care institutions in a developing country. Methods Descriptive research methods were used, including needs analysis along with management and client satisfaction surveys, in order to analyse information on issues that related to the management of hospital facilities in the Philippines. Various members of the hospital community were selected to assess different aspects of hospital management. Results The results of this study show that most concerns stemmed from the lack of financial resources, materials, equipment and technological innovations; insufficient knowledge, skills and human resources; and problems that related to processes and methodologies. Conclusions Public hospitals are in dire need of facility upkeep to maintain their operations. This has become a more pressing concern because of the very limited resources at the disposal of public hospitals. This study also highlighted the crucial role played by the national government in finding effective and efficient ways to address these issues and concerns to ensure successful delivery of healthcare services in the country.

scholarly journals India’s RMNCH+A Strategy: approach, learnings and limitations

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. e001162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunjan Taneja ◽  
Vegamadagu Suryanarayana-Rao Sridhar ◽  
Jaya Swarup Mohanty ◽  
Anurag Joshi ◽  
Pranav Bhushan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Planning ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Delivery System ◽  
District Health ◽  
Public Health Challenges ◽  
The Government

Building on the gains of the National Health Mission, India’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy, launched in 2013, was a milestone in the country’s health planning. The strategy recognised the interdependence of RMNCH+A Interventions across the life stages and adopted a comprehensive approach to address inequitable distribution of healthcare services for the vulnerable population groups and in poor-performing geographies of the country. Based on innovative approaches and management reforms, like selection of poor-performing districts, prioritisation of high-impact RMNCH+A healthcare interventions, engagement of development partners and institutionalising a concurrent monitoring system the strategy strived to improve efficiency and effectiveness within the public healthcare delivery system of the country. 184 High Priority Districts were identified across the country on a defined set of indicators for implementation of critical RMNCH+A Interventions and a dedicated institutional framework comprising National and State RMNCH+A Units and District Level Monitors supported by the development partners was established to provide technical support to the state and district health departments. Health facilities based on case load and available services across the High Priority Districts were prioritised for strengthening and were monitored by an RMNCH+A Supportive Supervision mechanism to track progress and generate evidence to facilitate actions for strengthening ongoing interventions. The strategy helped develop an integrated systems-based approach to address public health challenges through a comprehensive framework, defined priorities and robust partnerships with the partner agencies. However, lack of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework and sub-optimal focus on social determinants of health possibly limited its overall impact and ability to sustain improvements. Guided by the learnings and limitations, the Government of India has now designed the ‘Aspirational Districts Program’ to holistically address health challenges in poor-performing districts within the overall sociocultural domain to ensure inclusive and sustained improvements.

scholarly journals Impact of Artificial Intelligence Research on Politics of the European Union Member States: The Case Study of Portugal

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6708 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Reis ◽  
Paula Santo ◽  
Nuno Melão
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
European Union ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Multimethod Research ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The Impact

Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the center of academic and public debate. However, its implications on politics remain little understood. To understand the impact of the AI phenomenon on politics of the European Union (EU), we have carried out qualitative multimethod research by performing a systematic literature review and a case study. The first method was performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), in order to report the state-of-the-art in the existing literature and explore the most relevant research areas. The second method contained contributions from experts in data science and AI of the Portuguese scientific community. The results showed that solutions such as intelligent decision support systems are improving the political decision-making process and impacting the Portuguese society at local, regional, and national levels. We also found that practitioners and scientists are currently shifting their interests from environmental and biological sciences to healthcare services, which is bringing new challenges in terms of protecting patient/citizen data and growing concerns about handling of critical information. Future research may focus on comparative studies with other EU States to obtain a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the AI phenomenon.

scholarly journals Medication Name Comprehension of Intelligent Virtual Assistants: A Comparison of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri Between 2019 and 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Palanica ◽  
Yan Fossat
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
United States ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
The United States ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
The Past ◽  
Speech Characteristics ◽  
Software Algorithms ◽  
Digital Healthcare ◽  
Comprehension Accuracy

The current study was a replication and comparison of our previous research which examined the comprehension accuracy of popular intelligent virtual assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri for recognizing the generic and brand names of the top 50 most dispensed medications in the United States. Using the exact same voice recordings from 2019, audio clips of 46 participants were played back to each device in 2021. Google Assistant achieved the highest comprehension accuracy for both brand medication names (86.0%) and generic medication names (84.3%), followed by Apple Siri (brand names = 78.4%, generic names = 75.0%), and the lowest accuracy by Amazon Alexa (brand names 64.2%, generic names = 66.7%). These findings represent the same trend of results as our previous research, but reveal significant increases of ~10–24% in performance for Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri over the past 2 years. This indicates that the artificial intelligence software algorithms have improved to better recognize the speech characteristics of complex medication names, which has important implications for telemedicine and digital healthcare services.

scholarly journals ICT Framework to Support a Patient-Centric approach in Public Healthcare: A Case Study of Malawi (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Pankomera ◽  
Darelle Van Greunen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Patient Centric

BACKGROUND Although Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the healthcare sector are extensively deployed globally, they are not used effectively in developing countries. Many resource poor countries face numerous challenges in implementing the ICT interventions. For instance, many health applications that have been deployed are not user-centric. As a result, such ICT interventions do not benefit many health consumers. The lack of an ICT framework to support patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi renders the e-health and mhealth interventions less sustainable and less cost effective. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was therefore to develop an ICT Framework that could support patient-centric healthcare services in the public health sector in Malawi. This framework is therefore proposed to ensure that eHealth and mobile health interventions are more sustainable and cost effective. METHODS The comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews highlighted many challenges underlying ICT development in Malawi. The framework was validated by five experts selected from different areas of expertise including electronic health application developers, ICT policy makers and public health practitioners. RESULTS The evaluation from the experts shows that the framework is relevant and useful in the healthcare public sector in Malawi CONCLUSIONS The ICT framework can therefore facilitate the provision of patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi. The patient-centric healthcare model empowers the patient to take ownership of their health and their well-being rendering the provision of healthcare services more cost effective. Furthermore, it is envisaged that this framework can also be implemented in various countries with similar settings.

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