-
Reproductive Health Apr 2023Evidence suggests that COVID-19 may impair access to sexual and reproductive health services and safe abortion. The purpose of this systematic review was investigating... (Review)
Review
Evidence suggests that COVID-19 may impair access to sexual and reproductive health services and safe abortion. The purpose of this systematic review was investigating the changes of abortion services in the COVID-19 pandemic era. We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for relevant studies published as of August 2021, using relevant keywords. RCT and non-original studies were excluded from the analysis and 17 studies of 151 included in our review. Requests to access medication abortion by telemedicine and demand for self-managed abortion were the main findings of identified studies. Women requested an abortion earlier in their pregnancy, and were satisfied with tele-abortion care due to its flexibility, and ongoing telephone support. Presenting telemedicine services without ultrasound has also been reported. Visits to clinics were reduced based on the severity of the restrictions, and abortion clinics had less revenue, more costs, and more changes in the work style of their healthcare providers. Telemedicine was reported safe, effective, acceptable, and empowering for women. Reasons for using tele-abortion were privacy, secrecy, comfort, using modern contraception, employing of women, distance from clinics, travel restrictions, lockdowns, fear of COVID-19, and political reasons (abortion prohibition). Complications of women using tele-abortion were pain, lack of psychological support, bleeding, and need to blood transfusions. The results of this study showed that using telemedicine and teleconsultations for medical abortion in the pandemic conditions may be extended after pandemic. Findings can be used by reproductive healthcare providers and policy makers to address the complications of abortion services.Trail registration This study is registered in PROSPERO with number CRD42021279042.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Pandemics; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Abortion, Induced; Contraception; Telemedicine
PubMed: 37055839
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01582-3 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023As the Internet of Things (IoT) concept materialized worldwide in complex ecosystems, the related data security and privacy issues became apparent. While the system... (Review)
Review
As the Internet of Things (IoT) concept materialized worldwide in complex ecosystems, the related data security and privacy issues became apparent. While the system elements and their communication paths could be protected individually, generic, ecosystem-wide approaches were sought after as well. On a parallel timeline to IoT, the concept of distributed ledgers and blockchains came into the technological limelight. Blockchains offer many advantageous features in relation to enhanced security, anonymity, increased capacity, and peer-to-peer capabilities. Although blockchain technology can provide IoT with effective and efficient solutions, there are many challenges related to various aspects of integrating these technologies. While security, anonymity/data privacy, and smart contract-related features are apparently advantageous for blockchain technologies (BCT), there are challenges in relation to storage capacity/scalability, resource utilization, transaction rate scalability, predictability, and legal issues. This paper provides a systematic review on state-of-the-art approaches of BCT and IoT integration, specifically in order to solve certain security- and privacy-related issues. The paper first provides a brief overview of BCT and IoT's basic principles, including their architecture, protocols and consensus algorithms, characteristics, and the challenges of integrating them. Afterwards, it describes the survey methodology, including the search strategy, eligibility criteria, selection results, and characteristics of the included articles. Later, we highlight the findings of this study which illustrates different works that addressed the integration of blockchain technology and IoT to tackle various aspects of privacy and security, which are followed by a categorization of applications that have been investigated with different characteristics, such as their primary information, objective, development level, target application, type of blockchain and platform, consensus algorithm, evaluation environment and metrics, future works or open issues (if any), and further notes for consideration. Furthermore, a detailed discussion of all articles is included from an architectural and operational perspective. Finally, we cover major gaps and future considerations that can be taken into account when integrating blockchain technology with IoT.
Topics: Blockchain; Ecosystem; Internet of Things; Privacy; Technology; Computer Security
PubMed: 36679582
DOI: 10.3390/s23020788 -
JAMA Dermatology Aug 2015Photographs are invaluable dermatologic diagnostic, management, research, teaching, and documentation tools. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Photographs are invaluable dermatologic diagnostic, management, research, teaching, and documentation tools. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards exist for many types of digital medical images, but there are no DICOM standards for camera-acquired dermatologic images to date.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and describe existing or proposed technology and technique standards for camera-acquired dermatologic images in the scientific literature.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
Systematic searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were performed in January 2013 using photography and digital imaging, standardization, and medical specialty and medical illustration search terms and augmented by a gray literature search of 14 websites using Google. Two reviewers independently screened titles of 7371 unique publications, followed by 3 sequential full-text reviews, leading to the selection of 49 publications with the most recent (1985-2013) or detailed description of technology or technique standards related to the acquisition or use of images of skin disease (or related conditions).
FINDINGS
No universally accepted existing technology or technique standards for camera-based digital images in dermatology were identified. Recommendations are summarized for technology imaging standards, including spatial resolution, color resolution, reproduction (magnification) ratios, postacquisition image processing, color calibration, compression, output, archiving and storage, and security during storage and transmission. Recommendations are also summarized for technique imaging standards, including environmental conditions (lighting, background, and camera position), patient pose and standard view sets, and patient consent, privacy, and confidentiality. Proposed standards for specific-use cases in total body photography, teledermatology, and dermoscopy are described.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The literature is replete with descriptions of obtaining photographs of skin disease, but universal imaging standards have not been developed, validated, and adopted to date. Dermatologic imaging is evolving without defined standards for camera-acquired images, leading to variable image quality and limited exchangeability. The development and adoption of universal technology and technique standards may first emerge in scenarios when image use is most associated with a defined clinical benefit.
Topics: Biomedical Technology; Dermatology; Humans; Photography; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 25970844
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.33 -
Midwifery Aug 2016maternal postnatal depression confers strong risk for impaired child development. Little is known about the association between women's postnatal birth experience and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
maternal postnatal depression confers strong risk for impaired child development. Little is known about the association between women's postnatal birth experience and postnatal depression.
PURPOSE
to systematically identify and review studies examining the association between the birth experience and postnatal depression.
METHODS
a systematic search strategy was employed using the Matrix Method (Garrard, 2014) and guided by the PRISMA reporting process.Criteria included broad search terms, English language, and publication years 2000-2015. The search revealed 1536 abstracts narrowed to full-text review of 112 studies.
FINDINGS
eleven of the 15 studies meeting search criteria demonstrated a significant association between women's postnatal birth experience and postnatal depression. Results show heterogeneity in birth experience instruments. Strength of evidence and potential for bias are discussed.
KEY CONCLUSIONS
in spite of methodological limitations, the weight of evidence suggests that a negative birth experience may contribute to postnatal depression. Further research is warranted.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
to promote a positive birth experience healthcare providers should provide supportive, nurturing care that promotes women's confidence, trust, respect, privacy, shared decision making, and feeling of safety. Healthcare policy that promotes quality caregiving may reduce risk of postnatal depression.
Topics: Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Mothers; Parturition; Patient Satisfaction; Pregnancy
PubMed: 27321728
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.04.014 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022In general, the adoption of IoT applications among end users in healthcare is very low. Healthcare professionals present major challenges to the successful... (Review)
Review
In general, the adoption of IoT applications among end users in healthcare is very low. Healthcare professionals present major challenges to the successful implementation of IoT for providing healthcare services. Many studies have offered important insights into IoT adoption in healthcare. Nevertheless, there is still a need to thoroughly review the effective factors of IoT adoption in a systematic manner. The purpose of this study is to accumulate existing knowledge about the factors that influence medical professionals to adopt IoT applications in the healthcare sector. This study reviews, compiles, analyzes, and systematically synthesizes the relevant data. This review employs both automatic and manual search methods to collect relevant studies from 2015 to 2021. A systematic search of the articles was carried out on nine major scientific databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, Emerald, Wiley, PubMed, Springer, MDPI, IEEE, and Scopus. A total of 22 articles were selected as per the inclusion criteria. The findings show that TAM, TPB, TRA, and UTAUT theories are the most widely used adoption theories in these studies. Furthermore, the main perceived adoption factors of IoT applications in healthcare at the individual level are: social influence, attitude, and personal inattentiveness. The IoT adoption factors at the technology level are perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, performance expectancy, and effort expectations. In addition, the main factor at the security level is perceived privacy risk. Furthermore, at the health level, the main factors are perceived severity and perceived health risk, respectively. Moreover, financial cost, and facilitating conditions are considered as the main factors at the environmental level. Physicians, patients, and health workers were among the participants who were involved in the included publications. Various types of IoT applications in existing studies are as follows: a wearable device, monitoring devices, rehabilitation devices, telehealth, behavior modification, smart city, and smart home. Most of the studies about IoT adoption were conducted in France and Pakistan in the year 2020. This systematic review identifies the essential factors that enable an understanding of the barriers and possibilities for healthcare providers to implement IoT applications. Finally, the expected influence of COVID-19 on IoT adoption in healthcare was evaluated in this study.
Topics: COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Health Personnel; Humans; Telemedicine; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 35891056
DOI: 10.3390/s22145377 -
Evidence-based Dentistry Sep 2023Electronic scientific databases Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were systematically searched and restricted to articles published from 1996 onwards...
DATA SOURCES
Electronic scientific databases Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were systematically searched and restricted to articles published from 1996 onwards and limited to articles published in English. This was carried out following an initial scoping search using keywords conducted in PubMed.
STUDY SELECTION
Original studies investigating the use of mobile phone applications as a delivery method of healthcare interventions to parents and caregivers with children ≤6 years of age were included. As this was a mixed-methods systematic review, studies that have quantitative clinical outcomes and also qualitative outcomes of experiences, attitudes and beliefs of parents and caregivers were included. EndNote X8.2 and Rayyan.ai software was employed for title and abstract screening.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Three independent authors developed a combined data extraction tool to examine titles, abstracts and full texts of relevant articles against the inclusion criteria. The development of this tool was guided by the JBI reviewer's manual. Data extraction was completed by one reviewer, and verified by two further reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Retrieved studies were assessed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data extracted included study reference information, study design, setting, sample sizes and intervention characteristics. A risk of bias assessment was undertaken using the Quality Appraisal for Diverse Studies tool, and a further risk assessment of quantitative and mixed methods studies.
RESULTS
From 5953 studies initially identified, 5 studies were included in the review. One study identified using a gamification design within a mobile health app to promote oral health had statistically significant improvements in plaque and gingival indices compared to a control group at both a 6 and 12-week recall. Two studies reported a significant improvement in maternal knowledge of children's oral health as a result of using an oral health app.
CONCLUSIONS
The delivery of oral health promotion through mobile health apps may be effective in reducing early childhood caries through improving health literacy in parents and caregivers, however key challenges in the app development process exist surrounding privacy issues and data protection.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Dental Caries; Oral Health; Bias; Cell Phone
PubMed: 37582973
DOI: 10.1038/s41432-023-00922-3 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Apr 2023Violence against women is a major problem in Brazil, but data on its prevalence are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical violence against women in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Violence against women is a major problem in Brazil, but data on its prevalence are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical violence against women in Brazil. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of physical violence against women. Population-based researches that assessed physical violence in Brazilian women were searched on MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and VHL/BIREME. The last search update was carried out in March 2020. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the eligible studies. Summary of prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Freeman-Tukey double arccosine transformation, weighted by the official local population size. Heterogeneity was estimated by and investigated by meta-regression analyses. Of 3,408 reports, 13 studies carried out from 1999 to 2016 ( = 25,781 women) were included. Most studies had limitations on sample size (5/13) and response rate (7/13). The prevalence of physical violence was 22.4% in lifetime (95% CI [21.6, 23.2%]; = 99.0%), and 11.5% in previous year (95% CI [11.1, 11.9%]; = 99.5%). Assuring privacy during interview significantly increased the prevalence ( = .028; residual = 80.0%). Higher prevalence was also observed in studies with adequate sample source, validated questionnaire, and privacy (in both recall periods), potentially due to lower risk of nonresponse bias. Over two in 10 Brazilian women suffered physical violence during their lives, and over one tenth, in the previous year. Measurement of outcome affected the prevalence; privacy should be assured for the interviewee for future reliable estimates in the country.
Topics: Humans; Female; Physical Abuse; Brazil; Prevalence; Violence
PubMed: 34236005
DOI: 10.1177/15248380211029410 -
Patient Education and Counseling Jun 2021Single-gene testing is associated with psycho-social challenges for cancer patients. Genomic testing may amplify these. The aim of this study was to understand patients'... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Single-gene testing is associated with psycho-social challenges for cancer patients. Genomic testing may amplify these. The aim of this study was to understand patients' motivations and barriers to pursue cancer genomic testing, to enable healthcare providers to support their patients throughout the testing process and interpretation of test results.
METHODS
Five databases were searched for original peer reviewed research articles published between January 2001 and September 2018 addressing motivation for genomic cancer testing. QualSyst was used to assess quality.
RESULTS
182 studies were identified and 17 were included for review. Studies were heterogenous. Both somatic and germline testing were included, and 14 studies used hypothetical scenarios. 3249 participants were analyzed, aged 18 to 94. Most were female and white. The most common diagnoses were breast, ovarian, lung and colorectal cancer. Interest in testing was high. Motivations included ability to predict cancer risk, inform disease management, benefit families, and understand cancer. Barriers included concerns about cost, privacy/confidentiality, clinical utility, and psychological harm.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite concerns, consumers are interested in cancer genomic testing if it can provide actionable results for themselves and their families.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Providers must manage understanding and expectations of testing and translate genetic information into health-promoting behaviours.
Topics: Female; Genetic Testing; Genomics; Health Behavior; Humans; Motivation; Neoplasms
PubMed: 33390305
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.12.024 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Adoption of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies for geriatric healthcare is suboptimal. This study aims to present the AAL Adoption Diamond Framework,... (Review)
Review
Adoption of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies for geriatric healthcare is suboptimal. This study aims to present the AAL Adoption Diamond Framework, encompassing a set of key enablers/barriers as factors, and describe our approach to developing this framework. A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. SCOPUS, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, ACM Digital Library, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library and grey literature were searched. Thematic analysis was performed to identify factors reported or perceived to be important for adopting AAL technologies. Of 3717 studies initially retrieved, 109 were thoroughly screened and 52 met our inclusion criteria. Nineteen unique technology adoption factors were identified. The most common factor was privacy (50%) whereas data accuracy and affordability were the least common factors (4%). The highest number of factors found per a given study was eleven whereas the average number of factors across all studies included in our sample was four (mean = 3.9). We formed an AAL technology adoption framework based on the retrieved information and named it the AAL Adoption Diamond Framework. This holistic framework was formed by organising the identified technology adoption factors into four key dimensions: Human, Technology, Business, and Organisation. To conclude, the AAL Adoption Diamond Framework is holistic in term of recognizing key factors for the adoption of AAL technologies, and novel and unmatched in term of structuring them into four overarching themes or dimensions, bringing together the individual and the systemic factors evolving around the adoption of AAL technology. This framework is useful for stakeholders (e.g., decision-makers, healthcare providers, and caregivers) to adopt and implement AAL technologies.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Ambient Intelligence; Delivery of Health Care; Assisted Living Facilities; Health Facilities; Self-Help Devices
PubMed: 36554640
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416760 -
Computers in Biology and Medicine Jan 2023Recent advances in Deep Learning have largely benefited from larger and more diverse training sets. However, collecting large datasets for medical imaging is still a... (Review)
Review
Recent advances in Deep Learning have largely benefited from larger and more diverse training sets. However, collecting large datasets for medical imaging is still a challenge due to privacy concerns and labeling costs. Data augmentation makes it possible to greatly expand the amount and variety of data available for training without actually collecting new samples. Data augmentation techniques range from simple yet surprisingly effective transformations such as cropping, padding, and flipping, to complex generative models. Depending on the nature of the input and the visual task, different data augmentation strategies are likely to perform differently. For this reason, it is conceivable that medical imaging requires specific augmentation strategies that generate plausible data samples and enable effective regularization of deep neural networks. Data augmentation can also be used to augment specific classes that are underrepresented in the training set, e.g., to generate artificial lesions. The goal of this systematic literature review is to investigate which data augmentation strategies are used in the medical domain and how they affect the performance of clinical tasks such as classification, segmentation, and lesion detection. To this end, a comprehensive analysis of more than 300 articles published in recent years (2018-2022) was conducted. The results highlight the effectiveness of data augmentation across organs, modalities, tasks, and dataset sizes, and suggest potential avenues for future research.
Topics: Deep Learning; Neural Networks, Computer; Diagnostic Imaging
PubMed: 36549032
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106391