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European Journal of Public Health Jul 2024Global threats, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have highlighted the critical importance of robust and well-functioning health information...
BACKGROUND
Global threats, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have highlighted the critical importance of robust and well-functioning health information systems (HIS) in effectively addressing public health emergencies. To enhance the understanding and the functioning of such systems, it is crucial to perform HIS assessments. This article explores key gaps and identifies best practices in the COVID-19 HIS of eight European countries. Furthermore, it provides recommendations to strengthen European systems for better pandemic preparedness.
METHODS
Assessments were carried out in eight European countries using an adapted version of the WHO support tool to strengthen HIS and the Joint Action on Health Information assessment tool. The assessments took place between January 2022 and April 2023.
RESULTS
Four main themes emerged regarding the gaps and best practices identified in the various HIS: organizational, technical, legal and resources. The results of these assessments show different approaches implemented by countries to improve their HIS and respond to the demands of the pandemic.
CONCLUSIONS
It is imperative for countries to draw valuable insights from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen their HIS. This involves the adaptation or development of pandemic preparedness plans, strengthening legislative framework for data sharing and privacy protection, promotion of data standards and international definitions and implementation of a unique person identifier. Additionally, countries will have to act in this post-pandemic era and integrate the newly developed systems and innovations into existing structures, maintain and develop trust by citizens through transparent communication and engage in infodemic management and address resource gaps in the workforce.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Europe; Health Information Systems; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics; Public Health; Information Dissemination
PubMed: 38946443
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae041 -
Early Intervention in Psychiatry Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant shift to delivering early psychosis services using telehealth. Little is known about the experience of using telehealth in...
OBJECTIVE
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant shift to delivering early psychosis services using telehealth. Little is known about the experience of using telehealth in early psychosis services. This quality improvement qualitative project investigated the experiences of program participants and family members with telehealth services in OnTrackNY, an early intervention program for psychosis in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
The project team conducted individual interviews and focus groups. Data analyses used a matrix approach.
RESULTS
Nineteen OnTrackNY program participants and nine family members participated in five focus groups and nine individual interviews. Data were organized into five themes (a) accessibility: most individuals had a device and internet access and challenges were related to connectivity, such as image freezing and sound breaking; (b) convenience/flexibility: benefits included the reduced commute and costs; (c) levels of comfort/privacy with telehealth: program participants felt less judged and less anxiety leading up to in-person appointments while also expressing privacy concerns; (d) sense of connectedness: in-person social connections were deemed important and not replaceable by telehealth; and (e) suggestions: program participants expressed a preference for in-person group activities and suggested hybrid options, highlighting the importance of in-person visits to establish rapport at the beginning of treatment before transitioning to telehealth.
CONCLUSIONS
Telehealth services were generally well accepted. Suggestions for future service delivery include offering a combination of telehealth and in-person services based on program participants' preferences and prioritizing in-person services during the early phase of treatment.
PubMed: 38945691
DOI: 10.1111/eip.13550 -
Nurse Education Today Jun 2024The rapid and accurate assessment of neonatal asphyxia is critical to preventing potentially fatal outcomes. Therefore, nursing students must acquire the skills to...
BACKGROUND
The rapid and accurate assessment of neonatal asphyxia is critical to preventing potentially fatal outcomes. Therefore, nursing students must acquire the skills to assess newborn conditions immediately after birth and implement appropriate interventions. Virtual reality (VR) simulation education has emerged as a promising tool for nursing education, offering repetitive and customizable clinical training while ensuring patient safety and overcoming spatiotemporal limitations.
AIM
This study investigated the effects of a contactless hand-tracking-based immersive VR neonatal Apgar scoring program, adapted from experiential learning theory.
DESIGN
A non-randomized controlled trial with a pre-post-test, quasi-experimental design was conducted.
SETTINGS
The study was conducted at two nursing schools from July to October 2023.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants comprised nursing students holding bachelor's degrees in nursing, with three or four years of experience and successful completion of a neonatal nursing theory course. Additionally, individuals with at least six months of experience working in a neonatal ward or delivery room before enrolling in nursing school were eligible.
METHODS
The participants were divided into three groups: the VR group (n = 27) received contactless hand-tracking-based immersive VR neonatal Apgar scoring training; the simulation group (n = 28) received face-to-face Apgar scoring simulation training; and the control group (n = 26) received instruction on the Apgar scoring criteria. Changes in scores among the VR, simulation, and control groups were statistically compared using ANOVA with SPSS-WIN 27.0.
RESULTS
The VR group exhibited significant improvements in knowledge, learning satisfaction, self-confidence, immersion, and motivation compared to the simulation and control groups. Moreover, satisfaction was significantly higher in the VR group than in the simulation group.
CONCLUSIONS
The hand-tracking-based immersive VR neonatal Apgar scoring program represents an innovative and effective educational tool, prioritizing the privacy and rights of mothers and infants. It can potentially replace traditional delivery-room clinical training, which is observation-based and limited.
PubMed: 38944937
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106294 -
Computers in Biology and Medicine Jun 2024Estimating treatment effects from observational data in medicine using causal inference is a very relevant task due to the abundance of observational data and the...
Estimating treatment effects from observational data in medicine using causal inference is a very relevant task due to the abundance of observational data and the ethical and cost implications of conducting randomized experiments or experimental interventions. However, how could we estimate the effect of a treatment in a hospital that has very restricted access to treatment? In this paper, we want to address the problem of distributed causal inference, where hospitals not only have different distributions of patients, but also different treatment assignment criteria. Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account that due to privacy restrictions, personal patient data cannot be shared between hospitals. To address this problem, we propose an adaptation of the federated learning algorithm FederatedAveraging to one of the most advanced models for the prediction of treatment effects based on neural networks, TEDVAE. Our algorithm adaptation takes into account the shift in the treatment distribution between hospitals and is therefore called Propensity WeightedFederatedAveraging (PW FedAvg). As the distributions of the assignment of treatments become more unbalanced between the nodes, the estimation of causal effects becomes more challenging. The experiments show that PW FedAvg manages to reduce errors in the estimation of individual causal effects when imbalances are large, compared to VanillaFedAvg and other federated learning-based causal inference algorithms based on the application of federated learning to linear parametric models, Gaussian Processes and Random Fourier Features.
PubMed: 38943946
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108779 -
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal... Jun 2024Elective genomic testing (EGT) is increasingly available clinically. Limited real world evidence exists about attitudes and knowledge of EGT recipients.
BACKGROUND
Elective genomic testing (EGT) is increasingly available clinically. Limited real world evidence exists about attitudes and knowledge of EGT recipients.
METHODS
After web-based education, patients who enrolled in an EGT program at a rural nonprofit healthcare system completed a survey that assessed attitudes, knowledge, and risk perceptions.
RESULTS
From August 2020 to April 2022, 5,920 patients completed the survey and received testing. Patients most frequently cited interest in learning their personal disease risks as their primary motivation. Patients most often expected results to guide medication management (74.0%), prevent future disease (70.4%), and provide information about risks to offspring (65.4%). Patients were "very concerned" most frequently about the privacy of genetic information (19.8%) and how well testing predicted disease risks (18.0%). On average, patients answered 6.7 of 11 knowledge items correctly (61.3%). They more often rated their risks for colon and breast cancers as lower rather than higher than the average person, but more often rated their risk for a heart attack as higher rather than lower than the average person (all p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Patients pursued EGT because of the utility expectations, but often misunderstood the test's capabilities.
PubMed: 38943480
DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101200 -
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal... Jun 2024Germline testing in pediatric cancer presents opportunities and challenges. Understanding family perspectives, experiences, and preferences will optimize integration... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Germline testing in pediatric cancer presents opportunities and challenges. Understanding family perspectives, experiences, and preferences will optimize integration into routine care.
METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases for studies exploring perspectives, experiences, and preferences of parents/caregivers and/or patients regarding germline testing of children with cancer. Qualitative and quantitative data was extracted, organized, and summarized by research question and themes.
RESULTS
We identified 2286 unique articles, of which 24 were included. Interest in and uptake of testing was high. Families were motivated by altruism and a desire for inheritance/causation information. Testing barriers included psychological concerns, timing of the testing approach if offered at diagnosis or in a high-risk cancer setting and privacy/discrimination. Testing experiences highlighted challenges yet also positive impacts, with results providing psychological relief and informing proactive decision-making. Timing preferences varied, however allowing time to adjust to a new diagnosis was a common theme. Most wanted to receive as many germline sequencing-related results as possible.
CONCLUSION
Findings underscore the importance of integrating germline analyses into pediatric cancer care with flexibility and support for families facing challenges. Where possible, consent should be provided at a time that suits each family's situation with access to information aligning with their needs and preferences.
PROSPERO
CRD42023444890.
PubMed: 38943478
DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101197 -
BMC Nursing Jun 2024Childbirth reserves respect, as emphasized by the World Health Organization in 2018, and the focus towards the need for positive, dignified delivery experiences has...
BACKGROUND
Childbirth reserves respect, as emphasized by the World Health Organization in 2018, and the focus towards the need for positive, dignified delivery experiences has become an integral aspect of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC). It is a known fact that RMC is pivotal for favourable birth outcomes and contributes to the satisfaction of maternity care. The absence of RMC negatively affects women's and newborns' rights. The study aimed to explore healthcare providers' perspectives on sustaining RMC actions that mothers previously reported.
METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted in five hospitals in the Eastern province of Rwanda, involving 5 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with midwives and nurses. For interviews, we purposively selected 5-unit managers and five physicians. Additionally, 40 midwives and nurses were recruited for the FGDs. The research utilized the Dream phase of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) for interviews and Focus Groups. Data collection aimed to gain insights into Healthcare Providers' perceptions of how RMC is provided and how to establish and sustain RMC in Rwandan health facilities. Nvivo 12 was employed for organizing codes and creating a codebook, and thematic analysis was applied.
RESULTS
Four themes with sub-themes emerged. Namely, 1) Women-centered care, with Compassionate care, Privacy and confidentiality maintenance, Information provision and Liberty in decision making, Effective communication, Family involvement, Cleanliness, and Equality care. 2) Professionalism compliance with Motivated staff, Teamwork, Continuous development, Quality work provision, and Community trust. 3) RMC encounters 4) RMC sustenance.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The continuous pursuit of high RMC standards in Rwanda involves improving childbirth experiences through utilizing existing resources, ongoing improvement, and sustaining achievements. Key recommended actions in this study for sustaining RMC encompass promoting women-centred care, enhancing healthcare provider attitudes, ensuring professionalism, building community trust, maintaining conducive health facility environments, and involving leadership.
PubMed: 38943122
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02017-5 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the built environment is significantly influenced by particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and air temperature. Recently, the... (Review)
Review
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the built environment is significantly influenced by particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and air temperature. Recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been integrated to improve IAQ and safeguard human health, comfort, and productivity. This review seeks to highlight the potential of IoT integration for monitoring IAQ. Additionally, the paper details progress by researchers in developing IoT/mobile applications for IAQ monitoring, and their transformative impact in smart building, healthcare, predictive maintenance, and real-time data analysis systems. It also outlines the persistent challenges (e.g., data privacy, security, and user acceptability), hampering effective IoT implementation for IAQ monitoring. Lastly, the global developments and research landscape on IoT for IAQ monitoring were examined through bibliometric analysis (BA) of 106 publications indexed in Web of Science from 2015 to 2022. BA revealed the most significant contributing countries are India and Portugal, while the top productive institutions and researchers are Instituto Politecnico da Guarda (10.37% of TP) and Marques Goncalo (15.09% of TP), respectively. Keyword analysis revealed four major research themes: IoT, pollution, monitoring, and health. Overall, this paper provides significant insights for identifying prospective collaborators, benchmark publications, strategic funding, and institutions for future IoT-IAQ researchers.
PubMed: 38943001
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34075-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Cryptography is crucial in protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure transactions in a time when data security and privacy are major concerns. Traditional...
Cryptography is crucial in protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure transactions in a time when data security and privacy are major concerns. Traditional cryptography techniques, which depend on mathematical algorithms and secret keys, have historically protected against data breaches and illegal access. With the advent of quantum computers, traditional cryptography techniques are at risk. In this work, we present a cryptography idea using logical phi-bits, which are classical analogues of quantum bits (qubits) and are supported by driven acoustic metamaterials. The state of phi-bits displays superpositions similar to quantum bits, with complex amplitudes and phases. We present a representation of the state vector of single and multi-phi-bit systems. The state vector of multiple phi-bits system lies in a complex exponentially scaling Hilbert space and is used to encode information or messages. By changing the driving conditions of the metamaterial, the information can be encrypted with exceptional security and efficiency. We illustrate experimentally the practicality and effectiveness of encoding and encryption of a message using a 5 phi-bits system and emphasize the scalability of this approach to an N phi-bits system with the same processing time.
PubMed: 38942907
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65800-z -
Enfermeria Clinica (English Edition) 2024
Topics: Humans; Delivery of Health Care; Access to Information; Spain
PubMed: 38942531
DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcle.2024.06.002