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Over the past decade, the use of telehealth has garnered increasing attention. The focus on quality aspects has seen significant growth in tandem with the telehealth expansion. Having useful indicators in this area is becoming increasingly strategic for fully integrating the technology into the health domain. These indicators can help monitor and evaluate the quality of telehealth services, guiding improvements and ensuring that these digital solutions meet the necessary standards for effective healthcare delivery. The purpose of this study is to analyze Key performance indicators (KPIs) in telehealth within institutional websites and the scientific dissemination world by means of a narrative review. A narrative review was proposed with these two specific points of view based on a standardized checklist and a quality control procedure for including scientific papers in the analysis. Results from scientific studies emphasize KPIs such as patient outcomes, operational efficiency, technical reliability, and cost-effectiveness. These include measures like improvements in condition management, patient satisfaction, consultation numbers, waiting times, and cost savings. Institutional documents from entities like the WHO also show diverse perspectives, focusing on equitable access, clinical excellence, patient prioritization, response times, and patient and staff satisfaction. The findings suggest that adopting a comprehensive set of KPIs and continuously monitoring and evaluating telehealth services can enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and equity, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes and accessibility.
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This study delves into the transformative potential of integrating augmented reality (AR) within imaging technologies, shedding light on this evolving landscape. Through a comprehensive narrative review, this research uncovers a wealth of literature exploring the intersection between AR and medical imaging, highlighting its growing prominence in healthcare. AR's integration offers a host of potential opportunities to enhance surgical precision, bolster patient engagement, and customize medical interventions. Moreover, when combined with technologies like virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, AR opens up new avenues for innovation in clinical practice, education, and training. However, amidst these promising prospects lie numerous unanswered questions and areas ripe for exploration. This study emphasizes the need for rigorous research to elucidate the clinical efficacy of AR-integrated interventions, optimize surgical workflows, and address technological challenges. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, sustained research efforts are crucial to fully realizing AR's transformative impact in medical imaging. Systematic reviews on AR in healthcare also overlook regulatory and developmental factors, particularly in regard to medical devices. These include compliance with standards, safety regulations, risk management, clinical validation, and developmental processes. Addressing these aspects will provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in integrating AR into clinical settings, informing stakeholders about crucial regulatory and developmental considerations for successful implementation. Moreover, navigating the regulatory approval process requires substantial financial resources and expertise, presenting barriers to entry for smaller innovators. Collaboration across disciplines and concerted efforts to overcome barriers will be essential in navigating this frontier and harnessing the potential of AR to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
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This study investigates, through a narrative review, the transformative impact of deep learning (DL) in the field of radiotherapy, particularly in light of the accelerated developments prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed approach was based on an umbrella review following a standard narrative checklist and a qualification process. The selection process identified 19 systematic review studies. Through an analysis of current research, the study highlights the revolutionary potential of DL algorithms in optimizing treatment planning, image analysis, and patient outcome prediction in radiotherapy. It underscores the necessity of further exploration into specific research areas to unlock the full capabilities of DL technology. Moreover, the study emphasizes the intricate interplay between digital radiology and radiotherapy, revealing how advancements in one field can significantly influence the other. This interdependence is crucial for addressing complex challenges and advancing the integration of cutting-edge technologies into clinical practice. Collaborative efforts among researchers, clinicians, and regulatory bodies are deemed essential to effectively navigate the evolving landscape of DL in radiotherapy. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and conducting thorough investigations, stakeholders can fully leverage the transformative power of DL to enhance patient care and refine therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, this promises to usher in a new era of personalized and optimized radiotherapy treatment for improved patient outcomes.
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The increased interest in sensing tattoos reflects a shift in wearable technology, emphasizing their flexible, skin-adherent nature. These devices, driven by advancements in nanotechnology and materials science, offer highly sensitive and customizable sensors. The growing body of research in this area indicates a rising curiosity in their design and applications, with potential uses ranging from vital sign monitoring to biomarker detection. Sensing tattoos present a promising avenue in wearable healthcare technology, attracting attention from researchers, clinicians, and technology enthusiasts. The objective of this study is to analyze the development, application, and integration of the sensing tattoos in the health domain. A review was conducted on PubMed and Scopus, applying a standard checklist and a qualification process. The outcome reported 37 studies. Sensing tattoos hold transformative potential in health monitoring and physiological sensing, driven by their focus on affordability, user-friendly design, and versatile sensorization solutions. Despite their promise, ongoing refinement is essential, addressing limitations in adhesion, signal quality, biocompatibility, and regulatory complexities. Identified opportunities, including non-invasive health monitoring, multiplexed detection, and cost-effective fabrication methods, open avenues for personalized healthcare applications. However, bridging gaps in medical device standards, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance is imperative for seamless integration. A key theme calls for a holistic, user-centric approach, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Balancing innovation with practicality, prioritizing ethics, and fostering collaboration are crucial for the evolution of these technologies. The dynamic state of the field is evident, with active exploration of new frontiers. This overview also provides a roadmap, urging scholars, industry players, and regulators to collectively contribute to the responsible integration of sensing tattoos into daily life.
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Precision medicine stands as a transformative force in the orbit of healthcare, fundamentally reshaping traditional approaches by customizing therapeutic interventions to align with the distinctive attributes of individual patients [...].
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In recent years, the landscape of diagnostic imaging has undergone a significant transformation with the emergence of home radiology, challenging the traditional paradigm. This shift, bringing diagnostic imaging directly to patients, has gained momentum and has been further accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the increasing importance and convenience of decentralized healthcare services. This study aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the attitudes and experiences influencing the integration of in-home radiography into contemporary healthcare practices. The research methodology involves a survey administered through Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI) tools, enabling real-time engagement with a diverse cohort of medical radiology technicians in the health domain. A second CAWI tool is submitted to experts to assess their feedback on the methodology. The survey explores key themes, including perceived advantages and challenges associated with domiciliary imaging, its impact on patient care, and the technological intricacies specific to conducting radiologic procedures outside the conventional clinical environment. Findings from a sample of 26 medical radiology technicians (drawn from a larger pool of 186 respondents) highlight a spectrum of opinions and constructive feedback. Enthusiasm is evident for the potential of domiciliary imaging to enhance patient convenience and provide a more patient-centric approach to healthcare. Simultaneously, this study suggests areas of intervention to improve the diffusion of home-based radiology. The methodology based on CAWI tools proves instrumental in the efficiency and depth of data collection, as evaluated by 16 experts from diverse professional backgrounds. The dynamic and responsive nature of this approach allows for a more allocated exploration of technicians' opinions, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of medical imaging services. Emphasis is placed on the need for national and international initiatives in the field, supported by scientific societies, to further explore the evolving landscape of teleradiology and the integration of artificial intelligence in radiology. This study encourages expansion involving other key figures in this practice, including, naturally, medical radiologists, general practitioners, medical physicists, and other stakeholders.
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The TeleHealth and digital healthcare domains have witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years (Contribution 1), propelled by the evolution of digitization processes, both in mobile [...].
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The expanding role of technology assessment in telemedicine is the focus of this study. An umbrella review has been proposed to delve into emerging themes within telemedicine technology assessment by scrutinizing systematic reviews gathered from PubMed and Scopus. The proposed approach was based on a standard narrative checklist and a qualification process. The selection process identified 20 systematic reviews. The main findings underscore the transformative potential of telemedicine, emphasizing technology assessments focused on systematic evaluations, stakeholder engagement, societal impact recognition, targeted interventions, and structured frameworks. While offering valuable insights, the current studies highlight certain limitations that require attention. There is a need for the following: (I) First of all, a more focused approach, primarily centered on a process-centric, multidomain, and generalizable technology assessment (TA). (II) A deeper analysis in specific healthcare areas, including a comprehensive examination of the cost-benefit ratio, peer-to-peer interactions, and a broader inclusion of diagnostic technologies. (III) Greater emphasis on the involved stakeholders, ranging from patients to stakeholders. In conclusion, this study contributes to a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the continually evolving landscape in telemedicine technology assessment, offering valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers alike. Researchers are encouraged to further explore both the established and emerging themes identified in this study.
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(Background) Domiciliary radiology, which originated in pioneering studies in 1958, has transformed healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, through advancements such as miniaturization and digitization. This evolution, driven by the synergy of advanced technologies and robust data networks, reshapes the intersection of domiciliary radiology and mobile technology in healthcare delivery. (Objective) The objective of this study is to overview the reviews in this field with reference to the last five years to face the state of development and integration of this practice in the health domain. (Methods) A review was conducted on PubMed and Scopus, applying a standard checklist and a qualification process. The outcome detected 21 studies. (Key Content and Findings) The exploration of mobile and domiciliary radiology unveils a compelling and optimistic perspective. Notable strides in this dynamic field include the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionary applications in telemedicine, and the educational potential of mobile devices. Post-COVID-19, telemedicine advances and the influential role of AI in pediatric radiology signify significant progress. Mobile mammography units emerge as a solution for underserved women, highlighting the crucial importance of early breast cancer detection. The investigation into domiciliary radiology, especially with mobile X-ray equipment, points toward a promising frontier, prompting in-depth research for comprehensive insights into its potential benefits for diverse populations. The study also identifies limitations and suggests future exploration in various domains of mobile and domiciliary radiology. A key recommendation stresses the strategic prioritization of multi-domain technology assessment initiatives, with scientific societies' endorsement, emphasizing regulatory considerations for responsible and ethical technology integration in healthcare practices. The broader landscape of technology assessment should aim to be innovative, ethical, and aligned with societal needs and regulatory standards. (Conclusions) The dynamic state of the field is evident, with active exploration of new frontiers. This overview also provides a roadmap, urging scholars, industry players, and regulators to collectively contribute to the further integration of this technology in the health domain.
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The field of clinical medical imaging has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, particularly with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques [...].
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I am writing to you in regard to the research article "Johan Jönemo, David Abramian, and Anders Eklund-Evaluation of Augmentation Methods in Classifying Autism Spectrum Disorders from fMRI Data with 3D Convolutional Neural Networks" [...].
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The role of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is assuming an increasingly central role in autism diagnosis. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the realm of applications further contributes to its development. This study's objective is to analyze emerging themes in this domain through an umbrella review, encompassing systematic reviews. The research methodology was based on a structured process for conducting a literature narrative review, using an umbrella review in PubMed and Scopus. Rigorous criteria, a standard checklist, and a qualification process were meticulously applied. The findings include 20 systematic reviews that underscore key themes in autism research, particularly emphasizing the significance of technological integration, including the pivotal roles of fMRI and AI. This study also highlights the enigmatic role of oxytocin. While acknowledging the immense potential in this field, the outcome does not evade acknowledging the significant challenges and limitations. Intriguingly, there is a growing emphasis on research and innovation in AI, whereas aspects related to the integration of healthcare processes, such as regulation, acceptance, informed consent, and data security, receive comparatively less attention. Additionally, the integration of these findings into Personalized Medicine (PM) represents a promising yet relatively unexplored area within autism research. This study concludes by encouraging scholars to focus on the critical themes of health domain integration, vital for the routine implementation of these applications.
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The number of people with disabilities and frailties who need support and assistance is increasing. Assistive technologies (ATs) are increasingly playing a central role in supporting people with disabilities and frailties. The study investigated the impact of the ATs on the websites of the UN, UNICEF, and WHO in terms of proposed activities and actions. The methodology proposed was based on two points of view: (1) A formal process to directly select elements in the institutional webs of the UN, UNICEF, and WHO. (2) A formal process for a complementary literature narrative review based on an umbrella review of Pubmed and Scopus. A standard checklist and a qualification process were applied. The outcome reported 35 documents from the direct search on the web and 19 systematic reviews for the complimentary literature overview. The direct search returned documents related to initiatives focused on the following: The tailoring of the ATs to a person based on international guidelines and specific monitoring initiatives of the AT introduction/access based on surveys both at the population and system/government level with the publication of the data/metadata in an observatory. Dissemination initiatives of both the culture of ATs (e.g., catalog, guidelines, reports, congresses) and of recommendations. The literature overview contributed more specifically to the use and effectiveness of categories of ATs. Both direct research and the literature overview have shown a consistent growth in interest in ATs. The initiatives of the UN, UNICEF, and WHO have been consistent with the institutional role and aimed at improving the diffusion of ATs through capillary monitoring, which is not free from obstacles, and a diffusion of the culture and rational use of ATs. The narrative review shows also the important role of research in monitoring the development, use, and effectiveness of devices, strategies, and support of international institutional initiatives. Important initiatives have been launched internationally on AT in terms of monitoring, dissemination, and improvement in access. However, it is necessary to consider and face the obstacles that limit these initiatives.
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The field of healthcare is continually evolving and advancing due to new technologies and innovations [...].
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In the era of rapid IT developments, the health domain is undergoing a considerable transformation [...].
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Mobile health (mHealth) has recently had significant advances in tele-dermatology (TD) thanks to the developments following the COVID-19 pandemic. This topic is very important, as telemedicine and mHealth, when applied to dermatology, could improve both the quality of healthcare for citizens and the workflow in the health domain. The proposed study was centered on the last three years. We conducted an overview on the opportunities, the perspectives, and the problems involved in TD integration with mHealth. The methodology of the narrative review was based on: (I) a search of PubMed and Scopus and (II) an eligibility assessment, using properly proposed parameters. The outcome of the study showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, TD integration with mHealth advanced rapidly. This integration enabled the monitoring of dermatological problems and facilitated remote specialist visits, reducing face-to-face interactions. AI and mobile apps have empowered citizens to take an active role in their healthcare. This differs from other imaging sectors where information exchange is limited to professionals. The opportunities for TD in mHealth include improving service quality, streamlining healthcare processes, reducing costs, and providing more accessible care. It can be applied to various conditions, such as (but not limited to) acne, vitiligo, psoriasis, and skin cancers. Integration with AI and augmented reality (AR), as well as the use of wearable sensors, are anticipated as future developments. However, integrating TD with mHealth also brings about problems and challenges related to regulations, ethics, cybersecurity, data privacy, and device management. Scholars and policymakers need to address these issues while involving citizens in the process.
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Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), thanks to IT developments during the COVID-19 pandemic, have revolutionized the field of diagnostics, particularly in clinical imaging [...].
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Assistive technologies are increasingly taking a leading role in supporting people with spinal cord injury (SCI). This narrative review of reviews intends to contribute by making a map point investigating the integration of ATs in SCI. The methodology of the review was based on: (I) a search of PubMed and Scopus and (II) an eligibility assessment using specific parameters. The outcome highlighted the following: -The evolution of ATs considered in the context of SCI, considering ATs as both products and/or services in standalone and/or networked devices, and as processes of delivery. -Innovative technologies could play an important role in improving the quality of life and in minimizing costs in healthcare. -The international scientific community has identified ATs as one of the six strategic development areas in SCI. The overview also allowed the detection of some problems: (I) The ethical and regulatory aspects have been addressed in a weak way and only in specific and limited cases. (II) There is a lack of studies on the use and applications of ATs in SCI with a focus in multiple domains (e.g., costs, acceptance, dissemination, problems, regulatory aspects, ethical aspects, and other issues important for integration into the health domain). This review highlights the need for further studies and activities focused on integrating consensus in multiple domains, including ethics and regulations, to aid researchers and decision-makers in the field.
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Smart Engineering (SE) describes the methods, processes, and IT tools for the interdisciplinary, system-oriented development of innovative, intelligent, networked products, production plants, and infrastructures [...].
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The integration of neuroscience and information and communication technology (ICT) has ignited a profound transformation in the understanding of the complex biology of the brain and neural system [...].
