Guías rápidas en telesalud seguimiento a distancia / Quick guides on remote telehealth monitoring

¿QUÉ ES EL SEGUIMIENTO A DISTANCIA?: El seguimiento a distancia, es la atención otorgada a pacientes, con la finalidad de conocer la evolución de una enfermedad o motivo por el cual se le otorgo una consulta médica previa y revisar el apego del tratamiento e indicaciones médicas, a través, de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC). ¿CUÁL ES EL OBJETIVO DE ESTA GUÍA? Herramienta de consulta rápida con el objetivo de orientar al personal de salud involucrado en la prestación del seguimiento a distancia de acuerdo a los 4 elementos principales que integran el modelo Unidad de Contacto para la Atención a Distancia en Salud (UCADS), los cuales son: acciones en salud, recursos humanos, componentes tecnológicos y colaborativos, infraestructura y mobiliario, destacando puntos clave para la planificación, implementación y operación de éste servicio en las instituciones de salud. ¿QUÉ RECURSOS HUMANOS SE REQUIEREN PARA REALIZAR UN SEGUIMIENTO A DISTANCIA? Para otorgar el seguimiento a distancia se debe contar con un profesional de la salud, podrá ser personal de enfermería, nutrición, psicología, trabajo social, médica o médico pasante de servicio social, médicas y médicos generales o especialistas según sea el caso. Deberá ser asignado de acuerdo a las particularidades de la atención, y en caso de no realizarse, a través, de personal especialista se habrá de contar con la capacitación correspondiente para brindar el seguimiento y obtener la información necesaria para continuar con su abordaje e identificar cuando debe ser valorado nuevamente por el personal especialista. El número y perfil del personal profesional de la salud dependerá del proyecto a realizar y la población beneficiaria a la que se le otorgue dicha atención. ¿QUÉ TECNOLOGÍA E INFRAESTRUCTURA PUEDO UTILIZAR PARA EL SERVICIO DE SEGUIMIENTO A DISTANCIA?: De acuerdo a los 3 grupos principales en los que se clasifican los Componentes tecnológicos y colaborativos, puede tomarse la siguiente tecnología para la UCADS. Comunicaciones: Servicio de navegación a través de internet fijo y servicio de videoconferencia a través de un equipo de cómputo personal. Arquitecturas de cómputo: Equipo de cómputo personal con dispositivos periféricos, como: cámara de alta definición, micrófono, bocinas, teclado, mouse e impresora; con sistema operativo licenciable para equipos de escritorio o portátiles y Unidad Suplementaria de Energía. Colaboración de archivos: Servicio de almacenamiento a través del equipo de cómputo personal y ofimática licenciable. El grupo de profesionales o personal de la salud involucrado en el proceso de atención médica, podrán elegir diferentes componentes con base al intercambio y comunicación que se establezca. ¿Cuáles son las recomendaciones en un seguimiento a distancia?: 1. Considerar la acreditación profesional del personal de salud que otorgue el servicio. 2. Dar a conocer, a la persona beneficiaria, el aviso de privacidad y solicitar el consentimiento informado para el uso de su información clínica, una vez que se conozcan los riesgos y beneficios del seguimiento a distancia. 3. Considerar los aspectos legales y normativos, con base en la regulación actual del país. 4. Valorar los aspectos de seguridad de la información y la protección de los datos personales. 5. Evitar cualquier vulnerabilidad y/o brecha de seguridad, incluyendo aquellas que tienen que ver con la confidencialidad, integridad y disponibilidad de la información y atención a las personas. 6. Considerar el desarrollo de la propuesta tecnológica como no limitativa y con base a las necesidades del proyecto y recursos existentes en la Unidad Médica. 7. Tener presente los diferentes aspectos en la adquisición de la tecnología requerida para el servicio.

Valoración de una metodología para integrar software educativo en la asignatura Rehabilitación estomatológica / Assessment of a methodology to integrate educational software in Stomatological Rehabilitation Subject

Introducción: Al elaborar una metodología resulta importante obtener los criterios de expertos antes de su aplicación. En un periodo precedente a esta investigación se elaboró una metodología con etapas y procedimientos para el desarrollo de software educativo. Objetivo: Valorar la pertinencia de la metodología para la integración de software educativo en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las asignaturas Rehabilitación I y II de Estomatología. Método: Se realizó una investigación pedagógica en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín. Para valorar la pertinencia de la metodología se aplicó el método Delphi, a partir del cual, mediante una encuesta aplicada a 17 expertos seleccionados por su alto coeficiente de competencia en la temática, se pudo llegar a un consenso sobre el tema explorado. Resultados: La aplicación del cuestionario reveló que la mayoría de los expertos consideró cada indicador de la dimensión validez como muy adecuado, solo uno evaluó el indicador etapas de la metodología como adecuado y los procedimientos de la etapa dos como bastante adecuados. Para la dimensión viabilidad casi la totalidad consideró muy adecuados los indicadores factibilidad de aplicación y posibilidad de generalización; esta última fue evaluada por un experto como adecuada. Al comparar los resultados de los siete indicadores con los puntos de corte se aprecia que los expertos en su conjunto los definen como muy adecuados. Conclusiones: La pertinencia de la metodología se constató con el criterio consensuado de los expertos, quienes consideraron muy adecuados los aspectos valorados, y realizaron aportes que permitieron perfeccionarla antes de su implementación. Sobre estas bases no fue necesaria una segunda etapa de aplicación del método(AU)

Introduction: When developing a methodology, it is important to obtain the criteria of experts before its application. In a period preceding this research, a methodology with stages and procedures was defined for the development of educational software. Objective: To assess the relevance of the methodology for the integration of educational software in the teaching-learning process of the subjects Rehabilitation I and II of Stomatology. Method: A pedagogical research was carried out at the University Of Medical Sciences Of Holguín. To assess the relevance of the methodology, the Delphi method was applied, from which, through a survey applied to 17 experts selected for their high coefficient of competence in the subject, a consensus could be reached on the explored topic. Results: The application of the questionnaire revealed that most of the experts considered each indicator of the validity dimension as very adequate; only one evaluated the indicator stages of the methodology as adequate and the procedures of stage two as quite adequate. For the feasibility dimension, almost all considered the feasibility of application and possibility of generalization indicators to be very adequate; the latter was evaluated by an expert as adequate. When comparing the results of the seven indicators with the cut-off points, it can be seen that the experts as a whole define them as very adequate. Conclusions: The relevance of the methodology was verified with the agreed criteria of the experts, who considered the aspects evaluated to be very adequate, and made contributions that allowed it to be perfected before its implementation. On these bases, a second stage of application of the method was not necessary(AU)

Guías rápidas en telesalud mentoría a distancia / Quick guides on telehealth remote mentoring

¿CUÁL ES EL OBJETIVO DE ESTA GUÍA?: Herramienta de consulta rápida con el objetivo de orientar al personal de salud involucrado en la prestación de la mentoría a distancia de acuerdo a los 4 elementos principales que integran el modelo Unidad de Contacto para la Atención a Distancia en Salud (UCADS), los cuales son: acciones en salud, recursos humanos, componentes tecnológicos y colaborativos, infraestructura y mobiliario, destacando puntos clave para la planificación, implementación y operación de éste servicio en las instituciones de salud. ¿Qué Es La Mentoría A Distancia?: La mentoría a distancia, es el proceso de acompañamiento y de apoyo, el cual se basa en la presentación de casos clínicos, así como en la integración con el grupo o institución de referencia al usar las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC). ¿QUÉ RECURSOS HUMANOS SE REQUIEREN PARA REALIZAR UNA MENTORÍA A DISTANCIA?: Los recursos humanos indispensables para llevar a cabo la mentoría a distancia son: 1 profesional de la salud especializado y/o con más experiencia en algún tema de salud específico, éste será el encargado de otorgar la mentoría a distancia a un colega, un grupo de profesionales o personal de la salud que no cuente con especialidad o experiencia, o que se encuentre involucrado en el proceso de atención médica. El número de participantes como mentores y personal capacitado no es limitante, esto dependerá del recurso humano disponible para el programa; se recomienda que sean grupos pequeños para una mejor interacción. ¿QUÉ TECNOLOGÍA E INFRAESTRUCTURA PUEDO UTILIZAR PARA EL SERVICIO DE MENTORÍA A DISTANCIA?: De acuerdo a los 3 grupos principales en los que se clasifican los Componentes tecnológicos y colaborativos, puede tomarse la siguiente tecnología para la UCADS. Comunicaciones: Servicio de navegación a través de internet fijo y servicio de videoconferencia a través de un equipo de cómputo personal. Arquitecturas de cómputo: Equipo de cómputo personal con dispositivos periféricos, como: cámara de alta definición, micrófono, bocinas, teclado, mouse e impresora; con sistema operativo licenciable para equipos de escritorio o portátiles y Unidad Suplementaria de Energía. Colaboración de archivos: Servicio de almacenamiento a través del equipo de cómputo personal y ofimática licenciable. El grupo de profesionales o personal de la salud involucrado en el proceso de atención médica, podrán elegir diferentes componentes con base al intercambio y comunicación que se establezca. ¿CUÁLES SON LAS RECOMENDACIONES EN UNA MENTORÍA A DISTANCIA?: 1. Considerar la acreditación profesional del personal de salud que otorgue el servicio. 2. Dar a conocer, a las y los pacientes, el aviso de privacidad y solicitar el consentimiento de su información clínica, fotografías y/o videos para la exposición de dichos casos, durante la sesión de mentoría a distancia. 3. Considerar los aspectos legales y normativos, con base en la regulación actual del país. 4. Valorar los aspectos de seguridad de la información y la protección de los datos personales. 5. Evitar cualquier vulnerabilidad y/o brecha de seguridad, incluyendo aquellas que tienen que ver con la confidencialidad, integridad y disponibilidad de la información y atención a las personas. 6. Considerar el desarrollo de la propuesta tecnológica como no limitativa y con base a las necesidades del proyecto y recursos existentes en la Unidad Médica. 7. Tener presente los diferentes aspectos en la adquisición de la tecnología requerida para el servicio.

Challenges and practices identification in complex outsourcing relationships: A systematic literature review.

Complex IT outsourcing relationships aptitude several benefits such as increased cost likelihood and lowered costs, higher scalability and flexibility upon demand. However, by virtue of its complexity, the complex outsourcing typically necessitates the interactions among various stakeholders from diverse regions and cultures, making it significantly more challenging to manage than traditional outsourcing. Furthermore, when compared to other types of outsourcing, complex outsourcing is extremely difficult because it necessitates a variety of control and coordination mechanisms for project management, which proportionally increases the risk of project failure. In order to overcome the failure of projects in complex outsourcing relationships, there is a need of robust systematic research to identify the key challenges and practices in this area. Therefore, this research implements systematic literature review as a research method and works as a pioneer attempt to accomplish the aforementioned objectives. Upon furnishing the SLR results, the authors identified 11 major challenges with 67 practices in hand from a total of 85 papers. Based on these findings, the authors intend to construct a comprehensive framework in the future by incorporating robust methodologies such as AHP and fuzzy logic, among others.

Information technology aspects of large-scale implementation of automated surveillance of healthcare-associated infections.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a major public health concern. Monitoring of HAI rates, with feedback, is a core component of infection prevention and control programmes. Digitalization of healthcare data has created novel opportunities for automating the HAI surveillance process to varying degrees. However, methods are not standardized and vary widely between different healthcare facilities. Most current automated surveillance (AS) systems have been confined to local settings, and practical guidance on how to implement large-scale AS is needed. METHODS: This document was written by a task force formed in March 2019 within the PRAISE network (Providing a Roadmap for Automated Infection Surveillance in Europe), gathering experts in HAI surveillance from ten European countries. RESULTS: The document provides an overview of the key e-health aspects of implementing an AS system of HAI in a clinical environment to support both the infection prevention and control team and information technology (IT) departments. The focus is on understanding the basic principles of storage and structure of healthcare data, as well as the general organization of IT infrastructure in surveillance networks and participating healthcare facilities. The fundamentals of data standardization, interoperability and algorithms in relation to HAI surveillance are covered. Finally, technical aspects and practical examples of accessing, storing and sharing healthcare data within a HAI surveillance network, as well as maintenance and quality control of such a system, are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: With the guidance given in this document, along with the PRAISE roadmap and governance documents, readers will find comprehensive support to implement large-scale AS in a surveillance network.

Trust levels within categories of information and communication technology companies.

The arguable claims of levels of trust in politics and business situations motivated this study, which investigates the degree of trust within micro, small, and medium categories of Hungarian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies. Different sizes of companies have varying interactions between internal members and their business partners. This study concentrated on exploring Hungarian ICT companies due to their significant role in supporting Industry 4.0. The study population are active Hungarian ICT companies. This research implemented random cluster selection related to the location of ICT firms. It exploited 100 samples, including micro, small, and medium-sized companies, and implemented discriminant analysis to examine the description and hypotheses. First, this study found that the level of trust in institutions within micro, small, and medium-sized companies varies significantly. The level of trust in institutions proliferates within corporations due to the capability of the formal institution to provide fair public services. This research additionally underlined that the performance of the Hungarian government would improve trust amongst the companies. Second, this study concluded that the level of interpersonal trust within three categories of companies was similar. A high level of interpersonal trust would expand internal engagement among the members of companies. Finally, the level of trust in business partners varied significantly within the distinct sizes of Hungarian ICT companies. A high level of trust in corporate associates improves business collaboration, reduces uncertainty, and supports long-term business connections. Levels of institutional trust and inter-organizational trust differed amongst different categories of companies. However, the level of interpersonal trust remained similar within companies of the various sizes.

Lightweight user authentication scheme for roaming service in GLOMONET with privacy preserving.

With the development of information technology and the Internet, users can conveniently use roaming services without time and space restrictions. This roaming service is initiated by establishing a session key between a home node, which exists in a home network, and a mobile node, which exists in a foreign network. However, in the process of verifying a legitimate user and establishing a session key, various security threats and privacy exposure issues can arise. This study demonstrates that the authentication scheme for the roaming service proposed in the existing Global Mobility Network (GLOMONET) environment has several vulnerabilities and, hence, is impractical. In addition, the scheme does not satisfy the privacy of the session key or user's identity or password. Accordingly, we propose a new lightweight authentication scheme to compensate for these vulnerabilities and secure a high level of privacy, such as non-traceability. In addition, formal and informal analyses are conducted to examine the safety of the proposed scheme. Based on the results of our analyses, we prove that the proposed scheme is highly secure and applicable to the actual GLOMONET environment.

Digital Health Solutions to Control the COVID-19 Pandemic in Countries With High Disease Prevalence: Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has become a global pandemic, affecting most countries worldwide. Digital health information technologies can be applied in three aspects, namely digital patients, digital devices, and digital clinics, and could be useful in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: Recent reviews have examined the role of digital health in controlling COVID-19 to identify the potential of digital health interventions to fight the disease. However, this study aims to review and analyze the digital technology that is being applied to control the COVID-19 pandemic in the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of the disease. METHODS: For this review, the Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched in August 2020 to retrieve publications from December 2019 to March 15, 2020. Furthermore, the Google search engine was used to identify additional applications of digital health for COVID-19 pandemic control. RESULTS: We included 32 papers in this review that reported 37 digital health applications for COVID-19 control. The most common digital health projects to address COVID-19 were telemedicine visits (11/37, 30%). Digital learning packages for informing people about the disease, geographic information systems and quick response code applications for real-time case tracking, and cloud- or mobile-based systems for self-care and patient tracking were in the second rank of digital tool applications (all 7/37, 19%). The projects were deployed in various European countries and in the United States, Australia, and China. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the potential of available information technologies worldwide in the 21st century, particularly in developed countries, it appears that more digital health products with a higher level of intelligence capability remain to be applied for the management of pandemics and health-related crises.

Transitioning to a new era: Future directions for staff development during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for staff development. However, COVID-19 has created many challenges, including the inability to meet in-person, travel restrictions to conferences, overwhelming clinical demands on already overextended faculty members and the increased need to focus on personal health and safety. Although current challenges were immediately met with solutions borne out of an emergency, questions remain on how to identify and sustain best practices and further evolve staff development beyond the immediate crisis. Reviewing the Medical Adaptations series revealed several lessons. Several authors used cognitive apprenticeship to provide scaffolding upon which learners can build skills, knowledge and attitudes. Additionally, moderators were recommended during live educational sessions in order to manage the chat box and engage the audience. Comprehensive IT support was key. A post-session debrief helped deepen understanding and provided a space for peer support and community building. Building a repository for educational materials was recommended. Although we made significant gains in the ability to offer staff development, we must consider potential and unintended consequences and explore how we can use transformative learning theory to capitalize on what we have gained. Utilizing technology can potentially increase access to online learning; however, when not implemented carefully, it can magnify inequities. While providing IT support can serve to mitigate some inequities borne by socioeconomic and generational differences, additional strategies should be implemented to account for English as a second-language learners; those with disabilities who do not have access to adaptive technology; and other marginalized groups who may already feel vulnerable to presenting arguments in oppositions of authority or the majority. Crafting online education experiences to allow for small group, peer-to-peer and social interactions is vital to continued professional and identity development. Now that the urgency has lessened, taking time to ensure what is being offered follows best practices in developing and disseminating quality online education is paramount for broad acceptance.

Can caregivers trust information technology in the care of their patients? A systematic review.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that healthcare providers allow patients to engage in their healthcare by allowing access to their health records. Often patients need informal caregivers including family members or others to help them with their care. This paper explores whether trust is a key factor for informal caregivers' decision to use health information technologies (HIT) including electronic health records (EHR), patient portals, mobile apps, or other devices to care for their patient. Six reviewers conducted a comprehensive search of four literature databases using terms that pertained to a caregiver and trust to investigate the role trust plays when caregivers use HIT. While trust is a key factor for the use of HIT, it the researchers only identified ten articles that met the research question thresholds. Four main topics of trust surfaced including perceived confidentiality, perceived security, technological malfunction, and trustworthiness of the information. Trust is a critical factor for informal caregivers when using HIT to assist in the care of their patient (child, loved one, parent, or acquaintance). Based on the findings, it is clear that more research on the use of HIT by caregivers is needed.

Validez y fiabilidad de un instrumento que mide el uso de las TIC en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas / Validity and reliability of an instrument that measures the use of ICT at Matanzas University of Medical Sciences

RESUMEN Introducción: uno de los métodos más frecuentes utilizados por los investigadores para evaluar distintos aspectos relacionados con la docencia, es el uso de cuestionarios. Pero para garantizar la utilidad y significado de los resultados obtenidos, no basta con la simple creación de una lista de preguntas y respuestas separadas por ítems, sino que el instrumento utilizado debe poseer una alta consistencia interna, es decir debe estar bien diseñado según los criterios estándar de calidad. Objetivo: evaluar la validez y la fiabilidad de un instrumento que mide el uso de las TIC en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, en el período de enero -mayo del 2019, para evaluar la actitud, el nivel de conocimiento y uso que realizan de las TIC los profesores de la universidad. Resultados: los resultados muestran la alta consistencia interna de cada una de las secciones pertenecientes al instrumento lo que demostraron la validez y fiabilidad del mismo. Conclusiones: resultó ser un instrumento que responde a las necesidades de la investigación y debe aplicarse sin eliminar ninguno de sus ítems, pues todos demuestran su alto valor de consistencia interna y discriminación (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: the use of questionnaires is one of the most frequently methods used by researchers to assess different characteristics related to teaching. But to guarantee the usefulness and meaning of the results obtained, it is not enough the simple creation of a list of questions and answers separated by items, but the instrument used must have a high internal consistency that is, it must be well designed according to the standard quality criteria. Objective: to assess the validity and reliability of an instrument that measures the use of ICTs at Matanzas University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: a quantitative study was carried out at Matanzas University of Medical Sciences, in the period January-May 2019, to assess the aptitude, level of knowledge and use of ICTs made by the professors of the university. Results: the results show the high internal consistency of each of the sections belonging to the instrument, which shows its validity and reliability. Conclusions: without a doubt, it is an instrument answering the needs of the research and must be applied without eliminating any of its items, as all of them demonstrate their high value of internal consistency and discrimination (AU).

Diagnóstico del uso de las TIC's como recurso de aprendizaje en los estudiantes de Pregrado en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas / Diagnosis of the use of ICTs as a learning resource for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Matanzas

RESUMEN Introducción: las tecnologías de la información y comunicación hacen referencia a un concepto empleado para designar lo relativo a la informática conectada a internet. Para todo tipo de aplicaciones educativas, las tecnologías de la información y comunicación son medios y no fines, son herramientas y materiales de construcción que facilitan el aprendizaje, el desarrollo de habilidades y distintas formas de aprender. Objetivos: diagnosticar el comportamiento del uso de las tecnologías de la información y el conocimiento, como recurso de aprendizaje, en los estudiantes de pregrado en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas. Materiales y Método: se aplicó una encuesta a una muestra de 90 estudiantes de pregrado y a 12 profesores. Se creó una base de datos automatizada y se resumió la información primaria haciendo uso de técnicas estadísticas descriptivas. Resultados: la mayoría de los estudiantes (61,1%) considera importante el uso de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación en su formación, pero el 25,6% no la utiliza, el 54,6 % no está conforme con el tiempo de uso de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación en clases, el 41,1% no tiene habilidades para la búsqueda de información, el 72,1 % considera que el uso, espacio y las condiciones de los medios y tecnologías que se dan en esta institución no son buenos y el 100 % de los profesores platean la necesidad de capacitación en este aspecto. Conclusión: se evidenció la necesidad de potenciar las habilidades de los alumnos, en cuanto al uso de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación y capacitar a los docentes (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) refer to a concept used to designate what is related to Informatics connected to Internet. For all kind of educational applications, ICTs are means and not ends; they are construction tools and materials that facilitate learning, skills development and different ways of learning. Objectives: to diagnose the behavior of the use of information and communication technologies (TIC's), as a learning resource, in undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Matanzas. Materials and method: a survey was applied to a sample of 90 undergraduate students and 12 teachers. An automated database was created and primary information was summarized using descriptive statistical techniques. Results: most of students (61.1%) consider the use of ICTs in their training to be important, but 25.6% do not use it; 54.6% is not satisfied with the time of use of ICT during lessons; 41.1% do not have information searching skills, 72.1% consider that the use, space and conditions of the means and technologies existing in this institution is not good and 100 % of teachers address the need for training in this aspect. Conclusion: It is evident the need to strengthen the skills of the students, in terms of the use of ICTs, and to train the teachers (AU).

Integración de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la intervención neuropsicológica / Integration of information and communication technologies into neuropsychological interventions

El objetivo del presente artículo fue ofrecer una visión actualizada del uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la intervención neuropsicológica de pacientes con daño cerebral. Para esto se realizó la revisión de la literatura publicada sin límite de fecha y hasta junio del año 2019, en las bases de datos MedLine, Embase, Hinari, Lilacs y SciELO, y se consideró la experiencia profesional de los autores en el tema. Las principales tecnologías de la información y la comunicación que se utilizan en la actualidad en la evaluación neuropsicológica y la rehabilitación de los procesos cognitivos en esta población son los softwares, la telerrehabilitación, la realidad virtual, los teléfonos inteligentes, las apps móviles y los videojuegos. Estas tecnologías se han empleado en el tratamiento de diferentes funciones cognitivas (atención, memoria, funciones ejecutivas, habilidades visoespaciales, lenguaje, entre otros) y en diferentes tipos de patologías (traumatismos craneoencefálicos, demencias, ictus, epilepsia, adultos mayores, etcétera). Uno de los retos para el futuro será la creación de tecnologías que demuestren su eficacia en la reintegración de estos pacientes a su vida cotidiana. En Cuba diversas instituciones han integrado la información y la comunicación a la investigación neuropsicológica y han confirmado su utilidad clínica(AU)

The purpose of the study was to provide an updated view of the use of information and communication technologies in the neuropsychological intervention of brain damage patients. To achieve such an end, a review was conducted of the literature published on any date prior to June 2019 in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, HINARI, LILACS and SciELO. The authors' professional experience in the subject was taken into account. The main information and communication technologies in current use for the neuropsychological evaluation and rehabilitation of cognitive processes in this population are software, telerehabilitation, virtual reality, smart phones, mobile apps and video games. These technologies have been used to treat a variety of cognitive functions (attention, memory, executive functions, visual-spatial abilities and language, among others) and conditions (traumatic brain injury, dementias, stroke, epilepsy, elderly patients, etcetera). One of the challenges to be faced in the future will be the creation of technologies proving their effectiveness in the reincorporation of these patients to their daily activities. Several Cuban institutions have integrated information and communication technologies into neuropsychological research, confirming their clinical usefulness(AU)

Adoption and Performance of Complementary Clinical Information Technologies: Analysis of a Survey of General Practitioners.

BACKGROUND: The benefits from the combination of 4 clinical information systems (CISs)-electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), personal health records (PHRs), and telehealth-in primary care depend on the configuration of their functional capabilities available to clinicians. However, our empirical knowledge of these configurations and their associated performance implications is very limited because they have mostly been studied in isolation. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to pursue 3 objectives: (1) characterize general practitioners (GPs) by uncovering the typical profiles of combinations of 4 major CIS capabilities, (2) identify physician and practice characteristics that predict cluster membership, and (3) assess the variation in the levels of performance associated with each configuration. METHODS: We used data from a survey of GPs conducted throughout the European Union (N=5793). First, 4 factors, that is, EHRs, HIE, PHRs, and Telehealth, were created. Second, a cluster analysis helps uncover clusters of GPs based on the 4 factors. Third, we compared the clusters according to five performance outcomes using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Tamhane T2 post hoc test. Fourth, univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of the clusters. Finally, with a multivariate multinomial logistic regression, among the clusters, we compared performance in terms of the number of patients treated (3 levels) over the last 2 years. RESULTS: We unveiled 3 clusters of GPs with different levels of CIS capability profiles: strong (1956/5793, 37.36%), medium (2764/5793, 47.71%), and weak (524/5793, 9.04%). The logistic regression analysis indicates that physicians (younger, female, and less experienced) and practice (solo) characteristics are significantly associated with a weak profile. The ANOVAs revealed a strong cluster associated with significantly high practice performance outcomes in terms of the quality of care, efficiency, productivity, and improvement of working processes, and two noncomprehensive medium and weak profiles associated with medium (equifinal) practice performance outcomes. The logistic regression analysis also revealed that physicians in the weak profile are associated with a decrease in the number of patients treated over the last 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Different CIS capability profiles may lead to similar equifinal performance outcomes. This underlines the importance of looking beyond the adoption of 1 CIS capability versus a cluster of capabilities when studying CISs. GPs in the strong cluster exhibit a comprehensive CIS capability profile and outperform the other two clusters with noncomprehensive profiles, leading to significantly high performance in terms of the quality of care provided to patients, efficiency of the practice, productivity of the practice, and improvement of working processes. Our findings indicate that medical practices should develop high capabilities in all 4 CISs if they have to maximize their performance outcomes because efforts to develop high capabilities selectively may only be in vain.

Paper Versus Digital Data Collection Methods for Road Safety Observations: Comparative Efficiency Analysis of Cost, Timeliness, Reliability, and Results.

BACKGROUND: Roadside observational studies play a fundamental role in designing evidence-informed strategies to address the pressing global health problem of road traffic injuries. Paper-based data collection has been the standard method for such studies, although digital methods are gaining popularity in all types of primary data collection. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand the reliability, productivity, and efficiency of paper vs digital data collection based on three different road user behaviors: helmet use, seatbelt use, and speeding. It also aims to understand the cost and time efficiency of each method and to evaluate potential trade-offs among reliability, productivity, and efficiency. METHODS: A total of 150 observational sessions were conducted simultaneously for each risk factor in Mumbai, India, across two rounds of data collection. We matched the simultaneous digital and paper observation periods by date, time, and location, and compared the reliability by subgroups and the productivity using Pearson correlations (r). We also conducted logistic regressions separately by method to understand how similar results of inferential analyses would be. The time to complete an observation and the time to obtain a complete dataset were also compared, as were the total costs in US dollars for fieldwork, data entry, management, and cleaning. RESULTS: Productivity was higher in paper than digital methods in each round for each risk factor. However, the sample sizes across both methods provided a precision of 0.7 percentage points or smaller. The gap between digital and paper data collection productivity narrowed across rounds, with correlations improving from r=0.27-0.49 to 0.89-0.96. Reliability in risk factor proportions was between 0.61 and 0.99, improving between the two rounds for each risk factor. The results of the logistic regressions were also largely comparable between the two methods. Differences in regression results were largely attributable to small sample sizes in some variable levels or random error in variables where the prevalence of the outcome was similar among variable levels. Although data collectors were able to complete an observation using paper more quickly, the digital dataset was available approximately 9 days sooner. Although fixed costs were higher for digital data collection, variable costs were much lower, resulting in a 7.73% (US $3011/38,947) lower overall cost. CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not face trade-offs among time efficiency, cost efficiency, statistical reliability, and descriptive comparability when deciding between digital and paper, as digital data collection proved equivalent or superior on these domains in the context of our project. As trade-offs among cost, timeliness, and comparability-and the relative importance of each-could be unique to every data collection project, researchers should carefully consider the questionnaire complexity, target sample size, implementation plan, cost and logistical constraints, and geographical contexts when making the decision between digital and paper.

Exploring Resident Care Information Technology Use and Nursing Home Quality.

A wide array of sophisticated information technology (IT) systems are being used in nursing home (NH) resident care to improve quality. The purpose of the current study was to explore differences in NH IT sophistication, a comprehensive measure of adoption, used in resident care processes based on facility characteristics over 4 consecutive years and to examine the impact on select long-stay NH quality measures. Results indicate IT systems used in resident care are becoming increasingly sophisticated. NH bed size, type of ownership, and location were significant predictors of IT score in areas related to resident care. Results also suggest that as electronic clinical processes and documents increase (e.g., incident reporting, nursing flowsheets, care planning) in resident care, more falls with injury are detected. Continued assessments of NH IT sophistication are important as the impact of technology on quality continues to be evaluated. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(4), 15-20.].

A Framework for Evaluating Vendor Procurement in a Digital Health Project.

The eHealth Centre of Excellence, a Waterloo, Ontario-based organization that advances and promotes digital health initiatives in clinical care, developed and assessed an innovative evaluation procurement framework. The purpose of the framework was to assess and support long-term vendor-organization procurement partnerships to develop, improve and expand electronic referral (eReferral) solutions. The framework focused on six criteria: the quality of the eReferral solution, its implementation, the service provided, the extent of training and knowledge transfer, the quality of the vendor's team and the vendor's project experience. These domains were further defined by components and key performance indicators unique to the eReferral solution to accommodate the stakeholders' specified needs as well as change management challenges to create value for users and organizations in long-term relationships. The evaluation used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The framework used data from three sources: (1) the System Coordinated Access program and vendor team experience surveys that focused on the six criteria mentioned earlier; (2) key stakeholder interviews that focused on system quality, user satisfaction and perception of net benefits; and (3) a vendor scorecard that focused on deliverables and efficiencies. Vendor procurement should be viewed not as a process that ends when a vendor is selected but rather as a continuing and evolving relationship. Evaluation should assess the ability and willingness of vendors to support stakeholders and meet their needs, stimulate new ideas and adapt to changing environments and expanding systems. The model enabled recording of factors necessary for successful outcomes and provided a strategy to help select vendors for successful long-term partnerships.