Utilization of EHRs for clinical trials: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials are of high importance for medical progress. This study conducted a systematic review to identify the applications of EHRs in supporting and enhancing clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed was conducted on 12/3/2023 to identify relevant studies on the use of EHRs in clinical trials. Studies were included if they (1) were full-text journal articles, (2) were written in English, (3) examined applications of EHR data to support clinical trial processes (e.g. recruitment, screening, data collection). A standardized form was used by two reviewers to extract data on: study design, EHR-enabled process(es), related outcomes, and limitations. RESULTS: Following full-text review, 19 studies met the predefined eligibility criteria and were included. Overall, included studies consistently demonstrated that EHR data integration improves clinical trial feasibility and efficiency in recruitment, screening, data collection, and trial design. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, the use of Electronic Health Records in conducting clinical trials is very helpful. Therefore, it is better for researchers to use EHR in their studies for easy access to more accurate and comprehensive data. EHRs collects all individual data, including demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic data. Moreover, all data is available seamlessly in EHR. In future studies, it is better to consider the cost-effectiveness of using EHR in clinical trials.

Application of virtual reality in dental implants: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A treatment approach that is widely used as a permanent and natural replacement for missing or extracted teeth is dental implants .VR is a computer-generated simulation that creates a three-dimensional (3D) image or environment. Advances in VR -based learning allow learners and students to practice and also help professionals plan a wide variety of surgical procedures, including the correct placement of dental implants. Therefore, in this systematic review, our aim was to investigate and evaluate the available virtual reality tools for dental implants and their effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies published up to 01/30/2023 which report the applications of using virtual reality technology in dental implants, were reviewed in three databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. All studies with evidence reporting the role of virtual reality technology in the field of dental implants were included in our analyses, written in English and published in peer-reviewed form, are included. Theoretical articles, and letters that did not provide original data, as well as studies that reported incomplete information, were excluded. Two reviewers independently assessed search results, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies, and decisive agreement was reached by discussion and consultation with the third researcher. Narrative synthesis was undertaken to summarize and report the findings. RESULTS: Out of 1633 initial search results, nine were included in the present study based on the inclusion criteria. The focus of seven studies was on teaching and learning, and two studies have examined the implant planning procedure. The most commonly used hardware and software were head-mounted display and Unity3D, respectively. In almost all studies, the results showed that the use of virtual reality-based systems improves and enhances the skills of users, including dental students and specialists. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that VR is an effective method for teaching and planning the implant process. Although the use of VR technology is limited for various reasons such as cost, it can increase the skills of dental professionals in performing dental implants.

The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: a systematic review based on current evidence.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. Telehealth is an effective option to fight the outbreak of COVID-19. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the role of telehealth services in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and controlling diseases during COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted through searching five databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Inclusion criteria included studies clearly defining any use of telehealth services in all aspects of health care during COVID-19 outbreak, published from December 31, 2019, written in English language and published in peer reviewed journals. Two reviewers independently assessed search results, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. Quality assessment was based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist. Narrative synthesis was undertaken to summarize and report the findings. RESULTS: Eight studies met the inclusion out of the 142 search results. Currently, healthcare providers and patients who are self-isolating, telehealth is certainly appropriate in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This solution has the potential to prevent any sort of direct physical contact, provide continuous care to the community, and finally reduce morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: The use of telehealth improves the provision of health services. Therefore, telehealth should be an important tool in caring services while keeping patients and health providers safe during COVID-19 outbreak.

A systematic review of informatics competencies: requirements for nurse managers in healthcare organisations.

Introduction: One vital strategy for the success of healthcare organisations currently resides in the capacity of the nurse managers (NMs) to develop informatics competencies in management. Aim: The aim of this review was to synthesise the evidence related to the informatics competencies of NMs in healthcare settings. Methods: The databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Education Resources Information Center were searched. All publications were accepted if they had been published in English and full texts were accessible. The study was carried out using a systematic literature search of work published between January 2000 and December 2021. The Endnote v.17 software was used to facilitate reference management. Quality assessment of publications was carried out independently by two reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidance. A descriptive summary with data tables was produced to summarise the literature. Results: After screening the search results, 12 studies published between the period 2001 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the included studies led to the classification of informatics competencies in three main themes: skills related to work with computers (four sub-themes), informatics skills of NMs (three sub-themes) and knowledge of NMs about informatics (five sub-themes). Conclusion: These systematic review results can lead to the identification of informatics competency gaps and recommend and provide solutions to address these gaps and increase competencies for nursing managers.

Virtual reality-based interventions for patients with paranoia: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Paranoia is an important psychiatric symptom with a remarkable effect on daily life. Virtual reality (VR)-based treatments are influential and safe for patients with paranoia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, and define the clinical and technical characteristics of available VR strategies for the treatment of patients with paranoia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies published up to 25/11/2021 reporting VR-based interventions for the treatment of patients with paranoia were reviewed in five databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus. RESULTS: Out of 302 initial search results, eight were included in the present study based on the inclusion criteria. Six studies were randomized clinical trials with the interventions in the experimental group being based on VR, compared to routine interventions as controls. Two were before-after studies. The most commonly used hardware and software were head-mounted display and Unity3D, respectively. Interventions had a range of 1-16 sessions with follow-up durations of 0-6 months. All investigations showed positive results in the main target, including improved social participation, reduced level of anxiety, as well as diminished suspicious ideas and paranoid symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that VR-based interventions are effective treatments. Although the use of VR technology is limited for a variety of reasons, such as cost, it improves symptoms in patients with paranoia.

Application of mobile health to support the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: : The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the elderly's physical and mental health. The application of information and communication technology, such as mobile health (m-health), can help control this pandemic by changing the behavior and lifestyle of the elderly during this time of crisis. OBJECTIVE: : This review aimed to synthesize the capabilities of m-health in providing health services to the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the factors contributing to the success of these tools. METHODS: : To find the relevant studies, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were: studies in English that used m-health intervention in all aspects of elderly healthcare during the COVID-19 outbreak, were published in peer-reviewed journals from 31 December 2019, and had any research design and methodology. Two authors independently took all the steps of this review, and finally performed narrative synthesis to report the findings. RESULTS: : Our initial search identified 421 studies, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. The data analysis showed that all the m-health interventions had positive effects on the health of the elderly. The m-health services for the elderly during the current pandemic were used for therapy, information provision, self-help, monitoring, and mental health consultation purposes. The results also indicated that various factors affected the elderly's use of m-health tools. CONCLUSION: : The application of m-health keeps the elderly and healthcare providers safe, accelerates health service provision, reduces the costs of service provision, and decreases the risk of morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak. The successful use of m-health tools for the elderly in health programs during the current crisis greatly depends on supporting the elderly and overcoming the barriers.

Telehealth services support community during the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Activities of Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has been ravaging Iran and other countries with increasing morbidity and mortality. The pathogen spread rapidly and the outbreak caused nationwide anxiety and shock in Iran. To combat the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) of Iran introduced several policies and activities, including the use of tele-health services. This letter to the editor uses anecdotal and other records to provide a summary of the activities of MOHME during the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran from February 1 to March 31, 2020. In this commentary, we reviewed the MOHME information site and extended the recommendations offered by MOHME via presenting the existing challenges and a roadmap of the necessary policy requirements. The existing evidence demonstrates that tele-health should have been rapidly implemented as it presents an effective mode of service delivery to reduce morbidity and mortality and decrease the burden on healthcare providers and the health system during the COVID-19 outbreak.