Adoption Of Healthcare Technology Research Articles

A stochastic optimisation model to support cybersecurity within the UK national health service

Over the past decade, the adoption of new digital technologies in healthcare has surged, significantly enhancing care delivery and accessibility. However, this digital transformation has been accompanied by a sharp increase in cyber-attacks, posing severe risks to hospital functionality and patient safety. To address the challenge of planning for uncertain future cyber incidents, we propose a two-stage stochastic model designed to bolster the cyber resilience of healthcare providers by selecting optimal countermeasures in preparation for upcoming cyber incidents. Numerical tests demonstrate the model’s effectiveness, with the Value of the Stochastic Solution showing a 21% improvement over a deterministic approach. To be optimally equipped even for low-probability high-impact attacks we incorporate the risk measure Conditional Value-at-Risk. The corresponding countermeasure solution led to 44% fewer rejected patients in a worst-case scenario. The robustness of the proposed solution is underscored by its consistent performance across various scenarios, budget levels, and risk preferences, making it a reliable tool for enhancing cybersecurity in healthcare. These results highlight the importance of tailored, robust cybersecurity strategies in healthcare, ensuring preparedness for a wide range of potential threats.

Determinants of Smart Healthcare Utilization: A Focus on Individual Characteristics and Goal-setting Behavior

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between individual characteristics and health-related behaviors in the context of wearable devices and information and communications technology (ICT) healthcare technology adoption and use. Methods: Using large data from the Smart Healthcare Pilot Project Phase 1, implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan government, we estimate the relationship between individual characteristics and health-related behaviors, namely, physical activity level and sustained usage of ICT. Results: Our empirical analysis reveals variations in physical activity levels and smart healthcare usage sustainability based on participants’ gender, age, obesity status, and goal-setting behavior at program initiation. Notably, we find that setting specific goals is positively associated with higher step counts and sustained engagement in wearable device usage. Conclusions: These findings suggest that future smart healthcare programs should adopt tailored approaches based on participant characteristics and emphasize the importance of goal-setting. Our research contributes to the understanding of factors influencing the effectiveness of wearable devices and ICT healthcare technologies in promoting health-related behaviors.

Factors influencing telehealth adoption among consumers in Malaysia

This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of telehealth among consumers in Malaysia, aiming to understand the impact of effort expectancy, performance expectancy, computer self-efficacy, and trust on the intention to use telehealth, building on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A quantitative descriptive methodology was used, collecting data from 390 Malaysian consumers via an online survey. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software to evaluate the relationships between the variables. The analysis revealed significant positive relationships between all examined factors and the adoption of telehealth. Performance expectancy was the most influential factor, followed by trust, effort expectancy, and computer self-efficacy. The multiple regression model indicated that these variables collectively explain 82.1% of the variance in telehealth adoption intention. The findings provide valuable insights for providers and marketers, suggesting that telehealth platforms should focus on performance expectancy, trust, and ease of use. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for supportive policies from the Malaysian government to enhance telehealth adoption. The results contribute to the literature on healthcare technology adoption, offering practical implications for improving telehealth implementation in Malaysia.

Examining attitudes to uptake and sustainment of technology among care aides in the delivery of care: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionCare aides are health workers who deliver hands-on care to patients across the healthcare continuum. The use of technology in healthcare delivery is increasing, and evidence regarding how care aides’...

The impact of trust, comfortability, usability and technophobia factors on acceptance of health information technology

In the contemporary landscape of healthcare, the rapid integration of digital technologies is reshaping traditional practices. As healthcare systems increasingly embrace digitalization, there arises a critical need to comprehend the dynamic and ever-evolving role played by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Amidst the rapid digitization of healthcare systems, understanding the evolving role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is paramount. This study explores the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on healthcare, with a focus on Health Information Technology (HIT) and its role in enhancing patient-centered care. Specifically, the research centers on Personal Health Records (PHRs), which empower patients to control their health information securely. The study aims to identify key features influencing patients’ behavioral intention to adopt HIT, utilizing a structured questionnaire and a conceptual framework based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Feature selection analysis, conducted using the Weka tool, employed various classifiers to predict users’ perceptions and behavioral intentions towards HIT adoption. Results highlight the significance of trust, comfort, usefulness, and technophobia in shaping patients’ acceptance of HIT, with Random Forest and Bayes Net classifiers emerging as key predictors. This research provides valuable insights into the critical factors driving patients’ acceptance of HIT, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the adoption of healthcare technologies.

Navigation benchmarking for autonomous mobile robots in hospital environment

The widespread adoption of robotic technologies in healthcare has opened up new perspectives for enhancing accuracy, effectiveness and quality of medical procedures and patients’ care. Special attention has been given to the reliability of robots when operating in environments shared with humans and to the users’ safety, especially in case of mobile platforms able to navigate autonomously. From the analysis of the literature, it emerges that navigation tests carried out in a hospital environment are preliminary and not standardized. This paper aims to overcome the limitations in the assessment of autonomous mobile robots navigating in hospital environments by proposing: (i) a structured benchmarking protocol composed of a set of standardized tests, taking into account conditions with increasing complexity, (ii) a set of quantitative performance metrics. The proposed approach has been used in a realistic setting to assess the performance of two robotic platforms, namely HOSBOT and TIAGo, with different technical features and developed for different applications in a clinical scenario.

Hospital process performance and the adoption of medical devices: An organization-based view.

Over the past two decades, there has been a growing scholarly interest in the adoption of technology in healthcare. While numerous studies have delved into the effects of specific technologies on the performance of different organizational units and medical specialties, the findings have often been divergent. Unlike the established literature, our approach focuses on the organization's perspective to analyze how technology impacts process performance in hospital settings. More precisely, we compiled a tailored dataset from 56 healthcare organizations in Italy and conducted a comprehensive analysis of panel data from 2016 to 2019, utilizing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression as our main analytical tool. The data shows a clear relationship between an organization's use of medical devices and its overall process performance. Our research highlights the importance of achieving substantial improvements in process performance by strategically integrating new technologies and devices. Policymakers are encouraged to consider introducing incentives to drive hospitals to invest in innovative technologies. Furthermore, monitoring expenditures on new devices could serve as a valuable metric for assessing the extent of technology adoption within clinical practices.

INTERPLAY OF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL DYNAMICS AND LOCAL REALITIES: DIGITAL HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION IN TURKEY

Various trends have driven the digital transformation of health: Developments in digital technologies, pressures for cause reduction in healthcare and increasing demand and expenditures from aging populations. In parallel, Turkey is actively engaged in a great transformative journey with its Health Transformation Program (HTP) since 2003, embracing the age of digitalization in healthcare. This study explores the interplay among historical discourse, political influences, technological advancements which shaped the centralization of Turkey's health system. Specifically, it delves into how Turkey's healthcare system has undergone centralization under the aegis of digital transformation. Amidst this transition, a compelling question arises: How has the positive perception of digital health innovations by both the public and authoritative health institutions converged with the challenges posed by low health and digital literacy levels? This article uses the concept of biomedicalization to encompass the multisited and multidirectional health transformation processes in Turkey. By cultivating a technology-friendly environment, the nation is nurturing (bio)digital citizens through the process of biomedicalization. Drawing on a historical narrative of Turkey's digital health transformation, the article posits that the phenomenon of biomedicalization in the country, molded by intricate multidimensional factors at both micro and macro levels, compels policymakers, privacy advocates, and lawmakers to devise effective and sustainable regulations concerning data utilization, protection, and privacy. By investigating these dynamics, the research provides insights into how a country like Turkey navigates the multifaceted aspects of digital health implementation, shedding light on the potential strategies and mechanisms that enable the successful adoption of digital technologies in healthcare despite existing limitations. This contribution to the broader discourse on digital transformation enriches our understanding of the intricacies involved in leveraging technology to enhance healthcare systems, especially in contexts where there are literacy levels might pose.

Post-Pandemic Health Communication: Adoption of Digital Technologies in Healthcare by Residents of Mumbai

Digitalization has become an important part of human lives in many fields, ranging from education to healthcare. Digital technologies are one of the priorities in the development of the healthcare sector worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients became more engaged about medical communication and used digital technologies than ever. Health professionals started using more online/digital platforms to provide patients prescriptions and check patients’ reports. This paper is aimed at examining various forms of digital platforms on healthcare, which patients use for consultation with health professionals. This study is an exploratory observational study in which researcher conducted a semi-structured interviewsin Mumbai suburban housing society. The objectives were to understand nature of health communication post pandemic, perception of family about health and which digital platforms they are using? How are igital platforms being helpful in day-to-day life ? The Study found that most respondents still use an online consultation option with their doctors, pharmacy and lab investigation. The reasons for using digital platforms in spite of scope for physical outreach are time, money and energy savings. They visit hospital or doctor’s clinic in emergency or on unavoidable situations. It was also found that some organizations that pay medical benefits to their staff also started collecting medical prescriptions via WhatsApp. The study emphasizes the importance of digital platform, time and health communication in post pandemic world. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the digital platforms and would like to continue in the future. Among all digital platforms “WhatsApp” was most popular and used, which is still getting used in India. The respondents had significant impact by the use of digital platforms. Although some respondents showed concern related to data privacy. This also indicate shift from oral, face to face communication to mediated digital communication in Asian societies.:Digitalization has become an important part of human lives in many fields, ranging from education to healthcare. Digital technologies are one of the priorities in the development of the healthcare sector worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients became more engaged about medical communicationand used digital technologies than ever. Health professionals started using more online/digital platforms to provide patients prescriptions and check patients’ reports. This paper is aimed at examining various forms of digital platforms on healthcare, which patients use for consultation with health professionals. Thisstudy is an exploratory observational study in which researcher conducted a semi-structured interviews in Mumbai suburban housing society. The objectives were to understand nature of health communication post pandemic, perception of family about health and which digital platforms they are using? How are digital platforms being helpful in day-to-day life ? The Study found that most respondents still use an online consultation option with their doctors, pharmacy and lab investigation. Thereasons for using digital platforms in spite of scope for physical outreach are time, money and energy savings. They visit hospital or doctor’s clinic in emergency or on unavoidable situations. It was also found that some organizations thatpay medical benefits to their staff also started collecting medical prescriptions via WhatsApp. The study emphasizes the importance of digital platform, time and health communication in post pandemic world. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the digital platforms and would like to continue in thefuture. Among all digital platforms “WhatsApp” was most popular and used, which is still getting used in India. The respondents had significant impact by the use of digital platforms. Although some respondents showed concern related to data privacy. This also indicate shift from oral, face to face communication to mediated digital communication in Asian societies.:

Data Governance in AI - Enabled Healthcare Systems: A Case of the Project Nightingale

The study investigates data governance challenges within AI-enabled healthcare systems, focusing on Project Nightingale as a case study to elucidate the complexities of balancing technological advancements with patient privacy and trust. Utilizing a survey methodology, data were collected from 843 healthcare service users employing a structured questionnaire designed to measure perceptions of AI in healthcare, trust in healthcare providers, concerns about data privacy, and the impact of regulatory frameworks on the adoption of AI technologies. The reliability of the survey instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.81, indicating high internal consistency. The multiple regression analysis revealed significant findings: a positive relationship between the awareness of technological projects and trust in healthcare providers, countered by a negative impact of privacy concerns on trust. Additionally, familiarity with and perceived effectiveness of regulatory frameworks were positively correlated with trust in data, while perceptions of regulatory constraints and data governance issues were identified as significant barriers to the effective adoption of AI technologies in healthcare. The study highlights the critical need for enhanced transparency, public awareness, and robust data governance frameworks to navigate the ethical and privacy concerns associated with AI in healthcare. The study recommends adopting flexible, principle-based regulatory approaches and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the ethical deployment of AI technologies that prioritize patient welfare and trust.

Factors affecting implementation of digital lean in healthcare in the post-COVID world – mixed-method approach

PurposeDigital lean implementation can solve the dual problem of stagnating quality and rising costs in healthcare. Although technology adoption in healthcare has increased in the post-COVID world, value unlocking using technology needs a well-thought-out approach to achieve success. This paper provides a prescriptive framework for successfully implementing digital lean in healthcare.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a mixed-method approach to achieve three research objectives. Whilst it uses a narrative review to identify the enablers, it uses qualitative thematic analysis techniques to categorise them into factors. The study utilises the delphi method for the thematic grouping of the enablers in the broader groups. The study used an advanced ordinal priority approach (OPA) to prioritise these factors. Finally, the study uses concordance analysis to assess the reliability of group decision-making.FindingsThe study found that 20 identified enablers are rooted in practice factors, followed by human resource management (HRM) factors, customer factors, leadership factors and technology factors. These results further counter the myth that technology holds the utmost significance in implementing digital lean in healthcare and found the equal importance of factors related to people, customers, leadership and best practices such as benchmarking, continuous improvement and change management.Originality/valueThe study is the first of its kind, providing the prescriptive framework for implementing digital lean in healthcare. The findings are useful for healthcare professionals and health policymakers.

Demographics and clinical features associated with rates of electronic message utilization in the primary care setting

IntroductionElectronic messages are growing as an important form of patient-provider communication, particularly in the primary care setting. However, adoption of healthcare technology has been under-utilized by underserved patient populations. The purpose of this study was to describe how adoption and utilization of electronic messaging occurred within a large primary care urban-based patient population. MethodsIn this retrospective study, the frequency of electronic messages initiated by adult outpatient primary care patients was observed. Patients were classified as either non-portal adopters, non-message utilizers, low message utilizers, and high message utilizers. Logistic regression modeling was used to compare factors associated with message utilization rates to determine disparities in access. ResultsAmong a sample of 27,453 ethnically diverse adult patients from the Houston, Texas Metropolitan area, 33,497 unique messages were sent (1.22 messages/patient). Message burden was predominantly derived by a small number of high utilizers (individuals who sent 3 or more messages), who comprised 15.7 % of the study population (n = 4302) but accounted for 77 % of the message volume (n = 25,776). These high utilizers were typically older, White, English speaking, from middle to upper income zip codes, had higher number of comorbidities, and a higher number of clinical visits. ConclusionsMost inbox messages were generated by a small number of patients. While it was reassuring to see older and sicker individuals utilizing electronic messaging, patients from minority and/or lower income background utilized electronic messaging much less. This may propagate systematic bias and decrease the level of care for traditionally underserved patients.

Blockchain disruption in healthcare industry: Case studies, challenges and way forward

Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force in various industries, and healthcare is no exception. The health care industry can unlock possibilities that were never even seen before since blockchain revolutionized the way this industry operates, offering unparalleled advancements in its procurement, patient services, research, and medical diagnosis. This white paper explores the potential of blockchain to disrupt and revolutionize the healthcare sector, focusing on its impact on data security, interoperability, supply chain management, and patient empowerment. Furthermore, it embarks on an in-depth study of the use cases and benefits of implementing blockchain in the healthcare industry and seeks to understand its adoption through different real world case studies. As Blockchain becomes increasingly popular today it becomes important to analyze its benefits and enable it to permeate the health care industry sustainably. The transformative journey into Blockchain has not been tapped fully and comes with a plethora of implementation and adoption challenges. This research paper also identifies the challenges faced in implementing this technology and seeks to find a way forward for this disruptive technology. Ultimately, this research paper concludes that the benefits that accrue from blockchain outweigh the challenges and encourages greater adoption of blockchain technology in healthcare due to the innumerous benefits it offers.

INTEGRATING AI INTO HEALTH INFORMATICS FOR ENHANCED PUBLIC HEALTH IN AFRICA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

This study delves into the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the field of health informatics and its transformative effect on public health outcomes in Africa. It will cover how AI-driven solutions are being implemented to overcome challenges in disease surveillance, healthcare delivery, and public health policy. The paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of current innovations, the effectiveness of these technological interventions, and their broader implications for health policy and management across the African continent. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into health informatics holds transformative potential for enhancing public health in Africa. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted applications, challenges, and opportunities associated with the convergence of AI and health informatics on the African continent. The review encompasses various domains, including disease surveillance, diagnostics, treatment optimization, and public health management. Key themes addressed in the review include the adoption of AI-driven technologies in healthcare, the impact on disease detection and monitoring, and the potential for improving healthcare accessibility in resource-constrained settings. Moreover, the ethical considerations, regulatory challenges, and disparities in technology adoption across diverse African regions are examined, providing insights into the complexities of implementing AI in the African public health landscape. Through an in-depth analysis of current initiatives, case studies, and emerging trends, this review aims to contribute a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating AI into health informatics for the advancement of public health in Africa. Ultimately, this exploration seeks to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers on the critical role AI can play in addressing public health challenges on the continent and fostering sustainable healthcare solutions.
 Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Health Informatics, Health Management, Africa, Review, Disease Surveillance.

Use of a diagnostic decision support tool in memory clinic daily practice – The DAILY feasibility study

AbstractBackgroundTo optimally serve increasing numbers of memory clinic patients through a timely and adequate diagnosis, digital health technologies offer a unique potential. Diagnostic decision support systems (DDSS) can aid clinicians in diagnostics and patient communication, but such tools are not widely used in daily practice. We assessed the feasibility of a DDSS prototype consisting of four modules (Figure 1): (1) web‐based cognitive test tool (cCOG); (2) automated MRI‐quantification (cMRI); (3) AI‐based classifier (cDSI); (4) diagnostic report page, providing an easy‐to‐understand overview of all information for clinicians and patients.MethodWe conducted the DAILY feasibility study in five Dutch memory clinics, including 11 clinicians (internal medicine/geriatricians(n = 5), neurologists(n = 2), residents(n = 3), nurse practitioner(n = 1), mean age 38±7y, 11±6y experience), and 43 patients(7 subjective complaints, 19 mild cognitive impairment, 14 dementia, 3 postponed diagnosis, mean age 73±11y), and their care partners(n = 28, 65±11y). Clinicians received instructions to integrate the tool into routine care. Feasibility, usability, and satisfaction were assessed using questionnaires (clinicians, patients, care partners) and interviews (clinicians).ResultClinicians reported using the tool in 34/43(80%) patients. Their overall satisfaction with the tool was acceptable (median 70(IQR 50‐80), scale 0‐100). Out of the four modules, the diagnostic report was most often used (in 70% of patients) and rated as useful by 89% of clinicians, with 70% indicating it contributed to more efficient patient communication. Patients and care partners evaluated the diagnostic report as understandable and helpful. In the interviews, clinicians were predominantly positive regarding the diagnostic report, indicating that it helped create an overview for themselves and their patients. Widely varying opinions indicated that (time‐efficient) use of the complete tool demands more education and practice to obtain the proficiency level needed to adequately integrate the tool into routine practice.ConclusionThe lasting adoption of digital technologies in healthcare is challenging, and efficient and user‐friendly tools are needed. In this study, clinicians, patients, and care partners valued an automatically‐generated, comprehensible report summarizing individual test results. Implementing such a digital report page could contribute to improved patient communication and, ultimately, better care management. Furthermore, our results identified an educational need regarding the use of digital tools.

A Comprehensive Study on the Use of Blockchain Technology in Healthcare

Blockchain technology has emerged as a potential solution to improve healthcare services by offering secure, transparent and efficient management of healthcare data. The paper presents an overview of the applications, benefits, challenges and recommendations for using Blockchain technology in healthcare. A systematic literature review has been conducted to identify relevant articles published in recent years, using the PRISMA framework to ensure methodological rigor. The review has revealed that Blockchain technology can be used in various healthcare applications, including data management, drug supply chain management, clinical trials, medical record keeping, and telemedicine. Blockchain technology offers several benefits in healthcare, such as secure and efficient data sharing, real-time access to patient data, improved patient outcomes, and lower costs. However, the adoption of Blockchain technology in healthcare also presents some challenges, such as regulatory barriers, interoperability issues, data privacy and security concerns, and technical limitations. To overcome these challenges, recommendations are provided, including developing a regulatory framework, addressing interoperability issues, implementing robust data privacy and security measures, and investing in Blockchain technology research and development.

A Scoping Review of Digital Technologies Used in Monitoring COVID-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a universal impact on humanity. All patients in the European health systems have experienced digital healthcare in some way. Digital technologies were deployed during the pandemic in various areas of the health care system. An understanding of the various technologies deployed during the pandemic and the role these technologies play will aid in the development of public health protocols for rapid response to future pandemics. This study investigated the role of technology in monitoring Covid-19 pandemic to identify the technologies utilised by the NHS (National Health Service) during the pandemic. In conclusion, the pandemic was a catalyst for general adoption of technology in healthcare. The deployment of a wide range of existing and innovative technology by the health management systems proves to be efficient in monitoring the outbreak to prevent further infection and loss of lives.

SOFT COMPUTING IN PREVENTING RANSOMWARE RELYING ON LARGER-SCALE DATA AND ANALYSIS

Ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat to organizations and individuals worldwide. The attackers’ ability to constantly evolve and adapt their tactics challenges traditional cybersecurity approaches to keep pace. Ransomware attacks targeting the healthcare industry accounted for 45% of all reported cyberattacks. The nature and scale of attacks and the increasing healthcare technology adoption will continue to pose ransomware attack risks. However, by collecting and analyzing large volumes of data and applying soft computing techniques, cybersecurity experts can improve their ability to detect and prevent ransomware attacks. As a result, soft computing offers options for detecting and preventing malware attacks. Using methods from the field of soft computing, such as fuzzy logic, neural networks, and genetic algorithms, makes it possible to conduct a thorough analysis of large data sets. These can yield insightful information that can help recognize and react to ransomware attacks. These techniques can also help to decrypt files that have been encrypted using ransomware.

Why do healthcare workers adopt digital health technologies - A cross-sectional study integrating the TAM and UTAUT model in a developing economy

Healthcare technology is a critical factor for effective management of patient care, resulting in enhanced effectiveness when adopted by healthcare professionals. However, the lack of acceptance can undermine its inherent benefits. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of technology among healthcare professionals, using Nigeria as a case study. The dataset for the study was collected from a sample of 301 private and public healthcare professionals. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and the results supported five of the proposed hypotheses, namely, perceived usefulness, perceived physical condition, technological anxiety, user innovativeness, and perceived availability which had a significant influence on Behavioral intention. However, Technological anxiety showed a negative influence on BI. The study sheds light on relevant factors for healthcare technology adoption. Psychological reengineering and human relation support and a reward system are required to further motivate technology adoption among healthcare workers.

Acceptance of Digital Sports: A Study Showing the Rising Acceptance of Digital Health Activities

Digital sports and health activities are rapidly gaining acceptance as viable alternatives to traditional physical activities. With the widespread adoption of digital technologies, people are turning to digital sports and health activities to maintain their physical fitness and well-being. This abstract explores the rising acceptance of digital health activities, particularly in the field of sports. The study highlights the various digital health activities available to consumers, such as fitness tracking apps, virtual coaching, and online exercise classes. The study reviews the benefits of digital health activities, such as increased accessibility, flexibility, and personalization. The study examines the factors that influence the acceptance of digital health activities, such as ease of use, perceived usefulness, and social influence. The study also discusses the challenges of implementing digital health activities, such as data privacy and security concerns, and the need for adequate technological infrastructure. The study concludes that the rising acceptance of digital health activities in the field of sports is indicative of a broader trend towards the adoption of digital technologies in healthcare. As the technology continues to advance, digital health activities are poised to play an increasingly important role in healthcare, providing accessible and personalized solutions to promote physical fitness and well-being.