Tablet Application Research Articles

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Readmission for Heart Failure Using Novel Tablet and Nurse Practitioner Education

Abstract Background Heart failure education programs are not standardized. The best form of education is unclear. We evaluated whether addition of a novel tablet application to nurse practitioner (NP) education was superior to NP education alone in reducing 30-day readmission after heart failure hospitalization. Methods From February 2015-March 2016, patients admitted to a quaternary academic center with primary diagnosis of heart failure were randomized to 1) treatment – NP education plus tablet application (interactive conditional logic program that flags patient questions to medical staff), or 2) control – NP education. The primary outcome was reduction in 30-day readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction and education assessed via survey. Results Randomization included 60 patients to treatment and 66 to control. A total of 13 patients withdrew prior to intervention (treatment n = 4, control n = 1) or were lost to follow-up (treatment n = 3, control n = 5). The 30-day readmission rate trended lower for treatment compared with control, but results were not statistically significant (13.2% [7/53], 26.7% [16/60], respectively, P = .08). Similarly, satisfaction trended higher with treatment than control ( P = .08). Treatment patients rated explanations from their physicians higher than control (Always: 83.7%, 55.8%, respectively, P = .01). Conclusions NP education plus tablet use was not associated with significantly lower 30-day readmission rates in comparison with NP alone, but a positive trend was seen. Patient satisfaction trended higher and heart failure explanations were better with NP education plus tablet. A larger study is needed to determine if NP education plus tablet reduces readmission rates following heart failure admission.

Defining personalized concepts for XBRL using iPAD‐drawn fuzzy sets

SummaryAn efficient and effective analysis of business data requires a better understanding of what the data represents, and to what degree. A human‐like way of accomplishing that without being too detailed yet learning more about data content is to summarize and map the data into concepts familiar to a person performing analysis. Processes of summarization help identify the most essential facts that are embedded in the data. All this is of significant importance for analysis of large amounts of business data required to make good and sound financial decisions.There are two aspects enabling more comprehensive yet easier processing of data: a standardized representation format of financial data; and a human‐friendly way of defining concepts and using them for building personalized models representing processing data. The first of the aspects has been addressed by the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)—a standardized format of defining, representing and exchanging corporate and financial information. The second aspect is related to providing individuals with the ability to gain understanding of data content via determining a degree of truth of statements summarizing data based on their own perception of concepts they are looking for.In this paper, we introduce a tablet application—Tablet‐based input of Fuzzy Sets (TiFS)—and demonstrate its usefulness for entering personalized definitions of concepts and terms that enable a quick analysis of financial data. Such analysis means utilization of soft queries and operations of aggregation that extract and summarize the data and present it in a form familiar to analysts. The application allows for defining concepts and terms with ‘finger‐made’ drawings representing a person's perception of concepts. Further, these definitions are used to build summarization statements for exploring XBRL data. They are equipped with ‘drawn’ definitions of linguistic terms (e.g. LARGE, SMALL, FAST) and linguistic quantifiers (e.g. ALL, MOSTLY), and enable summarization of data content from the perspective of a user's interests. The ‘drawn’ linguistic terms and quantifiers represent membership functions of fuzzy sets. Utilization of fuzzy sets allows for performing operations of data summarization in a human‐like way. The application of TiFS illustrates ease of inputting personalized definitions of concepts and their influence on the interpretation of data. This introduces aspects of personalization and adaptation of artificial intelligence systems to perceptions and views of individuals. The proposed application is used to perform a basic analysis of an XBRL document.

StaySafe: A self-administered android tablet application for helping individuals on probation make better decisions pertaining to health risk behaviors

This paper describes the development and protocol for feasibility and efficacy testing of a risk reduction intervention designed to improve behavioral health outcomes among drug offenders on probation under community supervision or in residential substance abuse treatment centers. StaySafe is a self-administered tablet-based intervention for teaching better decision-making skills regarding health risk behaviors, especially those involving HIV risks. We are using pre/post, experimental/control group randomized clinical trial (RCT) in both community and residential probation settings with goals to 1) assess the feasibility and acceptance of StaySafe by examining participation rates and satisfaction measures, and 2) examine the impact of StaySafe on decision-making skills, confidence and motivation to avoid sex and drug risks, willingness to discuss health risks and concerns with helpful others, and engagement in health risk behaviors.StaySafe consists of 12 brief sessions and utilizes an evidence-based decision-making schema, called WORKIT, which guides participants through steps for identifying the problem and options, evaluating the options and making a decision about which option to carry out. Multiple sessions of StaySafe provide a practice effect so that the WORKIT steps become easily accessible to participants when making decisions. Three of the sessions provide participants a choice of activities designed to provide additional information about HIV and reinforce lessons learned during the WORKIT sessions. Preliminary data demonstrate feasibility and high levels of satisfaction with StaySafe.

Developing ASSISTwell, a tablet application to support older adult’s self-management of symptoms of chronic conditions

Developing ASSISTwell, a tablet application to support older adult’s self-management of symptoms of chronic conditions

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Readmission for Heart Failure Using Novel Tablet and Nurse Practitioner Education

BackgroundHeart failure education programs are not standardized. The best form of education is unclear. We evaluated whether addition of a novel tablet application to nurse practitioner (NP) education was superior to NP education alone in reducing 30-day readmission after heart failure hospitalization. MethodsFrom February 2015-March 2016, patients admitted to a quaternary academic center with primary diagnosis of heart failure were randomized to 1) treatment – NP education plus tablet application (interactive conditional logic program that flags patient questions to medical staff), or 2) control – NP education. The primary outcome was reduction in 30-day readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction and education assessed via survey. ResultsRandomization included 60 patients to treatment and 66 to control. A total of 13 patients withdrew prior to intervention (treatment n = 4, control n = 1) or were lost to follow-up (treatment n = 3, control n = 5). The 30-day readmission rate trended lower for treatment compared with control, but results were not statistically significant (13.2% [7/53], 26.7% [16/60], respectively, P = .08). Similarly, satisfaction trended higher with treatment than control (P = .08). Treatment patients rated explanations from their physicians higher than control (Always: 83.7%, 55.8%, respectively, P = .01). ConclusionsNP education plus tablet use was not associated with significantly lower 30-day readmission rates in comparison with NP alone, but a positive trend was seen. Patient satisfaction trended higher and heart failure explanations were better with NP education plus tablet. A larger study is needed to determine if NP education plus tablet reduces readmission rates following heart failure admission.

Computer Programming With Pre-K Through First-Grade Students With Intellectual Disabilities

Researchers suggest students in early elementary grade levels are active learners and creators and need to be exposed to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The need for student understanding in STEM curriculum is well-documented, and positive results in robotics and computer programming are leading researchers and policy makers to introduce new standards in education. The purpose of this single-case design study is to research the potential for PreK-1st grade students with intellectual disabilities (ID) to learn skills in computer programming through explicit instruction, concrete manipulatives, and tangible interfaces. Students were assessed through baseline, treatment, and generalization phases. The students with ID were found to successfully program the robot, following explicit instruction, although they had difficulty generalizing skills to tablet application. Discussion of results, future research, and limitations is provided.

Current Use of Smartphone and Tablet Applications in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

Current Use of Smartphone and Tablet Applications in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

Objective Assessments of Peyronie's Disease.

Penile deformity is the most obvious manifestation of Peyronie's disease (PD) and key to determining the optimal method of treatment. Other aspects of PD to consider include plaque size, location, and density; amount of calcification; erection quality; disease progression; and penile anatomy. Few standards exist for the objective assessment of these parameters. To describe current options and new trends in the objective evaluation of PD with a focus on penile curvature and imaging modalities. A literature review was performed through PubMed from 1990 to 2017 regarding objective parameters in PD, including imaging modalities, measurements of deformity, and serum markers. Non-English-language articles were excluded. We sought to assess various objective measurements obtained in patients with PD and to evaluate their usefulness in the evaluation, treatment, and counseling of patients with PD. Measurement of penile curvature is most accurately performed with in-office goniometric angle measurement of a pharmacologically induced erection. However, new methods of assessing penile curvature using 3-dimensional photography and smartphone and tablet applications can aid clinicians in describing and treating PD. Ultrasound and ultrasound adjuncts provide excellent plaque characterization and assessment of penile vasculature, which can be useful for treatment planning and research. Presence of inflammation can be evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear scintigraphy. Current guidelines only recommend obtaining measurements of penile length and penile curvature in the erect state. However, many other options exist for the objective evaluation of PD. These options can have a role in treatment decision making and help standardize results in PD research. Chen JY, Hockenberry MS, Lipshultz LI. Objective Assessments of Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:438-445.

The tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) of the southern Levant and adjacent territories: from cybertaxonomy to conservation biology.

The tiger beetles of the southern Levant (Egypt: Sinai, Israel, Jordan) and adjacent regions of the neighboring countries Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are reviewed in terms of species taxonomy, ecological and distributional traits and conservation biology. An illustrated dichotomous identification key from the species of this region is provided. Based on the classical identification key, we developed a digital identification application for smartphones and tablets. The species status of Calomera aulicoides (J.R. Sahlberg, 1913) is (re-) established (stat. rest.) as this taxon can be found sympatrically and parapatrically together with Calomera littoralis winkleri (Mandl, 1934). Morphological character states are discussed to identify Cicindela javetii Chaudoir, 1861 and C. herbacea Klug, 1832. Calomera aphrodisia (Baudi di Selve, 1864) is recorded for the first time from Israel. The presence of Calomera aulica (Dejean, 1831) and Grammognatha euphratica (Dejean, 1822) is confirmed by new records. At least five taxa are threatened or extinct in Israel. For one of these species, Israel has a national responsibility for the conservation as the main part of the distribution range is within this country.Availability: The application TIGER BEETLE ID for Android devices can be freely downloaded at https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.734.21989.suppl1. See also disclaimer of warranties.

Primary care intervention to address cardiovascular disease medication health literacy among Indigenous peoples: Canadian results of a pre-post-design study

ContextCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of illness and death for Indigenous people in Canada and globally. Appropriate medication can significantly improve health outcomes for persons diagnosed with CVD or for those at high risk of CVD. Poor health literacy has been identified as a major barrier that interferes with client understanding and taking of CVD medication. Strengthening health literacy within health services is particularly relevant in Indigenous contexts, where there are systemic barriers to accessing literacy skills.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to test the effect of a customized, structured health literacy educational program addressing CVD medications.MethodsPre-post-design involves health providers and Indigenous clients at the De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre (DAHC) in Ontario, Canada. Forty-seven Indigenous clients with or at high risk of CVD received three educational sessions delivered by a trained Indigenous nurse over a 4- to 7-week period. A tablet application, pill card and booklet supported the sessions. Primary outcomes were knowledge of CVD medications and health literacy practices, which were assessed before and after the programe.ResultsFollowing the program compared to before, mean medication knowledge scores were 3.3 to 6.1 times higher for the four included CVD medications. Participants were also more likely to refer to the customized pill card and booklet for information and answer questions from others regarding CVD.ConclusionsThis customized education program was highly effective in increasing medication knowledge and health literacy practice among Indigenous people with CVD or at risk of CVD attending the program at an urban Indigenous health centre.

Conducting evaluation research with children exposed to violence: How technological innovations in methodologies and data collection may enhance the process.

Research and program evaluation processes that engage children and youth are becoming much more common due to influences from children's rights and the acknowledgement that children have the capacity to contribute to research, both as participants and co-researchers (Roberts, 2017). Recent technological advances in the form of tablet and internet-based applications have provided researchers with additional methodological tools to better capture the voices and experiences of children and their caregivers (Livingstone & Blum-Ross, 2017). However, little has been written on the ways in which these new technological advances can improve research experiences for children who have been exposed to intimate partner and family violence, as well as other forms of traumatic experiences. This paper provides a review of current literature and a case study example of how one children's mental health agency has implemented tablet-based data collection procedures.

Utilization of the Tablet Application Proband in Pedigree Construction and Assessment.

Many medical institutions have converted to a digital model for record keeping due to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. This Act provides incentives to health care systems to accelerate and encourage the adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems. The pedigree as a tool in medicine provides an efficient method to assess and represent an individual's health and family health risks that may otherwise not be apparent in the medical record in a clearly identifiable way (Schuette, J. L., & Bennett 2009). Many clinicians continue to construct pedigrees using pen and paper method despite findings of improved identification of at risk patients with similar electronic intake tools (Arar et al. in Personalized Medicine 2011 8:523-32). The goal of this study was to explore the patient and practitioner experience with electronic pedigree programs using Proband, an application developed at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for genetic counselors to construct pedigrees during genetic counseling sessions directly on iPads. The first part of this study looked at the patient experience and assessed time to take the pedigree and the impact of using an electronic pedigree tool on the relationship between participant and genetic counselor. This involved 50 participants and was compared with the traditional paper method of taking a pedigree. There was no statistical significance found between the two different mediums in accuracy, speed, and rapport with provider. The second part of the study assessed the usability of Proband by ten genetic counselors. Overall, the application received a system usability score of 90/100 with a majority (7/10) of counselors agreeing that they would use this application in their clinic. The positive outcome of this study encourages future work to assess the impact and usability of programs on a larger scale as they continue to integrate into current electronic health records.

P301 Effects of telemonitoring on safety and health care costs with a web platform (TECCU) in complex IBD patients: A randomised controlled trial

The use of telemedicine enables continuous and tailored control of chronically ill patients, potentially providing a solution to the medical, social and financial impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Safety of a web telemanagement system designed for complex IBD patients, TECCU (Telemonitorización de la Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa [Telemonitoring of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis]) and its impact on healthcare utilisation, compared with standard care (G_Control) and nurse-assisted telephone care (G_NT) were evaluated. A 3-arm randomised clinical trial was performed in an academic hospital in Spain. IBD patients aged ≥18 years who initiated therapy with corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and/or biological agents for disease activity were consecutively included. Exclusion criteria were: patients with ileorectal/ileo-pouch anal anastomosis, no Internet access and inability to communicate properly in Spanish. Eligible participants were randomised to receive remote monitoring (G_TECCU), G_NT or G_control for 24 weeks in a 1:1:1 ratio using a web-based program. TECCU is a secured webpage with an HTTPS application for smartphone, tablet and computer. Healthcare resources were measured including the number of outpatient visits and telephone calls attended by healthcare providers. Safety was defined in terms of emergency visits, corticosteroid courses, hospitalisations, and IBD-related surgeries. In addition, the cost of each procedure was assessed using official prices of each health service. 63 patients were included and 21 were randomly assigned to each group. Most patients had CD—14 (66.7%) in G_control, 13 (61.9%) in G_NT, and 13 (61.9%) in G_TECCU. The median of disease progression was 146.7 months (range 7–424) in G_TECCU, 123.3 (6-427) in G_control and 108.3 (7–452) in G_NT, respectively. The percentage of patients treated with immunomodulators was 47.6% vs. 47.6% vs. 42.9% in G_control, G_AT and G_TECCU, respectively, and 47.6% vs. 42.9% vs. 47.6% with biologic mono or combo therapy in G_control, G_AT and G_TECCU, respectively. After 24 weeks, the total number of outpatient visits and phone calls was lower in the G_TECCU (72 visits, 12 phone calls) compared with G_AT (85 visits, 118 phone calls) and G_control (131 visits, 47 phone calls), which represent a cost of 3205 vs. 5342 vs. 6210 euros in G_TECCU vs. G_AT vs. G_control, respectively. There were not differences among groups in the number of emergency visits, IBD-related surgeries, hospitalisations, use of corticosteroids and medication adverse effects during the study period. TECCU web program is a safe and innovative tool for management of complex IBD patients, which reduce health care costs in terms of outpatient visits and phone calls.

Inclusive Teaching With Digital Technology: Supporting Literacy Learning in Play-Based Kindergartens


 
 
 Young children who are English Language Learners or have special learning needs can find it difficult to communicate in kindergarten classrooms. Open-ended tablet applications offer multi-modal tools for these children to communicate their ideas, engage with others, and demonstrate and develop their knowledge and skills. They position students as the producers and creators of the literacy content. Using pedagogical strategies such as effective routines, opportunities to collaborate and share with peers, and modelling, kindergarten educators can employ open-ended iPad apps to support the literacy and digital learning of children who are English Language Learners or who have special learning needs.
 
 

Virtual care: smartphone apps launched for atrial fibrillation

British Journal of Cardiac NursingVol. 13, No. 1 Technology PagesVirtual care: smartphone apps launched for atrial fibrillationSarah Jane PalmerSarah Jane PalmerSearch for more papers by this authorSarah Jane PalmerPublished Online:28 Dec 2017https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2018.13.1.40AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D et al.. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(38):2893-2962. Crossref, Google ScholarKotecha D, Chua WWL, Fabritz L et al.. European Society of Cardiology smartphone and tablet applications for patients with atrial fibrillation and their health care providers. Europace. 2017. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eux299. [Epub ahead of print] Crossref, Google ScholarMedical Xpress. Smartphone apps launched for atrial fibrillation patients and their healthcare providers. 2017. https://tinyurl.com/y7dyyxf2 Google ScholarNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Venous thromboembolic diseases: diagnosis, management and thrombophilia testing [CG144]. 2012. https://tinyurl.com/yapv97wl (accessed 18 December 2017) Google ScholarNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Atrial fibrillation: management [CG180]: 1.2 Personalised package of care and information. 2014. https://tinyurl.com/yapv97wl (accessed 18 December 2017) Google ScholarRosenthal L. Atrial Fibrillation Treatment & Management. 2017. https://tinyurl.com/y8b5hpv6 (accessed 18 December 2017) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 January 2018Volume 13Issue 1ISSN (online): 2052-2207 Metrics History Published online 28 December 2017 Published in print 2 January 2018 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

User interface preferences of young Jordanians using tablet devices

We aimed to establish Arabic user interface (UI) guidelines for tablet PCs (tablets). This paper presents the findings of two studies with 21 Arabic-speaking Jordanian students to gauge their preferences. Initial UI design guidelines were formulated for font type, size, colour, text alignment, menu and button type. Gender differences were found in font type preferences as well as the desire to customise the application's appearance. Sensibilities around religious symbols were also discovered. The use of coaching and think-aloud in the usability approach assisted in allowing the research to be appropriately sensitive to the beliefs and culture of the subjects. It is anticipated that the research findings will help software companies in Jordan and other Arabic-speaking nations to enhance UI for Arabic mobile and tablet applications.

Heat-Related Training and Educational Material Needs among Oil Spill Cleanup Responders.

Heat-related illness (HRI), injury, and death among oil spill cleanup responders can be prevented through training and educational materials. This study assessed heat-related training and educational materials currently used and desired by oil spill cleanup responders. A needs assessment was completed by 65 oil spill cleanup responders regarding their occupational heat-related experiences and training needs. Oil spill cleanup responders reported participating on average in 37 oil spill cleanup activities per year. Most reported experiencing additional HRI risk factors, such as high temperatures and humidity and wearing personal protective equipment and clothing ensembles, respirators, and personal flotation devices. Many reported experiencing symptoms of HRI (profuse sweating, headache, weakness, decreased urine output, high body temperatures) and experiencing heat exhaustion. Although multiple prevention controls were reported, only 1 in 4 reported using an acclimatization plan. The most common training delivery method and education received included just-in-time training and printed materials. The most desirable future training delivery methods and education products were smartphone or tablet applications, printed materials, and online training. Findings from this study may be beneficial to safety and health professionals and health educators, particularly those interested in developing heat stress training and educational materials for oil spill cleanup responders.

Travelling with the UniOn App: Itineraries of Language and Culture Through the City of Bologna

UniOn is an application for smartphone and tablets developed within ILOCALAPP (www.ilocalapp.eu), a European project coordinated by the University of Bologna. UniOn exists in four versions, one for each city involved in the project (Bologna, Coimbra, Poznan and Rovaniemi), and it is meant to foster the incidental learning of the language and the culture related to the city (respectively, Italian, Portuguese, Polish and Finnish). The fruition and the understanding of the contents (reading, listening, etc.) directly in the places let the users get in touch with aspects of language and culture in an implicit, non intentional way. UniOn has been created to cope with the specific needs of international students living a mobility experience, but it has become soon an interesting tool also for other typologies of travellers (high-school students, university students coming from other cities, tourists, migrants). In this article we will illustrate the main app features and its development based on a user-centred design approach. We will focus upon the Bologna version of the app to show how the app is being used, and how both the city and the users’ experience of the city play a crucial role.

Effect of a health literacy intervention trial on knowledge about cardiovascular disease medications among Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada and New Zealand

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of a customised, structured cardiovascular disease (CVD) medication health literacy programme on medication knowledge among Indigenous people with, or at high risk of, CVD.DesignIntervention trial with...

Android tablet applications for lower secondary education to promote understanding of Mendelian inheritance and dominant and recessive traits

Android tablet applications for lower secondary education to promote understanding of Mendelian inheritance and dominant and recessive traits