Digital Technologies In Healthcare Research Articles

Digital communication and techno-stress among health professionals: a cross-sectional study in Italy

Abstract Background Digital technologies are increasingly indispensable in physicians’ clinical practice. Despite their advantages, they are also linked to information overload and constant availability, which might affect healthcare professionals’ quality of life. The study aims to investigate the utilisation of digital technologies among healthcare providers and to identify possible predictors of techno-stress associated with these technologies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted through an anonymous questionnaire distributed to Medical Doctors (MDs) via social media. The main outcomes were “Impact of digital technologies” and “E-mail overload” (EO), and “Whatsapp overload” (WO) as indicators of techno-stress. Univariable and multivariable regression models analyzed the association between the outcome variables and selected independent variables. Results Preliminary results were conducted on 246 MDs. Most respondents declared that using digital technologies positively impacted their relationship with patients and colleagues (67.1% and 56.7%, respectively). Multivariable linear regression analyses highlighted that variables associated with a higher or lower EO and/or WO were age (WO: adjusted coefficient (adjCoeff)=0.24, p = 0.004), being a specialist compared to a General Practitioner (GP) (EO: adjCoeff -8.42, p = 0.000; WO: adjCoeff=-5.2, p = 0.02), the number of patients visited each day (EO: adjCoef=16.10, p = 0.000; WO: adjCoeff=10.43, p = 0.001), working in a town with a larger population (EO: adjCoeff=-8.22, p = 0.001). Conclusions In agreement with the literature, GPs were the medical category most affected by techno-stress. Doctors with a higher volume of patients and who work in smaller towns have a higher likelihood of techno-stress. These findings underscore the necessity of interventions to address the issue, specifically through increased MD education and enhanced EU-wide regulations on digital technology use in healthcare. Key messages • Digital technologies positively impact physicians’ relationships with patients and colleagues, but also contribute to techno-stress, especially among General Practitioners and those with more patients. • Interventions like improved Medical Doctors’ education and stronger European regulations are needed to manage techno-stress and optimize the use of digital technologies in healthcare.

Transitioning Perspectives in Digital Health Through Phenomenology Integration.

The evolution of digital health, from its early days as eHealth to its current expansive scope, reflects a significant transformation in health care delivery and management. This transition underscores the integration of digital technologies across the health continuum from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. The emergence of digital health has introduced innovative solutions but also posed challenges, particularly in aligning technological advancements with health needs, human experiences, and ethical considerations. This position paper aims to explore the integration of phenomenology in digital health, advocating for a paradigm that emphasizes the centrality of human experience in the design and implementation of digital health solutions. It specifically seeks to address challenges related to relevance for individuals who "speak" different languages, ensuring long-term use, addressing digital and health literacy, coordinating various sources, and navigating ethical issues in the rapidly evolving digital health landscape. Drawing upon years of research and practical experience in communication technologies and health, this paper uses a reflective approach to examine the intersection of digital health and phenomenology. It reviews the historical development of digital health, identifies the challenges faced during its evolution, and discusses the potential of phenomenological methods to enhance user-centered design and ethical practices in digital health. The integration of phenomenology into digital health facilitates a deeper understanding of user experiences, enabling the development of more responsive and ethical digital health solutions. Participatory design models, informed by phenomenological perspectives, offer a pathway to bridge the gap between technological innovation and human-centric health care. The paper highlights successful practices in digital health development, including mobile apps for vaccination decision-making and platforms for managing chronic conditions, illustrating the benefits of a phenomenological approach. Transitioning perspectives in digital health through phenomenology integration represents a critical step toward realizing the full potential of digital technologies in health care.

Policies, Progress, and Prospects for Internet Telemedicine in China

ABSTRACT Around the world, the adoption of digital technologies in health care has accelerated considerably in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the emergence of the pandemic, China had already embarked on a private sector, technology enterprise-led creation of an innovative internet health care ecosystem, which has dramatically transformed China’s health care landscape. In this article, we describe the evolution of China’s internet health market, focusing on internet telemedicine. We trace its early origins with the establishment of information networks in the 1980s, to the emergence of a fast-growing internet health market in the 2010s that leveraged the capabilities of technology enterprises in e-commerce, logistics, and payment systems. Private health care platforms have played a central role throughout this transformative process. The supplyside of the market has a unique public-private mix structure, with the coexistence of public and private internet hospitals, and with the majority of telemedicine services provided by public hospital doctors working on private platforms in a dual practice capacity. We conclude with a discussion of the prospects of internet telemedicine, including how it should be optimized and harnessed to improve China’s health system. Finally, we set out areas where more research is needed.

Willingness to use clinical scales for menopause management among general practitioners

Objectives The use of digital healthcare technologies to enhance healthcare delivery has seen significant growth. However, a notable a notable research gap exists in the application of clinical scales for menopause management by general practitioners (GPs). This study aims to investigate willingness of GPs to use specific menopausal scale tools in the care of females for menopause management. Method An anonymous online survey was developed, which received responses from 348 French GPs in 2023. Multiple backward logistic regression was performed to identify the factors influencing the willingness to use a practical menopause management scale. Results In total, 87.93% of GPs are not familiar with the Greene Climacteric Scale and 90.52% are not familiar with the Menopause Quick 6 scale. In contrast, 90.52% would be interested in having access to such scales. The willingness to use a menopause management scale is associated with caring for menopausal females (odds ratio [OR] = 6.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.08–18.08], p = 0.001), less experience (OR = 7.10, 95% CI [2.05–25.22], p = 0.002), the importance of health prevention in daily practice (comparing ‘very important’ to ‘not’, OR = 12.98, 95% CI [1.68–97.60], p = 0.004) and the use of a digital scale in daily practice for menopausal management (OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.04–5.83], p = 0.014). Conclusion Future research is essential in representative population to confirm these findings in menopause management.

Emotional and Psychological Safety in Healthcare Digitalization: A Design Ethnographic Study.

Emotional and psychological safety is important during the use of digital technologies in healthcare. We aimed to gain comprehensive insight into needs, influencing factors and outcomes in the context of perceived safety and digital technologies in healthcare. We employed a participatory, design ethnographic research approach with 16 participants in 10 use cases. The methods included in an iterative process were, think-aloud, guideline-based interviews, process mapping, storyboard creation, and photo documentation. A qualitative, primarily inductive data analysis and synthesis was performed. Perceived safety is influenced by various factors and unmet needs. Increased perceived safety can positively support the use of digital technologies, whereas low perceived safety can limit or even hinder its use. The needs of the different target groups should be considered throughout the entire process of digital technology development and healthcare provision to support their implementation. These findings support further research by providing specific aspects of emotional and psychological safety regarding target groups, settings, and ages and those with different levels of affinity for digital technologies.

Digital Technology in Healthcare—An Ethical Overview

This overview of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is organized according to major types of medical activities. It discusses important ethical problems in (1) diagnostic uses of AI such as image interpretation and text interpretation, (2) the use of AI as decision support or even as decision-maker, (3) its use for treatment, for instance in robotic surgery, exoskeletons, virtual psychotherapy and therapeutic robots (care robots), and (4) the use of AI for healthcare documentation and communication. Summing up, we emphasize two major challenges in the introduction of AI that should concern not only healthcare professionals but also higher level decision-makers such as politicians and hospital directors. The first of these is the need to retain human contacts between patients and healthcare, in particular contacts that are conducive to patient health and well-being. The second is the need to ensure that the introduction of AI in healthcare does not create or exacerbate injustices in healthcare. This can happen if prevalent human biases are encoded in AI tools. It can also occur if people with less money have to use inexpensive AI tools such as virtual psychotherapists whereas the well-to-do have access to a human psychotherapist. On the other hand, AI tools can be used to provide better healthcare to all who need it, and they can also be programmed to avoid biases and other mistakes that humans are prone to. The article concludes with brief summaries of the articles in the special issue on AI in healthcare that it introduces.

The Frontier Exploration of the Development Trend of Key Technologies in Digital Healthcare in Medical Big Data Analysis

With the rapid development of medical big data, digital healthcare as an interdisciplinary field is gradually transforming the traditional healthcare model, continuously advancing the realization of personalized medical services and remote health monitoring. This paper systematically reviews 138 research articles related to the development trends of key technologies in digital healthcare, exploring various critical areas including digital health and privacy security, the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in health, remote monitoring and mobile health, medical data analysis and electronic health records, and the ethical and policy challenges in digital health. Studies indicate that the improvement of privacy security measures and efficient medical data processing technologies are the foundation for the safe promotion of digital healthcare; Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies play an important role in enhancing the accuracy of diagnosis and disease prediction. Meanwhile, mobile health and remote monitoring technologies show great potential in improving the accessibility and continuity of medical services. In addition, this paper discusses the challenges of ethics and policies in digital health practice, such as data sharing, conflicts of interest, and respect for patient privacy. Future research must focus on refining technological solutions to address these challenges and fully integrate digital healthcare technologies into clinical practice.

Patients' Expectations of Doctors' Clinical Competencies in the Digital Health Care Era: Qualitative Semistructured Interview Study Among Patients.

Digital technologies have impacted health care delivery globally, and are increasingly being deployed in clinical practice. However, there is limited research on patients' expectations of doctors' clinical competencies when using digital health care technologies (DHTs) in medical care. Understanding these expectations can reveal competency gaps, enhance patient confidence, and contribute to digital innovation initiatives. This study explores patients' perceptions of doctors' use of DHTs in clinical care. Using Singapore as a case study, it examines patients' expectations regarding doctors' communication, diagnosis, and treatment skills when using telemedicine, health apps, wearable devices, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence. Findings were drawn from individual semistructured interviews with patients from outpatient clinics. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Twenty-five participants from different backgrounds and with various chronic conditions participated in the study. They expected doctors to be adept in handling medical data from apps and wearable devices. For telemedicine, participants expected a level of assessment of their medical conditions akin to in-person consultations. In addition, they valued doctors recognizing when a physical examination was necessary. Interestingly, eye contact was appreciated but deemed nonessential by participants across all age bands when electronic health records were used, as they valued the doctor's efficiency more than eye contact. Nonetheless, participants emphasized the need for empathy throughout the clinical encounter regardless of DHT use. Furthermore, younger participants had a greater expectation for DHT use among doctors compared to older ones, who preferred DHTs as a complement rather than a replacement for clinical skills. The former expected doctors to be knowledgeable about the algorithms, principles, and purposes of DHTs such as artificial intelligence technologies to better assist them in diagnosis and treatment. By identifying patients' expectations of doctors amid increasing health care digitalization, this study highlights that while basic clinical skills remain crucial in the digital age, the role of clinicians needs to evolve with the introduction of DHTs. It has also provided insights into how DHTs can be integrated effectively into clinical settings, aligning with patients' expectations and preferences. Overall, the findings offer a framework for high-income countries to harness DHTs in enhancing health care delivery in the digital era.

(Invited) Multi-Modal Solid-State Gas Sensors-Based Breath Analysis System with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Currently, digital healthcare technologies based on Internet of Things (IOT) are emerging, and the market for digital healthcare was estimated to be 151.5 billion dollars by 2020. Among the digital healthcare technologies, disease diagnosis is attracting maximum attention. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as radiology and human biological material analysis, have limitations of long study time, high cost, radiation exposure, and pain. Therefore, non-invasive diagnostics methods, for early diagnosis of specific diseases and personal healthcare management, have attracted attention.Breath sensors are one of the promising candidates for the realization of non-invasive diagnosis owing to their ease of use, safety, and cost effectiveness. The exhaled breath analysis technique holds great promise as a non-invasive method for diagnosing lung cancer. In the breath of lung cancer patients, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) markers are generated during metabolic processes. Analyzing these VOCs markers presents a compelling avenue for early and non-invasive lung cancer diagnosis. Solid state gas sensors capable of measuring specific VOCs are currently being researched and utilized as commercial gas sensors for this purpose. However, the concentration of lung cancer VOCs markers in exhaled breath is commonly very low, and individual commercial gas sensors often lack the necessary sensitivity and selectivity to accurately diagnose lung cancer. In this study, we propose a multimodal solid state electronic biosensor system designed to differentiate lung cancer VOCs characteristics among multiple VOCs, enabling exhalation-based lung cancer diagnosis. Initially, we developed multimodal biosensors using more than 20 gas sensors, consisting of metal oxide semiconductor sensors, electrochemical sensors, photoionized detectors, metalorganic frame sensors and so on. And each exhibiting varying sensitivity profiles for complex gas mixtures. Additionally, we designed a classification algorithm based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) and multi-layered perceptron (MLP) to distinguish between lung cancer patients and healthy individuals using the output from these diverse multimodal gas sensors. To evaluate the system's performance, we collected exhaled air samples from 74 lung cancer patients and 107 normal subjects, conducting clinical trials with our developed system. We did model evaluation with confusion matrix and ROC curve. The results of these tests confirmed that our system achieved a high predictive accuracy of over 95% in classifying lung cancer patients. The simplicity of the sensor configuration in our developed system makes it suitable for large-scale screening tests to identify potential candidates for precise lung cancer diagnosis. This technology has the potential to contribute to reduced national welfare costs and improved patient survival rates through early diagnosis.

Prevention and Management of Multimorbidity in Southeast Asia: A Narrative Review

ABSTRACTMultimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions, presents a growing global challenge, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries such as Southeast Asia. This trend necessitates the development of sustainable integrated care models to prevent and manage multimorbidity effectively. However, progress in this area has been hampered, especially in underdeveloped regions, by various barriers, including the epidemiology of multimorbidity, how to get different specialists and doctors to work together most availably and manage the multiple medication issues and how to develop cost‐effective approaches to reduce the health burden of multimorbidity. Preventive measures in Southeast Asia, which could tackle multiple components which commonly comprise multimorbidity, include enhancing health literacy and health promotion through school‐ and community‐based educational activities, primary healthcare and related policies on employing taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages. The social determinants of health‐encompassing poverty and low education may also influence research on multimorbidity. Moreover, stakeholder engagements involving national governments, World Health Organization (WHO) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are crucial. Management strategies focus on integrated care models, including patient‐centred primary healthcare, digital healthcare technologies, and medication management to control polypharmacy. Although research on multimorbidity in Southeast Asia is increasing, translating findings into practical measures was limited. Future efforts should prioritize evidence‐based approaches to prevent and manage multimorbidity effectively, addressing challenges like health system focusing on single chronic disease treatment independently, resource limitations, healthcare provider shortages and individual adherence issues. These ways promise to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes in this region.

Understanding Factors Influencing Diabetic Patients' Intention to Use Digital Health Services in Saudi Arabia Using the Technology Acceptance Model.

This study employs the Technology Acceptance Model to investigate the factors influencing Saudi Arabian diabetic patients' intention to use digital health services. There is an urgent need to investigate the possibilities of digital health services in managing diabetes given the startlingly rapidly increasing prevalence rate of diabetes in KSA. The study examines the variables affecting patients' acceptance and desire to use digital health tools to manage their diabetes. The study employs the Technology Acceptance Model to ascertain the crucial factors that impact patients' opinions regarding the usefulness and ease of use of digital healthcare technologies. The proposed model extends the traditional Technology Acceptance Model by adding two new constructs, perceived privacy and trust. These constructs were examined by analyzing the intentions of 600 respondents through online surveys. The study's conclusions showed that attitudes toward using digital health services for KSA diabetic patients are greatly influenced by every component of the extended Technology Acceptance Model. The study's conclusions add to the body of knowledge already in existence and offer insightful information to decision-makers hoping to improve digital health services.

Challenges Experienced by Saudi Patients With Cancer and Their Family Caregivers in Using Digital Healthcare Technology Platforms in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has provided a unique boost to the use of digital healthcare technology, putting many vulnerable people at risk of digital exclusion. To promote digital healthcare equity, it is important to identify the challenges that may inhibit cancer patients and family caregivers from benefiting from such technology. This study explored the challenges that cancer patients and family caregivers experience in using digital healthcare technology platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative descriptive study using face-to-face semistructured individual interviews was carried out. A purposive sample of 21 participants was recruited from a public cancer hospital in Saudi Arabia. Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was utilized. The factors that challenged the ability of participants to benefit from digital healthcare technology were similar. Four themes related to the challenges the two groups experienced emerged: access to platforms, use of platforms for cancer health-related purposes, attitudes toward these platforms, and individual user preferences. This study identified numerous areas for improvement regarding digital healthcare technology platform implementation, which could increase future benefits and equal use. This study's findings also provide useful information to investigators who intend to create digital nursing interventions for both groups amid COVID-19 and other worldwide health crises.

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.

Digital proficiency: assessing knowledge, attitudes, and skills in digital transformation, health literacy, and artificial intelligence among university nursing students

BackgroundImplementing digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in education and practice necessitates understanding nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors as end-users toward current and future digital and AI applications.PurposeThis study aimed to assess the perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nursing students regarding digital transformation, as well as their digital health literacy (DHL) and attitudes toward AI. Furthermore, we investigated the potential correlations among these variables.MethodsA descriptive correlational design was employed in a Saudi nursing college utilizing a convenience sample of 266 nursing students. A structured questionnaire consisting of six sections was used, covering personal information, knowledge, skills and attitudes toward digital transformation, digital skills, DHL, and attitudes toward AI. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were employed for data analysis.ResultsNursing students exhibited good knowledge of and positive attitudes toward digital transformation services. They possessed strong digital skills, and their DHL and positive attitude toward AI were commendable. Overall, the findings indicated significant positive correlations between knowledge of digital transformation services and all the digital variables measured (p = < 0.05). Senior students reported greater digital knowledge and a positive attitude toward AI.ConclusionThe study recommends an innovative undergraduate curriculum that integrates opportunities for hands-on experience with digital healthcare technologies to enhance their digital literacy and skills.

Who is most at risk of digital exclusion within healthcare?

Abstract Introduction There has been a rapid growth in the use of digital technologies in healthcare to improve population health. However, due to digital exclusion (DE) (the unfair differences in motivation, access and use of these technologies), some demographic groups are unable to harness the health benefits of these technologies. Various frameworks have been designed to highlight groups vulnerable to health inequities, but none focus on DE. To provide better support for digitally excluded individuals, we must start by identifying demographic groups most at risk of DE. Aim Review the literature to identify demographic groups most at risk of DE within healthcare. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus were searched on 22nd October 2022 in a non-systematic way to scope and examine emerging evidence surrounding groups at risk of DE within healthcare. English-language peer-reviewed articles and grey literature (e.g., government reports and regulatory organisation documents) identifying demographic groups at risk of DE and possible factors influencing exclusion were included. Search terms included words associated with DE and health inequity. Data extracted from the included articles included the different demographic groups highlighted and reasons for DE. Results Analysis of twenty-two included articles highlighted six common sociodemographic factors associated with DE that we compiled into six groups. These groups include Culture (ethnicity, language, religion), Limiting conditions (visual and hearing impairments), Education, Age, Residence (rural, deprived areas, homeless), and Socioeconomic status, forming the CLEARS framework. Cultural factors associated with DE included bias in artificial intelligence models used in healthcare technologies, low sensitivity in sensors when used across different ethnic backgrounds, and lack of consideration for different religious groups. Limiting conditions may make it difficult to use the technology, such as reading health information on small screens if visually impaired. Low educational attainment and old age (over 65) were frequently associated with poor digital literacy skills and poor understanding of the benefit of health technologies, thus reducing motivation and use of health technologies. Residential factors centred around barriers to accessing infrastructure to support connectivity (e.g. WiFi) and socioeconomic factors, including financial barriers to compatible devices and connectivity. Individuals who identify with two or more of these groups (intersectionality) are at even greater risk of DE. Conclusion This review identified six groups at risk of DE, the contributing reasons for exclusion, and the role of intersectionality. The CLEARS framework generated from this review can guide researchers and health technology developers in identifying groups that need to be involved in the co-design of digital health technologies to support inclusion. During the development of the CLEARS framework, groups in previous health inequities frameworks, such as the LGBTQ+ community, were considered, but later excluded due to the lack of representation within the literature. However, it is also important to recognise underserved groups are less likely to appear in the literature. Further work is needed to design tailored guidelines to support the development of inclusive digital health technologies that meet the needs of underserved groups.

Innovation in Healthcare Through Information Technologies: A Review

The application of innovative information technologies in healthcare can definitely subside the present limitations of the healthcare industry through better affability and accessibility. It encompasses the use of artificial intelligence, big data, biomedical research including drug invention, medical education, innovative/robotic surgical technology, cutting-edge equipment, telemedicine, virtual consultation, online supportive platforms, etc. The present review is an attempt to identify and analyse the impact of these innovative information technologies and explore the potential scope of improvement in the Indian healthcare system. The database search was performed in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar and Wiley Online Library. Initially, 319 articles related to innovative digital healthcare technologies have been sourced. However, 105 articles were taken into consideration for the review due to various exclusion criteria. Through an extensive review of previously published articles, the present study concludes that undoubtedly information technologies and their applications aid providers reduce inefficiencies, increasing quality, increasing access, removing human errors, reducing costs and making diagnosis, treatment and medicine more personalised for patients. It has really improved the quality, quick and convenient healthcare system.

Digital Technologies in Health Care: A Comprehensive Review of Current Status and Future Perspectives

The review paper focuses on the most important digital technologies that are used in health care, as well as the difficulties, advantages, and prospective prospects for the future that are linked with the inclusion of digital tools into clinical learning. Within the context of this rapidly evolving digital age, it is of the highest significance for students, medical educators, and training organizations to keep their understanding of the breadth, promise, difficulties, and limitations of digital technologies up to date. Digital health studies aim to realize the promise of digital technologies and understand their feasibility and effects. Through a critical examination of the most famous interdisciplinary digital health publications, this study argues that the digital health field has not really engaged with its main topic, technology. The intricacies of healthcare environments, including different technologies, existing procedures, and people, are ignored in research on digital technologies. The study findings show that health literature focuses on digital technology processing and its effects on digital health research approaches that emphasize technology and context. It claims that digital health's full potential requires multidisciplinary research on healthcare systems, informational demands, and digital technology.

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.:

The Role of Health Institutions in Training Healthcare Personnel for the Digital Transition: The International Training Program of the Order of Physicians and Dentists of Rome

Digital health, encompassing the use of digital technologies in healthcare, and telemedicine, facilitating healthcare delivery across long distances, have witnessed widespread applications across various healthcare domains. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital solutions in healthcare, overcoming barriers to access and fostering transitions to new care models. However, healthcare professionals often lack digital health competencies, necessitating targeted training initiatives. This study presents a project initiated by the Order of Physicians and Dentists of Rome, promoting a comprehensive training program in digital health for healthcare professionals. This investigation aims to describe the project, report demographic characteristics of participants, and analyze survey results on participants’ perceptions of the training program. The Erasmus+ project, titled ‘Training of Physician Trainers in Telemedicine, eHealth, and Digital Medicine,’ facilitated the digital transition of the healthcare sector through international training. The project involved structured courses, job-shadowing, and support activities in Malta and Madrid. A survey, developed using the Delphi methodology, assessed participants’ views on telemedicine. Thirty participants, selected based on merit, engaged in the project. Survey responses highlighted a strong impact on participants’ understanding of digital health concepts and increased confidence in utilizing digital tools. Notably, 85% acknowledged significant skill acquisition in healthcare digitalization. The project addressed a critical training gap among healthcare professionals, emphasizing the need for ongoing education in digital health. Despite existing recommendations, formal digital health education remains limited. The study underscores the importance of educational efforts to foster a digitalized healthcare model.

Digital clinical empathy in a live chat: multiple findings from a formative qualitative study and usability tests

BackgroundClinical empathy is considered a crucial element in patient-centered care. The advent of digital technology in healthcare has introduced new dynamics to empathy which needs to be explored in the context of the technology, particularly within the context of written live chats. Given the growing prevalence of written live chats, this study aimed to explore and evaluate techniques of digital clinical empathy within a familial cancer-focused live chat, focusing on how health professionals can (a) understand, (b) communicate, and (c) act upon users’ perspectives and emotional states.MethodsThe study utilized a qualitative approach in two research phases. It examined the expected and implemented techniques and effectiveness of digital clinical empathy in a live chat service, involving semi-structured interviews with health professionals (n = 9), focus group discussions with potential users (n = 42), and two rounds of usability tests between health professionals (n = 9) and users (n = 18). Data were examined using qualitative content analysis.ResultsExpected techniques of digital clinical empathy, as articulated by both users and health professionals, involve reciprocal engagement, timely responses, genuine authenticity, and a balance between professionalism and informality, all while going beyond immediate queries to facilitate informed decision-making. Usability tests confirm these complexities and introduce new challenges, such as balancing timely, authentic responses with effective, personalized information management and carefully framed referrals.ConclusionsThe study reveals that the digital realm adds layers of complexity to the practice of clinical empathy. It underscores the importance of ongoing adaptation and suggests that future developments could benefit from a hybrid model that integrates the strengths of both AI and human health professionals to meet evolving user needs and maintain high-quality, empathetic healthcare interactions.