Healthcare Management System Research Articles

Assessing the factors of blockchain technology-enabled hospitals using an integrated interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy decision-making model

In the current era, blockchain technology (BT) has emerged as a novel technique to maintain the operations of healthcare management systems. Assessment of blockchain technology (BT)-enabled hospitals can be considered as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem because of the existence of several criteria. The aim of this study is to develop a hybrid MCDM method for evaluating the factors of multi-criteria BT-enabled hospital selection problem under interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (IVq-ROFSs). For this purpose, a weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) model is presented with the combination of IVq-ROF interaction aggregation operators, the standard deviation (SD)-based model and pivot pairwise relative criteria importance assessment (PIPRECIA) tool called IV-q-ROF-SD-PIPRECIA-WASPAS model within the context of IVq-ROFSs. For this purpose, some new IVq-ROF interaction aggregation operators are developed with their desirable characteristics. Next, the standard deviation-based model and PIPRECIA model on IVq-ROFSs are proposed to obtain the final weight of criteria, whereas the rank-based formula is presented to determine the decision experts’ weights with IVq-ROF information. The presented IV-q-ROF-SD-PIPRECIA-WASPAS model is applied on a case study of BT-enabled hospitals assessment, which confirms its applicability and usefulness. Sensitivity analysis and comparative discussion have been performed to reveal the consistency, robustness and efficiency of the presented model. The BT-enabled hospital-II with highest UD (0.4453) has emerged as the best choice among a set of BT-enabled hospitals. The factor "flexibilty" with highest weight (0.0898) value followed that the scalability (0.0809), transaction speed and accountability with same weight (0.0779) value, and network availability with weight (0.0771) for BT-enabled hospitals assessment. The final results conclude that the developed methodology can provide more accurate decisions while considering multiple indicators and input uncertainties.

Five lessons from a mid-level health manager intervention to increase uptake of tuberculosis prevention therapy in Uganda: ‘it is a completely different thing to implement what you know.’

ABSTRACT Background Leadership skills are essential for middle-level healthcare manager efficacy. Capacity-building efforts may attempt behavioural change by filling ‘knowledge gaps’ while neglecting a sustainable application of that knowledge. Sustainable application of that knowledge, or implementation know-how, must resonate with local cultural patterns. When it is neglected, root issues like unclear decision-making space and local authority to interpret policy during implementation remain unaddressed. Particularly in decentralized healthcare systems, the impact can appear in implementation challenges, subjective decision-making, poor teamwork, and an absence of disseminating best practices. Objectives The SEARCH-IPT trial led a series of mini-collaborative meetings, which provided business leadership and management training for an intervention group of mid-level healthcare system managers in rural Eastern, East-Central, and Southwestern Uganda to see whether this would increase uptake of isoniazid-prevention therapy (IPT) for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in intervention districts. IPT is known to reduce active tuberculosis (TB), a leading cause of death among PLHIV, by 40–60%. Methods We performed a thematic analysis of six focus-group discussions from this intervention (held in May 2019, January 2020, September 2021) and 23 key informant interviews with control group participants (between February and August 2019 and September and December 2020). Results Analysis revealed five implementation skill sets District Health Officers (DHOs) and District Tuberculosis and Leprosy Supervisors (DTLSs) deployed to achieve sustainable implementation and realize their decision-making space. The five practices were as follows: data-based decision-making, root-cause analysis, quality assurance, evidence-based empowerment, and sharing best practices with colleagues. Conclusion These practices reached beyond outcome measures to address root problems around the DHO’s range of authority and elicit buy-in from district health workers. For successful capacity building at the mid-manager level, focusing on core practices as part of competency is objectively implementable and measurable at the system level and does not rely on DHO self-assessments.

Nutritional status and factors associated with gestational weight gain in the city of São Paulo, 2012 to 2020: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundGestational weight gain (GWG) is a critical issue related to postpartum health in newborns and mothers. In Brazil, pregnant women’s public health recommends monitoring GWG. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate gestational weight gain and associated health factors of pregnant women monitored at Unified Health System (SUS) in the city of São Paulo between 2012 and 2020.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women seen from 2012 to 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil. The database used was from the Integrated Health Care Management System related to the Live Birth Information System. Data distribution was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Comparisons between groups according to weight gain (LWG vs. AWG vs. EWG) were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post hoc. Inclusion criteria considered that pregnant women had a recorded initial weight before 13 weeks and up to 15 days before delivery and a single pregnancy. The final database includes 276.220 pregnant women.ResultsThe frequency of women according to initial body mass index (BMI) was 12.004 (4.4%) underweight, 132.049 (48.3%) normal weight, 78.856 (28.8%) overweight, and 50.660 (18.5%) living with obesity. The population consisted of 59.881 (21.9%), 37.217 (13.6%) and 176.471 (64.5%) women with LWG, AWG and EWG, respectively. Weight gain was associated with initial BMI, type of birth, color/ethnicity, marital status, women’s age and antenatal care visits.ConclusionThe proportion of pregnant women with inadequate weight gain is high, relating initial BMI, type of birth, color/ethnicity, marital status, women’s age and antenatal care visits. Interventions such as nutritional education should be suggested to help achieve adequate GWG.

Perceptions of Long COVID Patients Regarding Health Assistance: Insights from a Qualitative Study in Spain.

This study investigates the perceptions of Long COVID patients in Spain regarding the healthcare they receive to identify demands and areas for improvement. Using a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach, the study included 27 participants selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected via online semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal three key themes: (i) health status and challenges in healthcare during the initial COVID-19 infection; (ii) perceptions about healthcare as Long COVID patients; and (iii) demand for and aspects of improving quality of healthcare. The participants, predominantly women (66.67%) with a median age of 51 years, experienced symptoms that they generally perceived as severe, although only 14.81% required hospitalization. The participants reported initial self-management of symptoms at home, which was influenced by familial responsibilities and hospital overcrowding, and the persistence of a wide range of Long COVID symptoms that significantly impacted their daily lives. Satisfaction with healthcare services varied, with frustrations over systemic inefficiencies and long waiting times. The study highlights the need for timely access to medical care, comprehensive and empathetic healthcare services, and specialized Long COVID units. The results emphasize the importance of patient-centered approaches and multidisciplinary care to address the complex nature of Long COVID effectively. These findings provide crucial insights for improving healthcare protocols and systems to better support Long COVID patients. This study was prospectively registered with the Ethics Committee for Research on Medicines of the Albacete Integrated Health Care Management System (registry) on 22 February 2022 with registration number 2022/001.

Review of Manpower Management in Healthcare System: Strategies, Challenges, and Innovations.

Hospital manpower management (HRM) is vital for effective healthcare delivery. Unique challenges, such as managing diverse staff, ensuring clear communication, and optimizing resources, complicate HRM. Rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and employee burnout necessitate strategic approaches to manpower management. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of manpower management in hospitals, focusing on identifying core components and discussing innovative strategies to address current challenges, particularly those related to workforce shortages. A literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Key terms included "hospital manpower management", "HRM challenges in healthcare", and "workforce shortages", selected for their relevance to the core focus of this review. Relevant articles published from 2019 to 2023 were selected for analysis. The review identified core components of manpower management: recruitment and staffing, workforce planning, training and development, performance management, and compensation and benefits. Strategies to address workforce shortages included strategic hiring and enhancing employee engagement. The integration of technology and ongoing training emerged as critical for maintaining high-quality patient care. Effective manpower management is essential for the sustainability of healthcare systems. This review highlighted the importance of innovative HRM strategies to tackle workforce shortages and improve employee satisfaction. By focusing on comprehensive HRM practices, healthcare organizations could enhance workforce efficiency and provide better patient care. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of these strategies on healthcare.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of three surgical options for treating displaced femoral neck fractures in active older patients in Japan: A full economic evaluation.

For older patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, in which primary osteosynthesis is usually not indicated, there are three primary prosthetic options-bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA), single-bearing total hip arthroplasty (SB-THA), and dual-mobility THA (DM-THA). However, the optimal choice for managing displaced femoral neck fractures remains controversial. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BHA, SB-THA, and DM-THA in active older patients with displaced femoral neck fractures. A decision tree combined with a Markov model was employed to analyze the cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of BHA, SB-THA, and DM-THA for the management in the Japanese healthcare system. By simulating the five-year trajectory of a 75-year-old woman treated for a displaced femoral neck fracture, the cost-effectiveness of the three surgical options was evaluated. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) were used to assess parameter uncertainty. Additionally, two scenario analyses were conducted for other settings. The treatment was considered to be cost-effective when the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was below the 5,000,000 yen/QALY threshold. Compared with BHA, SB-THA exhibited higher costs but greater health benefits, resulting in an ICER of 1,499,440 yen/QALY. DM-THA offered additional health benefits compared with SB-THA, with an ICER of 4,145,777 yen/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed some influential parameters. PSA indicated that the probability of DM-THA, SB-THA, and BHA being cost-effective was 40.1%, 38.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. SB-THA was more cost-effective than BHA in patients aged 65-85 years, while DM-THA was more cost-effective than SB-THA in patients aged 65-75 years. The results suggest that SB-THA is a cost-effective alternative to BHA for displaced femoral neck fractures in active older patients, whereas DM-THA is more cost-effective than SB-THA in relatively younger patients. It is, therefore, recommended that orthopedic surgeons select the most appropriate surgical option based on the individual patient's physiological age.

Comparative Analysis of Healthcare Cost between M-DPS vs. DPS Architecture by Using Blockchain Technology

The potential for blockchain technology to transform healthcare systems globally is enormous. Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by creating a decentralized, transparent, and secure platform that can tackle issues like data interoperability, supply chain management, and patient participation. Using blockchain technology, this article compares and contrasts the healthcare expenses of two architectures: The Modified Decentralized Patient System (MPS) and the Decentralized Patient System (DPS). The study examines the gas costs linked with transactions to assess the economic impact of implementing these designs in healthcare settings. The paper compares the M-DPS and DPS architectures and determines the gas costs associated with file uploads. Furthermore, the article compares the expenses of file uploads on blockchain networks that use IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) and those that do not. Results shed light on possible monetary gains and losses from using blockchain technology in healthcare data management systems.

Managing no-shows in healthcare: insights from an urban Health District in Northern Italy

Abstract Background Non-attendance at healthcare appointments, known as no-show, poses significant challenges to healthcare systems, disrupting patient care continuity, exacerbating waiting times, and straining resources. Addressing this issue is crucial for optimizing health care delivery and containing costs. This study explores the phenomenon of patient no-shows and aims to identify factors associated in a densely populated healthcare district in Turin, Northern Italy. Methods Data were extracted from the healthcare management system covering outpatient care appointments in the health district in 2022 and 2023. The analysis included various patient and service-related variables. Missing information on key variables were managed with listwise deletion. Descriptive statistics provided an overview of missed appointment rates, while multivariate analysis explored various patient and service-related variables. Results A 5.1% (n = 6198) no-show rate was observed out of 120,405 records. The total cost incurred due to missed appointment fees amounted to €127,244. Several factors were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of no-show (p < 0.05), including initial visit (OR = 1.11), deferred priority (OR = 1.22), non-exempt status from healthcare co-payments (OR = 1.36), exemption based on income (OR = 1.82), age under 18 (OR = 2.46) and under 65 (OR = 2.32), male gender (OR = 1.17), residency outside the Piedmont Region (OR = 1.31) and outside Italy (OR = 2.46), and longer waiting time (OR = 1.01). Conclusions This study sheds light on the widespread issue of patient no-shows and its economic implications. It provides clear direction for implementing tailored interventions in healthcare settings. As a response to these findings, a telephone recall project was launched. Its efficacy will be evaluated in subsequent assessments to determine if it can effectively alleviate the burden of no-shows, thus enhancing healthcare efficiency and ensuring continuity of care for patients. Key messages • The no-show phenomenon has important implications both organizationally and economically. • The magnitude and major determinants of patient no-shows must be recognized to guide the deployment of tailored interventions in a real-world setting.

Integration of Health Care Modules in Current Health Care Management Systems in India

Health care beyond worldwide boundaries is a critical problem, particularly when the population differs in terms of geographic position, culture, habits, socioeconomic background, medical strategy, and variations in disease burden over time. For countries like India, with a significant percentage of high-end medical experts as well as support and other health care systems, the development and integration of comprehensive and functionally versatile health care management systems are among the most important clinical problems addressed. The central dogma of a country that facilitates adopting a conglomeration will create a dedicated population to provide tailor-made health care in health shield, health protection, and health care delivery; a nation that takes care of a nation. Until now, it has given us E-Health, and offerings have been fine-tuned in research literature. In India, the health care domain is currently breaking the boundaries of knowledge workers in clinical and research domains working with the help of these workhorses (Fletcher-Brown et al. 2021). Many e-governance and public health reform programs in India are under consideration, and many of them are under implementation. This research focuses more on the integration of health care technology relevant to the paper topic within clinical setups, passive provision, and utilization of services for administrative purposes technologically implemented (Das et al. 2023).

Optimizing data management in healthcare: Lessons from clinical trials and beyond

This study comprehensively explores the optimization of data management in healthcare by drawing on lessons learned from clinical trials and extending these insights to broader healthcare contexts. The study's purpose is to examine the challenges, strategies, and technological innovations that are essential for effective data management in modern healthcare systems. Utilizing a detailed literature review, the study identifies key methodologies from clinical trials that have successfully enhanced data integrity, accuracy, and security, such as the implementation of electronic data capture (EDC) systems and rigorous data governance frameworks. These methods are crucial in managing the increasing volume and complexity of healthcare data. The study's findings reveal that big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are pivotal in transforming healthcare data management, enabling personalized and precise patient care. However, these technologies also introduce challenges related to data security, interoperability, and ethical considerations, particularly concerning patient privacy and the transparency of AI-driven decision-making processes. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and improvement in healthcare data management practices. Recommendations include the integration of blockchain technology, cloud computing, and real-time data from wearable devices to address existing challenges and enhance data management capabilities. The study advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes patient privacy, ethical governance, and regulatory compliance to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

Adaptive Mobility and Reliability-based Routing Protocol for Smart Healthcare Management Systems in Vehicular Ad‐hoc Networks

Ambulances enable digital and widespread remote care for older people in the healthcare sector. The Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) is critical for allowing the digital and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for the smart healthcare world. Enhancing the dependability and flexibility of an adaptive routing algorithm improves vehicular communications' Quality of Service (QoS) effectiveness. An essential concern in vehicular technology is enabling drivers to make reliable judgments. Developing an effective routing system that ensures a suitable QoS takes time and effort. The vehicular network ecosystem is characterized by limited mobility, fast vehicle speeds, and constantly changing configurations. This study makes four distinct contributions. Initially, it presents adaptive routing protocols, capable of recognizing changes in the network environment, aware of the mobility of nodes, and dependable in delivering data packets. The experimental configuration is implemented inside a discrete Network Simulator (NS-3) scenario to enhance the QoS. Mobility-aware routing algorithms can provide ITS with satisfactory mobility, vital dependability, high Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), high throughput, and low End-to-End (E2E) Delay. The proposed method has an average throughput of 664.3 kbps, a delay of 151.3 ms, and a packet delivery ratio (PDR) of 94.23%.

Factors Influencing ICT Usage in the Healthcare Management System at Government Hospitals in Tanzania: A Case of Kilwa Road Police Hospital

This study assesses the factors influencing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage in healthcare management systems at government hospitals in Tanzania, with a specific focus on Kilwa Road Police Hospital. The study aims to: examine the extent to which ICT infrastructure availability influences ICT usage in healthcare management systems; determine the influence of staff awareness on ICT usage at Kilwa Road Police Hospital; and investigate the influence of management support on ICT usage in healthcare management systems at the hospital. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Resource-Based Theory (RBT) and employed a descriptive research design. Systematic sampling was used to select 162 respondents from a target population of 272 staff members. Data was collected through questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages, while inferential statistics utilized multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that the availability of necessary hardware and software is significantly and positively related to the effective utilization of ICT in healthcare management systems at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. Additionally, the level of staff awareness was identified as a crucial factor influencing ICT usage. The relationship between hardware and software availability and ICT utilization was statistically significant (p < 0.05), highlighting its importance in enhancing healthcare management systems. Furthermore, management support was found to play a significant role in ICT usage for healthcare management at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. The study concludes that ICT infrastructure, staff awareness, and management support are critical factors influencing ICT usage in healthcare management systems at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. It recommends that the hospital's management ensure the continuous availability of ICT infrastructure to sustain effective healthcare management systems.

An empirical study of job crafting and employees’ loyalty in the Nigerian healthcare system

Many factors have contributed to the continuous departure of workers from the Nigerian healthcare system since the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the effect of job crafting on the loyalty of healthcare workers in public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. The study population was 11,084, comprising all the doctors and nurses in public hospitals in Lagos, with a sample size of 725 using the Morgan Sample Size Determination table. We collected primary data using a well-structured questionnaire and conducted analysis using structural equation modeling. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between job creation and healthcare workers' loyalty in the public healthcare system. This implies that job creation influences health care workers' loyalty. This study suggests that the management of the public healthcare system should encourage and support job crafting while also building and encouraging positive relationships among healthcare workers to ensure their loyalty and effective service delivery.

Risk factor analysis of medical litigation outcomes in obstetrics and gynecology: A retrospective cohort study of 344 claims in Japan

AimMedical errors are critical in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and contribute to high litigation risks. However, few studies have examined system and diagnostic errors as potential preventable problems. This study aimed to enhance medical safety and reduce litigation by identifying and addressing key contributory factors. MethodsWe retrospectively searched the national Japanese malpractice claims database for OB/GYN cases between 1961 and 2017. We evaluated provider characteristics and background information of the patients (plaintiffs). The main outcome was litigation (acceptance or rejection) in the final judgment. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we assessed the associations between medical malpractice variables (system and diagnostic errors, facility size, situation, place, time, and clinical outcomes) and litigation outcomes (acceptance). ResultsOverall, 344 malpractice claims were analyzed. Among these, 277 (80.5 %) were obstetric, and 67 (19.5 %) were gynecological. Of the obstetric cases, 193 were perinatal, and 84 were maternal. Malpractice claims were accepted (OB-GYN losses) in 185 cases (53.8 %). In multivariable analyses, system errors (odds ratio 97.4, 95 % confidence interval 35.2–270.0), diagnostic errors (odds ratio 4.5, 95 % confidence interval 1.8–11.3), and clinic (odds ratio 2.7, 95 % confidence interval 1.2–4.8) had a significant statistical association with accepted claims. ConclusionSystem errors, diagnostic errors, and clinics were significantly associated with acceptance claims. These findings underscore the necessity of addressing modifiable factors at the physician level and within the healthcare management system to enhance patient safety and reduce litigation risks, thereby ensuring a safer and more reliable healthcare environment for patients and medical professionals.

Healing the Whole: An International Review of the Collaborative Care Model between Primary Care and Psychiatry.

The collaborative care model (CCM) was created to improve the delivery of mental health care and is reported to improve access, enhance treatment outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. To understand the impacts of the CCM on symptom management, diverse populations, and sustainability in healthcare systems, a systematic review was conducted. Several databases were searched for articles assessing the CCM. The inclusion criteria limited the studies to those (1) published between January 2008 and January 2024; (2) written in the English language; (3) analyzing adult patients; (4) analyzing symptom improvement in major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder; and (5) fitting the given definition of a CCM. We identified 9743 articles. Due to missing information or duplication, 4702 were excluded. The remaining articles were screened, yielding 468 articles for full-text analysis, of which 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these articles, five primarily focused on individual patient outcomes, five focused on specific populations, and six reviewed system impacts; eleven articles studied US populations and five studied international populations. An analysis revealed that in 12 of the final articles, the CCM led to a statistically significant improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms with viable implementation and sustainability strategies. The CCM is an effective method for improving patient symptoms and can be potentially affordable in healthcare systems.

Characteristics of U.S. Baccalaureate Health Informatics Programs.

Health informatics (HI) is a growing field of study, yet sparse data are available on the characteristics of undergraduate HI programs in the United States. The lack of a central location for U.S. HI undergraduate program data has led to a gap in information to support current efforts to promote academic standards in the field and attract potential students. The objective of this study was to perform an environment scan of colleges and universities within the United States and Puerto Rico to identify undergraduate programs in HI including majors, minors, and undergraduate-level certificates. Potential institutions offering HI programs were identified from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Health Information Management Education (CAHIIM), the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Publicly available materials for these institutions were reviewed, and data were captured for identified HI programs including geographic location; college or school in which the program was offered; type of degree (if applicable); program title; total credits to complete the program; delivery format; and source of data. A total of 83 HI programs were identified from 60 institutions and 26 states. The primary finding of this environment scan was that inconsistencies exist among U.S. HI undergraduate programs including variations in offering college/school, title of program, number of credits required, delivery formats, CIP codes, and the type of information published on university/college websites. This environment scan was a first step in exploring the characteristics of undergraduate HI programs within the United States. Further research is needed on the curricular similarities and differences among the programs, the administrative methods of these interdisciplinary programs, and the information most needed by current and potential undergraduate students.

Assessment of sustainable healthcare management policies and practices in Oman: A comprehensive analysis using an ai-based literature review

Health Vision 2050 Oman is a strategic plan to establish Oman as a regional leader and a research base for world-class health research. The vision emphasises prioritising health research to allocate and plan available resources appropriately. A sustainable healthcare management system is a holistic approach that seeks to balance economic, social, and environmental concerns to ensure the long-term viability and efficacy of healthcare services. There are numerous obstacles to implementing a sustainable healthcare management system in Oman. For example, assessing patient safety culture in primary healthcare settings in Muscat has revealed patient safety concerns throughout the healthcare system. It is critical to address these difficulties to improve the quality and safety of healthcare services, both of which are essential for sustainable healthcare management. The primary goal of this study is to identify the sustainable healthcare areas and policies required for Oman's Healthcare Management System. This research undertakes a comprehensive literature review using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse Oman's sustainable healthcare management policies and practices. This study uses two AI tools, Scite.ai and SciSpace, to discover areas and policies related to Oman's sustainable healthcare management system. The study highlighted environmental sustainability, public health initiatives, infrastructure development, waste management, and community engagement and education. Furthermore, a variety of interconnected policies are discernible within each domain. This study provides significant data about Oman's sustainable healthcare practices and can guide policymakers and healthcare sector stakeholders. This study contributes significantly to creating sustainable healthcare management strategies and establishing resilient healthcare systems in Oman by focusing on critical domains and policies.

Primary healthcare in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study in Sweden

ObjectiveTo explore how primary healthcare workers in Sweden experienced and perceived the long-term impact of the pandemic on their work.DesignThis is a descriptive qualitative study with individual semistructured interviews conducted...

Enhancing Citizen Health Literacy Through Digital Technology.

Contemporary society faces significant public health challenges with prevalent unhealthy behaviors and environmental risks leading non-communicable diseases. This study assesses health awareness campaigns'to effectiveness in a specific Taiwanese municipality, focusing on the impact of a health care management system. Objectives include enhancing public health literacy and evaluating community health promotion. The proposed system includes a personalized assistant app, personnel education, and events covering topics like hypertension, diabetes, diet, exercise, and chronic disease prevention. In summary, the research advocates for effective public health interventions, integrating digital technologies, personalized health management, and community engagement to promote health literacy and healthier lifestyles.

Healthcare and the Internet of Medical Things: Applications, Trends, Key Challenges, and Proposed Resolutions

In recent years, the Internet of medical things (IoMT) has become a significant technological advancement in the healthcare sector. This systematic review aims to identify and summarize the various applications, key challenges, and proposed technical solutions within this domain, based on a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature. This review highlights diverse applications of the IoMT, including mobile health (mHealth) applications, remote biomarker detection, hybrid RFID-IoT solutions for scrub distribution in operating rooms, IoT-based disease prediction using machine learning, and the efficient sharing of personal health records through searchable symmetric encryption, blockchain, and IPFS. Other notable applications include remote healthcare management systems, non-invasive real-time blood glucose measurement devices, distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms, ultra-wideband (UWB) radar systems, IoT-based pulse oximeters, accident and emergency informatics (A&EI), and integrated wearable smart patches. The key challenges identified include privacy protection, sustainable power sources, sensor intelligence, human adaptation to sensors, data speed, device reliability, and storage efficiency. The proposed mitigations encompass network control, cryptography, edge-fog computing, and blockchain, alongside rigorous risk planning. The review also identifies trends and advancements in the IoMT architecture, remote monitoring innovations, the integration of machine learning and AI, and enhanced security measures. This review makes several novel contributions compared to the existing literature, including (1) a comprehensive categorization of IoMT applications, extending beyond the traditional use cases to include emerging technologies such as UWB radar systems and DLT platforms; (2) an in-depth analysis of the integration of machine learning and AI in IoMT, highlighting innovative approaches in disease prediction and remote monitoring; (3) a detailed examination of privacy and security measures, proposing advanced cryptographic solutions and blockchain implementations to enhance data protection; and (4) the identification of future research directions, providing a roadmap for addressing current limitations and advancing the scientific understanding of IoMT in healthcare. By addressing current limitations and suggesting future research directions, this work aims to advance scientific understanding of the IoMT in healthcare.