Information And Communication Technology In Healthcare Research Articles

Theoretical insights into telemedicine and healthcare ICT: lessons from implementation in Africa and the United States

This review paper explores the theoretical insights and practical lessons learned from the implementation of telemedicine and healthcare Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa and the United States. By comparing the challenges, strategies, and outcomes of telemedicine initiatives in these diverse healthcare settings, the paper highlights the importance of context-specific solutions, supportive policy frameworks, and the role of technology in overcoming barriers to healthcare access. The analysis reveals key theoretical frameworks such as the adaptive model of telemedicine implementation and the ecosystem approach, emphasizing the necessity for flexibility, interoperability, and equity in telemedicine services. The paper concludes with implications for healthcare providers, policymakers, ICT developers, and recommendations for future research, aiming to enhance the global understanding and deployment of telemedicine.

Bridging the ICT Revolution and Communication Inequality: Lessons for Cancer Survivors.

The rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) offers new opportunities for providing health information to patients. In this study, we examined the contrasting effects that communication innovation through ICTs can bring in the care of patients with chronic diseases and the health promotion of medical consumers. We also discussed how disparities in information technology usage, based on socioeconomic status, affect the information gap and health inequalities among medical consumers. ICTs have democratized health information, but the information gap persists and can deepen health inequality. Communication inequality manifests in access to technology, information processing, attention to health information, information seeking, and health outcomes. Significant differences in health communication behaviors exist according to social class. Social disparities in technology access and usage contribute to the information gap, which ultimately leads to different health levels. Communication innovation through ICT has both positive and negative effects on managing chronic diseases. Positively, it democratizes information generation and consumption, enabling patients to interact with healthcare providers and peers for support and advice. Negatively, an abundance of medical information can cause cognitive overload. To maximize benefits and minimize adverse effects, efforts should focus on promoting ICTs in healthcare, enhancing patients' decision-making abilities, and addressing communication inequality. Healthcare institutions must provide consistent, high-quality information, and governments should support underserved populations' access to information, ensuring that ICTs contribute to improved health outcomes.

Registered nurses’ attitudes towards e-learning and technology in healthcare: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundOnline learning, also known as e-learning, has increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now an important feature of nursing education globally. An understanding of registered nurses’ online self-regulated learning, attitudes to e-learning and the relationship of these to attitudes to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare facilitates successful educational outcomes. ObjectiveTo explore the association between registered nurses’ attitudes to e-learning and self-regulated online learning skills on their attitudes towards the use of ICT in healthcare. DesignA quantitative study employing a cross-sectional survey. Settings and participantsA convenience sample of registered nurses (n = 120) enrolled in a nursing degree conversion program delivered in Singapore. MethodsParticipants (n = 120) completed an online anonymous survey consisting of three validated instruments (Information Technology Attitude Scale for Health (ITASH), Attitudes towards e-learning and, Online Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were conducted. ResultsParticipant’s levels of online self-regulated learning were positively correlated with attitudes to e-learning (r = 0.663, p < 0.001). Attitudes to e-learning (70.4, SD 11.5) were also positively predictive of ITASH (R2 = 0.306, p < 0.001), but online self-regulated learning was not contributory to the prediction of attitudes to ICT in healthcare. ConclusionsIt is recommended that educators involved in online learning focus on strategies aimed at promoting positive attitudes to e-learning and ICT prior to employing those aimed at developing online self-regulation skills. Further research exploring online learning and ICT needs in the workplace are required.

Harnessing Information Communication Technology to Promote Healthcare Access by Women Living in Rural Areas : Opportunities and Challenges

In today’s world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the driving force behind all economic, financial, technological and social developments. It is a tool that has reached and impacted individuals, organizations and nations globally. In the last couple of decades, ICT has revolutionized the medical field in a tremendous way. ICTs have impacted healthcare sector through sharing of public health information, diagnosis and treatment, facilitation of collaboration and cooperation among healthcare workers, remote consultation, effective health research, monitoring health incidences and improving overall efficiency of healthcare facilities. In this paper, desktop exploratory study was conducted to find out how ICT can be harnessed to promote healthcare access by women in rural areas considering associated opportunities and challenges. It looks at uptake of ICT in healthcare in developed countries versus developing nations. It concludes by outlining the opportunities and challenges associated with the application and use of ICTs by women living in rural areas.

Mediating Effects of Smartphone Utilization between Attitude and Willingness to Use Home-Based Healthcare ICT among Older Adults.

ObjectivesThis study explored the direct and indirect effects of knowledge of new technology (e.g., artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution), attitudes towards technology use, and smartphone utilization skills on older adults’ willingness to use home-based information and communication technology (ICT) for self-health management.MethodsA phone survey was conducted among 300 older adults aged 65 or older in Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea. A path analysis was performed to identify the direct and indirect effects of knowledge of new technology, attitudes towards technology use, and smartphone utilization skills on willingness to use home-based healthcare ICT. Socioeconomic variables were used as control variables.ResultsKnowledge of new technology, but not attitudes towards technology use, had a direct impact on smartphone utilization skills. Attitude towards technology use and smartphone utilization skills showed significant effects on willingness to use home-based healthcare ICT. One standard unit change in attitudes towards technology use contributed to a 0.172 unit change in willingness (p = 0.001), and one standard unit change in smartphone utilization skills changed willingness by 0.246 units (p < 0.001). In addition, older adults with a higher education level and economic status, and lower self-related health status, were more willing to use home-based healthcare ICT.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the necessity of enhancing the smartphone utilization skills of older adults and attitudes towards technology use. Providing more user-friendly services and increasing smartphone utilization skills among older adults would contribute to willingness to use home-based ICT for healthcare management.

Directing and Orienting ICT Healthcare Solutions to Address the Needs of the Aging Population

Background: With an aging population, it is essential to maintain good health and autonomy for as long as possible. Instead of hospitalisation or institutionalisation, older people with chronic conditions can be assisted in their own home with numerous “smart” devices that support them in their activities of daily living, manage their medical conditions, and prevent fall incidents. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions facilitate the monitoring and management of older people’s health to improve quality of life and physical activity with a decline in caregivers’ burden. Method: The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic literature review to analyse the state of the art of ICT solutions for older people with chronic conditions, and the impact of these solutions on their quality of life from a biomedical perspective. Results: By analysing the literature on the available ICT proposals, it is shown that different approaches have been deployed by noticing that the more cross-interventions are merged then the better the results are, but there is still no evidence of the effects of ICT solutions on older people’s health outcomes. Furthermore, there are still unresolved ethical and legal issues. Conclusion: While there has been much research and development in healthcare ICT solutions for the aging population, ICT solutions still need significant development in order to be user-oriented, affordable, and to manage chronic conditions in the aging wider population.

El rol de la telesalud en la lucha contra el COVID-19 y la evolución del marco normativo peruano

Las tecnologías de información y comunicación (TIC) en salud cumplen un rol fundamental en el manejo de la pandemia por COVID-19. Esta pandemia ha permitido redescubrir la telesalud y ha acelerado el uso de plataformas digitales con servicios aplicados a la salud. En el marco de la pandemia del COVID-19, el Poder Ejecutivo ha emitido varias normas para impulsar su uso. El objetivo de este artículo es discutir el rol de la telesalud, y la evolución del marco normativo en el Perú. Asimismo, se describen las iniciativas desarrolladas e implementadas por el Colegio Médico del Perú con respecto a la aplicación de las TIC en salud en el marco del COVID-19 como la herramienta «Observatorio CMP» y las plataformas tecnológicas «Aló CMP» y «Salud a un Clic». Finalmente, el artículo plantea el análisis de algunos desafíos de las TIC en salud en tiempos de COVID-19.

Healthcare Practitioners’ Experience and Perceptions on ICT-Related Training Programs: An Online Survey

Context: The application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare had historically lagged behind when compared to other industries. Despite the benefits of adopting ICT in healthcare, many healthcare practitioners (particularly in developing countries) are yet to incorporate ICT into their practice or engage in ICT training as part of their continuing professional education (CPE). Aims: This study aims to examine healthcare practitioners on their level of exposure to ICT-related course/degree; perceived relevance of digital technologies in healthcare; opinions on the introduction of ICT in CPE programs; and recommendations on the frequency of participation in ICT-oriented training programs by health workers. Settings and Design: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional online survey of healthcare practitioners on social media. Methods and Material: This study surveyed a total of 216 healthcare practitioners using an e-questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. The frequency distribution of all variables was determined. Chi square test was used to compare relationships among all variables with a p-value of &lt;0.05 set to determine the level of statistical significance. Results: Majority (90.7%) of the respondents were from developing countries. Only 36.1% of the respondents had ever taken/obtained a course/degree related to ICT; 92.1% were of the opinion that ICT-oriented courses should have CPE points; and 42.1% recommended that healthcare workers should participate in ICT-oriented courses annually. However, there exist statistically significant differences between respondents’ history of engagement in an academic program related to ICT and their opinions about the digital future of healthcare; and enthusiasms toward using and/or promoting digital healthcare strategies (p-values&lt;0.05). Conclusion: There is a need to introduce ICT-related courses into CPE programs of healthcare practitioners, more especially in the developing countries.

The Effects of Information and Communication Technology on Health Service Delivery at Tafo Government Hospital

This study sought to find out the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on health service delivery at Tafo Government Hospital. A descriptive survey design was used. Data were collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaire and administered to 50 respondents where stratified random sampling technique was used by ranking position as strata. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the findings, 56% of the respondents overwhelmingly agreed to the fact that the applications of ICT provide quicker medical diagnoses, reduced workload among users, improvement in patients’ waiting time and information accessibility. Nonetheless, 72% bemoaned lack of ICT infrastructure, poor ICT network concerns coupled with that insufficient knowledge on the use of ICT could impede the impact of ICT in quality service delivery. This could be deduced from the findings that ICT improves collaboration and clinical decision support in facilitating clinical work flow integration among nurses and other medical professionals. Moreover, the findings above affirm the fact that without electricity, ICT infrastructure, insufficient skills and technical knowledge in dealing with ICT innovations, it is impossible to successfully adopt ICT resources in health care delivery. The above findings show that the majority of healthcare professional generally had a positive attitude towards ICT prospects as they rated their skill as fairly well. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health plays a supporting role by investing in health care ICT.

Future of information technology and telecommunication in type 1 diabetes clinical care: results of an online survey

ObjectiveTo assess the attitude of people living with type 1 diabetes toward the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate access to diabetes healthcare professionals (HCPs).Research design and...

Usage and Impact of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Delivery

This paper discusses two aspects of the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in healthcare: first, the prevalence of using tables and laptop computers by physicians during clinical visits and second, the growing trend of using such technologies for delivering healthcare remotely. Open-ended and structured questionnaires were used to elicit relevant information, which was analyzed using qualitative content analysis and logistic regression models. Results suggest that, as computer literacy is increasing within the general population and caregivers’ skills in using the computer technology is improving, patients are welcoming the use of ICTs in healthcare. The analysis also showed that age together with enabling factors, such as income and education, are substantial barriers to the use of remote care services, even more important than gender, place of residence, race or ethnicity, and care need. Income and education do not influence the acceptance of ICT use by doctors during visits. Females, older participants, and those with more children in the household showed more resistance to the use of ICT in healthcare. At the same time, the depersonalization of interactions with caregivers was a critical concern identified related to the use of ICT in healthcare.

TRENDS IN THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE - A LITERARY REVIEW

Global technological developments are gradually entering spheres, concerning human health. Today, users have the opportunity to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to access health information, communicate with healthcare establishments and receive remote consultation and treatment. The opportunities provided by information and communication technologies in the healthcare sector are steadily increasing. With ICT, health promotion activities, whose mission is to promote health as a core value, can be improved. They affect the prophylaxis, treatment and rehabilitation of a number of diseases. ICT in healthcare is an opportunity to raise the health culture of the population, which will improve the functioning of the healthcare system as a whole. People who are well informed about health as a whole could better follow the recommendations for disease prevention, know when to seek medical attention, and have better compliance with a prescribed treatment. Higher public health culture and disease awareness will make it easier for doctors and other health care professionals in medical centers. All this would gradually lead to the development of a society with lower morbidity and disease, better treatment outcomes, lower healthcare costs.

Current Status of Electronic Medical Record Systems in Hospitals and Clinics in Korea.

ObjectivesMany healthcare organizations and professionals have had interests in healthcare information and communication technology (ICT). The objective of this study was to investigate the current status of overall healthcare ICT, especially focusing on Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in Korea.MethodsThis study used a part of the nationwide survey collected for the OECD benchmarking ICT study. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service conducted the survey from November 19, 2013 to January 10, 2014. This study followed the methodological guidelines of the OECD. A total of 2,093 hospitals and clinics, including long-term care hospitals, participated in the survey. Among them, 554 hospitals and 906 clinics were included in this study for the generalization of the results.ResultsThe adoption rates of EMR systems were 96.3% in hospitals and 95.7% in clinics. Most of the hospitals and clinics had high rates of healthcare information exchange (HIE) within the organization; however, there were extremely low HIE rates among external organizations. Most of the hospitals and clinics had EMR systems with clinical-decision-supporting functionalities. Ninety-six percent of the EMR systems of the hospitals and 89.2% of the clinic systems had checking functions, such as alerts or reminders, on contraindications of drug-drug and drug-age interaction.ConclusionsKorea has maintained a high healthcare ICT status compared to countries in the European Union. The EMR systems of hospitals and clinics in Korea had sophisticated functionalities; however, their HIE status was extremely low, which indicates the need for healthcare ICT standardization.

Incentivizing ICT in healthcare: A comparative analysis of incentive schemes in Italian Regions

Background: The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare has been presented as a potential solution to the current challenges that healthcare systems have to face. The introduction of ICTs may need initial investments and, moreover, may produce changes in the routine practice of the healthcare system. Financial incentives are expected to be an effective managerial tool to communicate a strategic vision and a mandate, to improve the adherence to the strategy and to promote a consistent individual behaviour. In this perspective, financial incentives are assumed to accelerate the ICTs adoption and use in healthcare. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how Italian Regional healthcare systems use the Chief Executive Officers' (CEOs) reward scheme to stimuli the implementation of ICT in healthcare.Materials and methods: A content analysis was conducted on the Italian Regional acts on healthcare CEOs incentive schemes, that were approved in the period 2010–2012 and with a legal validity that ranged from 1 to 4 years (until 2014). The acts cover around 60% of the Italian Regions. ICT goals were identified, categorized, and compared using descriptive statistics.Results: This study identified two areas on which financial incentives related to ICTs were mainly focused: (i) ICT infrastructure and architecture; (ii) flows and processing of economic and financial data. The use of technology to better store and process medical data (i.e. EHR-like systems) were only marginally present. Use of e-Health and m-Health solutions for providing healthcare services, valorization of ‘health big data’ in a community care perspective, more advanced applications of technology for monitoring or preventing diseases were not incentivized for CEOs in Italy.Conclusion: The use of ICTs in healthcare appears to be of general interest in Italy: a great number of Italian Regions introduced specific goals into CEOs financial schemes. Efforts in this field seem to be not linked to the objectives of better care at sustainable cost, while it appears important to ensure a better and wider presence of enabling environments and to implement ICT-based control systems.

Technology Use Among Older Adults At Risk for Stroke: Exploring Future Trajectories

Abstract Date Presented 4/8/2016 This project contributes important knowledge about the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among older adults at risk for stroke. This information is important both because of the risks and possibilities of ICT in health care and to develop future practice innovations for occupational therapy. Primary Author and Speaker: Eric Asaba Contributing Authors: Eric Asaba, Ann-Helen Patomells, Susanne Guidetti, Anders Kottorp, Kerstin Tham

The Promise of Information and Communication Technology in Healthcare: Extracting Value From the Chaos

Healthcare is an information business with expanding use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Current ICT tools are immature, but a brighter future looms. We examine 7 areas of ICT in healthcare: electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), patient portals, telemedicine, social media, mobile devices and wearable sensors and monitors, and privacy and security. In each of these areas, we examine the current status and future promise, highlighting how each might reach its promise.Steps to better EHRs include a universal programming interface, universal patient identifiers, improved documentation and improved data analysis. HIEs require federal subsidies for sustainability and support from EHR vendors, targeting seamless sharing of EHR data. Patient portals must bring patients into the EHR with better design and training, greater provider engagement and leveraging HIEs. Telemedicine needs sustainable payment models, clear rules of engagement, quality measures and monitoring. Social media needs consensus on rules of engagement for providers, better data mining tools and approaches to counter disinformation. Mobile and wearable devices benefit from a universal programming interface, improved infrastructure, more rigorous research and integration with EHRs and HIEs. Laws for privacy and security need updating to match current technologies, and data stewards should share information on breaches and standardize best practices.ICT tools are evolving quickly in healthcare and require a rational and well-funded national agenda for development, use and assessment.

EHealth integration and interoperability issues: towards a solution through enterprise architecture.

Investments in healthcare information and communication technology (ICT) and health information systems (HIS) continue to increase. This is creating immense pressure on healthcare ICT and HIS to deliver and show significance in such investments in technology. It is discovered in this study that integration and interoperability contribute largely to this failure in ICT and HIS investment in healthcare, thus resulting in the need towards healthcare architecture for eHealth. This study proposes an eHealth architectural model that accommodates requirement based on healthcare need, system, implementer, and hardware requirements. The model is adaptable and examines the developer’s and user’s views that systems hold high hopes for their potential to change traditional organizational design, intelligence, and decision-making.

Decision Support for Healthcare ICT Network System Appraisal

A framework to support the appraisal process to improve the quality of service (QoS) of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) network system in health care service is presented. Most of health-related activities stand to benefit from ICT endorsement; however, technical problems may appear, as an inadequate physical infrastructure, insufficient access by the user to the hardware/software communication infrastructure and QoS issues. The aim is to develop a prototype assessment model based on data collected from the main users of a health network system An evaluation process is carried out to analyze and assess the support of QoS of ICT, its infrastructure and user interface perception of the QoS offered through case study for hospitals in Chile. Performance has been evaluated by simulation and modelling network Architecture. The Optimization Network Engineering Tool (OPNET) simulation platform is used to examine the network behaviour and performance to ensure consistency and reliability for thousands of staff across the hospital network.

Stakeholder Engagement in Early Stage Product-Service System Development for Healthcare Informatics

:This article presents the findings from four case studies on stakeholder engagement in new healthcare information and communication technology (ICT) product-service system (PSS) development. The degree of connectivity between the new healthcare ICT PSS and its intended operating environment has emerged to be an important contextual factor that may impact decisions concerning stakeholder engagement in the early stage development process. The four propositions of stakeholder identification and engagement in the development process, put forward in this article, provide important directions for future work in exploring the implications of PSS characterization in early-stage new healthcare PSS development process.

Decision Model for Assessing Healthcare ICT Support Implications: User Perception

This paper presents a multi-criteria decision model based upon user judgmentsto assist the evaluation process of an Information and Communication Technology(ICT) network system in health care to improve the quality of service (QoS).Measuring quality in health care services is not an easy task, as there are many competinggoals involved, human, economic, communications technology, governmentaland others. Integrating multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology withmodeling and simulation through Optimization Network Engineering Tool (OPNET)platform permit to characterize main ICT user and identify priority applications toexamine network QoS requirements and implications. The proposed approach permittedto identify the main users, to elaborate a profile and characterization of theICT support requirements according to their main daily task in answer to a servicerequirement. The results generate evidence related to the important factors effectingquality in hospital requirement as availability of services and the need for ubiquitousaccess to integrated information. The stakeholder interface perception and resourcesfor ICT network support are investigated through a case study for Chilean hospitals.