Telemedicine Technology Research Articles

Using telemedicine technologies as a tool for monitoring adverse events in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving antiviral therapy

Using telemedicine technologies as a tool for monitoring adverse events in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving antiviral therapy

The relationship between telemedicine tools and physician satisfaction, quality of care, and patient visits during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThe objective of our study is to investigate the impacts of telemedicine technology and its specific tools on physicians’ overall satisfaction, quality of care, and percentage of patient visits in ambulatory care settings after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Materials and methodsData for our analysis was sourced from the 2021 annual National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS), which included 1,875 complete questionnaire responses from physicians in the 2021 NEHRS. We used regression models to test the effects of telemedicine on physicians’ overall satisfaction, quality of care, and percentage of patients’ visits. ResultsWe report that telemedicine technology has significant positive effects on physicians’ satisfaction with telemedicine and quality of care evaluation, both at an aggregate level and at the disaggregate levels of individual telemedicine features, and partially significant effects on patients’ telemedicine visits. DiscussionTelemedicine features that contributed significantly to physician satisfaction and quality of care evaluation were telephone, videoconferencing, standalone telemedicine platform, and telemedicine platform integrated with EHR, while only telephone and integrated telemedicine platform contributed significantly to patients’ telemedicine visits. ConclusionFor telemedicine research and practice, this study confirms that telemedicine improves physician satisfaction and quality of care perceptions and will therefore be preferred by physicians. However, telemedicine has a mixed impact on percentage of patient visits, which suggests that providers may have to work harder to regularize telemedicine acceptance among patients in the post-COVID era.

Analysis of the Level of Community Satisfaction with the Implementation of the Telemedicine Technology Health Service Application (Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village

Background: Telemedicine is a long-distance health service carried out by health professionals using information and communication technology, and this is also expected to include the exchange of information for diagnosis, treatment, prevention of injury and research as well as evaluation of education. Research objective: is to determine the analysis of the level of community satisfaction with the implementation of the Telemedicine technology health service application (Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village. The specific objective of this research is to find out: To determine the percentage of community satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the implementation of the telemedicine technology health service application ( Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village. To find out the percentage of good or bad implementation of the Telemedicine technology health service application (Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village. Method: This research is quantitative research with a survey approach. This research aims to collect numerical data to measure an analysis of the level of community satisfaction with the implementation of the Telemedicine technology health service application (Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village. Results: Based on data analysis and discussion, the results of the research can be stated. It can be seen from the values ​​presented, the researcher found that good service quality will provide satisfaction for users. Conclusion: An overview of the level of community satisfaction in Sanggrahan Village is high for 50 respondents (100% ).The description of the implementation of the Mobile JKN application in Sanggrahan Village is mostly high with 40 respondents (80%). There is a relationship between community satisfaction with the implementation of the telemedicine technology health service application (Mobile JKN) in Sanggrahan Village, with a p-value of 0.000 (<0.05 ).

Incorporating Technology Adoption in Medical Education: A Qualitative Study of Medical Students' Perspectives.

The integration of technology into medical education has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with tools such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine gaining prominence. These tool in medical education, offering immersive, experiential learning experiences. We approached medical students currently enrolled in medical education programs and who are familiar with and actively use AI in medical education. Initially, we invited 21 random students to participate in the study; however, only 13 agreed to interviews. Some students cited their busy exam schedules as the reason for not participating. The participants were informed of the objective of the study before the commencement of the recorded interviews. Semi-structured interviews were used to guide the record interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software. Participants exhibited a diverse range of perceptions and levels of awareness regarding VR, AI, and telemedicine technologies. Learning with virtual reality was considered to be fun, memorable, inclusive, and engaging by participants. The use of virtual reality technology is seen as complementing current teaching and learning approaches, helping to build learners' confidence, as well as providing medical students with a safe environment for problem-solving and trial-and-error learning. The students reported that AI was seen as a potential game-changer in the healthcare sector. Participants hoped that telemedicine would provide healthcare services to remote and underserved populations. The study conducted focus group discussions with medical students and residents in Saudi Arabia to explore their views on integrating VR, AI, and telemedicine in medical education and practice. Their insights highlight the need for informed decision-making and strategic development to optimize the benefits and address challenges like initial investments, technical issues, ethics, and regulations. These considerations are crucial for fully realizing the potential benefits of technology in medical education globally.

Trust: How It Affects the Use of Telemedicine in Improving Access to Assistive Technology to Enhance Healthcare Services.

Modern telemedicine (TM) technologies play a crucial role in enhancing access to Assistive Technology in healthcare services. However, the full benefits of this technology will not be realized unless it is widely accepted among service users (patients). This study aimed to investigate the impact of patient trust and perceived risk on the acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology in healthcare. A comprehensive survey instrument was developed and refined through expert feedback and a pilot study, leading to data collection from 917 participants. The theoretical framework guiding this research was based on the Trust factors in TM, which helped in conceptualizing the factors influencing patient acceptance of TM. The study revealed a significant gap in patient trust in TM and highlighted the multifaceted nature of perceived risk, emphasizing the need to consider individual risk factors separately. Results also indicated that trust in technological reliability and the perceived effectiveness of TM were critical factors influencing its adoption. The findings underscore the importance of building trust among service users and promoting the reliability of TM for achieving desirable medical outcomes. In conclusion, to facilitate widespread acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology, a multi-faceted approach involving healthcare providers, organizations, and governments is essential to address patient concerns, enhance trust, and promote the benefits of this technology.

Nurse-Led Telehealth Oncology Clinic on ‘Home Management During Chemotherapy’ for Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: Study Protocol of A Mixed Method Study

Introduction: Telehealth is increasingly being used for symptom management among cancer patients on chemotherapy. Objective of the study is to develop Nurse-led Tele-health Oncology Clinic for GI cancer patients regarding ‘Home Management during Chemotherapy’. Methods: The study will follow sequential explanatory mixed method design where during quantitative phase, using RCT (CTRI/2024/01/062028), GI cancer patients of age 18-65 years and undergoing 2nd or 3rd chemotherapy cycle will be randomised after obtaining consent to experimental (EG) & control (CG) groups. Ethical Clearance is already obtained. EG will be followed through Nurse-led Clinic which includes multiple virtual educational & counselling sessions, e-booklet on side effects management, PMRT, Support groups & telephonic follow ups. Effectiveness will be measured in terms of Quality of life, severity of side effects and Anxiety using FACT-G, CTCAE and DASS respectively. In qualitative phase, using extreme case sampling, in-depth interviews from consented participants will be conducted to explore experiences towards intervention. Analysis: Analysis of quantitative data will use descriptive and inferential statistics. This follows thematic analysis and integration of data. Conclusion: The study protocol will provide guidance to optimize utility of tele-medicine technology to improve healthcare outcomes especially for the GI cancer patients.

Exploring Telemedicine Usage Intention Using Technology Acceptance Model and Social Capital Theory.

Telemedicine technology has emerged as a pivotal solution to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services. This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance of telemedicine technology among healthcare professionals in Taiwan. Employing a quantitative research approach, we utilized a survey instrument adapted from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Data were collected from 325 healthcare professionals across diverse medical fields. The results indicate that perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influence, and convenience significantly influence intention to use telemedicine. Moreover, age moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and usage intention. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both technological and social factors in promoting the adoption of telemedicine among healthcare professionals. Policy implications and recommendations for enhancing telemedicine implementation are discussed based on the study findings. Specifically, our findings highlight that perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influence, and convenience significantly impact the intention to use telemedicine technology. Age significantly moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and usage intention. These results not only theoretically support the UTAUT model but also provide practical strategies to advance the application of telemedicine technology.

Delivering HIV and TB services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: a qualitative study of challenges and mitigation strategies

Background Indonesia has the second-highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) globally and is experiencing one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to essential health services, including those for TB and HIV, due to health system overload, social distancing measures, and negative economic repercussions on the health sector and the population. An in-depth understanding of these challenges and the health system responses to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on TB and HIV services is crucial to building health system resilience and preparing for future emergencies. Methods This qualitative study, conducted in two cities in Indonesia, explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB and HIV services including mitigation strategies to sustain the provision of testing and treatment in the midst of the pandemic. Between February and June 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers and 16 clients at nine health centers (puskesmas), three hospitals, and one Community Center for Lung Health in Bandung and Yogyakarta. Themes were identified from transcripts using open and selective coding and then refined. Results Extraordinary measures were implemented in health facilities to sustain TB and HIV service delivery, and prevent the spread of COVID-19, including testing of clients for COVID-19 before receiving medical care, physical distancing when visiting healthcare facilities, revised schedules for medicine dispensing, involvement of community health workers and peers in community outreach activities such as the home delivery of medicines, and the use of telemedicine. Challenges encountered during the implementation of these strategies included medicine stock-outs, health worker overload, lack of sufficient client-provider interaction and technical difficulties when implementing telemedicine, and the risk or fear of exposure to COVID-19 among the community health workers and peers. Conclusions Significant efforts were made to mitigate disruptions to TB and HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some challenges were encountered. Key policy recommendations to strengthen pandemic preparedness include investing in local manufacturing and robust drug supply networks to prevent medicine shortages, and supporting community health workers to alleviate workload issues, reduce the risk of disease exposure, and explore the potential for a financial incentive system. Equally vital is the need to invest in staff training and education, as well as implementing user-friendly telemedicine technologies.

Evaluation of Telemedicine Experience: Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care

Background. To date, one of the key tasks of our time, which has yet to be solved, is to provide medical services remotely using constantly advancing information and communication technologies. It is medical sciences that urgently needs ICT tools for various scopes: providing medical care in remote regions, organizing continuous education of medical personnel, managing electronic patient records, implementing mobile diagnostic devices, and managing network of branches or medical facilities at the institutional level. Telemedicine is a necessity, especially for patients with comorbid chronic diseases like cancer. Objective. To evaluate utilization of digital technologies at various stages of cancer care, through the example of artificial intelligence. Materials and methods. A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA. The search was carried out in such databases as Elibrary, PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar by keywords “Telemedicine in oncology”, “COVID-19 in oncology”, “Artificial Intelligence”, “Digital Technologies”, “Data Personalization”, and “Teleoncology”. Publications not primarily focused on evaluating telemedicine technologies in oncology were excluded from the review process. Results. The literature review was conducted to consider the rapid integration of telemedicine since the pandemic, the risks associated with the widespread use of telemedicine in oncology, and the use of artificial intelligence in oncology, including the early detection and diagnosis of cancer. In conclusion, it is noted that the digitalization of healthcare radically changes the clinical workflow by expanding the possibilities for obtaining information from both medical staff and patients. Experience-based medicine is being replaced by an evidence-based, patient-centered approach. The rapidly developing artificial intelligence technologies will continue to have a great impact on the oncology in the near future. Both medical staff and scientific community must be prepared for the coming changes.

Practical Considerations of Remote Care in Thoracic Aortopathy in India.

Background: Thoracic aortopathy includes conditions like aortic aneurysms and dissections, posing significant management challenges. In India, care delivery is complicated by geographic vastness, financial constraints, and healthcare resource disparities. Telemedicine and digital health technologies offer promising solutions. Methods: A comprehensive review of literature and clinical experiences was conducted to explore the implementation of remote care strategies for thoracic aortopathy in India. The review included studies from 2000 to 2023 and insights from cardiothoracic specialists. Results: Remote care benefits include improved access to specialized expertise, enhanced patient engagement, and optimized resource utilization. Telemedicine enables consultations without travel, and remote monitoring facilitates early intervention. However, challenges like technology integration, digital literacy, patient engagement, privacy concerns, and regulatory compliance need addressing. Discussion: Telemedicine offers significant advantages but requires overcoming challenges to ensure effective, secure care. Careful planning for technology integration, patient education, robust privacy measures, and supportive regulatory policies are essential. Addressing these issues can bridge the healthcare access gap and improve outcomes in India's diverse landscape.

Usability and effectiveness of a telehealth artificial-intelligence powered platform: perspectives from patients and providers in a mixed-methods study.

Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare by significantly enhancing accessibility. However, the acceptability and uptake of tele-medicine is prone to various hindering factors. Studies have shown that both patients and healthcare providers appreciate the aspect of convenience. However, healthcare providers' limited understanding of or inability to leverage the technology involved can be a barrier. With advancements in telemedicine technologies, understanding the viewpoints of patients and providers is crucial for an effective and acceptable telemedicine service. This study reports findings from a usability study of HelixVM™, a telemedicine platform that uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered triage for healthcare delivery. We discuss aspects of asynchronous medicine, healthcare accessibility, saving time, productivity, data exchange, security, privacy, AI-powered triage and quality of care. To assess the usability and effectiveness of the HelixVM marketplace platform. We recruited 102 patients and 12 providers in a mixed-methods study design involving surveys, and in-depth structured interviews with a subset of the providers only. The survey questionnaires are a modified version of the telehealth utility questionnaire. We analyzed the patient's data using descriptive statistics and factor analysis to identify latent demographic patterns. For the providers data, we used a deductive thematic analysis approach to identify key themes from the interviews and interpreted overall sentiments of the providers for negative, neutral or positive. We also calculated percentages of different responses for the providers from the surveys and interviews, where applicable. Patients: Overall, 86% of patients are satisfied with HelixVM and 89% will use the services again. More than 90% of patients agreed that HelixVM improves access to healthcare, saves time and that the platform is an acceptable way to receive healthcare. Chi-square tests demonstrate statistical significance for all the survey questions (p-value <.001). Results from factor analysis show a higher propensity of female gender in middle age groups whose encounter type is fast-track, self-report medium level of tech-savviness and residing in the South regions of US rate the platform more positively. Providers: Thematic analysis identified themes of asynchronous medicine in terms of accessibility and quality of care, time and productivity, integration within the workflow, data exchange and AI-triage. Certain challenges of incomplete data in patient chart and its impact on provider time are cited. Suggestions for improvements include options to ensure completeness of patient questionnaires and better screening to ensure that only asynchronous 'qualified' patients get through to the provider. Overall, our study findings indicate a positive experience for patients and providers. The use of fast-track prescription is favorable as compared to traditional telemedicine. Some concerns on data completeness, gaps and accuracy exist. Suggestions are provided for improvement. This study adds to the knowledgebase of existing literature and provides for a detailed analysis into the real-world implementation of a telemedicine market-place platform.

Analysis of the Use of Telemedicine Technology in Emergency Services

Analysis of the Use of Telemedicine Technology in Emergency Services

Organizational and Regulatory Aspects of the Telemedicine Technologies Use in Providing Health Care to Children and Adolescents with Mental Disorders in Russian Federation

Background: the need for remote delivery of diagnostic, treatment and correctional care has increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, at present, remote forms of care in psychiatry cause ambiguous attitudes among representatives of the medical community, and many organizational, legal and clinical-methodological issues of the use of telemedicine technologies in the provision of medical care, especially in the “patient–doctor” format, remain insufficiently developed. The purpose of this review is to analyze the scientific publications on the organization and legal regulation of telemedicine consultation in the “doctor–doctor” and “patient–doctor” formats when providing assistance to children and adolescents with mental disorders in the Russian Federation. Material and method of review: according to keywords “child psychiatry”, “health care”, “telemedicine technologies”, “regulatory acts” Russian scientific studies published between January 2016 and September 2023 presented in the databases eLibrary and PubMed were selected and analyzed. An analysis of the organizational and regulatory parameters of telemedicine consultations in the “doctor — patient (legal representative)” format and in the “doctor — doctor” format was made based on the practical activities of the Center named after G.E. Sukhareva of the Moscow Department of Health. Conclusion: the review of scientific articles confirmed the validity of telecommunication technologies use to make accessible the children’s psychiatric care, as well as for destigmatization and improvement the quality of medical care. It was shown the need to optimise the regulatory framework, to eliminate conflicting regulatory requirements for primary telemedicine consultation.

Transforming health care: Investigating Influenzer, a novel telemedicine-supported early discharge program for patients with lower respiratory tract infection: A non-randomized feasibility study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally, necessitating innovative care models like hospital-at-home and virtual care programs. The Influenzer telemedicine program aims to deliver hospital-led monitoring and treatment to patients at home. Integrating telemedicine technology with domestic visits provides an alternative to traditional hospitalization, with the aim of easing the burden on healthcare facilities without compromising patient safety. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Influenzer program, a randomized controlled trial is proposed. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the proposed clinical trial design. A non-randomized feasibility study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases at Nordsjaellands Hospital offering a telemedicine-supported early discharge program to patients with lower respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. The feasibility of trial procedures, including recruitment, adherence, and retention, was analyzed. Also, participants' characteristics and trajectory during the intervention, including telemedicine and domestic services, were assessed. Nineteen patients were enrolled from June 2022 to April 2023 and treated at home. Forty patients were not enrolled as 15 (25%) were non-eligible according to study protocol, 15 (25%) refused to participate and 10 (17%) had not been approached. Subjects treated at home had comparable clinical outcomes to those treated in the acute hospital, no major safety incidences occurred and patients were highly satisfied. Participants demonstrated 99% adherence to planned daily monitoring activities. In total, 63% completed all survey assessments at least partially including baseline, at discharge, and 3 months post-discharge, while 89% participated in a follow-up interview. No participants withdrew their consent. The feasibility study documented that the Influenzer home-hospital program was feasible and well accepted in a Scandinavian setting in terms of no withdrawals and excellent participant adherence to the planned daily monitoring activities. Challenges in the organizational structures including patient recruitment and data collection required resolution prior to our randomized clinical trial. Insights from this feasibility study have led to the improved design of the final Influenzer program evaluation trial. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05087082. Registered on 18 August 2021.

Prospects for the use of telemedicine technologies based on artificial intelligence during medical examination

Prospects for the use of telemedicine technologies based on artificial intelligence during medical examination

National Emergency Tele-Critical Care in a Pandemic: Barriers and Solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous disruption to the U.S. healthcare system and nearly crippled some hospitals during large patient surges. Limited ICU beds across the country further exacerbated these challenges. Telemedicine, specifically tele-critical care (TCC), can expand a hospital's clinical capabilities through remote expertise and increase capacity by offloading some monitoring to remote teams. Unfortunately, the rapid deployment of telemedicine, especially TCC, is constrained by multiple barriers. In the summer of 2020, to support the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN) deployment, more than 50 national leaders in applying telemedicine technologies to critical care assembled to provide their opinions about barriers to NETCCN implementation and strategies to overcome them. Through consensus, these experts developed white papers that formed the basis of this article. Herein, the authors share their experience and propose multiple solutions to barriers presented by laws, local policies and cultures, and individual perspectives according to a minimum, better, best paradigm for TCC delivery in the setting of a national disaster. Cross-state licensure and local privileging of virtual experts were identified as the most significant barriers to rapid deployment of services, whereas refining the model of TCC to achieve the best outcomes and defining the best financial model is the most significant for long-term success. Ultimately, we conclude that a rapidly deployable national telemedicine response system is achievable.

Digitization of medical care: history and present

The article presents in chronological order the steps in the development of telemedicine technologies in Russia and abroad, starting from the use of the telephone for consultations at the end of the 19th century to the digital transformation of healthcare in the world, including our country. The main directions, tasks, and risks of digitalization are shown. The steps of digitalization of medicine in Moscow are described separately.

Организационные аспекты домашней телереабилитации пациентов, перенесших инсульт.

Restoring neurological functions after a stroke is one of the main medical and social problems of the 21st century. Telemedicine technologies increase the accessibility and coverage of medical care for patients living remotely from medical organizations, with limited mobility, and also during periods of pandemics. However, to date there are no methodological recommendations for making management decisions on organizing home telerehabilitation for patients who have suffered a stroke. This is due to the comparative novelty of technologies and insufficient knowledge of clinical studies, absence or lack of managerial experience. Therefore, the purpose of this article – develop a methodological framework for drawing up methodological recommendations when making management decisions on organizing home telerehabilitation after a stroke, which is a relevant area in the context of the digital transformation of healthcare. Materials and methods. The study was conducted using analytical methods and information retrieval. Results. Matrices have been developed to assess the readiness of the patient and the medical organization to conduct personalized telerehabilitation. A management decision-making scheme is proposed to assess the possibility of organizing telemedicine rehabilitation of a post-stroke patient at home. Findings. The results of the study may be useful to healthcare organizers and become the basis for the development of methodological recommendations when making management decisions on organizing home telerehabilitation for patients of the relevant profile.

Bibliometric Insights into the Evolution of Health Information Systems and Telemedicine Research

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of the research landscape in Health Information Systems (HIS) and Telemedicine, elucidating key trends, influential factors, and thematic clusters shaping the field's evolution. Through systematic data collection and analysis of nearly a thousand scholarly articles, this research offers insights into publication output, citation patterns, collaboration networks, and thematic areas within HIS and Telemedicine research. Thematic network and temporal analyses reveal distinct clusters focusing on telehealth, HIS implementation, advanced telemedicine technologies, and contextual factors influencing telemedicine adoption. Highly cited papers and author collaboration networks further underscore seminal contributions and research clusters within the field. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the current state of HIS and Telemedicine research, informing strategic initiatives for future advancements in healthcare technology and delivery.

Results of the work of the Reference center for diagnostic radiology with using telemedicine technology

Introduction: the main goal of the Moscow Reference Center (MRC) for Diagnostic Radiology is to optimize study reporting by using teleradiology with a team of highly qualified specialists. Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostic radiology centralization in the capital health care system. Materials and methods. We analyzed the results of telemedicine-based MRC consultations in diagnostic radiology examinations between 08.2020 and 10.2022. Results. The radiologists of MRC reported four million two hundred thousand eighty one study (84.1% first reading, and 15.9% second reading). For the majority of modalities, except for computed tomography (CT), there was a positive correlation between the number of primary descriptions and the number of radiologists. There was a trend towards shorter description times for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorography, densitometry, and radiography. An audit among MRC employees showed a significantly higher number of fully compliant reports without discrepancies, lower number of general comments, and clinically significant errors compared to the audit of on-site radiologists at medical institutions. Research limitations: no data on (i) anatomical regions of the examinations, (ii) the balance of “normal/pathological” conclusion classes, (iii) the number of examinations with contrast enhancement, making establishing the changes in reporting time impossible. Conclusion. The unification of diagnostic radiology at the MRC has improved report quality and reduced time costs.