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Miranda R, Silvério R, Baptista FM, Oliveira MD. Unlocking Continuous Improvement in Heart Failure Remote Monitoring: A Participatory Approach to Unveil Value Dimensions and Performance Indicators. Telemed J E Health 2024. [PMID: 38436266 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Heart failure (HF) constitutes a public health concern affecting quality of life, survival, and costs. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) can enhance HF management, involving patients actively and improving follow-up. While current HF RPM assessments emphasise cost-effectiveness analysis, there is a need to consider wider RPM impacts and integrate stakeholders' perspectives into assessments for better comprehensiveness. Methods: We developed a four-stage participatory approach to select value dimensions and indicators for continuous HF RPM assessment: Stage 1 involved building a literature-informed initial list; Stage 2 utilized expert interviews for validation and list expansion; Stage 3 involved a web-Delphi process with Portuguese stakeholders and experts for agreement assessment; and Stage 4 included a conclusive expert interview. Results: A literature review identified fourteen studies on telehealth, RPM, and HF, informing an initial list of four value dimensions (Access, Clinical aspects, Acceptability, and Costs) and 22 indicators. Seven semistructured interviews validated and further adjusted the list to 38 indicators. Subsequently, the web-Delphi process engaged 29 stakeholders, giving their opinions regarding assessment aspects' relevance and proposing additional elements - 1 dimension and 12 indicators. Five value dimensions and 38 indicators (76.0%) reached group agreement for selection, while 12 did not reach an agreement. Upon expert appreciation, 5 dimensions, 43 indicators, and 6 case-mix parameters were considered relevant. Discussion: This comprehensive social approach captured diverse stakeholder perspectives, achieving agreement on pertinent HF RPM monitoring and evaluation indicators. Findings can inform visualization and management tool development, aiding day-to-day RPM evaluation and identification of improvement opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Miranda
- Centro de Estudos de Gestão do Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Enterprise Services Portugal, Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rita Silvério
- Centro de Estudos de Gestão do Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Mónica Duarte Oliveira
- Centro de Estudos de Gestão do Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and i4HB-Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Dumitrascu OM, English S, Alhayek N, Pahl E, Nord C, Vanderhye V, O'Carroll CB, Demaerschalk BM. Telemedicine for Acute Monocular Visual Loss: A Retrospective Large Telestroke Network Experience. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1738-1743. [PMID: 36912816 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an under-recognized stroke subtype that may benefit from hyperacute reperfusion therapies. We aimed to evaluate the ability of telestroke activations to provide CRAO diagnosis and thrombolysis. Methods: This retrospective observational study investigates all encounters conducted for acute visual loss between 2010 and 2021 in our multicentric Mayo Clinic Telestroke Network. Demographics, time from visual loss to telestroke evaluation, ocular examination, diagnostic, and therapeutic recommendations were collected for CRAO subjects. Results: Out of 9,511, 49 encounters (0.51%) were conducted for an acute ocular complaint. Five patients had possible CRAO, and 4 presented within 4.5 h from symptom onset (range 1.5-5 h). None received thrombolytic therapy. All telestroke physicians recommended ophthalmology consultation. Conclusion: Current telestroke assessment of acute visual loss is suboptimal and patients eligible for acute reperfusion therapies may not be offered treatment. Teleophthalmologic evaluations and advanced ophthalmic diagnostic tools should complement telestroke systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana M Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Stephen English
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Nour Alhayek
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Emily Pahl
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charisse Nord
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vanesa Vanderhye
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Cumara B O'Carroll
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Bart M Demaerschalk
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Kearney A, Gargon E, Mitchell JW, Callaghan S, Yameen F, Williamson PR, Dodd S. A systematic review of studies reporting the development of core outcome sets for use in routine care. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 158:34-43. [PMID: 36948407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Core outcome sets (COS) represent the minimum health outcomes to be measured for a given health condition. Interest is growing in using COS within routine care to support delivery of patient-focused care. This review aims to systematically map COS developed for routine care to understand their scope, stakeholder involvement, and development methods. METHODS Medline (Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science Core collection were searched for studies reporting development of COS for routine care. Data on scope, methods, and stakeholder groups were analyzed in subgroups defined by setting. RESULTS Screening 25,301 records identified 262 COS: 164 for routine care only and 98 for routine care and research. Nearly half of the COS (112/254, 44%) were developed with patients, alongside input from experts in registries, insurance, legal, outcomes measurement, and performance management. Research publications were often searched to generate an initial list of outcomes (115/198, 58%) with few searching routine health records (47/198, 24%). CONCLUSION An increasing number of COS is being developed for routine care. Although involvement of patient stakeholders has increased in recent years, further improvements are needed. Methodology and scope are broadly similar to COS for research but implementation of the final set is a greater consideration during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kearney
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Elizabeth Gargon
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - James W Mitchell
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Farheen Yameen
- NIHR ARC NWC public advisor, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paula R Williamson
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Susanna Dodd
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Majersik JJ, Wong KH, O'Donnell SM, Johnson J, Garcia-Esperon C, Hamilton BJ, Tekiela P, Ledyard HK, Taillac P. Telestroke value through the eyes of emergency medicine providers: A counterfactual analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14767. [PMID: 37089373 PMCID: PMC10119505 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Emergency Medicine (EM) provider experiences consulting telestroke (TS) are poorly studied. In this qualitative study, we aimed to determine how TS changes patient management and to measure TS effects on EM provider confidence with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment. Materials and methods We designed a survey for EM providers querying perceptions of TS value, confidence with treating AIS, and counterfactuals regarding what EM providers would have done without TS. Eligible EM providers participated in an audio-visual TS consult within a 6-state TS network between 11/2016-11/2017. Results We received 48 surveys (response rate 43%). The most common reason (71%) for using TS was tPA eligibility expert opinion. Most EM providers (94%) thought the patient/family were satisfied with TS and none felt their medical knowledge was doubted because of using TS. EM providers had high confidence in diagnosing AIS (95%) and tPA decision-making (86%), but not in determining thrombectomy eligibility (10%). Among EM providers who administered tPA, 85% said tPA would not have been given without TS consultation. TS consultation changed patient diagnosis in 60% of all patients and treatment plans in 56% of non-stroke patients. Most EM providers (86%) had increased confidence in their knowledge of future stroke patient management. Nearly all TS consults (93%) resulted in EM providers being more likely to use TS again. Conclusions TS consult frequently results in both patient management change and increased EM knowledge of stroke management with increased likelihood of repeat usage. Discomfort in determining eligibility for thrombectomy points to educational opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Juhl Majersik
- Neurology, University of Utah, United States
- Corresponding author. Third Floor Stroke Center, University of Utah, 175 N Medical Center Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States.
| | - Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Piotr Tekiela
- Division of Vascular Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Utah, United States
| | - Holly K. Ledyard
- Neurology and Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, United States
| | - Peter Taillac
- Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, United States
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Mahmoudvand Z, Shanbehzadeh M, Shafiee M, Kazemi-Arpanahi H. Developing the minimum data set of the corrosive ingestion registry system in Iran. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1207. [PMID: 36167583 PMCID: PMC9513958 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08576-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corrosive ingestion is still a major health problem, and its outcomes are often unpredicted. The implementation of a registry system for poisoning with corrosive substances may improve the quality of patient care and might be useful to manage this type of poisoning and its complications. Therefore, our study aimed to establish a minimum data set (MDS) for corrosive ingestion. Methods This was an applied study performed in 2022. First, a literature review was conducted to identify the potential data items to be included in the corrosive ingestion MDS. Then, a two-round Delphi survey was performed to attain an agreement among experts regarding the MDS content, and an additional Delphi step was used for confirming the final MDS by calculating the individual item content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) and by using other statistical tests. Results After the literature review, 285 data items were collected and sent to a two-round Delphi survey in the form of a questionnaire. In total, 75 experts participated in the Delphi stage, CVI, kappa, and CVR calculation. Finally, the MDS of the corrosive ingestion registry system was identified in two administrative and clinical sections with 21 and 152 data items, respectively. Conclusions The development of an MDS, as the first and most important step towards developing the corrosive ingestion registry, can become a standard basis for data collection, reporting, and analysis of corrosive ingestion. We hope this MDS will facilitate epidemiological surveys and assist policymakers by providing higher quality data capture to guide clinical practice and improve patient-centered outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mahmoudvand
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Shanbehzadeh
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mohsen Shafiee
- Department of Nursing, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Hadi Kazemi-Arpanahi
- Department of Health Information Technology, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran. .,Student Research Committee, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.
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Yu AY, Bravata DM, Norrving B, Reeves MJ, Liu L, Kilkenny MF. Measuring Stroke Quality: Methodological Considerations in Selecting, Defining, and Analyzing Quality Measures. Stroke 2022; 53:3214-3221. [DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.122.036485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge about stroke and its management is growing rapidly and stroke systems of care must adapt to deliver evidence-based care. Quality improvement initiatives are essential for translating knowledge from clinical trials and recommendations in guidelines into routine clinical practice. This review focuses on issues central to the measurement of the quality of stroke care, including selection and definition of quality measures, identification of the eligible patient cohorts, optimization of data quality, and considerations for data analysis and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Y.X. Yu
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.Y.X.Y.)
| | - Dawn M. Bravata
- VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC)‚ Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN (D.M.B.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (D.M.B.)
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN (D.M.B.)
| | - Bo Norrving
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Neurology), Lund, Lund University, and Neurology, Skåne University Hospital Lund/Malmö, Sweden (B.N.)
| | - Mathew J. Reeves
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing (M.J.R.)
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China (L.L.)
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China (L.L.)
| | - Monique F. Kilkenny
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia (M.F.K.)
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia (M.F.K.)
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Demaerschalk BM, Aguilar MI, Ingall TJ, Dodick DW, Vargas BB, Channer DD, Boyd EL, Kiernan TE, Fitz-Patrick DG, Collins JG, Hentz JG, Noble BN, Wu Q, Brazdys K, Bobrow BJ. Stroke Telemedicine for Arizona Rural Residents, the Legacy Telestroke Study. TELEMEDICINE REPORTS 2022; 3:67-78. [PMID: 35720454 PMCID: PMC9052207 DOI: 10.1089/tmr.2022.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficacy of telemedicine for stroke was first established by the Stroke Team Remote Evaluation Using a Digital Observation Camera (STRokE DOC) trials in California and Arizona. Following these randomized controlled trials, the Stroke Telemedicine for Arizona Rural Residents (STARR) network was the first telestroke network to be established in Arizona. It consisted of a 7 spoke 1 hub telestroke system, and it was designed to serve rural, remote, or neurologically underserved communities. OBJECTIVE The objective of STARR was to establish a multicenter state-wide telestroke research network to determine the feasibility of prospective collection, recording, and regularly analysis of telestroke patient consultations and care data for the purposes of establishing quality measures, improvement, and benchmarking against other national and international telestroke programs. METHODS The STARR trial was open to enrollment for 29 months from 2008 to 2011. Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona served as the hub primary stroke center and its vascular neurologists provided emergency telestroke consultations to seven participating rural, remote, or underserved spoke community hospitals in Arizona. Eligibility criteria for activation of a telestroke alert and study enrollment were established. Consecutive patients exhibiting symptoms and signs of acute stroke within a 12 h window were enrolled, assessed, and treated by telemedicine. The state government sponsor, Arizona Department of Health Services' research grant covered the cost of acquisition, maintenance, and service of the selected telemedicine equipment as well as the professional telestroke services provided. The study deployed multiple telemedicine video cart systems, picture archive and communications systems software, and call management solutions. The STARR protocol was reviewed and approved by Mayo Clinic IRB, which served as the central IRB of record for all the participating hospitals, and the trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS The telestroke hotline was activated 537 times, and ultimately 443 subjects met criteria and consented to participate. The STARR successfully established a multicenter state-wide telestroke research network. The STARR developed a feasible and pragmatic approach to the prospective collection, storage, and analysis of telestroke patient consultations and care data for the purposes of establishing quality measures and tracking improvement. STARR benchmarked well against other national and international telestroke programs. STARR helped set the foundation for multiple regional and state telestroke networks and ultimately evolved into a national telestroke network. CONCLUSIONS Multiple small and rurally located community hospitals and health systems can successfully collaborate with a more centrally located larger hospital center through telemedicine technologies to develop a coordinated approach to the assessment, diagnosis, and emergency treatment of patients manifesting symptoms and signs of an acute stroke syndrome. This model may serve well the needs of patients presenting with other time-sensitive medical emergencies.Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT00829361.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart M. Demaerschalk
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Center for Connected Care, Mayo Clinic and Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Maria I. Aguilar
- Neuro Hospitalist and Stroke Program, Penrose/St Francis, Centura Health, Colroado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Timothy J. Ingall
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - David W. Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Bert B. Vargas
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Dwight D. Channer
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Center for Connected Care, Mayo Clinic and Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erica L. Boyd
- Department of Research, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Terri E.J. Kiernan
- Comprehensive Stroke Program, St. Anthony's Hospital, Lakewood, Colorado, USA
| | | | - J. Gregory Collins
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Joseph G. Hentz
- Department of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Brie N. Noble
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Qing Wu
- School of Public Health and Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Karina Brazdys
- Clinical Research Practice, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bentley J. Bobrow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
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Ehtesham H, Safdari R, Mansourian A, Tahmasebian S, Mohammadzadeh N, Pourshahidi S. Management of the essential data element in the differential diagnosis of oral medicine: An effective step in promoting oral health. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2020; 9:255. [PMID: 33224999 PMCID: PMC7657410 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_97_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral soft tissue diseases include a broad spectrum, and the wide array of patient data elements need to be processed in their diagnosis. One of the biggest and most basic challenges is the analysis of this huge amount of complex patient data in an increasing number of complicated clinical decisions. This study seeks to identify the necessary steps for collecting and management of these data elements through establishing a consensus-based framework. METHODS This research was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional study from April 2016 to January 2017, which has been performed in several steps: literature review, developing the initial draft (v. 0), submitting the draft to experts, validating by an expert panel, applying expert opinions and creating version v.i, performing Delphi rounds, and creating the final framework. RESULTS The administrative data category with 17 and the historical data category with 23 data elements were utilized in recording data elements in the diagnosis of all of the different oral diseases. In the paraclinical indicator and clinical indicator categories, the necessary data elements were considered with respect to the 6 main axes of oral soft tissue diseases, according to Burket's Oral Medicine: ulcerative, vesicular, and bullous lesions; red and white lesions of the oral mucosa; pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa; benign lesions of the oral cavity and the jaws; oral and oropharyngeal cancer; and salivary gland diseases. CONCLUSIONS The study achieved a consensus-based framework for the essential data element in the differential diagnosis of oral medicine using a comprehensive search with rich keywords in databases and reference texts, providing an environment for discussion and exchange of ideas among experts and the careful use of the Delphi decision technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Ehtesham
- Department of Health Information Technology, Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Safdari
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Mansourian
- Department of Oral Medicine, Dental Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Tahmasebian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Niloofar Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Pourshahidi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Schwamm LH, Erskine A, Licurse A. A digital embrace to blunt the curve of COVID19 pandemic. NPJ Digit Med 2020; 3:64. [PMID: 32377575 PMCID: PMC7198549 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-020-0279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital health, virtual care, telehealth, and telemedicine are all terms often used interchangeably to refer to the practice of care delivered from a distance. Because virtual care collapses the barriers of time and distance, it is ideal for providing care that is patient-centered, lower cost, more convenient and at greater productivity. All these factors make virtual care tools indispensable elements in the COVID19 response. In this perspective, we offer implementation guidance and policy insights relevant to the use of virtual care tools to meet the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee H. Schwamm
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Partners Healthcare, Boston, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Alistair Erskine
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Partners Healthcare, Boston, USA
| | - Adam Licurse
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Partners Healthcare, Boston, USA
- Brigham Health, Boston, USA
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