https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal <p><strong>Telehealth and Medicine Today (THMT</strong>) open access international peer reviewed journal examines the value of telehealth and clinical automation, its use and scalable developments, clinical informatics,<strong> </strong>business process guidance, immersive patient experiences, market research, and the economic impact of digital health innovations in advancing value based care across the care continuum. Original research articles and reviews feature perspectives from multiple disciplines including medicine, technology, policy, economic, education, and social impact. Authors are encouraged to submit outcomes data to demonstrate real world cost efficiencies to enhance affordable, accessible, quality care through virtual and digital treatment modalities. </p> Partners in Digital Health en-US Telehealth and Medicine Today 2471-6960 <p>Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to <em>Telehealth and Medicine Today (THMT).</em></p> <p><em>THMT is published under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>. </em></p> <p> </p> https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/442 <p>This was the first experimental holoportation transoceanic keynote address using commonly available smartphones and custom software, relayed to ConVerge2Xcelerate (#ConV2X) AI &amp; Tech in Telehealth and Medicine, Sept 22, 2023, from Star City, Russia, <span class="gmail_default">​</span>t<span class="gmail_default">​to </span>Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, by a collaborative team including, Fernando De La Pena Llaca, CEO, Aexa, and Tory Cenaj, Founder and Publisher, Partners in Digital Health. Dr. Schmid’s keynote was transcribed and provided to Telehealth and Medicine Today (THMT) to mark the momentous occasion and to share important messages across THMT’s global ecosystem. The New Orleans, LA onsite test on September 21 was conducted with success for both projection and audio. The on sit<span class="gmail_default">​e </span>team experienced issues with both projection and sound Sept 22, 2023. The team surmised this technology can be used successfully across borders on earth.</p> Josef F. Schmid, III, MD, MPH Copyright (c) 2023 Tory Cenaj http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v8.442 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/479 <p>Speakers address how XR technologies are revolutionizing healthcare, from surgical simulations to patient care. Regulatory challenges and clinical solutions associated with adopting XR in medicine are explored. Viewers can gain insights from speakers on their experiences with the transformative potential of XR in healthcare.</p> <p>Objectives<br>• Provide an overview of the current state and applications of medical extended reality (XR) technologies in healthcare<br>• Discuss the benefits and challenges of the state of XR in medicine<br>• Explore the future potential and ethical considerations of medical XR in healthcare<br>• Gain insights on how medical XR can be used in current and future healthcare environments<br>• Understand regulatory frameworks that could be put in place to ensure consumers and end-users are appropriately protected</p> Dan Scarf Mark Zhang, DO, MMSc, FAMIA Claude Pirtle, CMIO Copyright (c) 2024 Dan Scarf, Mark Zhang, DO, MMSc, FAMIA, Claude Pirtle, CMIO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.479 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/481 <p>Governments and technology companies are increasingly collecting vast amounts of personal data, prompting investigations, and calls for stricter regulation to protect individual privacy. Despite these issues, socioeconomic demands for data sharing continue to rise. Data increasingly powers innovation, and needs to be used for public good, while protecting individual privacy. This is new terrain for policymaking, and requires a careful approach. Digitally savvy businesses are collecting data and deploying it to anticipate product demand and set prices, lowering costs, and outwitting more traditional competitors. This session explores the challenges of balancing citizen and patient privacy with open data sharing for public good, and improved population health.</p> <p>Objectives<br>• Explore how open data can improved efficiencies and reduced costs<br>• Learn how increased transparency can increase accountability and lead to less corruption<br>• Consider how open data has the potential to bring people together who are working on similar issues to exchange ideas, findings, discuss challenges, and encourage data collaboration rather than competitiveness<br>• Appreciate the hazards and costs for incorrect use of data and missing data</p> Lorenzo Cristofaro Osama El-Hassan, PhD Paul Barach, BSC, MD, MPH Copyright (c) 2024 Lorenzo Cristofaro, Osama El-Hassan, PhD, Paul Barach, BSC, MD, MPH http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.481 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/477 <p>How can community health professionals connect with resident health consumers to encourage positive self care? This goes beyond encouraging physical activity to encompass a range of life style behavior changes with a tailored approach that engages those least engaged with health and wellness and potentially most at risk from acute health risks and longer term conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes. Is the answer purely digital, or does a network of health service managers help drive engagement and better outcomes?</p> <p>Objectives<br>• Insight into own practices and the balance between acute and preventative care<br>• Understand how smartphone technology, combined with incentives, can be used to engage community residents in their own self care<br>• Learn how to baseline existing behavior and measure change over time<br>• Gain insights from smartphone derived data and understand how it can be used to identify barriers to change</p> Hannah McCarthy Copyright (c) 2024 Hannah McCarthy http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.477 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/478 <p>Speakers discuss how data is stored, shared, and monetized connecting an entire ecosystem with benefits. In addition, EHRs, genomic DNA, wearables, pharmacy and social determinants of health data and accelerated access to de-identified, tokenized, real-time data is addressed in shaping a new health data economy.</p> Igor Korolev, PhD Ardy Arianpour Stephan Manoryk Jim St. Clair Copyright (c) 2024 Igor Korolev, PhD, Ardy Arianpour, Stephan Manoryk , http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.478 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/480 <p>The 4th Annual ConV2X 2023 Ignition Pitch Competition spotlighted advancements in frontier technologies in telehealth, artificial intelligence, platform approaches, and blockchain technology in healthcare. The pioneering minds behind these startups are poised to reshape the future of healthcare in areas such as genomics, bio NFTs, decentralized research, AI IQ, and personalized care pathways. We wish to thank competitors, and wish them luck and success on their market journeys. A sincere thank you is extended to fellow judges for their outstanding expertise, and time in evaluating contestants. We hope viewers will find the video of high interest, as it provides a glimpse into what funders look for when evaluating startups in healthcare. For details on the ConV2X 2024 Pitch Event, please email info@partnersindigitalhealth.com.</p> <p><strong>Finalists</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronwyn Bridges, Founder, PragmaClin Research Inc</li> <li>Daniel Uribe, CEO, Genobank.io</li> <li>Paniz Jasbi, Founder, Theriome Inc</li> <li>Rama Rao, CEO, BloqCube</li> <li>Ryan Wright, Founder, Nvelope LLC</li> <li>Seth Dobrin, PhD, Founder &amp; CEO, Qantm AI</li> <li>Tanvi Vattikuti Abbhi, Co-Founder, Veta Health</li> </ul> <p><strong>Winners</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bloqcube Inc, for Blockchain Tech in Healthcare</li> <li>Veta Health, for AI &amp; Tech in Telehealth</li> </ul> <p><strong>Judges</strong></p> <ul> <li>William Taranto, President, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund</li> <li>Nisa Amolis, Managing Partner, A100x Ventures</li> <li>Dr. Shayan Vyas, Executive Physician and Medical Leader, Health Systems</li> <li>Dr. Sweta Sneha, Executive Director of Healthcare Management Informatics. Professor of Information Systems, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw University</li> <li>Ruby Gadelrab Tudor, CEO, MDsrupt</li> <li>Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, CEO &amp; President, Aexa</li> <li>Shwen Gwee, Former VP and Head of Global Digital Strategy, Bristol Myers Squibb – MODERATOR</li> </ul> Shwen Gwee Copyright (c) 2024 Shwen Gwee http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.480 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/459 Raouf Hajji, MD, PhD Copyright (c) 2024 Raouf Hajji, MD, PhD http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.459 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/463 <p>Op-Ed on the current stagnation in what should be great promise for digital health to improve outcomes and lower costs.&nbsp;</p> J. Michael Connors, MD Copyright (c) 2024 J. Michael Connors, MD http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.463 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/461 <p>Objective</p> <p>We aim to characterize the telehealth care experiences of autonomic dysfunction and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Telemedicine is a popular modality for receiving healthcare. Due to its rising use, ensuring efficacy, satisfaction, and safety is important. Current literature finds high satisfaction, benefitted physical and emotional health, and desired feasibility amongst PD patients. While results are promising, there still exists a dearth of literature describing the experiences of autonomic dysfunction patients as a whole and including qualitative data in analysis of care experiences.</p> <p>Design/Methods</p> <p>We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using anonymous, survey responses from autonomic dysfunction and PD patients within a large health system. The study questionnaire included both Likert-scale prompts and open responses. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were incorporated in discussed findings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-five patients with either autonomic dysfunction or PD diagnoses who successfully completed the questionnaire were included. Over 80% of participants were confidently able to access medical appointments and providers via telehealth services. 88% accessed telehealth services without others’ assistance. Conversely, 68% did not agree that telehealth appointments were accessible during impacted internet connection. 92% of respondents, however, felt satisfied with the quality of care from telehealth appointments, with 76% finding the care comparable to in-person visits. Notably, 76% experienced improved care access to care and also had their needs met from telehealth. Among open responses, 43% highlighted how physical barriers and distance hindered in-person attendance. Four responses discussed affected fine motor movements limiting telehealth access. Three preferred in-person appointments, denoting the importance of thorough physical exams.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Telehealth effectively meets autonomic dysfunction and PD patients’ needs comparably to in-person visits, improves access to care, and delivers high satisfaction. This modality still proves inadequate during limited internet connection and for those with impacted fine motor skills. While telehealth holds promising utility for autonomic dysfunction and PD patients’ care, continued study into furthering accessibility for patients of all abilities and technological constraints is still warranted.</p> Sachin Vallamkonda, BA Leah Gorfinkel, BS Anna Hohler, MD Copyright (c) 2024 Sachin Vallamkonda, BA, Leah Gorfinkel, BS, Anna Hohler, MD http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.461 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/462 <p><strong>Background</strong>: The implementation of telemedicine and digital health technologies in healthcare has increased, but patients still need help adopting and utilizing these technologies. To address this, a Digital Health Navigator (DHN) program was implemented to evaluate the benefits of improving patients’ adoption.</p> <p><strong>Objectives</strong>: To alleviate digital equity within hospitals, we introduced a holistic digital health navigator program designed to promote the utilization of digital tools among hospitalized patients.&nbsp; To implement a DHN program to improve patient adoption of digital portals to engage in healthcare. To learn from the program to further develop patient-facing portal education for hospitalized patients to expand to other hospitals.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong>: Over a period of thirty days, the DHN program conducted patient visits in two hospitals, on portal usage, collecting data, and adapting protocols based on patient feedback.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: Feedback from patients indicated 98% of patients found the education and the DHN to be helpful. 92% recommend the UPMC Central PA Portal for accessing their healthcare information. The DHN program proves beneficial in promoting portal usage and addressing technological barriers experienced by patients. We provide strategies and recommendations on how to implement such a program.</p> <p><strong>Discussion: </strong>We successfully implemented a digital health navigator program for hospitalized patients across two hospitals. Patients reported a positive perception and satisfaction with digital health navigator visits . Notably, our model overcomes challenges related to limited internet access and mitigates technology-related anxiety during hospital stays. The DHN program proved beneficial in promoting hospital portal usage and addressing technological barriers experienced by patients. Implementation and sustained adoption of digital technologies across a large healthcare organization can be achieved through a well-coordinated, team-based, and systematic approach with a DHN. We provide strategies and recommendations on how to implement such a program</p> Salim Saiyed, MD, MBA Wern Lynn Ng, MD Madeline Cherry Safi Khattab Hafsa Pathan Copyright (c) 2024 Salim Saiyed, MD, MBA, Wern Lynn Ng, MD, Madeline Cherry, Safi Khattab, Hafsa Pathan http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.462 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/456 <p>A limited number of healthcare workers and cost constraints limit primary care access in the Philippines. To test telehealth as a low-cost and effective solution, a large-scale digital health clinic was implemented in the selected urban and rural communities. In collaboration with local authorities, our pilot telemedicine clinic was implemented for 3 days in January 2023. Patients were registered and their vitals were assessed before they were seen by a remote United States-based licensed physician who provided recommendations for treatment. Medical devices with real-time streaming capabilities, such as electronic stethoscopes, were utilized to enhance remote examinations. A total of 322 patients were treated at the telehealth clinic, of which 218 completed a population health survey. A large proportion of patients had a doctor visit more than 12 months prior (39.2%) and had not received a dental examination (86.3%) or an eye examination within the past year (84.4%). Most patients had access to a smartphone (69.7%). A lower proportion had access to an internet connection that was sufficient for video calls (57.9%) or a laptop (8.5%). Our clinic demonstrated that telehealth is a feasible solution to improve primary care access for disadvantaged communities in the Philippines.</p> Annalicia Pickering, MD Wardah Rafaqat, MD Adi Balk Milton Chen Limuel Abrogena, MD Shuhan He Mary Showstark Alexander Davis Aidan Chen Jarone Lee Copyright (c) 2024 Annalicia Pickering, Wardah Rafaqat, Adi Balk, Milton Chen, Limuel Abrogena, Shuhan He, Mary Showstark, Alexander Davis, Aidan Chen, Jarone Lee http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.456 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/476 <p>Patients are creating solutions and setting new standards for what’s possible in health and outcomes. Speakers discuss perspectives and viewpoints in patient care that help both clinicians, patients, survivors, and caregivers learn valuable new skills, and how to deploy them to work together, and take power back.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Discussion Topics</strong></p> <ul> <li>Providing guidance for those suffering from new diagnosis or chronic conditions on how to leverage patient-led groups to find answers and change their course of care</li> <li>Clinician experiences with patient-led groups and patient-led healthcare</li> <li>Learn about the four patient archetypes – Seeker, Networker, Solver, and Champion</li> <li>Advice for patients, caregivers, and survivors who want to learn how to navigate roadblocks and the lack of information in their healthcare journey</li> <li>Advice for how “Seekers” can get started</li> <li>Clinicians advice on facing unknowns to patients and how to navigate the healthcare system</li> <li>Concerns about potential misinformation in patient and caregiver-led groups</li> <li>Data on patients self-regulating and accuracy of reports</li> <li>Turning to online sources such as “Dr. Google” or patient-led groups for information</li> </ul> <p>Where will this revolution take us in the next 5-10 years? Begin the learning journey in Part 1 of this series.</p> Susannah Fox Sarah Bell, RN, MSN, MHA Matthew Sakumoto, MD, CMIO Copyright (c) 2024 Susannah Fox, Sarah Bell, RN, MSN, MHA, Matthew Sakumoto, MD, CMIO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.476 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/445 <p>This review explores the transformative impact of digital healthcare tools in Nigeria's healthcare system, with a particular emphasis on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nigeria, a country grappling with healthcare disparities and limited access, has seen digital healthcare tools play a crucial role in enhancing public health and pandemic preparedness. The review begins by setting the stage for the relevance of digital healthcare tools in Nigeria, acknowledging the country's complex healthcare challenges. It outlines its objectives and research approach, ensuring transparency and precision in source selection, including Nigerian databases. The examination of digital healthcare tools in Nigeria highlights their potential to address healthcare access issues. The review also delves into the regulatory framework governing telemedicine in Nigeria, recognizing the need for a delicate balance between regulation and innovation, given the nation's unique infrastructure challenges. This provides insights into the factors influencing telemedicine adoption among both healthcare providers and patients in Nigeria. While acknowledging challenges like infrastructure limitations and regulatory complexities, the review also identifies opportunities, such as improved healthcare accessibility and cost-efficiency, brought about by digital healthcare tools in Nigeria. Concrete examples of successful digital healthcare initiatives within Nigeria are presented, offering actionable insights and a roadmap for future endeavors. The review concludes by emphasizing the essential role of digital healthcare tools in addressing Nigeria's healthcare challenges and providing tailored recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers. Ultimately, this comprehensive exploration goes beyond current achievements and challenges, envisioning a future where digital healthcare tools revolutionize Nigeria's healthcare landscape, identifying promising research avenues, and anticipating innovations that can shape the nation's healthcare for the better.</p> Emmanuel Ugwu Chika Dike Ujunwa Precious, BPharm Ahuchaogu King-David, BPharm Gabriel Ezenri, BPharm Nneji Tobechukwu Okechukwu, BPharm Christian Chidozie Rosemary Madubugwu Copyright (c) 2024 Emmanuel Ugwu Chika, BPharm, Dike Ujunwa Precious, BPharm, Ahuchaogu King-David, BPharm, Gabriel Ezenri, BPharm, Nneji Tobechukwu Okechukwu, BPharm, Christian Chidoziem, BPharm, Madubugwu Rosemary Chidera, BPharm http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.445 https://telehealthandmedicinetoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/450 <p>It is universally acknowledged that the wellbeing of any country, its prosperity and economic prowess depends on the health of its citizens. As the most populated country in the planet and an emerging economy, a solution for India, could well be a solution for the world. In the last eight years, the country has taken more than baby steps, to not just promote but to incorporate Digital Health in the core of the health care delivery system. Specific advantages, applications, regulatory and legal concerns and economic growth of DH are discussed.</p> Krishnan Ganapathy, MCh (Neurosurgery), FACS, FICS, FAMS, PhD Copyright (c) 2023 Krishnan Ganapathy http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2024-02-28 2024-02-28 9 1 10.30953/thmt.v9.450