Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 5 Articles
It is estimated that nearly five billion people do not have access to surgical care. Approximately 94% of individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lack access to surgery in comparison to 14.9% in high-income countries (HICs). There are several urologic conditions requiring surgical intervention that are not treated because of the limited number of expert urologists in LMICs. Telesurgery is a concept that connects patients and surgeons in different locations through the use of a robotic surgery system. In this review, we explain the origins of telesurgery as well as the benefits and obstacles to its global implementation. Telesurgery can reduce travel times and the dangers associated with traveling for surgical care in LMICs. Additionally, telesurgery allows patients in LMICs to gain access to expert urologists while also providing effective training to upcoming surgeons. However, LMICs require substantial investment to improve digital infrastructure that will support urologic telesurgery. There will also be ethical, legal, and policy considerations that will need to be resolved for safe and equitable urologic telesurgery to occur. There have been multiple successful applications of urologic telesurgery, suggesting that the technology for this to become routine is already available. The time for international collaboration must begin now to reduce global disparities in access to urologic surgery....
Veterans living in rural areas of the United States face various health challenges that demand timely access to care to improve their well-being and quality of life. Telehealth (i.e., the use of telecommunications technology to connect people with care providers remotely) has become vital in addressing the accessibility gap for people constrained by vehicle ownership, income, geographic isolation, and limited access to specialists. This study aims to examine the current evidence on rural veterans’ use of telehealth for their healthcare needs, evaluates the cost savings associated with telehealth, as well as veterans’ use of telehealth during COVID-19. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search was conducted on three databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus) to select relevant articles published from 2017 to 2023. A total of 36 articles met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into three objectives: veterans’ medical conditions managed through telehealth (n = 24), veterans’ transportation cost savings using telehealth (n = 4), and telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 8). The results indicated that telehealth is a viable option for managing various medical conditions of rural veterans, including complex ones like diabetes and cancer. Additionally, telemedicine was a useful platform in bridging the healthcare accessibility gap during disasters or pandemics like COVID-19 evident from its increased usage during the pandemic. Lastly, telehealth was associated with cost and time savings between USD 65.29 and USD 72.94 per visit and 2.10 and 2.60 h per visit, respectively. However, the feasibility of telehealth for veterans’ medical conditions such as rheumatism, cancer, HIV, and diabetes is underexplored and calls for further investigation post- COVID-19. Lastly, the limited literature on rural veterans’ transportation cost savings using different mobility options—taxi, Uber, public transportation, and rides from friends and family—is another critical gap....
Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, including in paediatrics, offering a safe and effective solution for diagnosis and monitoring, particularly in the management of common viral infections in children. Telemedicine has become essential for families in remote areas, reducing the burden on traditional healthcare facilities. Aim:The study investigates the impact of telemedicine on accessibility, efficiency, and quality of treatment for paediatric viral infections, compared to traditional care. Methodology: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted on 51,900 articles published between 2020 and 2024, using databases such as PubMed, Springer, and Elsevier. Of these, 23 studies were included in the analysis, focusing on telemedicine use in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Results: Telemedicine improves accessibility for children in rural areas, facilitates rapid diagnosis through video consultations and connected devices, reduces costs, and enhances user satisfaction. Limitations include technological barriers, data confidentiality concerns, and legislative challenges. The integration of mobile applications and remote monitoring has significantly contributed to reducing complications and recovery time.Conclusions:Telemedicine is an effective tool in paediatrics, providing modern solutions for managing viral infections, with the potential to transform healthcare by increasing accessibility, reducing costs, and optimising clinical outcomes. Investments in infrastructure and clear regulations are crucial for maximising long-term benefits....
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an intervention to improve health and quality of life in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The use of digital technology for healthcare promotion, such as telemedicine, has received growing attention in recent years due to the possibility of offering remote and individualized cardiac rehabilitation to patients undergoing coronary interventions. However, the impact of cardiac telerehabilitation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not fully understood. This systematic review aims to analyze through meta-analyses and synthesized comments the current knowledge on the effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation in improving HRQoL in patients undergoing PCI. Objectives: This manuscript presents a protocol for a systematic review to assess the effects of cardiac telerehabilitation on HRQoL in cardiac patients after PCI. Furthermore, the systematic review will explore the different modalities of remote rehabilitation documented in scientific literature. Methods: The literature review protocol was developed according to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Search terms were structured according to the PIO (Population-Intervention-Outcome) framework. All relevant available studies will be identified using the main databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL,Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) and included in the review. Methodological quality and risk of bias will be evaluated using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). This review protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (No. CRD42024582933). Conclusions: This systematic review will comprehensively investigate the effects of cardiac telerehabilitation on QoL improvements in patients after PCI....
The proliferation of mobile health (mHealth) technologies has revolutionized healthcare delivery, particularly in obesity control. This descriptive study aimed to identify the evolving trends and perspectives of mHealth interventions targeting obesity control, leveraging insights from the ChatGPT language model accessed on 1 January 2024. Eighteen items and 32 questions were used to assess trends and perspectives in mHealth for obesity control, with 8 items and 16 questions dedicated to each aspect, respectively. Key trends identified include personalized interventions, integration of emerging technologies, remote monitoring and telemedicine, behavioral economics strategies, and enhanced user engagement. Perspectives highlight potential for equity, empowerment through self-management, privacy and security concerns, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary approaches. These findings shed light on mHealth’s potential in combating obesity, offering valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. They underscore the significance of leveraging technology to address the global burden of obesity and advocate for collaborative efforts to maximize mHealth solutions’ impact on promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing obesity-related complications....
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