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School of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China

Prof. Dr. Shuai Ding

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School of Management, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 23009, China

Prof. Dr. Li Luo

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Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Dr. Tian Lu

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W. P. Carey Information Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA

Prof. Dr. Yogesan Kanagasingam

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1. School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
2. St John of God Midland Private and Public Hospitals, Midland, WA 6056, Australia
3. Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications

Abstract submission deadline

20 October 2023

Manuscript submission deadline

20 January 2024

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic and an aging population has generated greater demand for high-quality, high-quantity, and easily accessible healthcare services. “Smart Healthcare” refers to the utilization of next-generation information technologies in order to achieve personalized, intelligent, and interconnected healthcare services. The connections between Smart Healthcare systems enable a whole-cycle healthcare, expanding the roles of healthcare from diagnosis and treatment to health management, elderly care, and other parts of the life cycle of individuals. However, coordination among Smart Healthcare systems must be achieved through the application of next-generation technologies, system engineering, and operation management theories. Due to the characteristics of the healthcare industry, each Smart Healthcare system must be designed for safety, privacy, and efficient operation. The interconnectedness of Smart Healthcare systems also requires unique resolutions within the realm of healthcare data, information, and knowledge. The expansion of the cycle of care further demands innovations not only in disease diagnosis, surgery, and hospital management, but also in specialty fields such as digital health, the IoMT, the pharmaceutical supply chain, medical insurance, etc. In this Topic, we welcome submissions of original research and systematic reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following domains:

Smart Healthcare data utilization and governance;
Smart Healthcare information exchange and fusion;
Smart Healthcare knowledge inference and recommendation;
Smart Healthcare system engineering;
Smart Healthcare systems operation management;
Risk management in Smart Healthcare systems;
Hospital operation management in the context of Smart Healthcare;
Health screening and monitoring in Smart Healthcare systems;
Online social media and OHC with Smart Healthcare;
Diagnosis decision support in Smart Healthcare systems;
Surgery and Smart Healthcare;
Smart Healthcare-supported rehabilitation;
Specialty care with Smart Healthcare;
Healthcare behavior analysis in the context of Smart Healthcare;
The evaluation and factor analysis of Smart Healthcare;
Smart Healthcare data security management.

Prof. Dr. Gang Kou
Prof. Dr. Shuai Ding
Prof. Dr. Li Luo
Dr. Tian Lu
Prof. Dr. Yogesan Kanagasingam
Topic Editors

Keywords

smart healthcare
system engineering
operation management
big data
medical artificial intelligence
personalized medicine
IoMT
digital healthcare

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Healthcare healthcare	2.8	2.7	2013	21.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	5.4	2004	22 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.9	5.4	2012	19.7 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Personalized Medicine jpm	3.4	2.6	2011	20.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Applied Sciences applsci	2.7	4.5	2011	15.8 Days	CHF 2300	Submit
Technologies technologies	3.6	5.5	2013	13.6 Days	CHF 1400	Submit

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Open AccessArticle

Comparing Performance and Preference of Visually Impaired Individuals in Object Localization: Tactile, Verbal, and Sonification Cueing Modalities

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Technologies 2023, 11(5), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11050127 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 331

Abstract

Audio guidance is a common means of helping visually impaired individuals to navigate, thereby increasing their independence. However, the differences between different guidance modalities for locating objects in 3D space have yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the time, the hand’s path length, and the satisfaction levels of visually impaired individuals using three automatic cueing modalities: pitch sonification, verbal, and vibration. We recruited 30 visually impaired individuals (11 women, average age 39.6 ± 15.0), who were asked to locate a small cube, guided by one of three cueing modalities: sonification (a continuous beep that increases in frequency as the hand approaches the cube), verbal prompting (“right”, “forward”, etc.), and vibration (via five motors, attached to different locations on the hand). The three cueing modalities were automatically activated by computerized motion capture systems. The subjects separately answered satisfaction questions for each cueing modality. The main finding was that the time to find the cube was longer using the sonification cueing (p = 0.016). There were no significant differences in the hand path length or the subjects’ satisfaction. It can be concluded that verbal guidance may be the most effective for guiding people with visual impairment to locate an object in a 3D space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Implementing Innovative Approaches to Improve Health Care Delivery Systems for Integrating Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Using Tuberculosis and Diabetes as a Model in Tanzania

Stellah G. Mpagama

Kenneth C. Byashalira

Nyasatu G. Chamba

Scott K. Heysell

Mohamed Z. Alimohamed

Blandina T. Mmbaga

Jan-Willem C. Alffenaar

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(17), 6670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176670 - 29 Aug 2023

Viewed by 770

Abstract

Background: Many evidence-based health interventions, particularly in low-income settings, have failed to deliver the expected impact. We designed an Adaptive Diseases Control Expert Programme in Tanzania (ADEPT) to address systemic challenges in health care delivery and examined the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the model using tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) as a prototype. Methods: This was an effectiveness-implementation hybrid type-3 design that was implemented in Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Kilimanjaro regions. The strategy included a stepwise training approach with web-based platforms adapting the Gibbs’ reflective cycle. Health facilities with TB services were supplemented with DM diagnostics, including glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The clinical audit was deployed as a measure of fidelity. Retrospective and cross-sectional designs were used to assess the fidelity, acceptability and feasibility of the model. Results: From 2019–2021, the clinical audit showed that ADEPT intervention health facilities more often identified median 8 (IQR 6–19) individuals with dual TB and DM, compared with control health facilities, median of 1 (IQR 0–3) (p = 0.02). Likewise, the clinical utility of HbA1c on intervention sites was 63% (IQR:35–75%) in TB/DM individuals compared to none in the control sites at all levels, whereas other components of the standard of clinical management of patients with dual TB and DM did not significantly differ. The health facilities showed no difference in screening for additional comorbidities such as hypertension and malnutrition. The stepwise training enrolled a total of 46 nurse officers and medical doctors/specialists for web-based training and 40 (87%) attended the workshop. Thirty-one (67%), 18 nurse officers and 13 medical doctors/specialists, implemented the second step of training others and yielded a total of 519 additional front-line health care workers trained: 371 nurses and 148 clinicians. Overall, the ADEPT model was scored as feasible by metrics applied to both front-line health care providers and health facilities. Conclusions: It was feasible to use a stepwise training and clinical audit to support the integration of TB and DM management and it was largely acceptable and effective in differing regions within Tanzania. When adapted in the Tanzania health system context, the model will likely improve quality of services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Drug-Related Problems in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients Provided by a German Telepharmacy Service for Rural Intensive Care Units

Joachim Andreas Koeck

Sandra Maria Dohmen

Gernot Marx

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Albrecht Eisert

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(14), 4739; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12144739 - 18 Jul 2023

Viewed by 568

Abstract

Telepharmacy is used to bridge the persisting shortage of specialist ward-based pharmacists, particularly in intensive care units (ICU). During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), pharmacotherapy was rapidly developed, which resulted in multiple changes of guidelines. This potentially led to a differing risk for drug-related problems (DRPs) in ICUs. In this study, DRPs were detected in telepharmacy consultations of a German state-wide telemedicine network for adult patients in rural ICUs. The analysis included ICUs of ten general care hospitals with a total of 514 patients and 1056 consultations. The aim of this retrospective, observational cohort study was to compare and analyze the DRPs resulting from ICU patients with or without COVID-19. Furthermore, known risk groups for severe COVID-19 progression (organ insufficiency [kidney, liver], obesity, sex, and/or older age) were investigated with their non-COVID-19 counterparts. As a result, in both groups patients with acute renal insufficiency and without renal replacement therapy showed a significantly higher risk of being affected by one or more DRPs compared to patients with normal renal function. In COVID-19 patients, the initial recommendation of therapeutic anticoagulation (ATC-code B01AB ‘Heparin group’) resulted in significantly more DRPs compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Therefore, COVID-19 patients with therapeutic anticoagulation and all ICU patients with renal insufficiency should be prioritized for telepharmacy consultations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessCommunication

Navigation Guided Biopsy Is as Effective as Frame-Based Stereotactic Biopsy

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J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(5), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13050708 - 23 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1049

Abstract

Background: Stereotactic biopsy is a standard procedure for brain biopsy. However, with advances in technology, navigation-guided brain biopsy has become a well-established alternative. Previous studies have shown that frameless stereotactic brain biopsy is as effective and safe as frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy is. In this study, the authors evaluate the diagnostic yield and complication rate of frameless intracranial biopsy. Materials and Methods: We reviewed data from biopsy performed patients between March 2014 and April 2022. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, including imaging studies. Various intracerebral lesions were biopsied. Diagnostic yield and post-operative complications were compared with those of frame-based stereotactic biopsy. Results: Forty-two frameless navigation-guided biopsy were performed, and the most common pathology was primary central nervous system lymphoma (35.7%), followed by glioblastoma (33.3%), and anaplastic astrocytomas (16.7%), respectively. The diagnostic yield was 100%. Post-operative intracerebral hematoma occurred in 2.4% of cases, but it was not symptomatic. Thirty patients underwent frame-based stereotactic biopsy, and the diagnostic yield was 96.7%. There was no difference in diagnostic rates between two methods (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.916). Conclusions: Frameless navigation-guided biopsy is as effective as frame-based stereotactic biopsy is, without causing further complications. We consider that frame-based stereotactic biopsy is no longer needed if frameless navigation-guided biopsy is used. A further study will be needed to generalize our results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessCommunication

Digital Workflow for Producing Hybrid Posts and Cores

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Alexandru-Eugen Petre

Healthcare 2023, 11(5), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050727 - 02 Mar 2023

Viewed by 720

Abstract

A novel and straightforward digital workflow is described to aid clinicians in producing in-office hybrid posts and cores. The method is based on scanning and using the basic module of a computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD-CAM) software program for dental applications. The applicability of the technique in a digital workflow is the simplicity of in-office production of a hybrid post and core that can be delivered to the patient in the same day. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

End-User Assessment of an Innovative Clothing-Based Sensor Developed for Pressure Injury Prevention: A Mixed-Method Study

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Anabela Salgueiro-Oliveira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054039 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1584

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate a clothing prototype that incorporates sensors for the evaluation of pressure, temperature, and humidity for the prevention of pressure injuries, namely regarding physical and comfort requirements. A mixed-method approach was used with concurrent quantitative and qualitative data triangulation. A structured questionnaire was applied before a focus group of experts to evaluate the sensor prototypes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the discourse of the collective subject, followed by method integration and meta-inferences. Nine nurses, experts in this topic, aged 32.66 ± 6.28 years and with a time of profession of 10.88 ± 6.19 years, participated in the study. Prototype A presented low evaluation in stiffness (1.56 ± 1.01) and roughness (2.11 ± 1.17). Prototype B showed smaller values in dimension (2.77 ± 0.83) and stiffness (3.00 ± 1.22). Embroidery was assessed as inadequate in terms of stiffness (1.88 ± 1.05) and roughness (2.44 ± 1.01). The results from the questionnaires and focus groups’ show low adequacy as to stiffness, roughness, and comfort. The participants highlighted the need for improvements regarding stiffness and comfort, suggesting new proposals for the development of sensors for clothing. The main conclusions are that Prototype A presented the lowest average scores relative to rigidity (1.56 ± 1.01), considered inadequate. This dimension of Prototype B was evaluated as slightly adequate (2.77 ± 0.83). The rigidity (1.88 ± 1.05) of Prototype A + B + embroidery was evaluated as inadequate. The prototype revealed clothing sensors with low adequacy regarding the physical requirements, such as stiffness or roughness. Improvements are needed regarding the stiffness and roughness for the safety and comfort characteristics of the device evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

A Novel System for the Detection of Spontaneous Abortion-Causing Aneuploidy and Its Erroneous Chromosome Origins through the Combination of Low-Pass Copy Number Variation Sequencing and NGS-Based STR Tests

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J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(5), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12051809 - 23 Feb 2023

Viewed by 928

Abstract

During the period of 2018–2020, we first combined reported low-pass whole genome sequencing and NGS-based STR tests for miscarriage samples analysis. Compared with G-banding karyotyping, the system increased the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities in miscarriage samples to 56.4% in 500 unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions. In this study, a total of 386 STR loci were developed on twenty-two autosomes and two sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes), which can help to distinguish triploidy, uniparental diploidy and maternal cell contamination and can trace the parental origin of erroneous chromosomes. It is not possible to accomplish this with existing methods of detection in miscarriage samples. Among the tested aneuploid errors, the most frequently detected error was trisomy (33.4% in total and 59.9% in the error chromosome group). In the trisomy samples, 94.7% extra chromosomes were of maternal origin and 5.31% were of paternal origin. This novel system improves the genetic analysis method of miscarriage samples and provides more reference information for clinical pregnancy guidance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Large-Scale COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing with a Dynamic Testing Site Deployment Strategy

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Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030393 - 30 Jan 2023

Viewed by 830

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic has spread worldwide, infected more than 0.6 billion people, and led to about 6 million deaths. Conducting large-scale COVID-19 nucleic acid testing is an effective measure to cut off the transmission chain of the COVID-19 epidemic, but it calls for deploying numerous nucleic acid testing sites effectively. In this study, we aim to optimize the large-scale nucleic acid testing with a dynamic testing site deployment strategy, and we propose a multiperiod location-allocation model, which explicitly considers the spatial–temporal distribution of the testing population and the time-varied availability of various testing resources. Several comparison models, which implement static site deployment strategies, are also developed to show the benefits of our proposed model. The effectiveness and benefits of our model are verified with a real-world case study on the Chenghua district of Chengdu, China, which indicates that the optimal total cost of the dynamic site deployment strategy can be 15% less than that of a real plan implemented in practice and about 2% less than those of the other comparison strategies. Moreover, we conduct sensitivity analysis to obtain managerial insights and suggestions for better testing site deployment in field practices. This study highlights the importance of dynamically deploying testing sites based on the target population’s spatial–temporal distribution, which can help reduce the testing cost and increase the robustness of producing feasible plans with limited medical resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Exploring Caregivers’ Perspectives and Perceived Acceptability of a Mobile-Based Telemonitoring Program to Support Pregnant Women at High-Risk for Preeclampsia in Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

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Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030392 - 30 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1311

Abstract

Very little is known about the perspectives of the caregivers on the use of telemonitoring (TM) interventions in low-middle-income countries. Understanding caregivers’ perspectives on TM interventions is crucial, given that caregiving activities are correlated with the social, emotional, and clinical outcomes among pregnant women. This study aims to explore caregivers’ perspectives and perceived acceptability of a mobile phone-based TM program to support pregnant women at high-risk for preeclampsia. A qualitative description design was used to conduct and analyze 28 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of caregivers. The study was conducted at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan. The caregivers were identified through purposive sampling and additional caregivers were interviewed until the point of data saturation. The conventional content analysis technique was used to analyze digital audio recordings of the caregiver interviews. All caregivers embraced the proposed mobile phone-based TM program because they perceived many benefits, including a reduction in caregivers’ anxiety and workload, increased convenience, and cost-effectiveness. However, the caregivers cited several caveats to the future implementation of the TM program including the inability of some women and caregivers to use the TM program and the poor acceptance of the TM system among less educated and non-tech savvy families. Our study recommends developing a TM program to reduce the caregiver stress and workload, designing a context-specific TM program using a user-centric approach, training caregivers on the use of the TM program, sensitizing caregivers on the benefits of the TM program, and developing a low-cost TM program to maximize access. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Using xPIRT to Record Pharmacy Interventions: An Observational, Cross-Sectional and Retrospective Study

Rafael Baptista

Mary Williams

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Jayne Price

Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2450; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122450 - 05 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1034

Abstract

Medication errors and omissions can potentially cause harm, prolong a hospital stay, lead to co-morbidities and even death. Pharmacy interventions (PI) ensure that these errors are identified and addressed, leading to improved patient safety and prescriber practice. Particularly in community hospitals, many only having general practitioners and not specialist doctors in their medical teams, PIs assume a strategic role. The PIs recorded throughout 8 months (between November 2021 and June 2022) in the community hospital wards in Powys, Wales, UK, using xPIRT (Pharmacy Intervention Recording Tool), a new pharmacy intervention record toolkit, were subjected to a retrospective analysis. The data were organised by location, drug, severity, acceptance, cost avoidance and intervention type. Significant prescribing errors were identified, which can potentially be different from those recorded in acute settings. Our results also informed on the need for integrated electronic prescribing systems paired with a PI recording tool to address effectively prescribing inaccuracies. Overall, this study was able to identify pharmacy teams as key to improve patient safety and care while contributing to significant cost-savings, through the recording of PI using xPIRT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Healthcare: Technologies and Applications)
(This article belongs to the Section Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety)

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Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Healthcare healthcare	2.8	2.7	2013	21.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	5.4	2004	22 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.9	5.4	2012	19.7 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Personalized Medicine jpm	3.4	2.6	2011	20.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Applied Sciences applsci	2.7	4.5	2011	15.8 Days	CHF 2300	Submit
Technologies technologies	3.6	5.5	2013	13.6 Days	CHF 1400	Submit

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