scholarly journals Challenges in Acceptance and Compliance in Digital Health Assessments During Pregnancy: Prospective Cohort Study

10.2196/17377 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e17377
Author(s):  
Katharina Brusniak ◽  
Hannah Maria Arndt ◽  
Manuel Feisst ◽  
Kathrin Haßdenteufel ◽  
Lina Maria Matthies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Digital Monitoring ◽  
Long Time ◽  
High Engagement

Background Pregnant women are increasingly using mobile apps to access health information during the antenatal period. Therefore, digital health solutions can potentially be used as monitoring instruments during pregnancy. However, a main factor of success is high user engagement. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze engagement and factors influencing compliance in a longitudinal study targeting pregnant women using a digital health app with self-tracking. Methods Digitally collected data concerning demographics, medical history, technical aspects, and mental health from 585 pregnant women were analyzed. Patients filling out ≥80% of items at every study visit were considered to be highly compliant. Factors associated with high compliance were identified using logistic regression. The effect of a change in mental and physical well-being on compliance was assessed using a one-sample t test. Results Only 25% of patients could be considered compliant. Overall, 63% left at least one visit blank. Influential variables for higher engagement included higher education, higher income, private health insurance, nonsmoking, and German origin. There was no relationship between a change in the number of physical complaints or depressive symptoms and study dropout. Conclusions Maintaining high engagement with digital monitoring devices over a long time remains challenging. As cultural and socioeconomic background factors had the strongest influence, more effort needs to be directed toward understanding the needs of patients from different demographic backgrounds to ensure high-quality care for all patients. More studies need to report on compliance to disclose potential demographic bias.

scholarly journals Challenges in Acceptance and Compliance in Digital Health Assessments During Pregnancy: Prospective Cohort Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Brusniak ◽  
Hannah Maria Arndt ◽  
Manuel Feisst ◽  
Kathrin Haßdenteufel ◽  
Lina Maria Matthies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Digital Monitoring ◽  
Long Time ◽  
High Engagement

BACKGROUND Pregnant women are increasingly using mobile apps to access health information during the antenatal period. Therefore, digital health solutions can potentially be used as monitoring instruments during pregnancy. However, a main factor of success is high user engagement. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze engagement and factors influencing compliance in a longitudinal study targeting pregnant women using a digital health app with self-tracking. METHODS Digitally collected data concerning demographics, medical history, technical aspects, and mental health from 585 pregnant women were analyzed. Patients filling out ≥80% of items at every study visit were considered to be highly compliant. Factors associated with high compliance were identified using logistic regression. The effect of a change in mental and physical well-being on compliance was assessed using a one-sample <i>t</i> test. RESULTS Only 25% of patients could be considered compliant. Overall, 63% left at least one visit blank. Influential variables for higher engagement included higher education, higher income, private health insurance, nonsmoking, and German origin. There was no relationship between a change in the number of physical complaints or depressive symptoms and study dropout. CONCLUSIONS Maintaining high engagement with digital monitoring devices over a long time remains challenging. As cultural and socioeconomic background factors had the strongest influence, more effort needs to be directed toward understanding the needs of patients from different demographic backgrounds to ensure high-quality care for all patients. More studies need to report on compliance to disclose potential demographic bias.

scholarly journals Long-Term IoT-Based Maternal Monitoring: System Design and Evaluation

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2281
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Sarhaddi ◽  
Iman Azimi ◽  
Sina Labbaf ◽  
Hannakaisa Niela-Vilén ◽  
Nikil Dutt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Comprehensive Framework ◽  
Specific Health

Pregnancy is a unique time when many mothers gain awareness of their lifestyle and its impacts on the fetus. High-quality care during pregnancy is needed to identify possible complications early and ensure the mother’s and her unborn baby’s health and well-being. Different studies have thus far proposed maternal health monitoring systems. However, they are designed for a specific health problem or are limited to questionnaires and short-term data collection methods. Moreover, the requirements and challenges have not been evaluated in long-term studies. Maternal health necessitates a comprehensive framework enabling continuous monitoring of pregnant women. In this paper, we present an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based system to provide ubiquitous maternal health monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum. The system consists of various data collectors to track the mother’s condition, including stress, sleep, and physical activity. We carried out the full system implementation and conducted a real human subject study on pregnant women in Southwestern Finland. We then evaluated the system’s feasibility, energy efficiency, and data reliability. Our results show that the implemented system is feasible in terms of system usage during nine months. We also indicate the smartwatch, used in our study, has acceptable energy efficiency in long-term monitoring and is able to collect reliable photoplethysmography data. Finally, we discuss the integration of the presented system with the current healthcare system.

scholarly journals Delivering healthcare remotely to cardiovascular patients during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 486-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lis Neubeck ◽  
Tina Hansen ◽  
Tiny Jaarsma ◽  
Leonie Klompstra ◽  
Robyn Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Cardiovascular Patients ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Remote Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Interventions

Background Although attention is focused on addressing the acute situation created by the COVID-19 illness, it is imperative to continue our efforts to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly during a period of prolonged social isolation which may limit physical activity, adversely affect mental health and reduce access to usual care. One option may be to deliver healthcare interventions remotely through digital healthcare solutions. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to bring together the evidence for remote healthcare during a quarantine situation period to support people living with cardiovascular disease during COVID-19 isolation. Methods The PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched using telehealth OR digital health OR mHealth OR eHealth OR mobile apps AND COVID-19 OR quarantine search terms. We also searched for literature relating to cardiovascular disease AND quarantine. Results The literature search identified 45 potentially relevant publications, out of which nine articles were included. Three overarching themes emerged from this review: (1) preparing the workforce and ensuring reimbursement for remote healthcare, (2) supporting mental and physical health and (3) supporting usual care. Conclusion To support people living with cardiovascular disease during COVID-19 isolation and to mitigate the effects of quarantine and adverse effect on mental and physical well-being, we should offer remote healthcare and provide access to their usual care.

scholarly journals Diffusion of the Digital Health Self-Tracking Movement in Canada: Results of a National Survey (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Paré ◽  
Chad Leaver ◽  
Claire Bourget
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Future ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
Tracking Movement

BACKGROUND With the ever-increasing availability of mobile apps, consumer wearables, and smart medical devices, more and more individuals are self-tracking and managing their personal health data. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the diffusion of the digital self-tracking movement in Canada. It provides a comprehensive, yet detailed account of this phenomenon. It examines the profile of digital self-trackers, traditional self-trackers, and nontrackers, further investigating the primary motivations for self-tracking and reasons for nontracking; barriers to adoption of connected care technologies; users’ appreciation of their self-tracking devices, including what they perceive to be the main benefits; factors that influence people’s intention to continue using connected care technologies in the future; and the reasons for usage discontinuance. METHODS We conducted an online survey with a sample of 4109 Canadian adults, one of the largest ever. To ensure a representative sample, quota method was used (gender, age), following stratification by region. The maximum margin of error is estimated at 1.6%, 19 times out of 20. RESULTS Our findings reveal that 66.20% (2720/4109) of our respondents regularly self-track one or more aspects of their health. About one in 4 respondents (1014/4109, 24.68%) currently owns a wearable or smart medical device, and 57.20% (580/1014) use their devices on a regular basis for self-tracking purposes. Digital self-trackers are typically young or mature adults, healthy, employed, university educated, with an annual family income of over $80,000 CAD. The most popular reported device is the fitness tracker or smartwatch that can capture a range of parameters. Currently, mobile apps and digital self-tracking devices are mainly used to monitor physical activity (856/1669, 51.13%), nutrition (545/1669, 32.65%), sleep patterns (482/1669, 28.88%) and, to a much lesser extent, cardiovascular and pulmonary biomarkers (215/1669, 12.88%), medication intake (126/1669, 7.55%), and glucose level (79/1669, 4.73%). Most users of connected care technologies (481/580, 83.0%) are highly satisfied and 88.2% (511/580) intend to continue using their apps and devices in the future. A majority said smart digital devices have allowed them to maintain or improve their health condition (398/580, 68.5%) and to be better informed about their health in general (387/580, 66.6%). About 33.80% of our sample (1389/4109) is composed of people who do not monitor their health or well-being on a regular basis. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows an opportunity to advance the health of Canadians through connected care technologies. Our findings can be used to set baseline information for future research on the rise of digital health self-tracking and its impacts. Although the use of mobile apps, consumer wearables, and smart medical devices could potentially benefit the growing population of patients with chronic conditions, the question remains as to whether it will diffuse broadly beyond early adopters and across cost inequities.

A Digital Health Approach to Promote Emotional Well-Being in Pregnant Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. S12-S13
Author(s):  
Tamara Jimah ◽  
Holly Borg ◽  
Milad Asgari Mehrabadi ◽  
Sina Labbaf ◽  
Yuqing Guo
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Well Being

scholarly journals Look to the Future and SMILE: Feasibility of Interactive Voice Assistant Technology to Support Maternal Infant Health

Iproceedings ◽  
10.2196/15231 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e15231
Author(s):  
Emre Sezgin ◽  
Lisa Militello ◽  
Yungui Huang ◽  
Simon Lin
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Maternal Child

Background Both maternal and infant mortality rates serve as indicators of population health and are unacceptably high worldwide. Voice assistant (VA) technologies present a potential new modality to support maternal child health. We developed an interactive VA intervention app (SMILE) to deliver brief, maternal-infant education and management skills (eg, perinatal care, stress management, breast feeding, infant-care) using evidence-based content. Objective The objective was to understand the feasibility and usability of an interactive VA intervention to support maternal and infant health among a group of pregnant women. Methods We employed a mixed methods study design. Pregnant women were recruited via email and word of mouth. Participants completed a baseline demographic and technology-use survey and were asked to use the intervention over the course of two weeks. Postintervention, participants were invited to participate in an individual or group interview. Interviews were conducted to elicit feedback regarding thoughts and attitudes towards VA technology to support the health of mothers and infants. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize quantitative data (ie, survey responses, app logs) and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data (ie, transcriptions of voice recordings collected from SMILE, transcriptions of follow-up interviews). Results Out of 46 respondents, 19 participants were consented, completed baseline surveys and used SMILE. Approximately 63% (n=12) of participants participated in exit interviews. The sample was predominantly 25-34 years old (n=16, 84%), part of a two-parent household (n=19, 100%), white (n=15, 79%), and pregnant with their first child (n=12, 63%). Nine participants (47.4%) reported that they practice stress management, and favorable stress-management activities were mainly comprised of exercise activities, yoga, and outdoor activities without technology involvement. Over half of the participants reported using technology to support pregnancy self-management (n=10, 53%). However, participants preferred mobile apps for education and self-management support during pregnancy and relied on the Internet to access health-related information. More than half of participants reported using default VAs on their phone (n=11, 58%) and on smart speakers (n=10, 53%). Yet, VA technology was mainly reported as being used for basic tasks, such as setting a timer or reminder, checking the weather, turning on/off the lights, or playing music. Postintervention, participants verbalized that VA technology was a potential medium for receiving health information, pregnancy-related information, and could be a strategy to engage other family members in the process. Major concerns revolved around security, privacy, trust, and concerns regarding interacting via voice when in public. Conclusions Although this research is limited by the small and predominantly white sample size, this research represents one of the first studies to explore perceptions and attitudes towards VA to promote maternal-infant health. As VA technology increases in popularity, adoption and utility to support health and well-being among pregnant women is nascent. While VA technology offers some benefits (eg, reduce literacy barriers, hands-free), familiarity and trust of nonvoice digital health tools (eg, mobile apps, Web-based content) remain important in supporting maternal-child health. Digital health solutions that incorporate multiple platforms (eg, mobile apps, Internet, voice) warrant further exploration to optimize support for maternal child health.

scholarly journals 30.M. Workshop: Experiences using a multi-methods study in an ethnic diverse deprived social housing area in Denmark

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Housing Area

Abstract Structural changes are commonly used as a political tool to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health disparities in deprived social housing areas. However, the evidence of effect is limited and ambiguous. Potential consequences are both positive (increasing heterogeneity in socioeconomic background of residents, better overall health) and negative (poorer social cohesion, stress due to relocation of residents). In Denmark, a number of social housing areas have recently been selected for large structural changes based on a politically defined list of indicators related to the socio-economic status and ethnicity of the residents. The setting for the workshop is a prospective multi-methods study of health, wellbeing and social relations among residents in one of the selected social housing areas in the period 2015-2025 with a focus on middle-aged and older residents, 'Health, Well-being and Social Relations in a Changing Neighbourhood'. Twenty percent of the apartment blocks in the area will be demolished in the period 2019-2020. This study provides a unique opportunity to explore the effects of large-scale structural changes in a longitudinal and multi-methods perspective. Thus, the study aims to increase our understanding of how changes affect the health, well-being and social relations among residents from different perspectives. Through user engagement in the design of the study and in particular in the two co-created interventions embedded in the study design, a focus on empowerment and recognition of the resources and perspectives of residents is encouraged. The main objectives of this workshop is to present and discuss the advantages and challenges with the different methodological approaches and communicative tools and how to gain synergistic effects of this approach within the setting of the research project. The workshop will include five presentations followed by a discussion. A focus on the multiple methods employed in the project and how they interact and supplement each other will bind the presentations together. The purpose is to share and discuss with the public health research community the experienced advantages as well as challenges with this approach. The project includes: A three wave survey (before, during and after the structural changes) (target population N∼600 in each wave). A needs assessment based on 31 qualitative interviews and results from the first survey wave. Two co-created interventions with a main purpose of ensuring social cohesion in the community during the structural changes. Register-based information on health and social factors in the period 2015-2025 on all residents living in the social housing area as well as in a similar neighbouring control social housing area not undergoing structural changes until 2023 (natural experiment approach). Novel in this area, graphic illustrative methods will be included as an instrument for increasing communication success and as part of the interventions. Key messages The workshop offers insight on synergistic effects of a longitudinal, multi-methods study exploring health and social effects of large-scale structural changes in an ethnic diverse social housing area. Offers a discussion of the challenges with data collection in a period with Danish state level political decisions leading to significant structural changes in deprived social housing areas.

Diet Quality, a Term Subject to Change over Time

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Elmadfa ◽  
Alexa L. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Health And Well Being

A high-quality diet is one of the foundations of health and well-being. For a long time in human history, diet was chiefly a source of energy and macronutrients meant to still hunger and give the strength for work and activities that were in general much harder than nowadays. Only few persons could afford to emphasize enjoyment. In the assessment of quality, organoleptic properties were major criteria to detect spoilage and oxidative deterioration of food. Today, food hygiene is a quality aspect that is often taken for granted by consumers, despite its lack being at the origin of most food-borne diseases. The discovery of micronutrients entailed fundamental changes of the concept of diet quality. However, non-essential food components with additional health functions were still barely known or not considered important until recently. With the high burden of obesity and its associated diseases on the rise, affluent, industrialized countries have developed an increased interest in these substances, which has led to the development of functional foods to optimize special body functions, reduce disease risk, or even contribute to therapeutic approaches. Indeed, nowadays, high contents of energy, fat, and sugar are factors associated with a lower quality of food, and products with reduced amounts of these components are valued by many consumers. At the same time, enjoyment and convenience are important quality factors, presenting food manufacturers with the dilemma of reconciling low fat content and applicability with good taste and appealing appearance. Functional foods offer an approach to address this challenge. Deeper insights into nutrient-gene interactions may enable personalized nutrition adapted to the special needs of individuals. However, so far, a varied healthy diet remains the best basis for health and well-being.

An Overview of Digital Health in the Transition of Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (04) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Ysabeau Bernard-Willis ◽  
Emily De Oliveira ◽  
Shaheen E Lakhan
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Medical Mistrust ◽  
Patient Portals ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Care Systems

AbstractChildren with epilepsy often have impairments in cognitive and behavioral functioning which may hinder socio-occupational well-being as they reach adulthood. Adolescents with epilepsy have the added worry of health problems while starting the transition from family-centered pediatric care into largely autonomous adult care. If this transition is not appropriately planned and resourced, it may result in medical mistrust, nonadherence, and worsening biopsychosocial health as an adult. In recent years, there has been increased availability of digital health solutions that may be used during this stark change in care and treating teams. The digital health landscape includes a wide variety of technologies meant to address challenges faced by patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and health care systems. These technologies include mobile health products and wearable devices (e.g., seizure monitors and trackers, smartphone passive data collection), digital therapeutics (e.g., cognitive/behavioral health management; digital speech–language therapy), telehealth services (e.g., teleneurology visits), and health information technology (e.g., electronic medical records with patient portals). Such digital health solutions may empower patients in their journey toward optimal brain health during the vulnerable period of pediatric to adult care transition. Further research is needed to validate and measure their impact on clinical outcomes, health economics, and quality of life.

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