scholarly journals Benefits of Mobile Apps in Pain Management: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon E Thurnheer ◽  
Isaac Gravestock ◽  
Giuseppe Pichierri ◽  
Johann Steurer ◽  
Jakob M Burgstaller
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Clinic Setting ◽  
Tablet Apps ◽  
Near Future

BACKGROUND Pain is a common condition with a significant physical, psychosocial, and economic impact. Due to enormous progress in mobile device technology as well as the increase in smartphone ownership in the general population, mobile apps can be used to monitor patients with pain and support them in pain management. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of smartphone or computer tablet apps in the management of patients with pain. METHODS In December 2017, a literature search was performed in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and PsycINFO. In addition, a bibliography search was conducted. We included studies with at least 20 participants per arm that evaluated the effects of apps on smartphones or computer tablets on improvement in pain. RESULTS A total of 15 studies with 1962 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 studies examined the effect of mobile apps on pain management in an in-clinic setting and 11 in an out-clinic setting. The majority of the original studies reported beneficial effects of the use of a pain app. Severity of pain decreased in most studies where patients were using an app compared with patients not using an app. Other outcomes, such as worst pain or quality of life showed improvements in patients using an app. Due to heterogeneity between the original studies—patient characteristics, app content, and study setting—a synthesis of the results by statistical methods was not performed. CONCLUSIONS Apps for pain management may be beneficial for patients, particularly in an out-clinic setting. Studies have shown that pain apps are workable and well liked by patients and health care professionals. There is no doubt that in the near future, mobile technologies will develop further. Medicine could profit from this development as indicated by our results, but there is a need for more scientific inputs. It is desirable to know which elements of apps or additional devices and tools may improve usability and help patients in pain management.

scholarly journals Characteristics Predicting the Outcome in Individuals with Diabetic Foot Ulcerations

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Vella ◽  
Cynthia Formosa
Keyword(s):  
Ulcer Healing ◽  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Hemoglobin A1c ◽  
Foot Ulcer ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Foot Complications

Background: We sought to determine patient and ulcer characteristics that predict wound healing in patients living with diabetes. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 99 patients presenting with diabetic foot ulceration. Patient and ulcer characteristics were recorded. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 1 year. Results: After 1 year of follow-up, ulcer characteristics were more predictive of ulcer healing than were patient characteristics. Seventy-seven percent of ulcers had healed and 23% had not healed. Independent predictors of nonhealing were ulcer stage (P = .003), presence of biofilm (P = .020), and ulcer depth (P = .028). Although this study demonstrated that the baseline hemoglobin A1c reading at the start of the study was not a significant predictor of foot ulcer outcome (P = .603, resolved versus amputated), on further statistical analyses, when hemoglobin A1c was compared with the time taken for complete ulcer healing (n = 77), it proved to be significant (P = .009). Conclusions: The factors influencing healing are ulcer stage, presence of biofilm, and ulcer depth. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, especially in an outpatient setting. Prediction of outcome may be helpful for health-care professionals in individualizing and optimizing clinical assessment and management of patients. Identification of determinants of outcome could result in improved health outcomes, improved quality of life, and fewer diabetes-related foot complications.

P1358THE MONITORING OF FIRST LEVEL IN DIAGNOSIS OF COMPLICATION OF VASCULAR ACCESS: MULTICENTRIC STUDY ON 900 HEMODIALIZED PATIENTS WITH FOLLOW UP TO 5 YEARS

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersilia Satta ◽  
Carmine Romano ◽  
Carmelo Alfarone ◽  
Sandro Gentile ◽  
Domenico Russo
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Access ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
Flow Monitoring ◽  
The Status

Abstract Background and Aims Vascular Access (VA) is the lifeline of hemodialysis patient. The universal goal of access monitoring is to identify access stenosis and enable intervention prior to thrombosis; thereby, maximizing access longevity and minimizing morbidity. The advent and use of techniques including dynamic and static venous pressure monitoring, physical examination, access flow measurement, imagining and combined imaging and flow monitoring by duplex ultrasound demonstrate that it is possible to predict which accesses are at high risk for future thrombosis. Currently arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVF) have been recognized as the permanent access. This study takes advantage of the opportunity to utilize data from 19 associated Dialysis Clinics to examine trends in VA use, trends in patient characteristics and practice associated with VA. Determine the status quo of the overall information related to the VA to start a five years follow up study with the aims to reduce VA complications 8stenosis and thrombosis) and related hospitalization days to improve patient’s quality of life. Method VA data were collected for each patient at study entry. Practice pattern data from the facility medical director, nurse manager and VA surgeon were also analyzed. We have developed a mask on the management database to implement the first level monitoring of access and collected data at each treatment (Fig.1) Results Average age of 801 patients enrolled was 73,5 years. Native AVF was used by 79%, AVG by 2% and CVC by 19%. As the age increase as well as he use of CVC move from 6% (15-39(years) to 50,5% in patients with more than 85 years. Most frequent complications were: Thrombosis 16,5 %, Infectios 5,5%. Related VA hospitalization days are 28,7 % of total days. Average dialysis goals achieved were: QB 290 ml/Min; blood processed 69,7 L; KT/V:1,35. Conclusion By interpreting collecting data for specific performance measures using accurate reports allow health care professionals to highlight the VA performance/inefficiences and provide correct information to the clinical staff to support them in their daily clinical practice and decision making.

scholarly journals Prescription and Integration of Accredited Mobile Apps in Catalan Health and Social Care: Protocol for the AppSalut Site Design (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Carme Pratdepàdua Bufill ◽  
Ariadna Rius Soler ◽  
Marc de San Pedro ◽  
Bernat López Truño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Care Protocol ◽  
Health And Social Care

BACKGROUND The use of new mobile technologies in the health and social welfare sectors is already a reality. The ICT Social Health Foundation, in accordance with the technology strategy of the Catalan government’s Ministry of Health and its Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Families, is leading an initiative to create a public library of apps for its AppSalut Site. OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper is to present an account of the design of the project, with a global perspective, applied to the Catalan ecosystem, which can be divided into 3 areas: the framework governing the recommendation and prescription of apps, the subset of interoperability for mobile environments, and the data storage infrastructure. METHODS The security and credibility of the apps included in the catalog is ensured by submitting them to an accreditation process in the public domain that provides users with the guarantee that they are fit for purpose and trustworthy for the management and care of their health, while providing health care professionals with the possibility of recommending the apps in the doctor’s surgery, as well as adding the information generated by the users’ mobile devices to the information systems of the various organizations concerned. RESULTS An examination of the abovementioned areas suggests possibilities for improvements in the future. The experience obtained from the development of this element has shown the heterogeneity of the vocabularies used, as expected, due to the lack of awareness on the part of the developers regarding the need to standardize the information generated by the app, requiring the foundation to take on the role of consultant. CONCLUSIONS The project has evolved in keeping with changes in the technological and social paradigm and responds very satisfactorily to the needs posed to it. It can be seen as a landmark experience in mobile strategies in the fields of health and welfare of any public health system. The experience has shown itself to be feasible in organizational terms, necessary in any attempt to integrate mobile technologies into public health practice, and a global pioneer in the field. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR RR1-10.2196/11414

scholarly journals Young People�s, Parents�, and Professionals� Views on Required Components of Mobile Apps to Support Self-Management of Juvenile Arthritis: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Waite-Jones ◽  
Rabiya Majeed-Ariss ◽  
Joanna Smith ◽  
Simon R Stones ◽  
Vanessa Van Rooyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Juvenile Arthritis ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Framework Approach

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that supporting self-management of Juvenile Arthritis can benefit both patients and professionals. Young people with Juvenile Arthritis and their healthy peers increasingly use mobile technologies to access information and support in day-to-day life. Therefore, a user-led, rigorously developed and evaluated mobile app could be valuable for facilitating young people’s self-management of Juvenile Arthritis. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to seek the views of young people with Juvenile Arthritis, their parents or carers, and health care professionals (HCPs) as to what should be included in a mobile app to facilitate young people’s self-management of chronic Juvenile Arthritis. METHODS A qualitative approach was adopted with a purposeful sample of 9 young people aged 10-18 years with Juvenile Arthritis, 8 parents or carers, and 8 HCPs involved in their care. Data were gathered through semi-structured focus group and individual interviews with young people and their parents or carers and HCPs. Interview discussion was facilitated through demonstration of four existing health apps to explore participants’ views on strengths and limitations of these, barriers and facilitators to mobile app use, preferred designs, functionality, levels of interaction, and data sharing arrangements. Data were analyzed using the framework approach. RESULTS Analysis revealed three interlinked, overarching themes: (1) purpose, (2) components and content, and (3) social support. Despite some differences in emphasis on essential content, general agreement was found between young people with Juvenile Arthritis their parents or carers, and professionals that a mobile app to aid self-management would be useful. Underpinning the themes was a prerequisite that young people are enabled to feel a sense of ownership and control of the app, and that it be an interactive, engaging resource that offers developmentally appropriate information and reminders, as well as enabling them to monitor their symptoms and access social support. CONCLUSIONS Findings justify and pave the way for a future feasibility study into the production and preliminary testing of such an app. This would consider issues such as compatibility with existing technologies, costs, age, and cross-gender appeal as well as resource implications.

Meeting Patient Needs in Asthma Education

1997 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Asthma Patients ◽  
Impacting Factors ◽  
Emergency Room Care ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Intensive Education

Preventable drug-related morbidity and mortality in asthma patients is related to inappropriate behavior by both patients (noncompliance) and health care professionals (prescribing and monitoring). Compliance is the crucial factor for success of a therapeutic regimen. Impacting factors have been identified as skills in administration techniques, interactions between patients and providers, and patient expectations. Beneficial effects on the cost of care and quality of life are gained from increasing level of care available to patients. Intensive education including development of self-monitoring skills, early treatment of exacerbations, and access to regular outpatient and Emergency Room care have been shown to be effective.

Overcoming Barriers in Cancer Pain Management

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (16) ◽  
pp. 1727-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hye Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Cancer Pain Management ◽  
Affective Factors

Pain is a devastating symptom of cancer that affects the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers. It is a multidimensional symptom that includes physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual components. Despite the development of novel analgesics and updated pain guidelines, cancer pain remains undermanaged, and some patients with moderate to severe pain do not receive adequate pain treatment. Inadequate pain management can be attributed to barriers related to health care professionals, patients, and the health care system. Common professional-related barriers include poor pain assessment, lack of knowledge and skill, and the reluctance of physicians to prescribe opioids. Patient-related barriers include cognitive factors, affective factors, and adherence to analgesic regimens. System-related barriers such as limits on access to opioids and the availability of pain and palliative care specialists present additional challenges, particularly in resource-poor regions. Given the multidimensional nature of cancer pain and the multifaceted barriers involved, effective pain control mandates multidisciplinary interventions from interprofessional teams. Educational interventions for patients and health care professionals may improve the success of pain management.

scholarly journals Clinical Pharmacology Considerations in Pain Management in Patients with Advanced Kidney Failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 917-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara N. Davison
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Clinical Pharmacology ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Pharmacologic Management

Pain is common and poorly managed in patients with advanced CKD, likely due to both under and over prescription of appropriate analgesics. Poorly managed pain contributes to patients’ poor quality of life and excessive health care use. There is tremendous variability within and between countries in prescribing patterns of analgesics, suggesting that factors other than patient characteristics account for these differences. This article discusses the pharmacologic management of acute and chronic pain in patients with advanced CKD, and the role analgesics, including opioids, play in the overall approach to pain management.

scholarly journals Characteristics of patients who dropped out after multidisciplinary pain management in Japan: A prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Naoto Takahashi ◽  
Kozue Takatsuki ◽  
Satoshi Kasahara ◽  
Shoji Yabuki
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Multidisciplinary Pain Management

BACKGROUND: Because regular visits to distant hospitals may be a burden to patients, both in terms of time and cost, some patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain may discontinue multidisciplinary pain treatment, unable to maintain motivation to attend. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the pre-program characteristics of patients who dropped out and patients who continued treatment, thereby clarifying the characteristics of patients at risk of dropping out. METHODS: A multidisciplinary pain management treatment program was implemented for patients at the Pain Management Center, Hoshi General Hospital. From April 2015 to March 2018, 23 patients participated in the program. Twelve of the 23 patients lived outside the prefecture where the hospital is located. Of these 12 patients, five completed the program, while seven did not. We compared the dropout and continuation groups in terms of patient characteristics, pain severity, pain-related psychosocial factors, and quality of life. RESULTS: We found significant differences (p< 0.05) in median age, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire walking ability dysfunction score, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of patients who dropped out were older age, walking ability dysfunction, and low quality of life associated with low back pain.

Cancer pain management

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Péter Heigl
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Cancer Pain Management ◽  
Medical Activity ◽  
Short Summary ◽  
Adequate Quality

Pain is a significant and alarming symptom of cancer seriously affecting the activity and quality of life of patients. Recent research proved that inadequate analgesia shortens life expectancy. Therefore, pain relief is not only a possibility but a professional, ethical and moral commitment to relieve patients from suffering, as well as ensure their adequate quality of life and human dignity. Proper pain relief can be achieved with medical therapy in most of the cases and the pharmacological alternatives are available in Hungary. Yet medical activity regarding pain relief is far from the desired. This paper gives a short summary of the guidelines on medical pain management focusing particularly on the use of opioids. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(3), 93–99.

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