ABSTRACT
Background/Introduction: Applying eHealth interventions via social media is common in modern medicine. LINE is a popular communication app in Taiwan that can deliver messages 24 hours a day. In addition to being free-of-charge, it also allows bariatric nurses (BNs) and patients to enjoy bidirectional communication via telecommunication services instead of direct, face-to-face contact for patients undergoing bariatric-metabolic surgery (BMS). Objective(s): We conducted this retrospective study to determine the frequency and reasons for early post-discharge of LINE messages/calls and investigate the relationship between this frequency and contents of these messages and postoperative outcomes after BMS. Method(s): A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted in an Asian weight management center. The study period ran from August 2016 to December 2021, and a total of 143 native patients with severe obesity were enrolled. All patients were informed of the necessity of a postoperative dietitian consultation before bariatric surgery. The patterns of LINE communication with the BN and associated actions to resolve patients' needs within 180 days after index BMS were analyzed. Result(s): Among the 143 enrolled patients, 100 underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and 43 underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A total of 1,205 messages/calls were analyzed concomitantly;most LINE communications focused on diet problems (47.97%;n = 578), weight problems (11.54%;n = 139), and medications (9.21%;n = 111). Most problems could be resolved by LINE communications directly, and only a small portion (5.6%) was directed to local clinics or emergency departments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of LINE communications significantly increased (12.2 +/- 10.4 vs. 6.4 +/- 4.9;p < 0.01);nonetheless, a higher frequency of LINE communications would not hinder the regular clinic visits (r = 0.359;p = 0.01). Conclusion(s): Based on our limited experience, the LINE consultation service operated by the BN could effectively address patients' problems. Moreover, it might reduce the need for emergency department visits or unexpected clinic appointments for patients after BMS.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic that has been raging in 2020 does affect not only the physical state but also the mental health of the general population, particularly, that of the healthcare workers. Given the unprecedented large-scale impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital technology has gained momentum as invaluable social interaction and health tracking tools in this time of great turmoil, in part due to the imposed state-wide mobilization limitations to mitigate the risk of infection that might arise from in-person socialization or hospitalization. Over the last five years, there has been a notable increase in the demand and usage of mobile and wearable devices as well as their adoption in studies of mental fitness. The purposes of this scoping review are to summarize evidence on the sweeping impact of COVID-19 on mental health as well as to evaluate the merits of the devices for remote psychological support. We conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted a significant toll on the mental health of the population, leading to an upsurge in reports of pathological stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also clear that mobile and wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches and fitness trackers) are well placed for identifying and targeting individuals with these psychological burdens in need of intervention. However, we found that most of the previous studies used research-grade wearable devices that are difficult to afford for the normal consumer due to their high cost. Thus, the possibility of replacing the research-grade wearable devices with the current smartwatch is also discussed.