ABSTRACT
The study's objective was to assess the features and content of the COVID-19 mobile applications accessible in the Apple AppStore. A content analysis, comparison, and functionality evaluation of a few COVID-19 related mobile applications was performed. The search for COVID-19 related apps in the iOS AppStore took place between February 1 and March 31, 2022. The mobile applications received a maximum of 7 points (basic feature assessment) and 8 points overall (functionality assessment). The requirements were fully met by receiving one point. Frequencies from descriptive statistics were used to allude to the applications' features according to the app's basic purpose. A total of 234 applications were recognized using the keywords to exploreCOVID-19 related mobile applications in Apple AppStore. However, 58 mobile applications (24.8%) relevant to COVID-19 were evaluated. According to the findings of an evaluation of basic aspects of mobile applications, 89.7% require an internet connection, 70.7% have a size of less than 50 MB, 96.6% require no funding, 58.6% include educational content, and 60.3% offer advice from the applications. In terms of score, 41.4% scored three or below, whereas 58.6% scored four or above. Functionality assessment wise, 79.3% included information regarding COVID-19, 12.1% included COVID-19 contact tracing, 17.2% had vaccination status, a health authority maintained 50%, 31.0% included COVID-19 statistics, and 25.8% were able to report ART/PCR test. In terms of score, 91.4% scored three points or less, and 8.6% scored four points or more. This study has discovered several applications that could effectively prevent COVID-19 pandemic spread. Based on the findings, mobile applications that would be recommended are the ones supported by the government health administration of the respective country. App development companies' applications show that competent healthcare personnel was not involved in developing the applications. Online consultation with healthcare professionals might help the public who do not have access to the nearest hospital. © 2022, HH Publisher. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Telemedicine is a form of healthcare that uses technology to provide various health services. This method has been widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing is called. This systematic review aimed to review various uses of telemedicine on 11 databases using the PRISMA flowchart from January 1(st), 2020, to December 31(st), 2021. Methods: This review has been registered in PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record. php?RecordID=269809). The search terms are: "COVID-19," "Coronavirus," 'SARS-CoV-2," "2019-nCoV," "Telemedicine," "Telehealth," "Teleconsultation," "Telemonitoring,' "Telemanagement," "Teleconferencing," "Video conferencing," "Video consultation,""Virtual care,""Virtual service,""Virtualtreatment,""Remote treatment,""Remoteservice,""Remote consultation," "Digital care," 'Digital treatment," "Mobile health, and "E-health." The quality assessment used indexed databases for the SCOPUS, Web of Science (ESCI), and PubMed (PMC and Medline). Results: On initial scrutiny, 2.031.242 articles were obtained;after screening with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 articles were included. Only 4 articles reported the use of telemedicine for respiratory-related diseases patients;3 of these were COVID-19-related cases. Other 13 articles reported the use of telemedicine for admission, anamnesis, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and monitoring purposes for non-respiratory-related diseases. Methods applied include voice calls, video conferences, and specific software on computers and smartphones. There were no significant differences between telemedicine and the face-to-face method, although the lack of health providers' presence has been complained about in the prior method. Conclusion: From this review, telemedicine is a beneficial tool for delivering health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Aims: This review aims to map the needs and challenges in the application of teledentistry and online referral system encountered by dental health care professionals in Indonesian primary health care centers (puskesmas) to provide safe dental health service to the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Literature search was undertaken of both in Indonesian and overseas context related to teledentistry. Narrative review of the literature was written to present the challenges, solutions, and application of teledentistry at Puskesmas to optimize oral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Online referral system and teledentistry are options to help dental health service delivery in the pandemic era. While it has been adopted in many private clinics, there are many challenges to adopt it at the puskesmas level due to a lack of infrastructure, human resources, and budget allocation. While the Indonesian government has plans to support the digitization in the education and health sector, this pandemic shall pose an opportunity for Indonesian health department to develop and facilitate the use of teledentistry and online referral system. During this situation, health cadres can bridge the relationship between Puskesmas and the poor community through the help of teledentistry. Conclusions: The government commitment in applying online referral system and teledentistry in Puskesmas is needed. Dental education institutions can help to supply human resources, who are capable of developing and carrying out the most suitable teledentistry application for all stakeholders.