Exploring the use of ChatGPT as a virtual health coach for chronic disease management.

Introduction: ChatGPT has been widely researched for its potential in gealthcare applications. However, its efficcy as a virtual health coach is one of the important areas, which can significantly contribute to the sustainablility in healthcare operations, especially in managing critical illnesses. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the use of ChatGPT as a virtual health coach for chronic disease managemet. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design because ChatGPT is a relatively new technology and few people have experience with it. Patients who were receiving care outside of the hospital were included. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after a 2-week period in which participants used ChatGPT to search for health information about chronic disease management. Thirty-nine outpatients were interviewed and thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: The findings suggested both opportunities and challenges of using ChatGPT as a virtual health coach for chronic disease management. The major opportunities identified included life-long learning, improved health literacy, cost-effectiveness, behavioral change support, scalability, and accessibility. The major challenges identified included limited physical examination, lack of human connection, legal and ethical complications, and lack of accuracy and reliability. Conclusion: ChatGPT-based technologies may serve as a supplementary or intermediate support system. However, such applications for managing chronic diseases must protect privacy and promote both short- and long-term positive outcomes.

Use of social media for the improvement of safety knowledge and awareness among Saudi Arabian phlebotomists.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of social media for the improvement of safety knowledge and awareness among phlebotomists. Methods: As this study was intended to arrive at specific conclusions using empirical evidence, a deductive quantitative cross-sectional online survey design was adopted. A total of 521 phlebotomists participated in the survey, and 86 incomplete responders were removed, resulting in a final sample of 435 considered in this study. T-tests and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 41.6% stated that social media was very effective, and 31.5% stated that it was somewhat effective in improving safety knowledge and awareness. in addition, this study revealed no major differences between male and female participants (p > 0.05) with respect to the effectiveness of social media. However, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among the age groups were identified in relation to the effectiveness of social media and the intention to use it in the future. Conclusion: Social media applications are effective for knowledge dissemination among healthcare professionals.

The opportunities and challenges of adopting ChatGPT in medical research.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges of adopting ChatGPT in medical research. Methods: A qualitative approach with focus groups is adopted in this study. A total of 62 participants including academic researchers from different streams in medicine and eHealth, participated in this study. Results: A total of five themes with 16 sub-themes related to the opportunities; and a total of five themes with 12 sub-themes related to the challenges were identified. The major opportunities include improved data collection and analysis, improved communication and accessibility, and support for researchers in multiple streams of medical research. The major challenges identified were limitations of training data leading to bias, ethical issues, technical limitations, and limitations in data collection and analysis. Conclusion: Although ChatGPT can be used as a potential tool in medical research, there is a need for further evidence to generalize its impact on the different research activities.

Factors influencing decision making for implementing e-health in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health (e-health) approaches such as telemedicine, mobile health, virtual healthcare and electronic health records are considered to be effective in increasing access to healthcare services, reducing operational costs and improving the quality of healthcare services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, a pandemic resulting from the spread of a novel coronavirus discovered in December 2019. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the most important factors influencing decision making on the implementation of e-health in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), which are in the process of digitizing healthcare services. METHODS: This study reviewed the literature to identify the important factors influencing decision making on e-health. In addition, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted in order to identify the most important criteria to be considered in decision making on e-health. The survey link was forwarded to 978 healthcare practitioners and 42 experts (purposive sampling), from which a final sample of 892 (864 practitioners and 28 experts) was achieved, reflecting a response rate of 87.45%. RESULTS: Of the 44 factors identified under seven themes (strategic, quality, management, technology, function characteristics, economic, sociocultural and demographic factors), 22 factors were identified to be the most important criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study suggest that decision making in relation to e-health is a complex process that requires consideration of various factors. It was also found that attention should be paid to sociocultural and demographic factors, which may need to be considered in increasing healthcare access during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Evaluating the Readiness of Mobile Technology with Respect to e-Heath for Medication in Saudi Arabia: An Integrative Perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the readiness of Saudi Arabian patients towards the adoption of the e-health system through the use of mobile phones. METHODS: In this research, a cross-sectional survey was carried out using a self-administered structured questionnaire. According to the results, 354 people viewed the questionnaire and 129 respondents were selected to assess the adoption of the e-health system in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected during February-March 2020. RESULTS: More than half of the respondents (63.6%) were women and almost half of the participants (48.0%) were married. Most of the surveyed patients suffered from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Almost all the participants (99.0%) had their personal mobile phone and used the Internet on these devices. Most of the participants did not trust or believe in online health services or online medical consultations and did not spend money on contracting health services through mobile phones. It is suggested that the lack of motivation to adopt the e-health system may be due to fear of privacy violations, fear of loss of personal data and information, lack of technical support, and mistrust in doctors who frequently use their cell phones to distract themselves during work-hours. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that the population of Saudi Arabia is reluctant to adopt the electronic e-health system promoted in the Saudi Vision 2030 strategic plan. To change this behavior, it is necessary to develop awareness campaigns and strategies that suggest the importance of using e-heath in the Saudi Arabian healthcare system. Additionally, it is essential that the network administrator implement procedures to protect the confidentiality and security of patients' medical records.

Outcome of treated orbital cellulitis in a tertiary eye care center in the middle East.

PURPOSE: To describe risk factors predisposing patients to orbital cellulitis and potential complications in patients treated at a tertiary eye care referral center in the Middle East. DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional, retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with orbital cellulitis. METHODS: A 15-year clinical review of patients with a diagnosis of orbital cellulitis referred to King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, an accredited (Joint Council on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Washington, DC) tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was performed. Only those patients who had clinical signs and symptoms or radiologic evidence suggestive of orbital cellulitis were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, factors predisposing to orbital cellulitis, and resulting complications. RESULTS: A total of 218 patients (136 male, 82 female) fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for orbital cellulitis were identified. The average age of these patients was 25.7 years (range, 1 month-85 years). On imaging studies, there was evidence of inflammatory or infective changes to orbital structures; orbital abscesses were identified in 116 patients (53%). Sinus disease was the most common predisposing cause in 86 patients (39.4%), followed by trauma in 43 patients (19.7%). All patients received systemic antibiotic treatment before the identification of any responsible organisms. Of the 116 patients with orbital abscess, 101 patients (87%) required drainage. The results of cultures in patients in whom an orbital abscess was drained were positive for 91 patients (90%). The most common microorganisms isolated from the drained abscesses were Staphylococci and Streptococci species. Blood cultures were positive in only 4 patients from whom blood was drawn for cultures. Visual acuity improved in 34 eyes (16.1%) and worsened in 13 eyes (6.2%), including 9 (4.3%) eyes that sustained complete loss of vision, which was attributed to the delay in correct diagnosis and timely intervention (average 28 days vs. 9 days in patients with no loss of vision; P<0.05). There were 9 cases of intracranial extension of orbital abscesses that required either extended treatment with systemic antibiotics alone or in combination with neurosurgical intervention. Most patients received oral antibiotics on discharge for varying periods. There were 6 cases (2.7%) of strabismus and 4 cases (1.8%) of ptosis that persisted after treatment and resolution of orbital cellulitis. CONCLUSIONS: Untreated sinusitis and prior history of orbital trauma were the 2 major causes of orbital cellulitis in patients referred to a tertiary care eye center in the Middle East. Although rare, severe visual loss still remains a serious complication of delayed detection and intervention in most cases of orbital cellulitis.