ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are scarce for children and adolescents with chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs). This study aimed to map and describe the contents of the mHealth apps available for use in children and adolescents with CPDs. METHODS: We performed a systematic mapping review of published scientific literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library by February of 2023, using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged < 18 years with CPDs; and studies published in English on mHealth apps. RESULTS: A total number of 353 studies were found, 9 of which met the inclusion criteria. These studies described seven mHealth apps for Android and iOS, designed either for asthma (n = 5) or for cystic fibrosis (n = 2). Five content areas were identified: education/information; pharmacological treatment; emergency; support; and non-pharmacological treatment. The studies (4, 2, and 3, respectively) showed consistent findings using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. CONCLUSIONS: This mapping review provided a guided selection of the most appropriate mHealth apps for use in children and adolescents with CPDs based on the needs of each target population. However, these mHealth apps have limited capabilities to reinforce disease self-management and provide information related to treatment compliance.
Subject(s)
Asthma , Cystic Fibrosis , Mobile Applications , Self-Management , Telemedicine , Humans , Adolescent , Child , Self-Management/methods , Cystic Fibrosis/therapy , Asthma/therapy , Telemedicine/methodsABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are scarce for children and adolescents with chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs). This study aimed to map and describe the contents of the mHealth apps available for use in children and adolescents with CPDs. Methods: We performed a systematic mapping review of published scientific literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library by February of 2023, using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged < 18 years with CPDs; and studies published in English on mHealth apps. Results: A total number of 353 studies were found, 9 of which met the inclusion criteria. These studies described seven mHealth apps for Android and iOS, designed either for asthma (n = 5) or for cystic fibrosis (n = 2). Five content areas were identified: education/information; pharmacological treatment; emergency; support; and non-pharmacological treatment. The studies (4, 2, and 3, respectively) showed consistent findings using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Conclusions: This mapping review provided a guided selection of the most appropriate mHealth apps for use in children and adolescents with CPDs based on the needs of each target population. However, these mHealth apps have limited capabilities to reinforce disease self-management and provide information related to treatment compliance.
RESUMO Objetivo: Aplicativos de saúde móvel (mHealth, do inglês mobile health) para crianças e adolescentes com doenças pulmonares crônicas (DPC) são escassos. Este estudo teve como objetivo mapear e descrever o conteúdo dos aplicativos de mHealth disponíveis para uso em crianças e adolescentes com DPC. Métodos: Realizamos uma revisão sistemática de mapeamento da literatura científica publicada nos bancos de dados PubMed, Scopus e Cochrane Library até fevereiro de 2023, utilizando descritores relevantes. Os critérios de inclusão foram os seguintes: crianças menores de 18 anos com DPC e estudos publicados em inglês sobre aplicativos de mHealth. Resultados: Foram encontrados 353 estudos, dos quais 9 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Esses estudos descreveram sete aplicativos de mHealth para Android e iOS projetados para asma (n = 5) ou para fibrose cística (n = 2). Foram identificadas cinco áreas de conteúdo: educação/informação, tratamento farmacológico, emergência, suporte e tratamento não farmacológico. Os estudos (4, 2 e 3, respectivamente) apresentaram achados consistentes utilizando metodologias qualitativas, quantitativas e mistas. Conclusões: Esta revisão de mapeamento forneceu uma seleção guiada dos aplicativos de mHealth mais adequados para uso em crianças e adolescentes com DPC com base nas necessidades de cada população-alvo. No entanto, esses aplicativos de mHealth têm capacidades limitadas para reforçar a autogestão da doença e fornecer informações relacionadas à adesão ao tratamento.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Universities have halted non-essential services, with many restricting campus-based teaching, and continuing courses through online resources, including (controversially) lab-work. Such technologically enhanced approaches have been proven to have high levels of engagement among university students. OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on the perception of quality of online learning by first-year university students, between two semesters, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A 24-item questionnaire was designed with Likert response scale. It consisted of general perception questions of academic life and questions specific to the quality of delivery of a specific class. Eighty one eligible students were asked to fill the same questionnaire for each semester. Students' responses and their grades from the final exams in each semester were compared. RESULTS: Out of 81 eligible students, 75.31% of students responded to the survey. They were less interested in their studies in the second "online" semester (p=0.05). Students expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of online classes (p=0.03). Academic life fulfillment was also affected (p=0.02). Students' perception of the amount of free time they had between semesters did not change significantly (p=0.16). Students appeared dissatisfied with their active participation during the online class (p=0.007), even though they felt less stressed attending lectures from home (p=0.041). However, they found that workload was bearable and similar between semesters (p=0.83). Students also had significantly more trouble concentrating during online lectures (p<0.001). Students' grades significantly improved by an average of 1.07 (out of 10) in the final exams at the end of the second semester (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These unprecedented circumstances require innovation and cooperation on the part of university programs to maintain rigorous standards of higher education, taking into account students' evolving perception and needs.
