The crucial roles of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in BRICS.

The BRICS countries-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-are committed to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on mitigating climate change. To attain this goal, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality. This study contributes to the literature by examining the potential role of these factors in environmental sustainability in the BRICS economies from 2000 to 2021, utilizing cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) estimation and other novel econometric techniques. Accordingly, the study suggests that BRICS governments and policymakers prioritize the use of ICT in the industrial and institutional sectors to achieve faster environmental sustainability in the short-run, as per the CS-ARDL results. However, the study advises caution in the long-term as the interaction between ICT and renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality may not favour environmental quality. Although the renewable energy sources interaction with ICT may not yield immediate progress, strong measures need to be taken to ensure that short-term gains are not nullified. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in the BRICS countries, while recommending cautious measures in the long run to safeguard the progress made.

Empowerment Enabled by Information and Communications Technology and Intention to Sustain a Healthy Behavior: Survey of General Users.

BACKGROUND: Most people with chronic conditions fail to adhere to self-management behavioral guidelines. In the last 2 decades, several mobile health apps and IT-based systems have been designed and developed to help patients change and sustain their healthy behaviors. However, these systems often lead to short-term behavior change or adherence while the goal is to engage the population toward long-term behavior change. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to contribute to the development of long-term health behavior changes or to help people sustain their healthy behavior. For this purpose, we built and tested a theoretical model that includes enablers of empowerment and an intention to sustain a healthy behavior when patients are assisted by information and communications technology. METHODS: Structural equation modeling was used to analyze 427 survey returns collected from a diverse population of participants and patients. Notably, the model testing was performed for physical activity as a generally desirable healthy goal. RESULTS: Message aligned with personal goals, familiarity with technology tools, high self-efficacy, social connection, and community support played a significant role (P<.001) in empowering individuals to maintain a healthy behavior. The feeling of being empowered exhibited a strong influence, with a path coefficient of 0.681 on an intention to sustain healthy behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The uniqueness of this model is its recognition of needs (ie, social connection, community support, and self-efficacy) to sustain a healthy behavior. Individuals are empowered when they are assisted by family and community, specifically when they possess the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to ascertain and achieve their goals. This nascent theory explains what might lead to more sustainable behavior change and is meant to help designers build better apps that enable people to conduct self-care routines and sustain their behavior.

Bistability of AlGaAs/GaAs Resonant-Tunneling Diodes Heterostructural Channel.

This paper presents an effective compact model of current transfer for the estimation of hysteresis parameters on the volt-ampere characteristics of resonant-tunneling diodes. In the framework of the compact model, the appearance of hysteresis is explained as a manifestation of internal bistability due to interelectronic interaction in the channel of the resonant-tunneling structure. Unlike the models based on the method of equivalent circuits, the interelectronic interaction in the compact model is taken into account using the concentration parameter. Model validation allowed us to confirm the high accuracy of the model not only at the initial section of the volt-ampere characteristics, but also at the hysteresis parameters traditionally predicted with low accuracy, namely the loop width (∆ < 0.5%) and contrast (∆ < 7%). Thus, it is concluded that the models are promising for integration into systems for synthesizing the electrical characteristics of resonant-tunneling diodes.

Development and evaluation of the information and communication technology-based Loneliness Alleviation Program for community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study and randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to develop an information and communication technology (ICT)-based Loneliness Alleviation Program (LAP) for community-dwelling older adults, which was developed according to the ADDIE model. The LAP is a complex non-face-to-face program for physical, psychological, and interpersonal loneliness alleviation. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to verify the effects of the program on loneliness, depression, and laughter index in older adults. Program sessions were conducted twice a week for 6 weeks (12 sessions). Data on 40 older adults aged 65 years and above were collected from January 2, 2023 to February 17, 2023 at a public health center in South Korea. The experimental group showed statistically significant effects of the program on loneliness, depression, and laughter index scores. The older adults were alleviated their loneliness by utilizing non-face-to-face programs, and the program is expected to increase continuity and inclusiveness of care.

Self-perception of learning basic skills in the use of information and communications technology in university students with intellectual disabilities.

Educational transformation in the university environment requires updating the basic skills of all university students to the educational moment in which they find themselves. This study aimed to determine the basic skills in the use of information and communications technology that were identified as known, both conceptually and procedurally, in 15 university students with intellectual disabilities. To ascertain the importance of digital skills and information and communications technology tools, a descriptive, cross-sectional, pre-post study was conducted. Descriptive results and statistical analyses are presented with a t-test for independent samples for the variables with a normal distribution, assuming a hypothesis that the post values would be greater than those obtained pre. It was confirmed that there is an increase in the perceived procedural knowledge and skills in different digital tools based on participants' self-perception (p < 0.0001).

Remote Communication and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Although remote communication technologies have been widely used to maintain connections with others against interpersonal contact restrictions and exacerbated loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear whether and what types of remote communication technologies are effective in mitigating loneliness. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between remote communication and loneliness when face-to-face meetings with others were strongly prohibited and whether this association varied across types of communication tools, age, and gender. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey conducted from August to September 2020. From registered panelists of the research agency, 28,000 randomly sampled participants completed the survey on the website. We created 2 study cohorts who stopped meeting with family members living apart and friends during the pandemic. We categorized whether participants had technology-based remote communication (voice calling, text messaging, and video calling) with family and friends. Loneliness was assessed using the 3-item University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. We used a modified Poisson regression model to investigate the association between loneliness and remote communication with family members living apart or friends. We also conducted subgroup analyses based on age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 4483 participants stopped meeting with family members living apart, and 6783 participants stopped meeting with friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote communication with family members living apart did not show an association with loneliness, whereas remote communication with friends was associated with a low prevalence of loneliness (family: adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=0.89, 95% CI 0.74-1.08; P=.24 and friends: aPR=0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.91; P<.001). From analyses by tools, voice calling was associated with low loneliness (family: aPR=0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.98; P=.03 and friends: aPR=0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.95; P=.003). Similarly, text messaging was associated with low loneliness (family: aPR=0.82, 95% CI 0.69-0.97; P=.02 and friends: aPR=0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89; P<.001). However, we did not find an association between video calling and loneliness (family: aPR=0.88, 95% CI 0.75-1.02; P=.09 and friends: aPR=0.94, 95% CI 0.85-1.04; P=.25). Text messaging with friends was associated with low loneliness regardless of age, whereas voice calling with family or friends was associated with low loneliness only among participants aged ≥65 years. An association between remote communication with friends and low loneliness was found regardless of the type of remote communication tool among men, whereas it was found only for text messaging with friends among women. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study of adults in Japan, remote communication, especially via voice calling and text messaging, was associated with low loneliness. Promoting remote communication may reduce loneliness when face-to-face contact is restricted, which should be the subject of future research.

Costing analysis of an information & communications technology-enabled primary healthcare facility in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Information and communications technology (ICT) has often been endorsed as an effective tool to improve primary healthcare. However, evidence on the cost of ICT-enabled primary health centre (PHC) is lacking. The present study aimed at estimating the costs for customization and implementation of an integrated health information system for primary healthcare at a public sector urban primary healthcare facility in Chandigarh. METHODS: We undertook economic costing of an ICT-enabled PHC based on health system perspective and bottom-up costing. All the resources used for the provision of ICT-enabled PHC, capital and recurrent, were identified, measured and valued. The capital items were annualized over their estimated life using a discount rate of 3 per cent. A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of parameter uncertainties. Finally, we assessed the cost of scaling up ICT-enabled PHC at the state level. RESULTS: The estimated overall annual cost of delivering health services through PHC in the public sector was ₹ 7.88 million. The additional economic cost of ICT was ₹ 1.39 million i.e. 17.7 per cent over and above a non-ICT PHC cost. In a PHC with ICT, the cost per capita increased by ₹ 56. On scaling up to the state level (with 400 PHCs), the economic cost of ICT was estimated to be ₹ 0.47 million per year per PHC, which equates to approximately six per cent expenditure over and above the economic cost of a regular PHC. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a model of information technology-PHC in a state of India would require an augmentation of cost by about six per cent, which seems fiscally sustainable. However, contextual factors related to the availability of infrastructure, human resources and medical supplies for delivering quality PHC services will also need to be considered.

Mitigating the Risk of Digital Financial Exploitation.

The article by Zhang and colleagues in this issue of The Journal calls attention to an important but underrecognized problem facing today's seniors and their loved ones. The risk of digital financial exploitation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has risen considerably in recent years and continues to rise today. Zhang et al. provide a helpful analysis of assessment tools currently available to forensic psychiatrists for the evaluation of financial capacity. Although many of these tools were not originally intended to encompass technologically based transactions, the risks of fraud and scams associated with payment apps, social media, and electronic fund transfers are considerable and growing. Fraudsters frequently target vulnerable older adults, and victims have lost large sums through some of the more prevalent schemes. Several strategies can help to mitigate the risk of severe losses and to increase the likelihood that lost assets can be recovered. Proactive education through increased awareness will prove helpful, but given the growing sophistication of modern digital cons, such as romance scams, increased technological safeguards are warranted in the setting of reduced financial capacity. When losses do occur, there are some resources for recovery and for filing complaints against perpetrators.

Information and Communications Technologies Enabling Integrated Primary Care for Patients With Complex Care Needs: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Information and communications technologies (ICTs) are recognized as critical enablers of integrated primary care to support patients with multiple chronic conditions. Although ICT-enabled integrated primary care holds promise in supporting patients with complex care needs through team-based and continued care, critical implementation factors regarding what ICTs are available and how they enable this model are yet to be mapped in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review addressed the current knowledge gap by answering the following research question: What ICTs are used in delivering integrated primary care to patients with complex care needs? METHODS: The Arksey and O'Malley method enhanced by the work by Levac et al was used to guide this scoping review. In total, 4 electronic medical databases were accessed-MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO-collecting studies published between January 2000 and December 2021. Identified peer-reviewed articles were screened. Relevant studies were charted, collated, and analyzed using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care and the eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model. RESULTS: A total of 52,216 articles were identified, of which 31 (0.06%) met the review's eligibility criteria. In the current literature, ICTs are used to serve the following functions in the integrated primary care setting: information sharing, self-management support, clinical decision-making, and remote service delivery. Integration efforts are supported by ICTs by promoting teamwork and coordinating clinical services across teams and organizations. Patient, provider, organizational, and technological implementation factors are considered important for ICT-based interventions in the integrated primary care setting. CONCLUSIONS: ICTs play a critical role in enabling clinical and professional integration in the primary care setting to meet the health system-related needs of patients with complex care needs. Future research is needed to explore how to integrate technologies at an organizational and system level to create a health system that is well prepared to optimize technologies to support patients with complex care needs.

Handling Public Well-being During the COVID-19 Crisis: Empirical Study With Representatives From Municipalities in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the public's health and well-being due to infections and restrictions imposed during the crisis. Recreational activities are important for the public's well-being; however, the public's safety from the COVID-19 virus is the top priority. Sweden, a country with a decentralized public health and welfare system, relied on less stringent approaches for handling the crisis. The limited restrictions in Sweden allowed recreational activities to take place despite the pandemic, which could be attributed to considerations for the public's well-being. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate municipal approaches for handling and supporting recreational activities during the COVID-19 crisis. METHODS: We conducted an empirical study (qualitative and quantitative), using an online survey for data collection, with 23 participants. They were representatives holding mostly managerial roles in 18 distinct municipalities (18 counties). A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze open-ended responses, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the closed-ended responses. RESULTS: In this study, we report on the status of municipalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The highlighted results showed a significant impact on the municipalities as a result of COVID-19, where 78% (18/23) of participants stated significant changes due to the pandemic. Moreover, 91% (21/23) indicated efforts and approaches for supporting recreational activities during COVID-19. Following national guidelines for the public's health and safety was indicated by 78% (18/23) of participants. Information and communications technology (ICT) was considered significant for dealing with COVID-19 according to 87% (20/23) of participants. Our qualitative results further showed details of the public's health and safety considerations, the efforts to support recreational activities particularly for youth, and the role and requirements of ICT. Challenges relating to the usability of ICT were also highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the critique of Sweden's lenient strategy for handling the COVID-19 crisis, our results showed significant considerations for the public's safety and well-being by the municipalities (regional and local levels) in this study. The Swedish approach to handling the crisis involved trusting the public with safety guidelines in addition to efforts for the public's safety, supporting the public's well-being with approaches for maintaining recreational activities, and giving special care to the youth. Despite having technological solutions in place, challenges in using digital solutions and requirements for future development were noted.

Use of Information and Communications Technology in Family Services and Its Perceived Benefits amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong-Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project.

INTRODUCTION: We examined information and communications technology (ICT) use in family services and its perceived benefits and barriers amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. METHODS: We invited all family service social workers of 12 NGOs to complete an anonymous online questionnaire in May 2020 (Part A) and a management representative from each NGO to provide written feedback on ICT use in January 2021 (Part B). RESULTS: In Part A, of 255 respondents (response rate: 67.3%), perceived ICT use in conducting programmes, groups, casework and preventive family programmes showed net increases of 33.9-54.5%; perceived ICT use in different work processes showed net increases of 18.8-48.6%. The three most common perceived benefits were "providing another option to service users" (74.2%), "more convenient service" (60.2%) and "maintaining normal service" (59.7%). In Part B, 12 management representatives consistently reported positive impacts of ICT use on family services. They shared actionable strategies (e.g., ICT skill-related training) and concerns about data privacy and management. CONCLUSIONS: ICT use in family services markedly increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. It helped make the services more accessible especially when the pandemic restricted face-to-face services.

Beyond the Digital Competencies of Medical Students: Concerns over Integrating Data Science Basics into the Medical Curriculum.

Introduction. Data science is becoming increasingly prominent in the medical profession, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting additional challenges and opportunities for medical education. We retrospectively appraised the existing biomedical informatics (BMI) and biostatistics courses taught to students enrolled in a six-year medical program. Methods. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among 121 students in their fourth year, with regard to the courses they previously attended, in contrast with the ongoing emergency medicine (EM) course during the first semester of the academic year 2020−2021, when all activities went online. The questionnaire included opinion items about courses and self-assessed knowledge, and questions probing into the respondents' familiarity with the basics of data science. Results. Appreciation of the EM course was high, with a median (IQR) score of 9 (7−10) on a scale from 1 to 10. The overall scores for the BMI and biostatistics were 7 (5−9) and 8 (5−9), respectively. These latter scores were strongly correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient R = 0.869, p < 0.001). We found no correlation between measured and self-assessed knowledge of data science (R = 0.107, p = 0.246), but the latter was fairly and significantly correlated with the perceived usefulness of the courses. Conclusions. The keystone of this different perception of EM versus data science was the courses' apparent value to the medical profession. The following conclusions could be drawn: (a) objective assessments of residual knowledge of the basics of data science do not necessarily correlate with the students' subjective appraisal and opinion of the field or courses; (b) medical students need to see the explicit connection between interdisciplinary or complementary courses and the medical profession; and (c) courses on information technology and data science would better suit a distributed approach across the medical curriculum.

Effectiveness of Technology Interventions in Addressing Social Isolation, Connectedness, and Loneliness in Older Adults: Systematic Umbrella Review.

BACKGROUND: The global population of older adults (aged >60 years) is expected to triple to 2 billion by 2050. Proportionate rises in older adults affected by loneliness and social isolation (or social connectedness) are expected. Rapid deployability and social changes have increased the availability of technological devices, creating new opportunities for older adults. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify, synthesize, and critically appraise the effectiveness of technology interventions improving social connectedness in older adults by assessing the quality of reviews, common observations, and derivable themes. METHODS: Following the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), 4 databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE) were searched between February 2020 and March 2022. We identified reviews with adults aged ≥50 years in community and residential settings, reporting outcomes related to the impact of technologies on social disconnectedness with inclusion criteria based on the population, intervention, context, outcomes, and study schema-review-type articles (systematic, meta-analyses, integrative, and scoping)-and with digital interventions included. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) was used to measure the strength of outcome recommendations including the risk of bias. The reviews covered 326 primary studies with 79,538 participants. Findings were extracted, synthesized, and organized according to emerging themes. RESULTS: Overall, 972 publications met the initial search criteria, and 24 met our inclusion criteria. Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews was used to assess the quality of the analysis. Eligible reviews (3/24, 12%) were excluded because of their low Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews scores (<22). The included reviews were dedicated to information and communications technology (ICT; 11/24, 46%), videoconferencing (4/24, 17%), computer or internet training (3/24, 12%), telecare (2/24, 8%), social networking sites (2/24, 8%), and robotics (2/27, 8%). Although technology was found to improve social connectedness, its effectiveness depended on study design and is improved by shorter durations, longer training times, and the facilitation of existing relationships. ICT and videoconferencing showed the best results, followed by computer training. Social networking sites achieved mixed results. Robotics and augmented reality showed promising results but lacked sufficient data for informed conclusions. The overall quality of the studies based on GRADE was medium low to very low. CONCLUSIONS: Technology interventions can improve social connectedness in older adults. The specific effectiveness rates favor ICT and videoconferencing, but with limited evidence, as indicated by low GRADE ratings. Future intervention and study design guidelines should carefully assess the methodological quality of studies and the overall certainty of specific outcome measures. The lack of randomized controlled trials in underlying primary studies (<28%) and suboptimal methodologies limited our findings. Robotics and augmented or virtual reality warrant further research. Low GRADE scores highlight the need for high-quality research in these areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022363475; https://tinyurl.com/mdd6zds.

Towards eXtended Universal Design.

Even though eXtended Reality (XR) technology has been trialed in various projects in primary and secondary education, its lack of universal design hinders further adoption. In this paper, we present the results from focus group interviews with representatives from Norway's private and public sectors, in which we investigated their practical experiences and opinions about the accessibility and usability of XR technology in schools. We summarize practical opportunities and challenges related to the need for universal design of XR technology, both in general terms and in education specifically. Moreover, we compare the results to a previously conducted selective and weighted literature review. Five major future research needs to improve the universal design of XR technology emerge: The need to (1) increase co-creation, (2) identify and understand barriers, (3) develop solutions for said barriers, (4) advance standardization, and (5) develop evaluation methods and tools.

The Future of eXtended Reality in Primary and Secondary Education.

eXtended Reality (XR) technology has to some degree been used in primary and secondary education. However, XR technology has not gained widespread use in public schools due to challenges related to pedagogical content, expertise, digital infrastructure, funding, and a lack of universal design. In this paper, we present the results from focus group interviews with representative stakeholders from the private and public sectors, in which we investigated their practical experiences and opinions about XR technology in Norwegian schools. We summarize the practical opportunities and challenges of using XR technology in primary and secondary education. We compare the results with a previously conducted selective and weighted literature review and extract four major future research needs to increase the practical and systemic universal design of XR technology in primary and secondary education for all.

Co-Development of a Web Application (COVID-19 Social Site) for Long-Term Care Workers ("Something for Us"): User-Centered Design and Participatory Research Study.

BACKGROUND: Improving confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters among long-term care workers (LTCWs) is a crucial public health goal, given their role in the care of elderly people and people at risk. While difficult to reach with workplace communication interventions, most LTCWs regularly use social media and smartphones. Various social media interventions have improved attitudes and uptake for other vaccines and hold promise for the LTCW population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a curated social web application (interactive website) to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence (a 3-arm randomized trial is underway). METHODS: Following user-centric design and participatory research approaches, we undertook the following 3 steps: (1) content identification, (2) platform development, and (3) community building. A LTCW and stakeholder advisory group provided iterative input. For content identification (step 1), we identified topics of concern about COVID-19 vaccines via desktop research (published literature, public opinion polls, and social media monitoring), refined by interviewing and polling LTCWs. We also conducted a national online panel survey. We curated and fact-checked posts from popular social media platforms that addressed the identified concerns. During platform development (step 2), we solicited preferences for design and functionality via interviews and user experience testing with LTCWs. We also identified best practices for online community building (step 3). RESULTS: In the interviews (n=9), we identified 3 themes: (1) LTCWs are proud of their work but feel undervalued; (2) LTCWs have varying levels of trust in COVID-19-related information; and (3) LTCWs would welcome a curated COVID-19 resource that is easy to understand and use-"something for us". Through desktop research, LTCW interviews, and our national online panel survey (n=592) we found that participants are interested in information about COVID-19 in general, vaccine benefits, vaccine risks, and vaccine development. Content identification resulted in 434 posts addressing these topic areas, with 209 uploaded to the final web application. Our LTCW poll (n=8) revealed preferences for personal stories and video content. The platform we developed is an accessible WordPress-based social media web application, refined through formal (n=3) and informal user experience testing. Users can sort posts by topic or subtopic and react to or comment on posts. To build an online community, we recruited 3 LTCW "community ambassadors" and instructed them to encourage discussion, acknowledge concerns, and offer factual information on COVID-19 vaccines. We also set "community standards" for the web application. CONCLUSIONS: An iterative, user-centric, participatory approach led to the launch of an accessible social media web application with curated content for COVID-19 vaccines targeting LTCWs in the United States. Through our trial, we will determine if this approach successfully improves vaccine confidence. If so, a similar social media resource could be used to develop curated social media interventions in other populations and with other public health goals.

A systematic review of primary school teachers' experiences with digital technologies curricula.

Many countries around the world have now introduced Digital Technology concepts and pedagogical practices to their primary school curricula to ensure students develop the understanding, competences and values that will enable them to contribute to and benefit from their future labour market and society. This study aimed to explore teachers' experiences with these curricula in order to understand how teachers can be supported to raise their implementation efforts. An analysis of twenty-three studies across eleven countries was undertaken and found there was a lack of consensus of an appropriate age and approach to introducing Digital Technology concepts within primary schools. Teachers' Digital Technology self-efficacy, Digital Technology self-esteem/ Digital Technology confidence was seen to greatly influence their implementation, and many challenges to implementation were discussed. Professional Learning and Development was raised as a solution to boost teachers' confidence and overcome common implementation barriers.

Precision health in Taiwan: A data-driven diagnostic platform for the future of disease prevention.

"Precision medicine" has revolutionized how we respond to diseases by using an individual's genomic data and lifestyle and environment-related information to create an effective personalized treatment. However, issues surrounding regulations, medical insurance payments and the use of patients' medical data, have delayed the development of precision medicine and made it difficult to achieve "true" personalization. We therefore recommend that precision medicine be transformed into precision health: a novel and generalized platform of tools and methods that could prevent, manage, and treat disease at a population level. "Precision health," one of six core strategic industries highlighted in Taiwan's vision for 2030, uses various physiological data, genomic data, and external factors, to develop unique "preventative" solutions or therapeutic strategies. For Taiwan to implement precision health, it has to address three challenges: (1) the high-cost issue of precision health; (2) the harmonization issues surrounding integration and transmission of specimen and data; (3) the legal issue of combining information and communications technology (ICT) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for medical use. In this paper, we propose an innovative framework with six recommendations for facilitating the development of precision health in Taiwan, including a novel model of precise telemedicine with AI-aided technology. We then describe how these tools can be proactively applied in early response to the COVID-19 crisis. We believe that precision health represents an important shift to more proactive and preventive healthcare that enables people to lead healthier lives.

Community Health Programs Delivered Through Information and Communications Technology in High-Income Countries: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has required widespread and rapid adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) platforms by health professionals. Transitioning health programs from face-to-face to remote delivery using ICT platforms has introduced new challenges. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to scope for ICT-delivered health programs implemented within the community health setting in high-income countries and rapidly disseminate findings to health professionals. METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methodology guided the review of the literature. RESULTS: The search retrieved 7110 unique citations. Each title and abstract was screened by at least two reviewers, resulting in 399 citations for full-text review. Of these 399 citations, 72 (18%) were included. An additional 27 citations were identified through reviewing the reference lists of the included studies, resulting in 99 citations. Citations examined 83 ICT-delivered programs from 19 high-income countries. Variations in program design, ICT platforms, research design, and outcomes were evident. CONCLUSIONS: Included programs and research were heterogeneous, addressing prevalent chronic diseases. Evidence was retrieved for the effectiveness of nurse and allied health ICT-delivered programs. Findings indicated that outcomes for participants receiving ICT-delivered programs, when compared with participants receiving in-person programs, were either equivalent or better. Gaps included a paucity of co-designed programs, qualitative research around group programs, programs for patients and carers, and evaluation of cost-effectiveness. During COVID-19 and beyond, health professionals in the community health setting are encouraged to build on existing knowledge and address evidence gaps by developing and evaluating innovative ICT-delivered programs in collaboration with consumers and carers.