Perceptions of digital technology use for monitoring health in people living with neurological disorders.

BACKGROUND: Digital technology offers individuals the opportunity to monitor their symptoms. Information gathered from apps, devices, and web platforms may be used to direct clinical care and to support research. AIM: Using this survey, we aim to explore the views of people attending the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (ARRNC) and their relatives/caregivers regarding the use of digital health technologies to monitor health. METHOD: People attending the ARRNC were invited to complete a structured 18-item questionnaire evaluating their experience and attitudes to using technology for monitoring health. People with neurodegenerative disease (pwND) and their caregivers completed a mix of closed and open-ended questions. RESULTS: 249 people responded, 51 relatives/caregivers and 198 pwND. 67.1% (n= 167) of respondents do not use technology for monitoring their health, but 98.2% (n = 164) of these are interested in their future use. 29.7% (n = 74) respondents currently use a smartphone for health monitoring, 20.9% (n = 52) use a wearable device, and 13.3% (n = 33) use a tablet. 79.3% (n = 65) of users use their technology for monitoring physical activity, 37.8% (n = 31) use it for assisting with self-management, and 41.5% (n = 34) use it for tracking sleep. Factors which would encourage use of technology are ease of access to devices and ability to monitor health. Respondents reported data security concerns and difficulty using technology as potential barriers. CONCLUSION: People attending a neurology clinic, and their relatives/caregivers, support the use of digital technologies as an adjunct to routine care. There is a need for coordinated digital strategies for development and delivery of validated measures.

The moderating role of diabetes distress on the effect of a randomized eHealth intervention on glycemic control in Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Due to systemic inequities, Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have suboptimal glycemic control and high rates of diabetes distress, but tailored interventions for this population are lacking. In primary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial, a family-based eHealth intervention improved glycemic control in Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes and elevated depressive symptoms. The present study is a secondary analysis of these clinical trial data examining the moderating effect of diabetes distress on the efficacy of the intervention. METHODS: Using secondary data from a multicenter randomized clinical trial (Clinicaltrials.gov [NCT03168867]), caregiver-adolescent dyads were randomly assigned to either up to three sessions of an eHealth parenting intervention (n = 75) or a standard medical care control group (n = 74). Black adolescents (10 years, 0 months to 14 years, 11 months old) with type 1 diabetes and a caregiver willing to participate were eligible. Adolescents reported their diabetes distress at baseline, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) data were collected at baseline, 6-, 13-, and 18-month follow-up. RESULTS: No between-group contrasts emerged in a linear mixed-effects regression (p's > .09). Within-group contrasts emerged such that adolescents assigned to the intervention who reported high diabetes distress had lower HbA1c at the 18-month follow-up relative to baseline (p = .004); the 18-month decrease in HbA1c was -1.03%. CONCLUSIONS: Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes and high levels of diabetes distress showed significant decreases in HbA1c following a family-based eHealth intervention, suggesting diabetes distress may be a key moderator of intervention efficacy within this population.

Assessing performance of ZCTA-level and Census Tract-level social and environmental risk factors in a model predicting hospital events.

Predictive analytics are used in primary care to efficiently direct health care resources to high-risk patients to prevent unnecessary health care utilization and improve health. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are important features in these models, but they are poorly measured in administrative claims data. Area-level SDOH can be proxies for unavailable individual-level indicators, but the extent to which the granularity of risk factors impacts predictive models is unclear. We examined whether increasing the granularity of area-based SDOH features from ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) to Census Tract strengthened an existing clinical prediction model for avoidable hospitalizations (AH events) in Maryland Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. We created a person-month dataset for 465,749 beneficiaries (59.4% female; 69.8% White; 22.7% Black) with 144 features indexing medical history and demographics using Medicare claims (September 2018 through July 2021). Claims data were linked with 37 SDOH features associated with AH events from 11 publicly-available sources (e.g., American Community Survey) based on the beneficiaries' ZCTA and Census Tract of residence. Individual AH risk was estimated using six discrete time survival models with different combinations of demographic, condition/utilization, and SDOH features. Each model used stepwise variable selection to retain only meaningful predictors. We compared model fit, predictive performance, and interpretation across models. Results showed that increasing the granularity of area-based risk factors did not dramatically improve model fit or predictive performance. However, it did affect model interpretation by altering which SDOH features were retained during variable selection. Further, the inclusion of SDOH at either granularity level meaningfully reduced the risk that was attributed to demographic predictors (e.g., race, dual-eligibility for Medicaid). Differences in interpretation are critical given that this model is used by primary care staff to inform the allocation of care management resources, including those available to address drivers of health beyond the bounds of traditional health care.

Impact of Regulatory Approval Status on CADTH Reimbursement of Oncology Drugs and Role of Real-World Evidence on Conditional Approvals from 2019 to 2021.

Real-world evidence (RWE) is health and outcomes data generated from a patient's journey through the health care system or disease process (i.e., real-world data). RWE is now having an increasingly important role in regulatory/reimbursement decisions. This article examines reimbursement recommendations by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH) on oncology drugs approved between 2019 and 2021. Oncology drugs with a Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for original marketing approvals were used to generate a corresponding list of CADTH final clinical recommendations for review. Of the 45 oncology drugs approved by Health Canada, CADTH granted positive funding recommendations to all 11 drugs that had priority review approvals. Two of the 17 drugs with standard reviews did not file to CADTH and 3 received a negative recommendation. Of the 17 drugs with Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOCc) status, three were not filed to CADTH and four were under active reviews. Of the ten completed NOCc reviews, all contained RWE from sponsors and six received a negative decision on their first review. No significant differences in review times were found between the three approval statuses. Regulatory approval status appeared to influence reimbursement outcomes in Canada and evaluation of 10 NOCc approvals provided little insight regarding robustness of RWE required for more favorable considerations.

Assessing the Added Value of Vital Signs Extracted from Electronic Health Records in Healthcare Risk Adjustment Models.

Purpose: Patient vital signs are related to specific health risks and outcomes but are underutilized in the prediction of health-care utilization and cost. To measure the added value of electronic health record (EHR) extracted Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) values in improving healthcare risk and utilization predictions. Patients and Methods: A sample of 12,820 adult outpatients from the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) were identified between 2016 and 2017, having high data quality and recorded values for BMI and BP. We evaluated the added value of BMI and BP in predicting health-care utilization and cost through a retrospective cohort design. BMI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic and diastolic BPs were summarized as annual aggregated values. Concurrent annual BMI and MAP changes were quantified as the difference between maximum and minimum recorded values. Model performance estimates consisted of repeated 10-fold cross validation, compared to base model point estimates for demographic and diagnostic, coded events: (1) patient age and sex, (2) age, sex, and the Charlson weighted index, (3) age, sex and the Johns Hopkins ACG system's DxPM risk score. Results: Both categorical BMI and BP were progressively indicative of disease comorbidity, but not uniformly related to health-care utilization or cost. Annual change in BMI and MAP improved predictions for most concurrent year outcomes when compared to base models. Conclusion: When a healthcare system lacks relevant diagnostic or risk assessment information for a patient, vital signs may be useful for a simple estimation of disease risk, cost and utilization.

Wireless technology is an environmental stressor requiring new understanding and approaches in health care.

Electromagnetic signals from everyday wireless technologies are an ever-present environmental stressor, affecting biological systems. In this article, we substantiate this statement based on the weight of evidence from papers collated within the ORSAA database (ODEB), focusing on the biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields and radiation. More specifically, the experiments investigating exposures from real-world devices and the epidemiology studies examining the effects of living near mobile phone base stations were extracted from ODEB and the number of papers showing effects was compared with the number showing no effects. The results showed that two-thirds of the experimental and epidemiological papers found significant biological effects. The breadth of biological and health categories where effects have been found was subsequently explored, revealing hundreds of papers showing fundamental biological processes that are impacted, such as protein damage, biochemical changes and oxidative stress. This understanding is targeted toward health professionals and policy makers who have not been exposed to this issue during training. To inform this readership, some of the major biological effect categories and plausible mechanisms of action from the reviewed literature are described. Also presented are a set of best practice guidelines for treating patients affected by electromagnetic exposures and for using technology safely in health care settings. In conclusion, there is an extensive evidence base revealing that significant stress to human biological systems is being imposed by exposure to everyday wireless communication devices and supporting infrastructure. This evidence is compelling enough to warrant an update in medical education and practice.

Hospital organizational strategies associated with advanced EHR adoption.

OBJECTIVE: To identify organizational complementarities of adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs) and assess what organizational strategies were associated with more advanced EHR use. DATA SOURCES: Primary survey data of US hospitals combined with secondary data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and IT Supplement. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, we describe hospital organizational practices around EHR adoption and use and identify how these practices coalesce into distinct strategies. We then assess the association between those organizational strategies and adoption of advanced EHR functions. DATA COLLECTION: Primary data collection consisted of surveys sent to 797 US acute care hospitals in 2018-2019, with 451 complete respondents. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There was significant variation in hospital organizational practices for EHR adoption and use. Factor analysis identified practices in three domains: leadership engagement, human capital, and systems integration. Hospitals in the top quartile of the leadership engagement factor were 14 percentage points more likely to have adopted patient engagement EHR functions (P = 0.01) while hospitals in the top quartile of human capital were 14 percentage points less likely to have adopted these functions (P = 0.02). Hospitals in the top quartile of systems integration were 12 percentage points more likely to have adopted patient engagement functions (P = 0.02) and 14 percentage points more likely to have adopted EHR data analytics functions (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that specific organizational strategies are associated with more advanced EHR adoption. Hospital leaders interested in realizing more value from their EHR investment may find it useful to know that there is an association between adoption of more advanced EHR functions, and engaging senior leadership as well as building connectivity between clinical and administrative systems.

System Management Software for Emergency Call.

Present the experience of the development of a system as an effective communication strategy between the user/requester and the mobile prehospital care service. APPROACH: It is a methodological study, fragmented into five stages, developed by health and technology professionals and students. RESULT: The five stages were followed to reach the final product. CONCLUSION: The app is groundbreaking and contributes to the safe and efficient communication with healthcare professionals and users.

Global mental health and the DIADA project.

The DIADA project, understood as a mental healthcare implementation experience in the context of a middle-income country like Colombia, promotes a necessary discussion about its role in the global mental health framework. The following article outlines the main points by which this relationship occurs, understanding how the project contributes to global mental health and, at the same time, how global mental health nurtures the development of this project. It reflects on aspects like the systematic screening of patients with mental illness, the use of technology in health, the adoption of a collaborative model, the investigation on implementation, a collaborative learning and the Colombian healthcare system. These are all key aspects when interpreting the feedback cycle between the individual and the global. The analysis of these components shows how collaborative learning is a central axis in the growth of global mental health: from the incorporation of methodologies, implementation of models, assessment of outcomes and, finally, the dissemination of results to local, regional and international stakeholders.

Diagnoses and Health Care Utilization for After-Hours Telemedicine Versus Primary Care Visits.

OBJECTIVE: The use of a nation-wide, pediatricians online (PO) after-hours telemedicine service has been offered in Israel for more than a decade. We sought to compare PO visits with those to the primary care pediatrician (PCP). METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study using Israel's largest health care provider database. We included children aged 0 to 18 years using either PO or PCP between 2015 and 2018. We compared the baseline characteristics, matching by socioeconomic status, chronic illness, and diagnosis, and compared their admission rates, laboratory testing, and medication prescription. RESULTS: During this study period there were 262,541 PO visits and a random 10% sample of PCP visits which yielded 1,813,103 visits. Users of PO were more likely to have a higher socioeconomic status (43% vs 28.9%), fever (13.3% vs 4.4%) and less likely to have acute respiratory conditions (8.8% vs 16.7%). Users of PO had higher rates of emergency department admissions (2.9% vs 0.4%), hospital admissions (0.9% vs 0.2%), and lower rates of laboratory testing (3.7% vs 7.4%) and medication prescription (42.0% vs 52.0%) within 24 hours. All differences were statistically significant (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Our pediatric telemedicine service operating after-hours has been found to be feasible, and widely used, for a myriad of clinical conditions. Significant differences exist between PO and PCP visit characteristics and outcomes. However, it remained unclear whether these differences reflect the difference in the patient population or whether they are the result of the different clinical services. Further research is warranted to clarify this matter.

Adoption of Blockchain in Health Care.

This study aims to review current issues regarding the application of blockchain technology in health care. We illustrated the various ways in which blockchain can solve current health care issues in three main arenas: data exchange, contracts, and supply chain management. This paper presents several current and projected uses of blockchain technology in the health care industry. We predicted which of these applications are likely to be adopted quickly and provided a supply chain example of tracking the transportation of organs for transplantation.

Capturing Relevant Patient Data in Clinical Encounters Through Integration of an Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome System Into Routine Primary Care in a Boston Community Health Center: Development and Implementation Study.

BACKGROUND: Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) systems can improve health outcomes by detecting health issues or risk behaviors that may be missed when relying on provider elicitation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to implement an ePRO system that administers key health questionnaires in an urban community health center in Boston, Massachusetts. METHODS: An ePRO system that administers key health questionnaires was implemented in an urban community health center in Boston, Massachusetts. The system was integrated with the electronic health record so that medical providers could review and adjudicate patient responses in real-time during the course of the patient visit. This implementation project was accomplished through careful examination of clinical workflows and a graduated rollout process that was mindful of patient and clinical staff time and burden. Patients responded to questionnaires using a tablet at the beginning of their visit. RESULTS: Our program demonstrates that implementation of an ePRO system in a primary care setting is feasible, allowing for facilitation of patient-provider communication and care. Other community health centers can learn from our model in terms of applying technological innovation to streamline clinical processes and improve patient care. CONCLUSIONS: Our program demonstrates that implementation of an ePRO system in a primary care setting is feasible, allowing for facilitation of patient-provider communication and care. Other community health centers can learn from our model for application of technological innovation to streamline clinical processes and improve patient care.

Mobile web application for use in the Extended Family Health and Primary Care Center: content and usability validation / Aplicativo móvel para utilização do Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica: validação de conteúdo e de usabilidade

ABSTRACT Purpose: to validate the content and usability of the "Network NASF" application, intended for the teams of the Extended Family Health and Primary Care Center (NASF-AB). Methods: eighteen specialists, researchers, and professionals from different fields of study participated to validate the content and usability of the application, carried out in four stages: adjustment of the instrument; administration of the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM); validation of the content by calculating the content validity index (CVI); and usability evaluation through the System Usability Scale (SUS), in this order. Results: the participants classified the material as valid regarding both its content and usability. The index achieved in the SAM was 83.5%, as four, out of the six topics in the instrument, had values over 0.78. Hence, these four were considered excellent, while the other two were considered good. The recommendations given by the specialized judges were accepted and the usability index (5.5%) was considered relevant. Conclusion: the application developed for NASF-AB professionals was considered valid regarding its content and usability.

RESUMO Objetivo: validar por conteúdo e usabilidade o aplicativo "NASF em Rede" direcionado para as equipes dos Núcleos Ampliados de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica (NASF-AB). Métodos: estudo metodológico, no qual participaram 18 especialistas, pesquisadores e profissionais, com diferentes áreas de formação, com vistas à validação de conteúdo e de usabilidade do APP. Realizado em quatro etapas: adaptação do instrumento; aplicação do instrumento de Avaliação de Adequação de Materiais (SAM); validação de conteúdo por meio do cálculo do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC) e avaliação da usabilidade por meio do System Usability Scale (SUS), respectivamente. Resultados: os participantes classificaram o material como válido, tanto no que concerne ao conteúdo quanto à usabilidade. Obteve-se índice de 83,5% para o instrumental SAM, pois 04 dos 06 tópicos constantes no instrumento apresentaram valores de 0,78, os quais foram considerados excelentes e dois deles foram avaliadas como bons, sendo acolhidas as recomendações dos juízes especialistas. O índice de usabilidade (5,5%) também foi considerado relevante. Conclusão: o aplicativo desenvolvido para profissionais do NASF- AB foi considerado válido quanto ao conteúdo e à usabilidade.

Citizens' use of digital media to connect with health care: Socio-ethical and regulatory implications.

Digital technologies promise to transform practices of health, medicine and health care and 'power' economies. In expectation of their presumed future benefits, governments in recent years have invested heavily in new technology initiatives and have sought to engender 'digital literacy' among citizens. This article introduces papers and expands on themes arising from a special issue that explores the socio-ethical and regulatory implications of citizens' use of digital media to connect with health care. We set the scene by examining the promissory discourse that attaches to digital technologies as applied to health care, and its role in shaping actions, and then consider the longer term prospects and implications of digitalisation for conceptions of citizenship and established categories and distinctions. As we argue, given the history of new technologies, the longer term implications of digitalisation are likely to differ significantly from those envisaged. Digital technologies promise radical positive disruption. Yet many uncertainties accompany their development and future applications and likely implications. Making reference to papers in the special issue and the wider literature, the article considers the prospects of digitalisation in medicine and health care in light of the colonisation of the Internet by powerful technology companies, the shift in capitalist economies from processes of production to technologies of prediction, evidence of inequalities in access to the Internet and related devices, and the growing number of data breaches involving personal health information. We draw attention to the failure of governments to engage citizens in substantive deliberations about digitalisation and its future potential implications and the ultimate democratic deficit that this represents. We ask, what does it mean to 'regulate' digital media in a context in which data are widely viewed as the 'new oil'? While we have no straightforward answers, we suggest that recent legislative efforts (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation in Europe) and growing calls for 'algorithmic accountability' have the potential to temper the more harmful aspects of digitalisation.

Use of alternative communication technology on quality of life evaluation of head and neck neoplasms patients / Uso de tecnologia de comunicação alternativa na avaliação da qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço

Abstract: Introduction: Communication, social interactions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the person affected by head and neck cancer (HNC) are affected by both diagnosis and treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of alternative communication software as a resource for the application of HRQoL assessment tools for people with HNC who underwent laryngectomy. Method: An exploratory, cross-sectional study with 100 adult individuals of both genders. A Sociodemographic identification form was used and the Brazilian Criteria for Economic Classification was applied the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck-FACT-H&N scale. These instruments were inserted, in their original format, into the alternative communication software Livox®, which is an auxiliary communication resource that favors the communication of people with speech difficulties providing a conversion of text into sounds. Results: The dimensions of functional well-being and emotional well-being were the most affected in the evaluation of HRQoL. Most interviewees did not have difficulty in using Livox® to respond to the questionnaires. However, there was an association between the age and professional activity in relation to the use of the software, since 100% of the over-58s and non-active retirees reported some difficulties in their use. Conclusion: The use of technological resources may facilitate access to services and treatments by laryngectomized individuals, however, the elderly present greater difficulties in the use of modern communication technologies due to sociocultural contexts, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Occupational therapy can facilitate this adaptation through the use of resources, strategies, and techniques for the use of technology instruments as facilitators for communication in intra- and extra-hospital contexts, providing autonomy and independence for the subjects.

Resumo Introdução: A comunicação, as interações sociais e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) da pessoa acometida pelo câncer de cabeça e pescoço (CCP), são afetadas tanto pelo diagnóstico como pelos tratamentos. Objetivo: Avaliar o uso de um software de comunicação alternativa como recurso para aplicação de instrumentos de avaliação da QVRS de pessoas com CCP, submetidas à laringectomia. Método: Estudo exploratório, transversal, realizado com 100 pessoas adultas, de ambos os sexos. Foi utilizada uma ficha de identificação Sociodemográfica e foram aplicados o Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil e a escala Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head and Neck - FACT - H & N. Esses instrumentos foram inseridos, em seu formato original, no software de comunicação alternativa Livox®, que é um recurso auxiliar de comunicação que favorece a comunicação de pessoas com dificuldades na fala, fornecendo uma conversão de texto em sons. Resultados: As dimensões do Bem-Estar Funcional e Bem-Estar Emocional foram as mais comprometidas na avaliação da QVRS. Os entrevistados, em sua maioria, não demonstraram dificuldade em utilizar o Livox® para responder aos questionários. Porém, observou-se associação entre a idade e atividade profissional exercida em relação à utilização do software, pois 100% das pessoas com mais de 58 anos e os aposentados não ativos referiram alguma dificuldade em sua utilização. Conclusão: O uso de recursos tecnológicos pode facilitar acessos à serviços e tratamentos por parte das pessoas laringectomizadas, mas os idosos apresentam maiores dificuldades no uso de tecnologias modernas de comunicação, devido à contextos socioculturais, dificuldades cognitivas e emocionais. A terapia ocupacional pode facilitar essa adaptação através do uso de recursos, estratégias e técnicas de uso de instrumentos de tecnologia como facilitadores para comunicação em contextos intra e extra-hospitalares, proporcionando autonomia e independência aos sujeitos.

Development and validation of a smartphone educational game regarding healthy lifestyle habits for adolescents / Desarrollo y validación de un juego educativo smartphone sobre estilo de vida saludable para adolescentes / Elaboração e validação de jogo educativo para smartphone sobre hábitos de vida saudáveis para adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: to elaborate and validate the content and appearance of an educational game regarding healthy lifestyle habits for adolescents Method: methodological study carried, in 2016 out in Picos (Brazil). In order to develop the initial version of the game, a survey gathered scientific information and the content. In the end, the game was divided into: home screen and the living room, kitchen and the square scene, where the sports scene was inserted. To validate the instrument, 15 experts were selected, who evaluated the content, didactics and appearance of the game. Ten adolescents evaluated the appearance and usability. In addition, one questionnaire was used for the specialists and another for the adolescents. The Content Validation Index was used to validate the game, which considered the instrument and the items as validated when an index ≥ 0.78 was obtained. Results: the room scene had access to the kitchen and the square. The sport scene was designed for physical activity and the purchase of food, which would be consumed in the kitchen scene. The experts gave the game a Content Validation Index of 0.88 for the item "objectives", 0.87 for "structure and presentation" and 0.99 for "relevance", reaching a overall Content Validation Index of 0.89. For adolescents, the item "appearance" reached the index 0.97 and for the other items, 1.0 and overal index of 0.99. Conclusion: the game was validated in terms of content and appearance and could be validated clinically with adolescents as an incentive to adopt protective behaviors for their health.

RESUMEN Objetivo: elaborar y validar el contenido y la apariencia de un juego educativo sobre hábitos de vida saludables para adolescentes. Método: estudio metodológico realizado, en 2016, en Picos (Brasil). Con el fin de desarrollar la versión inicial del juego, una encuesta reunió información científica y el contenido. Al final, el juego se dividió en: pantalla de inicio y la sala de estar, cocina y la escena cuadrada, donde se insertó la escena deportiva. Para validar el instrumento, se seleccionaron 15 expertos, que evaluaron el contenido, la didáctica y la apariencia del juego. Diez adolescentes evaluaron la apariencia y usabilidad. Además, se utilizó un cuestionario para los especialistas y otro para los adolescentes. El Índice de Validación de Contenido se utilizó para validar el juego, que consideró el instrumento y los elementos como validados cuando se obtuvo un índice de 0,78. Resultados: la escena de la habitación tuvo acceso a la cocina y la plaza. La escena deportiva fue diseñada para la actividad física y la compra de alimentos, que serían consumidos en la escena de la cocina. Los expertos le dieron al juego un índice de validación de contenido de 0,88 para el elemento "objetivos", 0,87 para "estructura y presentación" y 0,99 para "relevancia", alcanzando un Índice de Validación de Contenido general de 0,89. En el caso de los adolescentes, el elemento "apariencia" alcanzó el índice 0,97 y para los demás elementos, 1,0 e índice general de 0,99. Conclusión: el juego fue validado en términos de contenido y apariencia y podría ser validado clínicamente con adolescentes como un incentivo para adoptar comportamientos protectores para su salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: elaborar e validar conteúdo e aparência de um jogo educativo sobre hábitos de vida saudáveis para adolescentes. Método: estudo metodológico realizado em 2016, Picos (Brasil). Para a elaboração da versão inicial do jogo, realizou-se um levantamento de informações científicas e escolha do conteúdo que se desejava ensinar. Ao final, o jogo dividiu-se em: tela inicial e os cenários da sala, da cozinha e da praça, onde foi inserido o cenário de esporte. Para validação do instrumento, selecionaram-se 15 especialistas, que avaliaram o conteúdo, didática e aparência do jogo e dez adolescentes, que avaliaram aparência e usabilidade. Além disso, utilizou-se um questionário para os especialistas e outro para os adolescentes; Índice de Validação de Conteúdo para validação do jogo, considerou-se validado o instrumento e os itens que obtiveram índice ≥ 0,78. Resultados: o cenário da sala possuía acesso à cozinha e à praça. O cenário do esporte foi pensado para a prática de atividade física e compra de alimentos, que seriam consumidos no cenário da cozinha. Para os especialistas, o jogo teve Índice de Validação de Conteúdo 0,88 para o item "objetivos"; 0,87 para "estrutura e apresentação"; e 0,99 para "relevância", atingindo Índice de Validação de Conteúdo global de 0,89. Para os adolescentes, o item "aparência" atingiu o índice 0,97 e para os demais itens, 1,0 e índice global de 0,99. Conclusão: validou-se o jogo quanto ao conteúdo e aparência, podendo ser validado clinicamente junto aos adolescentes como incentivo na adoção de comportamentos protetores à sua saúde.

Qualification of the family caregiver to the application of the Educational Technology in Health / Capacitación del familiar cuidador con la aplicación de la Tecnología Educativa en Salud / Capacitação do familiar cuidador com a aplicação da Tecnologia Educativa em Saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the changes in the participation of the family caregiver in the treatment of the hypertensive person with the application of the Educational Technology in Health (ETH). Method: Participant research carried out in a Primary Health Care Unit with 11 family caregivers (FC). The ETH was elaborated based on health education and applied in ten meetings between June and August 2016. We organized the results into categories. Results: FCs experienced learning experiences through the exchange of information, socialization of experiences, and linkage establishments. The FCs were encouraged to share their doubts and experiences, so that, supported by listening to the professional, they felt welcomed and determined to fulfill their role with hypertensive relatives. Final considerations: The changes that have taken place have been highlighted in the learning of FCs and their commitment to family and self-care, as well as to the conviction that the family environment is indicated to make these changes effective.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar los cambios en la participación del familiar cuidador en el tratamiento de la persona hipertensa con la aplicación de la Tecnología Educativa en Salud (TES). Método: Encuesta participante realizada en una Unidad de Atención Primaria en Salud con 11 familiares cuidadores (FC). La TES ha sido elaborada basada en la educación en salud y aplicada en diez encuentros entre junio y agosto de 2016.Organizamos los resultados en categorías. Resultados: Los FCs vivenciaron experiencias de aprendizaje a cambio de informaciones, socialización de experiencias, y establecimientos de vínculos. Los FCs eran incentivados a compartir sus dudas y sus experiencias, de manera que, amparados por la escucha del profesional, ellos se sintiesen acogidos y determinados a cumplir su papel junto a los familiares hipertensos. Consideraciones finales: Los cambios ocurridos se destacaron en el aprendizaje de los FCs y en el compromiso de estos con el familiar y con el autocuidado, así como en la convicción de que el ambiente familiar es indicado a la efectividad de esos cambios.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as mudanças na participação do familiar cuidador no tratamento da pessoa hipertensa com a aplicação da Tecnologia Educativa em Saúde (TES). Método: Pesquisa participante realizada em uma Unidade de Atenção Primária em Saúde com 11 familiares cuidadores (FC). A TES foi elaborada baseada na educação em saúde e aplicada em dez encontros entre junho e agosto de 2016. Organizamos os resultados em categorias. Resultados: Os FCs vivenciaram experiências de aprendizagem pela troca de informações, socialização de experiências, e estabelecimentos de vínculos. Os FCs eram incentivados a compartilhar suas dúvidas e suas experiências, de modo que, amparados pela escuta do profissional, eles se sentissem acolhidos e determinados a cumprir seu papel junto aos familiares hipertensos. Considerações finais: As mudanças ocorridas se destacaram na aprendizagem dos FCs e no compromisso destes com o familiar e com o autocuidado, bem como na convicção de que o ambiente familiar é indicado à efetivação dessas mudanças.

Technology, Incentives, or Both? Factors Related to Level of Hospital Health Information Exchange.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the level of health information exchange (HIE) in U.S. hospitals is related to technology capabilities, incentives to exchange, or both. STUDY SETTING: A total of 1,812 hospitals attesting to stage 2 of Medicare's Meaningful Use Incentive Program through April 2016. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital-level, multivariate OLS regression with state fixed effects was used to analyze the relationship between technology capability and incentives measures, and percent of care transitions with summary of care records (SCRs) sent electronically to subsequent providers. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Stage 2 hospitals reported sending SCRs electronically for an average of 41 percent (median = 33 percent) of transitions. HIE level is related to four capability measures, one incentive measure, and one measure that is related to both capability and incentive. Percent of transitions with SCRs sent electronically was 3 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 0.1-5.1) for hospitals with a third-party HIE vendor, 3 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 0.5-5.4) for hospitals with an EHR vendor as their HIE vendor, and 3 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 0.4-5.4) for hospitals that automatically alert primary care providers. The direction and statistical significance of the relationships between specific EHR vendor and electronic SCR transmission level varied by vendor. Nonprofits and government hospitals performed 5 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 1.5-9.1) and 8 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 3.4-12.3) than for-profits. Hospitals in systems performed 3 percentage points higher (95 percent CI: 0.8-6.1). CONCLUSION: The overall level of HIE is low, with hospitals sending an SCR electronically for less than half of patient transitions. Specific hospital characteristics related to both technology capabilities and incentives were associated with higher levels of HIE.

Patient, Physician, and Health-System Factors Influencing the Quality of Antidepressant and Sedative Prescribing for Older, Community-Dwelling Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of potentially inappropriate (PI) antidepressant and anxiolytic/sedative prescribing for older, community-dwelling adults. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Office visits from the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study measuring associations between various patient and physician factors and prescribing of PI antidepressants, and PI sedatives among elderly, using Beers 2012/2015 criteria, a clinical decision model, and multivariate logistic regressions. DATA COLLECTION: Visits by older adults (≥65 years) involving medications were extracted to identify visits with antidepressants and sedatives. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Black race, asthma, depression, osteoporosis, payment type, consultation time, and computer systems with prescribing support were associated with reduced odds of PI antidepressant prescribing among users. Income, chronic renal failure, diabetes, and obesity were associated with reduced odds of PI sedative prescribing. Female sex, white race, depression, increasing number of medications, and physician specialty were associated with increased odds of PI sedative prescribing. CONCLUSIONS: Various patient and health-system factors influence the quality of antidepressant and sedative prescribing for older community-dwelling adults. Longer consultations and the use of computer systems with prescribing support may minimize potentially inappropriate antidepressant prescribing. As medication numbers increase, exposure to PI sedatives is more likely, requiring medication review and monitoring.

The Impact of Enhanced Critical Care Training and 24/7 (Tele-ICU) Support on Medicare Spending and Postdischarge Utilization Patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of implementing a tele-ICU and a critical care residency training program for advanced practice providers on service utilization and total Medicare episode spending. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTINGS: Medicare claims data for fee-for-service beneficiaries at 12 large, inpatient hospitals in the Atlanta Hospital Referral Region. STUDY DESIGN: Difference-in-differences design where changes in spending and utilization for Medicare beneficiaries eligible for treatment in participating ICUs was compared to changes in a comparison group of clinically similar beneficiaries treated at similar hospitals' ICUs in the same hospital referral region. EXTRACTION METHODS: Using Medicare claims data from January 2010 through June 2015, we defined measures of Medicare episode spending during the ICU stay and subsequent 60 days after discharge, and utilization measures within 30 and 60 days after discharge. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Implementation of the advanced practice provider residency program and tele-ICU was associated with a significant reduction in average Medicare spending per episode, primarily driven by reduced readmissions within 60 days and substitution of home health care for institutional postacute care. CONCLUSIONS: Innovations in workforce training and technology specific to the ICU may be useful in addressing the shortage of intensivist physicians, yielding benefits to patients and payers.