Studies in health technology and informatics最新文献

Suicide prevention apps have the potential to support at-risk individuals in the community; however, users are often uninformed about the privacy implications of mobile app use. To address this issue, privacy labels were introduced to app stores. This study assessed the comprehensiveness of suicide prevention app privacy policies and the accuracy of app store privacy labels. Privacy policies were often missing, written at a college-level, average over 1600 words, and were incomplete in reporting privacy and security protections. Privacy labels accurately conveyed data use in most apps but had more discrepancies for data types. These findings indicate the minimal change in digital health privacy policy practices.

The increasing prevalence of preventable chronic disease in Canada poses significant challenges to both healthcare budgets and individual financial stability. New treatments and predictive technologies are creating an urgent need to evaluate the impact of these innovations on population health and healthcare costs. This paper explores the use of system dynamics modeling to analyze the effects of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven predictive tools, life-prolonging treatments, and digital behavior change applications on T2D prevalence and healthcare expenditures. Our model simulates three scenarios over a 50-year period, revealing that while AI and novel treatments can reduce complications, they may paradoxically increase T2D prevalence and overall costs unless combined with preventive measures. The study demonstrates the utility of system dynamics models in forecasting the secondary effects of policy decisions, providing policymakers with a valuable tool for evaluating trade-offs and optimizing health outcomes. The findings underscore the need for new tools to effectively manage the evolving landscape of chronic disease treatment and prevention.

Guided by interviews with end-users and in collaboration with lived-experience advisors, the Fairness Dashboard is being co-designed to promote the standardized and responsible utilization of sociodemographic data in statistical and machine learning models. This initiative aims to mitigate the potential for harm and to advance the equitable and compassionate interpretation of knowledge derived from Artificial Intelligence.

Health information technology implementations frequently fail despite extensive research on success factors over the past three decades. This paper introduces the Playing-to-Win Digital Health Strategy Canvas, an adaptation of Martin and Lafley's framework, tailored for healthcare. The canvas integrates business strategy principles with evidence-based insights to address unique challenges in digital health implementation. Key elements include prioritizing high-risk populations, co-designing solutions with stakeholders, and aligning with the Quintuple Aim to ensure sustainable, impactful outcomes. Developed through systematic reviews and stakeholder consultations, the framework serves as a practical tool for early-career planners and implementers. While promising, further research is needed to optimize its application to scalability and sustainability in complex healthcare systems.

Successful expansion and integration of digital health technologies requires the support of organized bodies to mobilize research and accelerate spread and scalability. This Laptop Talk will present the findings of an environmental scan outlining international organizations active in the digital health innovation space.

Recent policy recommendations on the use of health data call for an understanding of privacy experiences and perspectives. A secondary analysis of a national survey was conducted to characterize public experiences views on digital health (n=2010). This study found that 69.8% of participants are unaware of health privacy laws yet 71.8% were confident in protecting their online privacy. These variables were significantly associated with beliefs that their privacy was adequately protected. This study reinforces the discourse that public engagement in building awareness of the law and confidence in data protection will be critical in fostering trust in health privacy safeguards.

Pediatric trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with the transition from hospital to home posing significant challenges for families. SafeJourney, a digital companion, addresses these gaps by empowering families and coordinating care during the critical post-discharge period. Developed with input from diverse stakeholders, SafeJourney integrates digital tools such as a virtual companion, care dashboards, symptom tracking, educational resources, and telehealth integration. This innovative tool demonstrates the potential to transform post-discharge care by reducing emergency department visits and readmissions while enhancing family confidence and healthcare outcomes.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies become more integrated into clinical settings to optimize care, healthcare professionals (HCPs) will need to become more adept in responsibly using these novel technologies to augment patient care. A qualitative study, consisting of semi-structured interviews was conducted to explore the informational needs of HCPs and gaps in current AI education. Participants, consisting of educators and learners, were recruited from AI programs. The interview data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified, addressing the need for (1) developing a longitudinal AI curriculum to transform the mindset, skillset, and toolset of providers, (2) cultivating an active learning approach to foster knowledge mobilization and optimize the use of AI tools in the provision of care, and (3) fostering a multidisciplinary approach to AI curriculum design is essential to promote collaborative efforts among HCPs in implementing AI tools. This study identified five key recommendations to prepare HCPs with the knowledge and skills necessary for an AI-driven future.

The Canadian health-tech sector faces regulatory challenges amidst rapid innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, biotechnology, and medical devices. This paper explores the regulatory landscape based on stakeholder interviews and proposes a framework that balances patient safety with innovation. Key elements include open data access, long-term government funding, monitoring of anti-competitive behavior, and alignment with international standards.

This article adds to the conversation on sensory design in architecture and interior design, with a focus on acoustics in living and care environments for seniors and persons with memory decline. The demographic growth of aging populations and increases in dementia and memory disorders poses challenges for supply and design of appropriate care and living environments. We discuss the importance of understanding the role of senses, hearing in particular, in design and ultimately resident experience, functionality and quality of life. We argue that sensory design, especially aural environments, is not adequately taken care of in the design of many communal and care homes. We discuss the effects of aging and memory decline on hearing and its resultant challenges in cognitive behaviour and level of social inclusion and outline specific acoustical needs for this demographic. Through a case study of a seniorst' residence in Helsinki Finland, acoustical measurements of noise levels (reverberation times) were conducted, and the results analysed against current standards. Field results as well as a table of acoustical design considerations is presented at the end of the article.