Psychological factors influencing customers’ acceptance of smartphone diet apps when ordering food at restaurants

Worldwide, the number of people affected by diabetes is rapidly increasing due to aging populations and sedentary lifestyles, with the prospect of exceeding 500 million cases in 2030, resulting in one of the most challenging socio-health emergencies of the third millennium. Daily management of diabetes by patients relies on the capability of correctly measuring glucose concentration levels in the blood by using suitable sensors. In recent years, glucose monitoring has been revolutionized by the development of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensors, wearable non/minimally-invasive devices that measure glucose concentration by exploiting different physical principles, e.g., glucose-oxidase, fluorescence, or skin dielectric properties, and provide real-time measurements every 1–5 min. CGM opened new challenges in different disciplines, e.g., medicine, physics, electronics, chemistry, ergonomics, data/signal processing, and software development to mention but a few. This paper first makes an overview of wearable CGM sensor technologies, covering both commercial devices and research prototypes. Then, the role of CGM in the actual evolution of decision support systems for diabetes therapy is discussed. Finally, the paper presents new possible horizons for wearable CGM sensor applications and perspectives in terms of big data analytics for personalized and proactive medicine.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/6/3/65/pdf

Wearable Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors: A Revolution in Diabetes Treatment

Mobile phone applications (apps) have been shown to successfully facilitate the self-management of chronic disease. This study aims to evaluate firstly the experiences, barriers and facilitators to app usage among people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and secondly determine recommendations to improve usage of diabetes apps. Participants were aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of T2DM for ≥ 6 months. Semi-structured phone-interviews were conducted with 16 app and 14 non-app users. Interviews were based on the Technology Acceptance Model, Health Information Technology Acceptance Model (HITAM) and the Mobile Application Rating Scale. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis. Most app-users found apps improved their T2DM self-management and health. The recommendation of apps by health professionals, as well as positive interactions with them, improved satisfaction; however, only a minority of patients had practitioners involved in their app use. All non-app users had never had the concept discussed with them by a health professional. Facilitators to app use included the visual representation of trends, intuitive navigation and convenience (for example, discretion and portability). Barriers to app use were participant’s lack of knowledge and awareness of apps as healthcare tools, perceptions of disease severity, technological and health literacy or practical limitations such as rural connectivity. Factors contributing to app use were classified into a framework based on the Health Belief Model and HITAM. Recommendations for future app design centred on educational features, which were currently lacking (e.g. diabetes complications, including organ damage and hypoglycaemic episodes), monitoring and tracking features (e.g. blood glucose level monitoring with trends and dynamic tips and comorbidities) and nutritional features (e.g. carbohydrate counters). Medication reminders were not used by participants. Lastly, participants felt that receiving weekly text-messaging relating to their self-management would be appropriate. The incorporation of user-centred features, which engage T2DM consumers in self-management tasks, can improve health outcomes. The findings may guide app developers and entrepreneurs in improving app design and usability. Given self-management is a significant factor in glycaemic control, these findings are significant for GPs, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals who may integrate apps into a holistic management plan which considers strategies outside the clinical environment.

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Mobile phone applications and their use in the self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a qualitative study among app users and non-app users

Background Pharmacotherapy remains one of the major interventional strategies in medicine. However, patients from all age groups and conditions face challenges when taking medications, such as integrating them into the daily routine, understanding their effects and side effects, and monitoring outcomes. In this context, a reliable medication management tool adaptable to the patient's needs becomes critical. As most people have a mobile phone, mobile apps offer a platform for such a personalized support tool available on the go. Objective This study aimed to provide an overview of available mobile apps, focusing on those that help patients understand and take their medications. We reviewed the existing apps and provided suggestions for future development based on the concept understand and manage, instead of the conventional adhere to medication. This concept aims to engage and empower patients to be in charge of their health, as well as see medication as part of a broader clinical approach, working simultaneously with other types of interventions or lifestyle changes, to achieve optimal outcomes. Methods We performed a Web search in the iOS Apple App Store and Android Google Play Store, using 4 search terms: medication management, pill reminder, medication health monitor, and medication helper. We extracted information from the app store descriptions for each eligible app and categorized into the following characteristics: features, author affiliation, specialty, user interface, cost, and user rating. In addition, we conducted Google searches to obtain more information about the author affiliation. Results A total of 328 apps (175 Android and 153 iOS) were categorized. The majority of the apps were developed by the software industry (73%, 11/15), a minority of them were codeveloped by health care professionals (15%, 3/20) or academia (2.1%; 7/328). The most prevalent specialty was diabetes (23 apps). Only 7 apps focused on mental health, but their content was highly comprehensive in terms of features and had the highest prevalence of the education component. The most prevalent features were reminder, symptom tracker, and ability to share data with a family member or doctor. In addition, we highlighted the features considered innovative and listed practical suggestions for future development and innovations. Conclusions We identified detailed characteristics of the existing apps, with the aim of informing future app development. Ultimately, the goal was to provide users with effective mobile health solutions, which can be expected to improve their engagement in the treatment process and long-term well-being. This study also highlighted the need for improved standards for reporting on app stores. Furthermore, it underlined the need for a platform to offer health app users an ongoing evaluation of apps by health professionals in addition to other users and to provide them with tools to easily select an appropriate and trustworthy app.

/pdf/mobile-apps-for-medication-management-review-and-analysis-1rt56k7t5s.pdf

Mobile Apps for Medication Management: Review and Analysis.

Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are specialized systems that allow users to control computer applications using their brain waves. With the advent of consumer-grade electroencephalography (EEG) de...

Brain–Computer Interface Games Based on Consumer-Grade EEG Devices: A Systematic Literature Review

Mobile applications (apps) can be very useful software on smartphones for all aspects of people's lives. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, can be made manageable with the support of mobile apps. Applications on smartphones can also help people with diabetes to control their fitness and health. A systematic review of free apps in the English language for smartphones in three of the most popular mobile app stores: Google Play (Android), App Store (iOS) and Windows Phone Store, was performed from November to December 2015. The review of freely available mobile apps for self-management of diabetes was conducted based on the criteria for promoting diabetes self-management as defined by Goyal and Cafazzo (monitoring blood glucose level and medication, nutrition, physical exercise and body weight). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed. Three independent experts in the field of healthcare-related mobile apps were included in the assessment for eligibility and testing phase. We tested and evaluated 65 apps (21 from Google Play Store, 31 from App Store and 13 from Windows Phone Store). Fifty-six of these apps did not meet even minimal requirements or did not work properly. While a wide selection of mobile applications is available for self-management of diabetes, current results show that there are only nine (5 from Google Play Store, 3 from App Store and 1 from Windows Phone Store) out of 65 reviewed mobile apps that can be versatile and useful for successful self-management of diabetes based on selection criteria. The levels of inclusion of features based on selection criteria in selected mobile apps can be very different. The results of the study can be used as a basis to prvide app developers with certain recommendations. There is a need for mobile apps for self-management of diabetes with more features in order to increase the number of long-term users and thus influence better self-management of the disease.

Mobile Applications for Control and Self Management of Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify all currently available screening and assessment tools for detection of malnutrition in hospitalised children, and to identify the most useful tools on the basis of published validation studies. Design Systematic review. Data sources PubMed, CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched up to October 2017. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Studies in English that reported sensitivity, specificity and positive/negative predictive values (PPVs/NPVs) in the paediatric population were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction and synthesis Two authors independently screened all of the studies identified, and extracted the data. The methodological qualities of the studies included were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Results The 26 validation studies that met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review used eight screening and three assessment tools. The number of participants varied from 32 to 14 477. There was considerable variability in the chosen reference standards, which prevented direct comparisons of the predictive performances of the tools. Anthropometric measurements were used as reference standards in 16 of the identified studies, and full nutritional assessment in 5. The Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) screening tool performed better than Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition and Screening Tool for Risk On Nutritional status and Growth when compared in terms of anthropometric measurements, especially for body mass index (Se=90.9, Sp=81.9) and triceps skinfold thickness (Se=80.0, Sp=75.0). However, low PPVs indicated the problem of overprediction of positive cases, which was typical for all of the studies that used anthropometric measurements as the reference standard. Conclusions This systematic review identifies the need for definition of the gold standard for validation of screening tools. Anthropometry measurements using WHO or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts should be considered as the possible reference standard in future validation studies. We would recommend the use of PYMS for hospitalised paediatric patients without chronic conditions, in combination with full nutritional assessment. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017077477.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/5/e025444.full.pdf

Screening and assessment tools for early detection of malnutrition in hospitalised children: a systematic review of validation studies

Causes of inadequate intake of nutrients during the treatment of children with chemotherapy.

AIM To explore nurses' perceptions on caring for children and adolescents who are victims of domestic violence, medical treatment of a victim of domestic violence and social aspects of recognizing this problem. BACKGROUND Nurses are often first to recognize family violence; thus, they must have appropriate knowledge, skills and experience. Caring for child victims of domestic violence can be very stressful and emotional and nurses must have support when caring for them. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted between June and August 2020. Interviews were conducted with paediatric nurses in a university hospital in Slovenia. Interviews were transcribed, coded and synthesized. RESULTS We identified four main categories: violence against children; nurses' perception of caring for a child victim of domestic violence; medical treatment of a child who is a victim of domestic violence; the social aspect of recognizing violence against a child. CONCLUSIONS Domestic violence is present regardless of country, language and nationality. Early interventions should be directed towards recognition of the signs of domestic violence and care for victims of violence and caregivers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT It is the responsibility of healthcare systems, hospital managers and nurses themselves to provide nursing care for children and adolescent victims of domestic violence based on the newest and best evidence.

Caring for children and adolescents victims of domestic violence: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infections are common infections in children and are a frequent reason for dropping out of school, visiting a doctor and for unnecessary healthcare costs. The purpose of this research is to review, analyze and synthesize the existing literature on the measures for the treatment of children with upper respiratory tract infection.Methods: A descriptive method was used. The literature search was conducted in the period from December 2019 to January 2020 in the Medline and CINAHL databases. The process of searching and analyzing the literature is shown using a PRISMA diagram. The results were analyzed according to the characteristics of the studies and classified according to the level of evidence. The results were synthesized using content analysis.Results: Out of 1845 identified hits, 18 were included in the final analysis. We identified 10 categories: knowledge, identification of upper respiratory tract infection, prescribing and using antibiotics, using non-prescribed drugs in the home environment, using prescribed drugs in the home environment, using prescribed drugs in the hospital, social isolation, unproven drug success, activities of healthcare professionals to prevent or treat upper respiratory tract infections, child and parent-focused treatment. We identified three categories: health education, treatment, and measures to improve health care, nursing, and care.Discussion and conclusion: For quality healthcare treatment of children with upper respiratory tract infections, a child- and family-oriented, holistic and safe approach is needed. Measures in the interdisciplinary medical treatment of children should be based on scientific evidence. In addition to appropriate treatment and measures, it is important that training for children and parents is also provided.

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Petra Klanjšek

Papers

Mobile Applications for Control and Self Management of Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Screening and assessment tools for early detection of malnutrition in hospitalised children: a systematic review of validation studies

Causes of inadequate intake of nutrients during the treatment of children with chemotherapy.

Caring for children and adolescents victims of domestic violence: A qualitative study.

Ukrepi za obravnavo otroka z okužbo zgornjih dihalnih poti: pregled literature