International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications最新文献

{"title":"Teledermatology Diagnostic Accuracy: A Randomized Cohort Study Comparing Three Image Acquisition Techniques.","authors":"Serena Saade, Dana Maria Khoury, William Abou Shahla, Carla Stephan, Nicole Charbel, Ronny Joukhdar, Martine El Bejjani, Mira Bekdache, Sara Mansour, Dana Saade","doi":"10.1155/ijta/5789165","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/5789165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Teledermatology is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for expanding access to dermatologic care, particularly in underserved and remote settings. This randomized prospective cohort study, the first of its kind in the region, examined the diagnostic and treatment concordance of teledermatologists compared to in-clinic dermatologists, with a focus on the impact of image acquisition methods. A total of 360 adult patients presenting for dermatologic evaluation at the American University of Beirut Medical Center were enrolled. Each patient contributed three sets of skin lesion photographs: unassisted patient-taken, assisted patient-taken after brief standardized training, and resident-taken under clinical conditions. Using a store-and-forward model, teledermatologists reviewed one randomized image set per patient. Their diagnoses and treatment decisions were compared to in-person assessments, which served as the reference standard. Diagnostic concordance improved with image quality: 79% for unassisted patient images, 84% for assisted images, and 87% for resident-taken images. Treatment concordance similarly increased from 38% to 44% to 45%, while the need to request additional history declined from 64% to 47%. Acne showed the highest diagnostic match across all image types. These findings support the clinical validity of store-and-forward teledermatology and highlight the value of patient education in improving image quality and diagnostic outcomes. As the first regional study to systematically evaluate real-world image acquisition methods, it offers a practical roadmap for integrating teledermatology into routine dermatologic care.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"5789165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12488292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kalman-Normalized GSR Analysis for Real-Time Stress Quantification in Wearable Systems.","authors":"K Swetha, K V D Kiran","doi":"10.1155/ijta/8828363","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/8828363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The growing advancements in science, technology, innovation, and research are paralleled by a concerning rise in stress levels worldwide. Stress, an inevitable psychosocial factor, significantly affects human life, mental status, and overall physiosocial health. This research focuses on developing an accurate galvanic skin response (GSR) system to effectively identify and analyze stress levels. The core concept of GSR involves measuring the conductivity between skin contacts, where increased conductivity corresponds to heightened stress levels. Advanced algorithms are employed to efficiently convert these readings into digital formats for precise analysis. The system leverages the Kalman filter algorithm to reduce noise, ensuring smooth and reliable signals from raw GSR readings. A dynamic range normalization technique transforms filtered readings into a consistent scale (0-500) tailored to individual baseline values. This approach ensures that stable measurements are unaffected by noise using the Kalman filter, consistency across users despite physiological differences, and accurate, personalized stress-level detection through adaptive categorization. Tested on over 5000 samples, the system accurately identifies stress levels across defined ranges, established in collaboration with psychologist practitioners. This research culminates in developing an accurate and personalized stress detection and analysis system, providing actionable insights into stress management.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"8828363"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12483753/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parental Perceptions Toward Using Online Video Consultations With Pediatricians: Insights, Barriers, and Pathways to Equitable Adoption.","authors":"Osnat Bashkin, Tamar Shalom, Eden-Kim Admon, Rinat Rosenblum, Yoram Blachar, Tal Oron-Gilad","doi":"10.1155/ijta/8874943","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/8874943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Online video consultation (VC) use in pediatric care has increased recently, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, understanding parental perspectives on VC use with pediatricians, especially across geographical regions, remains crucial for effective VC implementation and reducing healthcare disparities. <b>Methods:</b> This mixed methods study combined an online survey (<i>n</i> = 96) and two focus groups (<i>n</i> = 17) to examine parental perceptions of VC with pediatricians in Israel. Based on the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, the survey assessed user experience, usefulness, and satisfaction. Focus groups explored themes related to children's experiences, remote diagnosis, patient-physician communication, and VC use during emergencies. <b>Results:</b> While 82% of parents believed that VC saved time and 67% felt it improved access to healthcare, only 50% thought it met their healthcare needs. Parents in peripheral regions rated the usefulness of VC higher than those in central areas, particularly during times of security concerns. However, central region parents reported better user experiences. Parents with prior VC experience showed higher satisfaction and future use intention than non-preusers. Focus groups revealed that children often felt more comfortable with VC due to the familiar home environment, although parents expressed concerns about remote diagnosis accuracy and physician communication quality. <b>Discussion:</b> Our findings highlight geographic disparities in VC adoption and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve technical support and infrastructure in peripheral regions. While VC shows promise for enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly during emergencies, success requires addressing technical barriers, strengthening privacy measures, and establishing clear guidelines for remote pediatric care delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"8874943"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12473984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital Pathology in South Africa: A Survey and Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Current Level of Use and Comparison With the International Community.","authors":"Elsamaria Eloff, Renata Schoeman","doi":"10.1155/ijta/7990652","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/7990652","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Telepathology and digital pathology are increasingly utilised for routine diagnostics globally, improving patient safety and diagnostic efficiency. No research exists on the adoption of digital pathology in South Africa. Understanding the current use can help understand implementation needs and ensure equitable access to this modern diagnostic tool. This can help realise the technology's benefits across the diverse communities in South Africa. <b>Methods:</b> This was a nonexperimental descriptive study. Primary quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire distributed to South African histopathologists in August 2023. The questionnaire focused on participants' demographic information and the use of digital pathology by histopathologists in South Africa. Descriptive data analysis was performed. <b>Results:</b> The study comprised 71 histopathologists, representing 23% of all registered histopathologists in the country. There was a near-equal distribution of female and male histopathologists. Most of the participating histopathologists worked in the private sector. Nearly all of the histopathologists surveyed indicated some exposure to digital pathology (99%). Most participants use digital pathology for external quality assurance and training. The use of digital pathology as a routine diagnostic tool was noted by 22% of participants, although only 3% reported daily use. <b>Conclusion:</b> The current use and adoption of digital pathology by South African histopathologists are comparable to the international community. By increasing the use of digital pathology for routine diagnostic use, we can enhance the accuracy of diagnoses and improve healthcare outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"7990652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12411027/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Remote Robotic Technology in Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: A Comprehensive Literature Review.","authors":"Aliasghar Karimi, Pegah Pedramfard, Habib Zakeri, Behnam Rahnama, Mohammad Radmehr, Saba Moalemi, Leala Montazeri","doi":"10.1155/ijta/6131682","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/6131682","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Telerobotic spinal surgery (TSS) has emerged as a transformative approach for spinal interventions that combines robotics and telecommunication to enable remote surgery with enhanced precision and accessibility. This technology can potentially address the challenges of complex spinal conditions by providing minimally invasive solutions and delivering specialized surgical expertise across geographical boundaries. However, technical complexities related to communication and latency, haptic feedback, and system integration need to be addressed. Ethical and regulatory considerations also require careful navigation. Despite these challenges, the limited number of available clinical studies demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of TSS, particularly with the use of 5G technology. Further research and clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate and validate the outcomes and effectiveness of TSS. With ongoing efforts in research and development, TSS has the potential to revolutionize spine surgery and improve patient care. In this review, we present the role and the challenges of TSS in spinal surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"6131682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12350008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144849325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Need to Enhance the Use of Teleconsultation: A Qualitative Study Among Health Providers to Reduce the Burden of Low Birth Weight.","authors":"Wiwin Lismidiati, Widyawati Widyawati, Elsi D Hapsari, Akhmadi Akhmadi, Dimas S E W Sumunar","doi":"10.1155/ijta/2336484","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/2336484","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Low birth weight remains a health concern in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Effective management of low birth weight cases is crucial, yet community-based health programs face challenges in addressing this issue. <b>Purpose:</b> This study is aimed at exploring the needs, experience, and perspectives of healthcare providers regarding low birth weight prevention programs. <b>Methods:</b> This was a qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected from June to December 2023 in Kulon Progo District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data were collected through a focus group discussion with nine midwives. Triangulation was conducted with 12 breastfeeding mothers, one nutritionist, and one head of the primary health center through in-depth interviews. Each discussion and interview were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis to identify key themes. <b>Results:</b> Three themes were discovered in this study: programmatic initiatives of healthcare providers; poor knowledge, attitude, and practice with limited resources and access; enhancing the use of teleconsultations. Programmatic initiatives from primary healthcare centers have focused on preventing low birth weight through targeted outreach, education, and prenatal care for at-risk mothers. However, the persistent challenge of insufficient human resources for health has hindered the effectiveness and reach of these efforts. To enhance LBW prevention strategies, the needs of digital technology by integrating digital tools and electronic health records are imperative. <b>Conclusion:</b> Effectively managing low birth weight requires utilization of technology to strengthen healthcare interventions. Digital solutions enhance communication, broaden service reach, and enable timely support, especially in underserved areas. Incorporating these tools into health programs improves the delivery and accessibility of care, presenting a valuable approach to advancing maternal and child health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"2336484"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12279415/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge-Based Expert System for Orthopedic Injury Management With Integrated Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Simulation Therapy.","authors":"Haneen Banjar, Shahad Almalki, Lama Almehmadi, Amjad Alshahrani, Ali Chaudhary, Reda Ghoname","doi":"10.1155/ijta/5878245","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/5878245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Orthotic treatment, particularly for ankle injuries, often relies on devices such as ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to support and stabilize the foot and ankle. Given the high prevalence of lower extremity injuries, especially in sports, and the diagnostic challenges faced by clinicians, there is a pressing need for intelligent systems that aid in accurate assessment and personalized management. Misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment of ankle conditions, including fractures and sprains, can lead to long-term complications and hinder recovery. This study presents <i>TeleOrtho</i>, a knowledge-based expert system designed to provide personalized diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and recovery plans for ankle injuries, integrating transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to enhance rehabilitation. The system was implemented using Flutter for cross-platform deployment and Python for expert rule modeling, and it features a user-friendly interface for both clinicians and patients. Diagnostic accuracy and treatment pathways were validated through two published case scenarios, confirming the system's alignment with medical guidelines. Static and dynamic testing demonstrated consistent functionality, and initial usability assessment indicated high user satisfaction (average SUS score: 85.3/100). The expert system reliably identified injury types based on structured symptom input and suggested individualized recovery plans. These results affirm the potential of TeleOrtho to reduce diagnostic errors, improve therapy adherence, and enhance clinical decision-making. Future work will focus on integrating imaging analysis, expanding the knowledge base to include additional orthopedic conditions, and conducting clinical trials for broader validation.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"5878245"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12208762/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of a Tele-Assisted Home Exercise Program for Balance and Functional Mobility in Persons With Parkinson's Disease (TELEPORT-PD).","authors":"Arnold Fredrick D'Souza, Dushyanth Babu Jasti, Rohini R Rao, Manikandan Natarajan","doi":"10.1155/ijta/9936329","DOIUrl":"10.1155/ijta/9936329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Telerehabilitation can enhance delivery and acceptance of the home exercise program. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and signal of efficacy of a tele-assisted home exercise program for improving balance and functional mobility in persons with Parkinson's disease (TELEPORT-PD). <b>Methods:</b> Eight participants underwent six sessions of physiotherapist-supervised and tailored multimodal exercise over smartphone videoconference through WhatsApp Messenger over 2 weeks. Feasibility was assessed through adherence and retention rates, and safety was assessed through self-reported adverse events. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, while functional mobility was assessed using Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test and 5-times Sit-To-Stand (5STS) test, at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks. <b>Results:</b> The adherence and retention rates were 100%, and no serious adverse events were reported. Significant improvements were noted in the change scores of BBS (11.23 points; <i>p</i> = 0.014), ABC (14.21%; <i>p</i> = 0.014), TUG (-2.21 s; <i>p</i> = 0.007), and 5STS (-3.11 s; <i>p</i> = 0.007). All participants provided positive feedback and expressed their interest to continue the program. <b>Conclusion:</b> TELEPORT-PD appears to be feasible, safe, and acceptable, while demonstrating improvements in balance and functional mobility. <b>Trial Registration:</b> Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2022/09/045345.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"9936329"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12163220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144303253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Degree of Satisfaction With Telemedicine Service Among Health Practitioners and Patients in Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Salem S Albagmi, Mohammed S Shawaheen, Humood Albugami, Albandari Alshehri, Raghad Alblwie, Wadha Alsiari","doi":"10.1155/ijta/5527659","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijta/5527659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The satisfaction level of patients and physicians with telemedicine services should be comparable to on-site visits if this technology is to be widely adopted. The degree of satisfaction can be used to assess the performance of any healthcare service. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we used a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the level of satisfaction with telemedicine by administering survey questionnaires to both patients and physicians online residing across Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires were divided into three parts: consent and summary, demographics, and the survey questions to determine satisfaction level with telemedicine. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 27. The results showed high satisfaction levels with telemedicine services by both patients and physicians where the age and gender of participants were influential in determining this outcome. Residential areas affected satisfaction levels with telemedicine in physicians but not in patients. Previous experiences with these services influenced the satisfaction of patients with those having previous experience reporting higher satisfaction. However, when the degree of satisfaction between patients and physicians was compared, the results were insignificant showing that the overall perception towards telemedicine usage is similar between healthcare providers and receivers. To conclude, our study showed that the experiences of patients and physicians with telemedicine services are satisfactory; however, certain areas regarding telemedicine usage warrant further improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"5527659"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11991812/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143987300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overview Study of Partially Observable Hidden Markov Models for Ambient Movement Guidance Support.","authors":"Shahram Payandeh","doi":"10.1155/ijta/8095704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijta/8095704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study of ambient movement guidance encompasses a multidisciplinary approach to facilitating and guiding individuals, particularly older adults, within their living environments. This involves integration of ambient sensors, such as motion detectors, cameras, or IoT devices, to monitor the movements and activities of individuals in real time. By leveraging these sensors, the system can predict and anticipate the expected movements of the person, allowing for proactive ambient guidance and support. In addition to ambient guidance, robots can also play a role in leading individuals by interfacing through audio prompts or visual cues through their daily activities. However, despite advancements in sensor technology and robotic assistance, uncertainties persist in the monitoring and prediction of movements. These uncertainties can arise from various sources, including sensor noise, occlusions, environmental changes, and inherent variability in human behavior. Addressing these uncertainties requires probabilistic modeling techniques based on partially observable hidden Markov models (POHMMs) and various of its extensions such as POMDP, to effectively capture the dynamic nature of movement patterns and incorporate uncertainty into the decision-making process. This paper presents a detailed overview study of probabilistic framework and how its various interpretation can be used in developing an ambient movement guiding system for supporting individuals, particularly older, in support of ageing-in-place paradigms.</p>","PeriodicalId":45630,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications","volume":"2025 ","pages":"8095704"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11991827/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}