ESTABLISHING THE ROADMAP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GENOMIC MEDICINE AND PHARMACOGENOMICS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The slow clinical application of genomic medicine and Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is attributed mainly to lack of knowledge of genomic medicine and PGx and confidence among healthcare professionals, scarcity of infrastructure, and absence of stakeholders’ interest. The objective of this study is to lay out a strategic plan for the implementation of genomic medicine and PGx in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by exploring multiple areas: (1) the educational environment of genomic medicine and PGx in colleges and universities; (2) knowledge, and attitude of the medical and health sciences students, academics, and the healthcare providers; (3) the current infrastructure of genetic and genomic services; (4) the views and vision of the stakeholders. These areas were explored using a mixed-method approach of qualitative and quantitative research designs besides mapping the educational environment of genomics and PGx as well as genetic and genomic services. The assessment of university curricula resulted in “genetics” being included in the majority of universities\u27 syllabus. PGx was taught in six universities but only for pharmacy majors. The mean knowledge score of the surveyed healthcare providers was 5.2 (± 2.3) out of nine, which shows a fair level of knowledge. However, 92% showed a positive attitude regarding the availability of genetic testing. The top identified barrier for implementation for genomics and PGx was the cost of testing (62%), followed by lack of training or education of genomics and PGx (58%) and lack of health insurance coverage (57%). Moreover, the mean knowledge score for medical and health sciences students was 5.4 (± 2.7). Regarding genetic and genomic services, prenatal testing was the most offered genetic service among the laboratories included in the study, and blood samples were the main sample type for genetic testing followed by saliva. There was no standardization of the accreditation bodies, health insurance coverage. Most of the interviewed stakeholders emphasized the clinical demand for genomic medicine in UAE. However, many were less inclined to articulate the need for PGx at present. Most of the stakeholders were in favor of building infrastructure for better genetic services in the country. However, stakeholders from the health insurance sector had a contradicting stance about the cost-effectiveness of genomic medicine. The majority were concerned with the legal and ethical aspects of genomic medicine and had an opposing stance on direct-to-consumer kits. In addition, based on these findings, this thesis conceptualizes a pharmacogenomics literacy framework alongside a roadmap for the implementation of genomic medicine and PGx in UAE

Designing socially acceptable mHealth technologies for Parkinson's disease self-management

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies for Parkinson’s disease management have developed quickly in recent years. Research in this area typically focuses on evaluation of the accuracy and reliability of the technology, often to the exclusion of social factors and patient perspectives. This qualitative systematic review aimed to investigate the barriers to and facilitators of use mHealth technologies for disease self-management from the perspective of People with Parkinson's (PwP). Findings revealed that technological, as well as social, and financial factors are key considerations for mHealth design, to ensure its acceptability, and long-term use by PwP. This study proposes that a co-design approach could contribute to the design and development of mHealth that are socially acceptable to PwP, and enable their successful long-term use in the context of daily life.Mobile health (mHealth) technologies for Parkinson’s disease management have developed quickly in recent years. Research in this area typically focuses on evaluation of the accuracy and reliability of the technology, often to the exclusion of social factors and patient perspectives. This qualitative systematic review aimed to investigate the barriers to and facilitators of use mHealth technologies for disease self-management from the perspective of People with Parkinson's (PwP). Findings revealed that technological, as well as social, and financial factors are key considerations for mHealth design, to ensure its acceptability, and long-term use by PwP. This study proposes that a co-design approach could contribute to the design and development of mHealth that are socially acceptable to PwP, and enable their successful long-term use in the context of daily life

A Roadmap for Patient + Family Engagement In Healthcare Practice and Research

This report is a call to action for anyone interested in advancing work related to patient and family engagement. It includes:A vision for patient and family engagement in healthcare.8 change strategies to drive action towards increased patient and family engagement.5 simple actions that different stakeholder groups can begin today.This report unifies actions for patient and family engagement in healthcare, building on decades of evidence, knowledge, and experience. It highlights opportunities to improve our healthcare system by creating meaningful partnerships with patients and families. It is a catalyst, intended to spark ideas and action from individuals and organizations interested in advancing the work of patient and family engagement

Healthcare Robotics

Robots have the potential to be a game changer in healthcare: improving health and well-being, filling care gaps, supporting care givers, and aiding health care workers. However, before robots are able to be widely deployed, it is crucial that both the research and industrial communities work together to establish a strong evidence-base for healthcare robotics, and surmount likely adoption barriers. This article presents a broad contextualization of robots in healthcare by identifying key stakeholders, care settings, and tasks; reviewing recent advances in healthcare robotics; and outlining major challenges and opportunities to their adoption.Comment: 8 pages, Communications of the ACM, 201

ProHealth eCoach: user-centered design and development of an eCoach app to promote healthy lifestyle with personalized activity recommendations

Background: Regular physical activity (PA), healthy habits, and an appropriate diet are recommended guidelines to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can help to avoid chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. A monitoring and automatic personalized lifestyle recommendation system (i.e., automatic electronic coach or eCoach) with considering clinical and ethical guidelines, individual health status, condition, and preferences may successfully help participants to follow recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a prerequisite for the prototype design of such a helpful eCoach system, it is essential to involve the end-users and subject-matter experts throughout the iterative design process. Methods: We used an iterative user-centered design (UCD) approach to understend context of use and to collect qualitative data to develop a roadmap for self-management with eCoaching. We involved researchers, non-technical and technical, health professionals, subject-matter experts, and potential end-users in design process. We designed and developed the eCoach prototype in two stages, adopting diferent phases of the iterative design process. In design workshop 1, we focused on identifying end-users, understanding the user’s context, specifying user requirements, designing and developing an initial low-fdelity eCoach prototype. In design workshop 2, we focused on maturing the low-fdelity solution design and development for the visualization of continuous and discrete data, artifcial intelligence (AI)-based interval forecasting, personalized recommendations, and activity goals. Results: The iterative design process helped to develop a working prototype of eCoach system that meets end-user’s requirements and expectations towards an efective recommendation visualization, considering diversity in culture, quality of life, and human values. The design provides an early version of the solution, consisting of wearable technology, a mobile app following the “Google Material Design” guidelines, and web content for self-monitoring, goal setting, and lifestyle recommendations in an engaging manner between the eCoach app and end-users. Conclusions: The adopted iterative design process brings in a design focus on the user and their needs at each phase. Throughout the design process, users have been involved at the heart of the design to create a working.publishedVersio

Dancing on a Pin: Health Planning in Arizona

This publication challenges us to step back and reflect on the past, present and future of health systems. Take a deeper look at planning and how we got here, review the roles of competition and regulation, and learn about the health planning matrix along with the concept of health planning bridges. Discover for yourself if these thoughts and tools help the signal of quality health planning rise more clearly from out of the noise