Public Health and Epidemiology Informatics: Recent Research and Trends in the United States

Objectives To survey advances in public health and epidemiology informatics over the past three years. Methods We conducted a review of English-language research works conducted in the domain of public health informatics (PHI), and published in MEDLINE between January 2012 and December 2014, where information and communication technology (ICT) was a primary subject, or a main component of the study methodology. Selected articles were synthesized using a thematic analysis using the Essential Services of Public Health as a typology. Results Based on themes that emerged, we organized the advances into a model where applications that support the Essential Services are, in turn, supported by a socio-technical infrastructure that relies on government policies and ethical principles. That infrastructure, in turn, depends upon education and training of the public health workforce, development that creates novel or adapts existing infrastructure, and research that evaluates the success of the infrastructure. Finally, the persistence and growth of infrastructure depends on financial sustainability. Conclusions Public health informatics is a field that is growing in breadth, depth, and complexity. Several Essential Services have benefited from informatics, notably, “Monitor Health,” “Diagnose & Investigate,” and “Evaluate.” Yet many Essential Services still have not yet benefited from advances such as maturing electronic health record systems, interoperability amongst health information systems, analytics for population health management, use of social media among consumers, and educational certification in clinical informatics. There is much work to be done to further advance the science of PHI as well as its impact on public health practice

Biobank quality management in the BBMRI.be network

From as early as 2005, different guidelines and quality standards covering biobank activities and sample handling methods have been developed to improve and guarantee the reproducibility of biomarker research. Ten years on, the BBMRI.be Quality working group wanted to gauge the current situation of these aspects in the biobanks of the BBMRI.be network. To this end, two online surveys were launched (fall 2017 and fall 2018) to the biobank quality managers in the BBMRI.be network to determine the status and setup of their current quality management system (QMS) and how their QMS and related practices have evolved over a 14 month time period. All biobanks addressed by the two surveys provided a complete response (12 and 13, respectively). A QMS was implemented in 85% of biobanks, with 4 standards emerging as primary basis. Supplementary guidelines were used, with a strong preference for the ISBER best practices for biobanks. The Standard Preanalytical Code-an indicator of the preanalytical lifecycle of a biospecimen impacting the downstream analysis results-was already implemented in 50% of the biobanks while the other half intends future implementation. To assess and maintain the quality of their QMS, 62% of biobanks used self-assessment tools and 71% participated in proficiency testing schemes. The majority of biobanks had implemented procedures for general and biobank specific activities. However, policies regarding the business and sustainability aspect of biobank were only implemented in a limited number of biobanks. A clear desire for a peer-review audit was expressed by 69% of biobanks, with over half of them intending to implement the recently published biobank standard ISO20387. Overall, the biobanks of the BBMRI.be network have actively implemented a solid quality approach in their practices. The implementation of ISO 20387 may bring further professionalization of activities. Based on the needs expressed in this survey, the Quality working group will be setting up an audit program for the BBMRI.be biobanks, to enhance, harmonize and streamline their activities. On the whole, the biobanks in the BBMRI.be network are able to substantially contribute to translational research, as a primary facilitator guaranteeing high quality standards and reproducibility

Latin American perspectives to internationalize undergraduate information technology education

The computing education community expects modern curricular guidelines for information technology (IT) undergraduate degree programs by 2017. The authors of this work focus on eliciting and analyzing Latin American academic and industry perspectives on IT undergraduate education. The objective is to ensure that the IT curricular framework in the IT2017 report articulates the relationship between academic preparation and the work environment of IT graduates in light of current technological and educational trends in Latin America and elsewhere. Activities focus on soliciting and analyzing survey data collected from institutions and consortia in IT education and IT professional and educational societies in Latin America; these activities also include garnering the expertise of the authors. Findings show that IT degree programs are making progress in bridging the academic-industry gap, but more work remains

Medical tourism development: adopted strategies across the globe: a systematic review

As a new fast-growing industry, medical tourism has been expanding and impacting the global economy over the years. The purpose of this study is to better understand medical tourism development from the healthcare providers’ perspective by identifying the best marketing strategies and decisions adopted in several countries. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines where a total of 20 articles that included 11 countries were selected. An overview of the study shows that the strategies more commonly adopted to gain competitive advantage in the medical tourism sector and attract more international patients were promotional, market-driven or part of Porter’s generic strategies, indicating that these may be very efficient in this industry’s development. However, some countries had exclusive strategies of their own, which led to the conclusion that there is no specific way of developing medical tourism as long as healthcare providers cooperate and acknowledge their resources, needs and patients’ demands. Some factors and policy implications were also recognized as relevant tools in the developing process of MT. Countries like Portugal that intend to continue developing this area should analyse their business environments, weigh their strengths and challenges, and follow the evolution of the medical tourism market, so they have all the information required to make well-planned decisions and adopt the right strategies according to their objectives. Future research in this field related to gathering measurable data is advisable and recommended, especially after the impact the COVID-19 pandemic might have had on the market.Enquanto nova indústria em crescimento, a expansão do turismo médico tem impactado a economia global nos últimos anos. Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender o desenvolvimento do turismo médico segundo a perspetiva de prestadores de cuidados de saúde, tendo como base a identificação das melhores estratégias de marketing adotadas em diversos países. Esta revisão sistemática foi desenvolvida de acordo com as diretrizes PRISMA, onde foram selecionados 20 artigos que incluíram 11 países. Uma visão geral do estudo demonstra que as estratégias implementadas mais comuns para adquirir uma vantagem competitiva e atrair mais clientes internacionais foram estratégias do foro promocional, de mercado ou de Porter, indicando ser eficientes no desenvolvimento do turismo médico. No entanto, alguns países criaram estratégias exclusivas, concluindo-se que há várias abordagens possíveis para o desenvolvimento deste setor, desde que os prestadores de cuidados de saúde analisem bem os seus recursos, necessidades e a procura dos pacientes pela indústria. Alguns fatores e implicações políticas também foram considerados ferramentas relevantes no processo de desenvolvimento do turismo médico. Países como Portugal que pretendam continuar a desenvolver-se neste setor devem analisar o seu ambiente externo e interno, ter em conta os seus pontos fortes e desafios, e acompanhar continuamente a evolução do mercado, de forma a terem toda a informação necessária para tomar decisões acertadas e adotar as estratégias mais adequadas aos seus objetivos. No futuro devem ser feitas mais pesquisas neste campo com dados mensuráveis, especialmente após o impacto que a pandemia COVID-19 pode ter causado neste mercado

Criteria for the Evaluation of Italian Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS): Comparison with European Standards and Certification Models

The definition of the title 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS) and how this title is given by the Italian Ministry of Health is presented. Specifically, the first assessment of a commission concerning the essential information for the accreditation process is introduced. Moreover, the two years review process that aims to collect last updated information of the IRCCS, to identify level of excellence and critical aspects, is also explained. The present Italian forms and international manuals like Joint Commission, OECI and HCERES were schematized using UML diagrams. The current IRCCS accreditation forms are presented with the suggested updates organized in some levels of structuring. We compared the Italian forms with the manuals required to obtain international certifications (Joint Commission and OECI) and we analyzed the criteria for the evaluation of research units in France (the HCERES standards). Although it is a preliminary study, the use of UML diagrams allows to schematize a new accreditation model, in line with European guidelines and the most important international certifications

Quality, usability and economical aspects in a medical web-based training service

The paper describes activities and results achieved on quality, usability and economical aspects by the project named EETAH-on-line (European Education, Training and Accreditation in Hematology on-line). The goal is to improve and harmonize professional skills and competences in this medical field. The target users are: students, physicians, nurses and technical staff involved in the hematological education and training; expert hematologists who need continuing training; all physicians of linked specialties who may take advantage of these scientific contents; institutions running certified programs in the hematological education, training and accreditation.The paper describes activities and results achieved on quality, usability and economical aspects by the project named EETAH-on-line (European Education, Training and Accreditation in Hematology on-line). The goal is to improve and harmonize professional skills and competences in this medical field. The target users are: students, physicians, nurses and technical staff involved in the hematological education and training; expert hematologists who need continuing training; all physicians of linked specialties who may take advantage of these scientific contents; institutions running certified programs in the hematological education, training and accreditation.Invited Submission

Complexity stage model of the medical device development based on economic evaluation-MedDee

The development of a new product is essential for the progress and success of any company. The medical device market is very specific, which is challenging. Therefore, this paper assesses an economic model for medical device evaluation using the economic, health, technology regulatory, and present market knowledge to enable the cost-time conception for any applicant. The purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive stage model of the medical device development to subsequently describe the financial expenditure of the entire development process. The identification of critical steps was based on the literature review, and analysis, and a comparison of the available medical device development stages and directives. Furthermore, a preliminary assessment of the medical device development steps and procedures on the basis of the interviews was performed. Six interviews were conducted with an average duration of one hour, focusing on areas: relevance and level of detail of the medical device development stages, involvement of economic methods, and applicability of the proposed model. Subsequently, the improvement and modification of the medical device investment process, based on respondents' responses, were conducted. The authors have proposed the complexity model MedDee-Medical Devices Development by Economic Evaluation. This model is comprised of six phases: initiation, concept, design, production, final verification, and market disposition in which the economic methods are incorporated.Web of Science125art. no. 175