Articles related to DIGITAL HEALTH

Although both devices were highly reliable in detecting signs of early diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the interrater reliability of DR stage between the devices was “almost perfect” in the 7 standard fields (7SF) and total gradable areas (TGA), the Clarus 700 (Zeiss) provided better visualization of the inferonasal field than the Daytona P200T (Optos).

In an effort to reduce the load on overburdened healthcare staff around the world, WHO has unveiled version 2 of its AI “chatbot.” Originally designed to combat COVID disinformation, the system now covers COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and can give advice on mental health, tips to de-stress, guidance on how to eat healthily and be more active, and how to quit tobacco and e-cigarettes. The chatbot can currently converse in English, with Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian to follow.

Digital tools are emerging modalities for behavior modification in major depressive disorder, chronic insomnia, and substance use disorders. These evidence-based therapeutic software systems intervene in the prevention, management, or treatment of a medical disorder or disease. Examples of digital therapeutics include apps that deliver cognitive behavior therapy for chronic insomnia or psychoeducation for opioid use disorder. Because digital tools capture real-time patient data they can provide clinicians with a more accurate picture of a patient’s mental status or treatment progress than one-time self-reports during office visits.

Neurology referrals for headache are often unnecessary and delay appropriate headache care. A Geisinger Medical Center neurologist developed a tool that pops up on the EMR when the diagnosis of headache is entered. It guides with questions and suggested medications. The tool was developed in response to a chart review showing that referrals for headache from PCPs did not regularly document enough data in their notes on headache to reach a viable diagnosis nor were they regularly trying medications before referring.

Elham Hatef, MD, a clinical informatician at the Johns Hopkins Center for Population Health IT, discussed the findings of her recent study, “Outcomes of in-person and telehealth ambulatory encounters during COVID-19 within a large commercially insured cohort,” in this Q&A with Psych Congress Network.

Many traditional mental health treatments are now viewed as being risky, intrusive, and barbarous in comparison to modern science because healthcare has advanced significantly over time. Here are five of the most extreme treatments for mental illness in recorded history, along with an examination of how some of them influenced more reputable approaches used in modern therapies.