Reducing the anxiety of surgical patient's families access short message service.
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This study was to build a web-based short messaging service (SMS) system in operating room. We approached the efficiency of SMS for patient's families during the time series (pre-, intra-, and post-operation). In this study, 322 participants received 685 text messages. The findings show the usability of SMS that applied to the clinical care, especially for reducing family anxiety, improved their satisfaction. Therefore, it is suggested to exploit the effectiveness of personal medical care. (+info)
Exercise and symptom monitoring with a mobile device.
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Mobile PDA/phone devices allow remote monitoring of clinical and behavioral parameters. However, passively expecting patients to use these devices may lead to low response rates. Our study, aimed at collecting exercise and symptom data from an older clinical population of patients with COPD, employed push technology principles by delivering automated prompts to patients in an effort to increase response rates. We found acceptable response rates with subjects preferring to have prompts delivered to coincide with their exercise activity though usability issues had adverse effects on response rates and time. (+info)
Attitudes associated with behavioral predictors of serious road traffic crashes: results from the GAZEL cohort.
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OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that behavioral predictors of serious road traffic crashes (RTC) are correlated with unfavorable attitudes towards traffic safety. DESIGN: Prospective and cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: France PARTICIPANTS: 13,447 of the 19,894 living members of the GAZEL cohort, workers and recent retirees of a French national utility company followed up since 1989. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Driving behavior and attitudes towards traffic safety in 2001 by questionnaire. Serious RTCs were recorded over the subsequent 3 years using the cohort annual questionnaire. Behavioral predictors of serious RTCs were assessed using generalized linear Poisson regression models with time-dependent covariates. Factor scores extracted from the first four attitudinal factors of principal component analysis were saved and then regressed on behavioral predictors as independent variables. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders, the best predictors of serious RTCs were: "exceeding speed limits on rural roads", "risky use of cellular phone", and "sleepy driving". The adjusted rate ratio ranged from 1.47 to 2.16. Predictors of contravention of the highway code (the first two predictors) were found to be strongly associated with negative attitudes towards "enforcement" and "speed limitations" with an adjusted odds ratio ranging from 1.31 to 2.02. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the view that individuals with a high propensity for driving behaviors associated with an increased risk of RTCs were more likely to have negative attitudes towards traffic safety. Changing drivers' negative or distorted opinions of traffic "enforcement" as well as "speed limitations" and "alcohol prohibition on roads" could improve their compliance with road traffic rules. (+info)
Evidence-based medicine among internal medicine residents in a community hospital program using smart phones.
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BACKGROUND: This study implemented and evaluated a point-of-care, wireless Internet access using smart phones for information retrieval during daily clinical rounds and academic activities of internal medicine residents in a community hospital. We did the project to assess the feasibility of using smart phones as an alternative to reach online medical resources because we were unable to find previous studies of this type. In addition, we wanted to learn what Web-based information resources internal medicine residents were using and whether providing bedside, real-time access to medical information would be perceived useful for patient care and academic activities. METHODS: We equipped the medical teams in the hospital wards with smart phones (mobile phone/PDA hybrid devices) to provide immediate access to evidence-based resources developed at the National Library of Medicine as well as to other medical Websites. The emphasis of this project was to measure the convenience and feasibility of real-time access to current medical literature using smart phones. RESULTS: The smart phones provided real-time mobile access to medical literature during daily rounds and clinical activities in the hospital. Physicians found these devices easy to use. A post-study survey showed that the information retrieved was perceived to be useful for patient care and academic activities. CONCLUSION: In community hospitals and ambulatory clinics without wireless networks where the majority of physicians work, real-time access to current medical literature may be achieved through smart phones. Immediate availability of reliable and updated information obtained from authoritative sources on the Web makes evidence-based practice in a community hospital a reality. (+info)
Are computer and cell phone use associated with body mass index and overweight? A population study among twin adolescents.
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BACKGROUND: Overweight in children and adolescents has reached dimensions of a global epidemic during recent years. Simultaneously, information and communication technology use has rapidly increased. METHODS: A population-based sample of Finnish twins born in 1983-1987 (N = 4098) was assessed by self-report questionnaires at 17 y during 2000-2005. The association of overweight (defined by Cole's BMI-for-age cut-offs) with computer and cell phone use and ownership was analyzed by logistic regression and their association with BMI by linear regression models. The effect of twinship was taken into account by correcting for clustered sampling of families. All models were adjusted for gender, physical exercise, and parents' education and occupational class. RESULTS: The proportion of adolescents who did not have a computer at home decreased from 18% to 8% from 2000 to 2005. Compared to them, having a home computer (without an Internet connection) was associated with a higher risk of overweight (odds ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.8) and BMI (beta coefficient 0.57, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.98). However, having a computer with an Internet connection was not associated with weight status. Belonging to the highest quintile (OR 1.8 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8) and second-highest quintile (OR 1.6 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) of weekly computer use was positively associated with overweight. The proportion of adolescents without a personal cell phone decreased from 12% to 1% across 2000 to 2005. There was a positive linear trend of increasing monthly phone bill with BMI (beta 0.18, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.30), but the association of a cell phone bill with overweight was very weak. CONCLUSION: Time spent using a home computer was associated with an increased risk of overweight. Cell phone use correlated weakly with BMI. Increasing use of information and communication technology may be related to the obesity epidemic among adolescents. (+info)
Pooled analysis of two Swedish case-control studies on the use of mobile and cordless telephones and the risk of brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003.
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Here we present the pooled analysis of 2 case-control studies on the association of brain tumours with mobile phone use. Use of analogue cellular phones increased the risk for acoustic neuroma by 5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2-9% per 100 hrs of use. The risk increased for astrocytoma grade III-IV with latency period with highest estimates using >10-year time period from first use of these phone types. The risk increased per one year of use of analogue phones by 10%, 95% CI = 6-14%, digital phones by 11%, 95% CI = 6-16%, and cordless phones by 8%, 95% CI = 5-12%. For all studied phone types OR for brain tumours, mainly acoustic neuroma and malignant brain tumours, increased with latency period, especially for astrocytoma grade III-IV. (+info)
Source of funding and results of studies of health effects of mobile phone use: systematic review of experimental studies.
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OBJECTIVES: There is concern regarding the possible health effects of cellular telephone use. We examined whether the source of funding of studies of the effects of low-level radiofrequency radiation is associated with the results of studies. We conducted a systematic review of studies of controlled exposure to radiofrequency radiation with health-related outcomes (electroencephalogram, cognitive or cardiovascular function, hormone levels, symptoms, and subjective well-being). DATA SOURCES: We searched EMBASE, Medline, and a specialist database in February 2005 and scrutinized reference lists from relevant publications. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on the source of funding, study design, methodologic quality, and other study characteristics were extracted. The primary outcome was the reporting of at least one statistically significant association between the exposure and a health-related outcome. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 59 studies, 12 (20%) were funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry, 11 (19%) were funded by public agencies or charities, 14 (24%) had mixed funding (including industry), and in 22 (37%) the source of funding was not reported. Studies funded exclusively by industry reported the largest number of outcomes, but were least likely to report a statistically significant result: The odds ratio was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.78), compared with studies funded by public agencies or charities. This finding was not materially altered in analyses adjusted for the number of outcomes reported, study quality, and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The interpretation of results from studies of health effects of radiofrequency radiation should take sponsorship into account. (+info)
One-year efficacy and safety of Web-based follow-up using cellular phone in type 1 diabetic patients under insulin pump therapy: the PumpNet study.
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AIM: Conventional follow-up of type 1 diabetic patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was compared with intensive coaching using the Web and the cellular phone network for retrospective data transmission and short message service (SMS). METHODS: Thirty poorly controlled patients (HbA1c 7.5-10%) were enrolled in a bicenter, open-label, randomized, 12-month, two-period, crossover study. After a 1-month run-in period, 15 patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly medical support through SMS based upon weekly review of glucose values, while 15 patients continued to download self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) values on a weekly basis without receiving SMS. After 6 months, patients crossed over to the alternate sequence for 6 additional months. Visits at the clinic were maintained every 3 months. RESULTS: Patients with long-standing inadequately controlled diabetes (24 +/- 13 years) were included. A non-significant trend to reduction in HbA(1c) (-0.25+/-0.94%, P<0.10) and mean glucose values (-9.2+/-25 mg/dl, P=0.06) during the 6-month SMS sequence was observed as compared with the no-SMS period. No safety issue (hypoglycemia, glucose variability) was reported. Adherence to SMBG was not affected by the trial. Quality of life analysis suggests a significant improvement in DQOL global score, as well as the DQOL satisfaction with life subscale, during the SMS sequence. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term telemedical follow-up of insulin pump-treated patients using a cellular phone-, SMS- and Web-based platform is feasible, safe, does not alter quality of life and associated with a trend toward improved metabolic control. (+info)