Digital Health

AI chatbots could help patients discuss sensitive health conditions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, specifically chatbots, have the potential to help patients with sensitive health conditions, according to a recent article from Digital Health. Chatbots can provide quick and easily accessible information, support, and guidance to patients, especially those with sensitive health conditions that require constant monitoring and care.

One of the key benefits of chatbots in healthcare is their ability to provide quick and accurate information to patients. Chatbots can answer patients’ questions, provide them with educational materials, and even schedule appointments, freeing up time for healthcare professionals to focus on more complex tasks.

For patients with sensitive health conditions, chatbots can provide emotional support and help manage symptoms. Chatbots can engage in conversations with patients, listen to their concerns, and provide them with coping strategies and resources. This can improve the patient’s overall well-being and help them feel more in control of their health journey.

Chatbots can also assist in monitoring patients’ health status and provide real-time feedback. For example, chatbots can remind patients to take their medications, track their symptoms, and even provide alerts to healthcare professionals if there are any concerning changes in the patient’s condition.

From providing quick and accurate information, to offering emotional support and monitoring health status, chatbots have the potential to play a significant role in the care of patients with sensitive health conditions and can improve the overall experience for patients enhancing the quality of care they receive.

Minister praises Saudi Arabia’s use of digital health in virus fight

The adoption of digital health technologies as new standards in Saudi Arabia reflects the country’s leadership in international and regional forums, according to Saudi Health Minister and Chairman of the Saudi Health Council, Fahad Al-Jalajel. In his speech at the opening of the HIMSS21 Middle East Health Conference, Al-Jalajel emphasised the crucial role digital technologies played in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The first interactive map of COVID-19 data was launched to provide accurate statistics and employ artificial intelligence to analyse the data and make national strategic decisions.

The HIMSS21 conference aims to discuss current challenges and exchange ideas and experiences in the field of healthcare, both regionally and internationally. The conference will also highlight the importance of health information technology and its role in improving the efficiency of performance, enhancing the quality of services, and optimising the use of resources.

Innovative plans are being implemented in Saudi Arabia to develop the health system, including building a health transformation plan and designing programs for governing, financing, and providing health services. Digital health is a critical partner in this transformation, in line with the National Transformation Program and the country’s Vision 2030.

Secretary-General of the Saudi Health Council, Dr. Nahar Al-Azmi, stated that the HIMSS21 conference will also address the current challenges in the health sector and propose visions and ideas for future plans and potential solutions. The conference will provide an opportunity for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and expertise, as well as global dialogues on the challenges facing health systems and the available solutions. The goal is to harness digital health to build effective responses to future epidemics, benefit from data and technology to enhance population health management, and adopt digital health technologies as new standards to improve the quality of healthcare.

Lasting Wearable technology not as effective as previously thought

A recent study has concluded that wearable devices that monitor physical activity are not effective for sustaining weight loss. The study followed 470 participants over a 2 year period and found that those who did not use wearable devices showed nearly twice the weight loss benefits at follow-up. All participants were placed on low-calorie diets, given physical activity advice and received group counselling on nutrition, after 6 months half continued the sessions, whilst the others received the devices.

The researchers concluded that wearable devices do not confer an advantage to those looking to lose weight, over those using standard interventions. They further concluded that whilst these devices provided feedback and encouragement, they did not enhance adherence to healthy lifestyles, which is one of the most important aspects of committing to weight loss. The study’s lead researcher, John Jakicic said that ‘these devices should not be relied upon as tools for weight management in place of effective behavioural counselling for physical activity and diet’. Effective long-term treatments are needed for obesity, and rigorous assessment of current management plans must continue, as is the case with this study.

Wearable fitness monitors don’t influence physical activity

In a study carried out at Oklahoma State University, which has been accepted for publication in the PHEnex Journal, it was found that wearable fitness monitors do not necessarily motivate exercise. The study consisted of only a small cohort (36 participants) of Physical Education students. In the study, participants were given a monitor which they were told would capture the amount of sunlight that they receive each day. They were then later given a monitor which they were told would track the number of steps that they took each day. Both monitors were actually measuring how active each of the study participants were.

Interestingly, it was found that the students’ activity levels didn’t change with the monitoring. Clarkson University Associate Professor of Physical Therapy & Physician Assistant Studies Ali Boolani who was conducting the study, with Oklahoma State University Associate Professor of Physical Education Timothy Baghurst, said that as physical education students “they should be modeling good health. This shows you, don’t rely on an exercise monitor as your motivation.” Boolani and Baghurst are keen to develop the study further and explore the activity levels among different professions and university disciplines, in multiple sites.

The age of the smartphone-controlled diet

Smartphones could soon be telling us what to eat and what to avoid whilst shopping in supermarkets. This comes after a study, published in the Journal of Medical Systems, looked at the possible use of Near Field Communication (NFC) in Spain. This is a recently developed technology that allows electronic devices to establish radio communication and share data by simply touching, or even being in close proximity (typically 10cm).

The researchers aimed to make choosing food for overweight children at the supermarket an easier experience for parents by tagging food with nutritional data, such as energy and fat content; when an interaction is made with the mobile phone, a notification will inform them whether it is appropriate for the users diet or not. Once a suitable diet has been devised according to the user profile, an appropriate shopping list could be developed, making shopping much more efficient! The system also takes into account the physical activity of the user using accelerometers. The study found that time spent in the supermarket was reduced by parents using the system and the quality of the food and drinks being bought was increased.

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