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Patients increasingly use social media to communicate. Their stories could support quality improvements in participatory health care and could support patient-centered care. Active use of social media by health care institutions could also speed up communication and information provision to patients and their families, thus increasing quality even more. Hospitals seem to be becoming aware of the benefits social media could offer. A longitudinal study explored the use of social media by hospitals in 12 Western European countries through an Internet search and showed that social media awareness in Western European hospitals is growing, as well as its use.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Wed, 2 May 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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Internet and computer tailored (CT) technology fosters the development of highly individualized health communication messages. A cross-sectional research showed that involvement with skin cancer was reflected in more positive beliefs toward sunscreen use, and that the CT Internet program was well accepted. Moreover, a pro-active approach is very well suited to reach various groups of people and is more likely to be successful than a reactive approach.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Wed, 2 May 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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To evaluate the feasability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of short message service (SMS) or text message reminders to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy for youth living with HIV/AIDS, researchers conducted a prospective pilot study using a pre–post design from 2009 to 2010 at a community-based health center providing clinical services to youth living with HIV/AIDS. Results showed that personalized, interactive, daily SMS reminders were feasible and acceptable, and they significantly improved self-reported adherence. Larger controlled studies are needed to determine the impact of this intervention on antiretroviral therapy adherence and other related health outcomes for youth living with HIV/AIDS.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Tue, 10 April 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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The introduction of Web-based education and open universities has seen an increase in access to professional development within the health professional education marketplace. A study compares costs and effects of Web-based and face-to-face short courses in falls prevention education for health professionals. Results showed that Web-based educational approach was clearly more efficient from the perspective of the education provider.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Tue, 3 April 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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A study examined Facebook as a mechanism to reach and survey young adults about tobacco and other substance use. Results showed that, despite wide variety in the success of individual ads and potential concerns about sample representativeness, Facebook can be a useful, cost-effective recruitment option for assessment of health behavior in young adults.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Mon, 27 February 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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With almost one-half of Americans projected to have at least one chronic condition before 2020, a vital role of the health care system is to develop informed, engaged individuals who are effective self-managers of their health. Web-based interventions to support self-management across the spectrum of chronic diseases have the potential to reach a broader population of patients for extended periods than do traditional Self-management interventions. Results from a randomized controlled trial suggest that Web-based interventions increase patient activation and have the potential to enhance the self-management capabilities of the growing population of chronically ill people. Activated patients are more likely to adhere to recommended health care practices, which in turn leads to improved health outcomes.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Mon, 27 February 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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A Randomized Controlled Trial investigated on the effects of a mobile phone-based telemonitoring system on heart failure management and outcomes. Data provide evidence of improved quality of life through improved self-care and clinical management from a mobile phone-based telemonitoring system. Thus, the use of the mobile phone-based system had high adherence and was feasible for patients, including the elderly and those with no experience with mobile phones.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Tue, 21 February 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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Recruitment of young people for health research by traditional methods has become more expensive and challenging over recent decades. The Internet presents an opportunity for innovative recruitment modalities. Results demonstrate the potential of using modern information and communication technologies to engage young women in health research and penetrate into nonurban communities. The success of this method has implications for future medical and population research in this and other demographics.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Tue, 7 February 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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Producing a rich, personalized Web-based consultation tool for plastic surgeons and patients is challenging. A computer tool has been developed and validated allowing individual reconstruction and simulation of 3-dimensional (3D) soft tissue from ordinary digital photos of breasts.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Mon, 6 February 2012
http://www.jmir.org
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The virtual coach was beneficial in maintaining activity level. The long-term benefits and additional applications of this technology warrant further study. These are the conclusion of a randomized controlled trial on 70 people testing if a virtual coach would increase activity levels, via step count, in overweight or obese individuals beyond the effect observed using a pedometer and website alone.
Journal of Medical Internet Research - JMIR - Fri, 27 January 2012
http://www.jmir.org