Journal of medical Internet research
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2019
Meta AnalysisMobile Digital Education for Health Professions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the Digital Health Education Collaboration.
There is a pressing need to implement efficient and cost-effective training to address the worldwide shortage of health professionals. Mobile digital education (mLearning) has been mooted as a potential solution to increase the delivery of health professions education as it offers the opportunity for wide access at low cost and flexibility with the portability of mobile devices. To better inform policy making, we need to determine the effectiveness of mLearning. ⋯ The evidence base suggests that mLearning is as effective as traditional learning or possibly more so. Although acknowledging the heterogeneity among the studies, this synthesis provides encouraging early evidence to strengthen efforts aimed at expanding health professions education using mobile devices in order to help tackle the global shortage of health professionals.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2019
Meta AnalysisWhat Affects the Completion of Ecological Momentary Assessments in Chronic Pain Research? An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) involves repeated sampling of people's current experiences in real time in their natural environments, which offers a granular perspective on patients' experience of pain and other symptoms. However, EMA can be burdensome to patients, and its benefits depend upon patients' engagement in the assessments. ⋯ Many factors thought to influence the EMA-completion rates in chronic pain studies were not confirmed. However, future EMA research in chronic pain should note that study length and young age can impact the quality of the momentary data and devise strategies to maximize completion rates across different age groups and study days.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Jan 2019
Meta AnalysisVirtual Reality for Health Professions Education: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the Digital Health Education Collaboration.
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows the user to explore and manipulate computer-generated real or artificial three-dimensional multimedia sensory environments in real time to gain practical knowledge that can be used in clinical practice. ⋯ We found evidence suggesting that VR improves postintervention knowledge and skills outcomes of health professionals when compared with traditional education or other types of digital education such as online or offline digital education. The findings on other outcomes are limited. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of immersive and interactive forms of VR and evaluate other outcomes such as attitude, satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, and clinical practice or behavior change.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Oct 2018
Meta AnalysisCaregiver-Focused, Web-Based Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Part 2).
Approaches to support the health and well-being of family caregivers of adults with chronic conditions are increasingly important given the key roles caregivers play in helping family members to live in the community. Web-based interventions to support caregivers have the potential to lessen the negative health impacts associated with caregiving and result in improved health outcomes. ⋯ The review found evidence for the positive effects of Web-based intervention programs on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and strain of caregivers of adults living with a chronic condition. Further high-quality research is needed to inform the effectiveness of specific types of Web-based interventions on caregiver outcomes.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Jul 2018
Meta AnalysisImpact of Internet-Based Interventions on Caregiver Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The health of informal caregivers of adults with chronic conditions is increasingly vital since caregivers comprise a large proportion of supportive care to family members living in the community. Due to efficiency and reach, internet-based interventions for informal caregivers have the potential to mitigate the negative mental health outcomes associated with caregiving. ⋯ The review found evidence for the benefit of internet-based intervention programs on mental health for caregivers of adults living with a chronic condition, particularly for the outcomes of caregiver depression, stress and distress, and anxiety. The types of interventions that predominated as efficacious included information and education with or without professional psychological support, and, to a lesser extent, with combined peer and psychological support. Further high-quality research is needed to inform the effectiveness of interactive, dynamic, and multicomponent internet-based interventions.