Diagnostic Laboratory Tests for COVID-19 in US: Methodology and Performance.

Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus strain. Innovative tests have been developed to diagnose and characterize the spread of COVID-19. Only a few studies have reported the diagnostic value of currently available tests.

Diagnostic Reliability of In-Person Versus Remote Dermatology: A Meta-Analysis.

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Selenium, copper, zinc and hypertension: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2016).

Background: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular illness worldwide with many underlying causes. The role of trace elements selenium, copper, and zinc in hypertension is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of these trace elements in hypertension.

The Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Text Messaging to Intervene with Problem Drinking in Youth and Younger Adult Population: A Meta-Analysis.

Mobile phone-based text messages have been used to address alcohol use disorder in younger populations by promoting abstinence, decreased alcohol intake, and moderation. A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the effectiveness of mobile phone text messaging to address problem drinking by youth and younger adults. Authors systematically searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, APA PsycNET, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials for literature published in the past 8 years (2010-2018).

Effects of summer internship and follow-up distance mentoring programs on middle and high school student perceptions and interest in health careers.

Background: Minorities are underrepresented in health professions and efforts to recruit minority students into health careers are considered a way to reduce health disparities. There is little research about the effectiveness of these programs, other than satisfaction. This study aimed to measure program effects on student understanding of and interest in health careers.

Patient and Provider Satisfaction with Teledermatology.

Background: There is little research comparing dermatologist and patient satisfaction with in-person, store-and-forward, and live interactive examinations.

Objective: To compare satisfaction with in-person examinations to store-and-forward and live interactive consultations having two types of video.

Methods: A controlled study was conducted where patients referred for dermatology consultations were examined in-person, by video, and by store-and-forward methods.

Comparing High Definition Live Interactive and Store-and-Forward Consultations to In-Person Examinations.

Background: There is little teledermatology research directly comparing remote methods, even less research with two in-person dermatologist agreement providing a baseline for comparing remote methods, and no research using high definition video as a live interactive method.

Objective: To compare in-person consultations with store-and-forward and live interactive methods, the latter having two levels of image quality.

Methods: A controlled study was conducted where patients were examined in-person, by high definition video, and by store-and-forward methods.

Direct to Consumer Mobile Teledermatology Apps: An Exploratory Study.

Background: Since 2012, "Direct to Consumer" mobile teledermatology apps have become more available, relinquishing many data collection tasks normally done by healthcare professionals directly to patients.

Introduction: To determine user friendliness, diagnostic quality, and service of commercially available mobile teledermatology apps.

Materials And Methods: All mobile teledermatology apps available at the Apple App Store were reviewed.

Mobile Videoconferencing Apps for Telemedicine.

Introduction: The quality and performance of several videoconferencing applications (apps) tested on iOS (Apple, Cupertino, CA) and Android (Google, Mountain View, CA) mobile platforms using Wi-Fi (802.11), third-generation (3G), and fourth-generation (4G) cellular networks are described.

Materials And Methods: The tests were done to determine how well apps perform compared with videoconferencing software installed on computers or with more traditional videoconferencing using dedicated hardware.

Lessons learned from ten years of distance learning outreach.

Objective: The study tested the efficacy of providing distance learning with real-time videoconferencing to broaden high school student knowledge of health careers.

Methods: A pilot program was tried out and extended over ten years to include other schools in four different time zones and the National Library of Medicine. Survey results, site visits, and continued school participation were used as effectiveness indicators.

Cloud and traditional videoconferencing technology for telemedicine and distance learning.

Introduction: Cloud-based videoconferencing versus traditional systems are described for possible use in telemedicine and distance learning.

Materials And Methods: Differences between traditional and cloud-based videoconferencing systems are examined, and the methods for identifying and testing systems are explained. Findings are presented characterizing the cloud conferencing genre and its attributes versus traditional H.

Uncompressed high-definition videoconferencing tools for telemedicine and distance learning.

Uncompressed high-definition (HD) video image quality is superior to compressed HD video provided in most commercially available videoconferencing products. Uncompressed HD videoconferencing tools provide a more immersive experience because there is no reduction of image information and, in most cases, lower latency. Four open source uncompressed video applications are reviewed that have been tested at the National Library of Medicine: three transmitting uncompressed HD video and one transmitting loosely compressed standard-definition video.

Three principles for determining the relevancy of store-and-forward and live interactive telemedicine: reinterpreting two telemedicine research reviews and other research.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sponsored two telemedicine research reviews. The latest review concluded that telemedicine is most relevant to specialties, such as psychiatry and neurology, where high levels of patient interaction are crucial to assessment. Telemedicine research studies cited in the reviews having positive findings in the specialties of ophthalmology, otolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, gastroenterology, and cardiology and more recent research in these areas are reviewed to identify criteria other than degree of interaction for determining the appropriateness of telemedicine interventions.

Video medical interpretation over 3G cellular networks: a feasibility study.

Objective: To test the feasibility of using cell phone technology to provide video medical interpretation services at a distance.

Materials And Methods: Alternative cell phone services were researched and videoconferencing technologies were tried out to identify video products and telecommunication services needed to meet video medical interpretation requirements. The video and telecommunication technologies were tried out in a pharmacy setting and compared with use of the telephone.

Internet-based videoconferencing coder/decoders and tools for telemedicine.

Alternative videoconferencing technologies for providing telemedicine via the Internet are described. Background information about how digital video applications have been instantiated using Internet protocols is presented. Specific methods for encoding and decoding video are discussed and video applications that have been tested at the National Library of Medicine are reviewed.

Advanced networks and computing in healthcare.

As computing and network capabilities continue to rise, it becomes increasingly important to understand the varied applications for using them to provide healthcare. The objective of this review is to identify key characteristics and attributes of healthcare applications involving the use of advanced computing and communication technologies, drawing upon 45 research and development projects in telemedicine and other aspects of healthcare funded by the National Library of Medicine over the past 12 years. Only projects publishing in the professional literature were included in the review.

Communication and proximity effects on outcomes attributable to sense of presence in distance bioinformatics education.

Background: Online learning is increasingly popular in medical education and sense of presence has been posited as a factor contributing to its success. Communication media influences on sense of presence and learning outcomes were explored in this study. Test performance and ratings of instruction and technology, factors influenced by sense of presence, are compared under four conditions involving different media and degrees of student physical presence: 1) videoconference co-located, 2) webcast co-located, 3) videoconference dispersed, and 4) webcast dispersed.

An exploratory study of co-location as a factor in synchronous, collaborative medical informatics distance education.

Background: This study determined differences in learning, judgments of teaching and technology, and interaction when videoconferencing was used to deliver instruction on telemedicine to medical students in conditions where they were co-located and dispersed. A lecture on telemedicine was given by videoconference to medical students at a distant site. After a question and answer period, students were then given search problems on the topic and encouraged to collaborate.

Comparing in-person, video, and telephonic medical interpretation.

Background: Using trained interpreters to provide medical interpretation services is superior to services provided on an ad hoc basis, but little is known about the effectiveness of providing their services remotely, especially using video.

Objective: To compare remote medical interpretation services by trained interpreters via telephone and videoconference to those provided in-person.

Design: Quasi-randomized control study.

Extending a Blended Education Program to Native American High School Students in Alaska.

This article describes the expansion of a blended learning program sponsored by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that combines synchronous distance learning with face to face instruction. Background information about the program is briefly discussed and challenges to expanding the program are presented. The expansion was not merely a matter of adding a school.

A virtual computer lab for distance biomedical technology education.

Background: The National Library of Medicine's National Center for Biotechnology Information offers mini-courses which entail applying concepts in biochemistry and genetics to search genomics databases and other information sources. They are highly interactive and involve use of 3D molecular visualization software that can be computationally taxing.

Methods: Methods were devised to offer the courses at a distance so as to provide as much functionality of a computer lab as possible, the venue where they are normally taught.

The PDA as a portal to knowledge sources in a wireless setting.

Two recent parallel developments, the widespread deployment of wireless networks and increased use of handheld devices like the personal digital assistant (PDA), have contributed to the development of mobile access to the Internet. Recent surveys show that approximately 25% or more of physicians use PDAs. Although used mainly for personal information management and static medical applications, PDAs have capabilities to connect to the Internet.

Webcasting videoconferences over IP: a synchronous communication experiment.

A multipoint videoconference was webcast live to an audience who could communicate with conference panelists and each other via chat. The videoconference, webcast, and chat were done entirely over the Internet. Seven panelists at four conference sites that had Internet2 connectivity and were located in different time zones within the continental United States discussed the topic of "Evaluating Health Professions Education and Information Resources on the Web.

Educational technology transfer in newly independent states: developing a medical multimedia laboratory in Lithuania.

This paper discusses the development of an interactive multimedia computer laboratory within the Vilnius University Medical Faculty involving transfer of hardware and courseware developed in the USA. The contexts in which the laboratory was developed are described and factors helping and hindering successful technology transfer are identified. The future of the laboratory and its potential role in international distance education and information access are discussed.