Abstract
The emergence of new technology enables allergists and patients to compile data and receive feedback regarding key symptoms, risk behavior, and/or management. The term “eHealth” refers to a diverse group of tools that use computerized technologies to improve both the efficacy and efficiency of the health care industry. eHealth comprises a variety of technologies, as follows: mobile devices (mHealth) in medical care, including electronic diaries, wearable sensors, and adherence monitoring; health informatics (eg, electronic health records, computerized physician order entry, clinical decision support); telemedicine, which is the use of information and communication technologies for the management of diseases and medical education; social media platforms, and the analysis of information acquired through these platforms using “big data” technologies. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on the use of eHealth technology and the relevance of eHealth to allergic conditions.
Keywords: Big data. eHealth. mHealth. Social media. Telemedicine.
Introduction
The meaning of “eHealth” (electronic health) has been a matter of debate for the last decade [1]. The most widely accepted explanation dates to 2001, when it was defined as “an emerging field in the intersection of medical informatics, public health, and business, referring to health services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet and related technologies. In a broader sense, the term characterizes not only a technical development, but also a state-of-mind, a way of thinking, an attitude, and a commitment for networked, global thinking, to improve health care locally, regionally, and worldwide by using information and communication technology”.
Regardless of an exact definition, the term eHealth, also known as medical informatics or health information technologies, covers a diverse group of tools that commonly utilize computerized technologies in order to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the health care industry (Figure 1). Adoption of new technologies is high among the general population in developed countries. In 2013, it was reported that 56% of adults in the United States owned a smartphone [4], while in 2016, 75% of the European households had mobile internet access.
Allergic diseases are common chronic conditions that can have a lifelong impact. Allergies are estimated to affect up to 20% of the general population, and prevalence is growing, with the recent recognition of an “allergy epidemic” [6]. Asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies are entities that require the successful implementation of self-management plans and patient empowerment to ensure the highest quality of life with the least interference in daily activities. Unfortunately, for many reasons, this is often difficult to achieve.
The availability of new technology grants both clinicians and patients the opportunity to compile data and receive feedback regarding key symptoms, risk behavior, and/or management. The implementation of smartphones and “apps” (applications), along with other electronic tools that can be applied to health care and a proper analysis of the data generated, can prove useful for improving routine management of allergic patients [8]. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on various eHealth platforms and their relevance to the specialty of allergy and immunology.
About KSRA
The Kavian Scientific Research Association (KSRA) is a non-profit research organization to provide research / educational services in December 2013. The members of the community had formed a virtual group on the Viber social network. The core of the Kavian Scientific Association was formed with these members as founders. These individuals, led by Professor Siavosh Kaviani, decided to launch a scientific / research association with an emphasis on education.
KSRA research association, as a non-profit research firm, is committed to providing research services in the field of knowledge. The main beneficiaries of this association are public or private knowledge-based companies, students, researchers, researchers, professors, universities, and industrial and semi-industrial centers around the world.
Our main services Based on Education for all Spectrum people in the world. We want to make an integration between researches and educations. We believe education is the main right of Human beings. So our services should be concentrated on inclusive education.
The KSRA team partners with local under-served communities around the world to improve the access to and quality of knowledge based on education, amplify and augment learning programs where they exist, and create new opportunities for e-learning where traditional education systems are lacking or non-existent.
FULL Paper PDF file:
Impact Of “eHealth” in Allergic Diseases and Allergic Patientslvarez-Perea A1,2, Sánchez-García S3,4, Muñoz Cano R4,5,6, Antolín-Amérigo D7,8, Tsilochristou O9, Stukus DR10
1Allergy Service, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
2Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
3Allergy Unit, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
4Spanish Research Network on Allergy (ARADyAL: Red Nacional de Alergia-Asma, Reacciones Adversas y Alérgicas-) of the Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
5Allergy Section, Pneumology Department, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain
6Inmunoalergia Respiratoria Clinica y Experimental (IRCE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
7Allergy Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
8IRYCIS, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
9Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
10Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
citation text: AMA
citation text: MLA
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2019; Vol 29(2) : 94-102
doi: 10.18176/jiaci.0354
- PMID: 30457105
- DOI: 10.18176/jiaci.0354
- Free article
PDF reference and original file: Click here
Nasim Gazerani was born in 1983 in Arak. She holds a Master's degree in Software Engineering from UM University of Malaysia.
Professor Siavosh Kaviani was born in 1961 in Tehran. He had a professorship. He holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the QL University of Software Development Methodology and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Chelsea.
Maryam kakaei was born in 1984 in Arak. She holds a Master's degree in Software Engineering from Azad University of Arak.
