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Digitalization is also becoming increasingly important in medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this process and politicians are trying to create a framework for successful knowledge transfer and better digital medical care. This article describes the role of telemedicine in the treatment of patients suffering from facial nerve palsy. Facial nerve palsy has a wide range of effects, from limitations in facial mobility to psychological sequelae. While many of the acute, idiopathic facial nerve palsies improve after a few weeks, around a third of those affected develop synkinesis, involuntary movements that have lifelong functional and psychological consequences. Treatment includes various modalities, from medication and surgery to movement training. Telemedicine offers innovative solutions in cases of regional underuse, but also in the treatment of chronic facial nerve palsies. The article defines the term "telemedicine" in the current context and presents different types of application. A detailed analysis of the application scenarios of telemedicine in facial nerve palsy patients shows that despite a lack of evidence, many potentially useful concepts exist.

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OBJECTIVE: During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a substantial uptake of telemental health interventions. Consequently, the objective of this study was to assess psycho-oncologists' attitudes toward and experiences with video consultations (VC) since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, we sought to investigate psycho-oncologists' perspectives on the benefits and drawbacks of VC and its' potential implementation beyond the pandemic. METHODS: We used a multi-methods study design. First, semi-structured interviews with psycho-oncologists (N = 6) were conducted to inform the development of a cross-sectional online survey, which represented the quantitative part of our study. We invited psycho-oncologists, working in different settings, from all over Germany to participate. RESULTS: Data of N = 217 participants (88% female, 49% over 10 years work experience) of the online survey was analyzed. Psycho-oncologists' acceptance toward VC was average to high. In their daily practice, they preferred in-person consultations. Improved access to care and enhanced flexibility were seen as main advantages. The most significant disadvantages included technical issues, privacy concerns at home, loss of non-verbal cues and absence of physical presence for emotional support. Nevertheless, on average, psycho-oncologists wanted to continue seeing approximately 25% of their patients via VC in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Given the average to high acceptance of VC among psycho-oncologists and their desire to continue using VC flexibly even after the pandemic, it may be beneficial to implement VC into future psycho-oncology services. Still, future research should focus on the patients' perspective and the effectiveness of VC in psycho-oncology services.

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BACKGROUND: Mental illness has become a prevalent issue impacting adolescents worldwide. Many barriers, including stigma and poor health literacy, prevent this population group from accessing reliable mental health care services. Synchronous text-therapy counseling is an underused therapeutic approach in combating adolescent mental illness. Phone-based text therapy is uniquely placed to offer personalized counseling to adolescents through a familiar and engaging treatment modality. OBJECTIVE: This rapid review aims to understand the clinical effectiveness, usability, and accessibility of phone-based text therapy for youth mental health. METHODS: Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO were used to search for suitable literature. Five groups of keywords were used: those related to (1) "therapy," (2) "text," (3) "phone," (4) "youth," and (5) "mental health." Eligibility criteria were formed through the PICO (Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome) framework. Studies were included if a synchronous phone-based text therapy intervention was used in an adolescent population, with an age range of 12-24 years. Only literature available in full-text, English, and a peer-reviewed journal was considered. Furthermore, a date limit of 5 years was set to reflect the recent development of digital interventions for mental health. Pertinent information from each study was tabulated, and a narrative synthesis was used to assess, describe, and organize the included studies comprehensively and concisely. RESULTS: Of the 771 studies dual screened, 7 studies were included in this rapid review. Most of the exclusions occurred due to the use of the wrong intervention, such as asynchronous messaging. The selected studies had a low risk of bias and were suitable for the review. All interventional trials demonstrated reductions in mental health symptoms, primarily depression and anxiety. Most studies displayed high usability among participants, while data were unclear regarding accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: This review reveals the high potential of phone-based text therapy as an intervention for adolescents experiencing mental illness. We hope that this review promotes further refinement of text-based phone therapies and encourages future research on this subject matter.

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Background: To examine counselors' perceptions of their formal preparation for engaging in telemental health (TMH) counseling with the intent of gaining an understanding of their lived experiences. Materials and Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven seasoned counselors who regularly engage in technology-mediated distance counseling. Results: The results highlighted themes within two emerging categories: the counselor and training/education. Themes related to motivation and specific counselor attributes emerged from the first category and themes of availability, inadequacy, and modality emerged from the second category. Discussion: The implications from this study suggest a lack of availability and standardization of effective training on TMH delivery. Conclusion: This study identifies areas of potential future research related to counselors' preparation experiences as well specific areas of need for TMH training in counseling graduate programs and other natural opportunities.

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RESUMO Objetivo Desenvolver e verificar a usabilidade de um sistema baseado na internet para telemonitoramento e orientação do usuário de prótese auditiva bem como monitorar o desempenho de longo prazo em um grupo piloto. Método O sistema Escuto, mas não entendo foi desenvolvido baseado em recomendações de literatura para layout, design e conteúdo de orientação e aconselhamento. Seguimos três etapas: planejamento, elaboração do design e conteúdo e teste piloto. A amostra foi formada por 43 adultos e idosos, com perda auditiva, de qualquer tipo e grau, uso regular de prótese auditiva de no mínimo 30 dias e no máximo 24 meses; com habilidade de leitura e sem evidências de comprometimentos cognitivos. Os indivíduos foram acompanhados por um período de oito a 12 meses. O desempenho dos usuários foi monitorado por meio do questionário Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. A usabilidade deste material foi avaliada com o questionário System Usability Scale. Resultados Foi observada melhora de desempenho e aumento de uso diário autorrelatado das próteses auditivas após o período de orientação e telemonitoramento via sistema para todos os participantes da pesquisa. Em todas as análises da escala SUS foi possível observar o desempenho superior a 70 pontos, demonstrando a boa usabilidade do sistema. Na análise do desempenho do SSQ, nos três momentos da pesquisa, observou-se resposta positiva em todos os domínios, mostrando assim uma evolução com o uso das próteses auditivas, com dados significantes para o domínio Audição para a fala. Conclusão A usabilidade do sistema foi considerada adequada pelos indivíduos participantes do estudo.

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop and verify the usability of an internet-based system for telemonitoring and guidance of the hearing aid user as well as monitoring the long-term performance in a pilot group. Methods The system "I can hear, but I can't understand" was developed based on recommendations in the literature regarding layout, design, and content for guidance and advice. Three stages were followed: planning, design and content development, and pilot testing. The sample consisted of 43 adults and older adults with any type and degree of hearing loss, who had been regularly using a hearing aid for at least 30 days and at most 24 months, with reading skills and no evidence of cognitive impairments. The individuals were followed up for 8 to 12 months. The users' performance was monitored with the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. The usability of this material was assessed with the System Usability Scale. Results Improved performance and increased self-reported daily use of the hearing aid were observed after the period of guidance and telemonitoring via the system for all research participants. In all analyzes of the SUS scale, it was possible to observe a performance superior to 70 points, demonstrating good usability of the system. In the analysis of the performance of the SSQ, in the three moments of the research, a positive response was observed in all domains, thus showing progress in the use of hearing aids, with significant data for the domain of Hearing Speech. Conclusion The system "I can hear, but I can't understand" proved to be an easy-to-use and effective tool to telemonitor hearing aid users.

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Compliance is highly relevant during clear aligner therapy (CAT). In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed compliance and associated covariates in a large cohort of CAT patients. A comprehensive sample of 2644 patients (75.0% females, 25.0% males, age range 18-64 years, median 27 years), all receiving CAT with PlusDental (Berlin, Germany) finished in 2019, was analyzed. Covariates included demographic ones (age, gender) as well as self-reported questionnaire-obtained ones (satisfaction with ones' smile prior treatment, the experience of previous orthodontic therapy). The primary outcome was compliance: Based on patients' consistent use of the mobile application for self-report and aligner wear time of ≥22 h, patients were classified as fully compliant, fairly compliant, or poorly compliant. Chi-square test was used to compare compliance in different subgroups. A total of 953/2644 (36.0%) of patients showed full compliance, 1012/2644 (38.3%) fair compliance, and 679/2644 (25.7%) poor compliance. Males were significantly more compliant than females (p = 0.000014), as were patients without previous orthodontic treatment (p = 0.023). Age and self-perceived satisfaction with ones' smile prior to treatment were not sufficiently associated with compliance (p > 0.05). Our findings could be used to guide practitioners towards limitedly compliant individuals, allowing early intervention.

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RESUMEN Fundamento En las actuales condiciones de aislamiento social, impuestas por la COVID-19, se han implementado líneas de ayuda psicológica vía telefónica. Resulta de interés conocer si es efectiva la contribución de este servicio de consejería; y en qué medida la población ha asumido esta como una vía confiable de ayuda psicológica. Objetivo describir la experiencia del servicio de consejería telefónica a personas con afectaciones psicológicas asociadas al aislamiento social. Métodos se realizó un estudio descriptivo, del servicio de consejería telefónica orientado a la población con afectaciones psicológicas, llevado a cabo por el Centro de Salud Mental del Distrito Mella, provincia de Camagüey, durante el mes de mayo de 2020. El motivo de la llamada, las manifestaciones clínicas y la conducta a seguir fueron las principales variables estudiadas. Resultados la población de adultos mayores aportó el mayor número de llamadas (61,6 %), así como el motivo más frecuente fue la búsqueda de apoyo psicológico. La depresión y la ansiedad se hallaron como principales manifestaciones clínicas; y el apoyo psicológico y el seguimiento de este como las conductas a seguir en la mayoría de los casos. Conclusión ante la imposibilidad de acudir a centros especializados en salud mental, debido a las condiciones impuestas por la pandemia, la consejería vía telefónica permitió que un grupo considerable de personas recibiera ayuda psicológica respaldada por profesionales capacitados, en correspondencia con las necesidades individuales.

ABSTRACT Background In the current conditions of social isolation, imposed by COVID-19, psychological help lines have been implemented via telephone. It is of interest to know if the contribution of this counseling service is effective; and to what extent the population has assumed this as a reliable way of psychological help. Objective to describe the experience of the telephone counseling service to people with psychological disorders associated with social isolation. Methods a descriptive study was carried out of the telephone counseling service aimed at the population with psychological disorders, carried out by the Mella District Mental Health Center, Camagüey province, during May 2020. The reasons for the call, clinical manifestations and behavior to follow were the main variables studied. Results the elderly population contributed the highest number of calls (40.6%), as well as the most frequent reason being the search for psychological support. Depression and anxiety were found as the main clinical manifestations; and psychological support and monitoring of this as the behaviors to follow in most cases. Conclusion due to the impossibility of going to specialized mental health centers, due to the conditions imposed by the pandemic, telephone counseling allowed a considerable group of people to receive psychological help backed by trained professionals, in correspondence with individual needs.

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Purpose: The accessibility of medical facilities for cancer patients affects both their comfort and survival. Patients in rural areas have a higher socioeconomic burden and are more vulnerable to emergency situations than urban dwellers. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a cancer care model integrating a regional cancer center (RCC) and public health center (PHC). Methods: This study analyzed the construction of a safety care network for cancer patients that integrated an RCC and PHC. Two public health institutions (an RCC in Gyeongnam and a PHC in Geochang County) collaborated on the development of the community care model. The study lasted 13 months beginning in February 2019 to February 2020. Results: The RCC developed the protocol for evaluating and measuring 27 cancer-related symptoms, conducted education for PHC nurses, and administered case counseling. The staff at the PHC registered, evaluated, and routinely monitored patients through home visits. A smartphone application and regular video conferences were incorporated to facilitate mutual communication. In total, 177 patients (mean age 70.9 years; men 59%) were enrolled from February 2019 to February 2020. Patients' greatest unmet need was the presence of a nearby cancer treatment hospital (83%). In total, 28 (33%) and 44 (52%) participants answered that the care model was very helpful or helpful, respectively. Conclusion: We confirmed that a combined RCC-PHC program for cancer patients in rural areas is feasible and can bring satisfaction to patients as a safety care network. This program could mitigate health inequalities caused by accessibility issues.

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We tested the predictive validity of the Progress Assessment (PA), a brief counselor administered tool for use in measurement-based care for substance use disorders. The PA includes 5 items assessing relapse risk and 5 items assessing factors protective against relapse. Data were drawn from a completed study of continuing care for cocaine dependence (McKay et al., 2013) and includes 12 months of follow-up on158 participants (76% male) who received brief telephone or face-to-face sessions. Each session began with the administration of the PA, followed by cognitive-behavioral counseling tied to the results of the PA and anticipated risky situations. Outcome was assessed via urine toxicology every 3 months. As administered in an effectiveness trial, average PA risk and protective scales within each 3-month segment of the study predicted urine toxicology results at the end of that period, with higher risk scores and lower protective scores predicting greater rates of cocaine positive urine drug screens. PA scores did not predict dropout from continuing care participation. The 10-item PA shows promise as a pragmatic clinical tool for ongoing monitoring during continuing care for substance dependence.

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BACKGROUND: Within a web-assisted tobacco intervention, we provided a function for smokers to asynchronously communicate with a trained tobacco treatment specialist (TTS). Previous studies have not attempted to isolate the effect of asynchronous counseling on smoking cessation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a semiquantitative analysis of TTS-smoker communication and evaluate its association with smoking cessation. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data on secure asynchronous communication between trained TTSs and a cohort of smokers during a 6-month period. Smokers were able to select their preferred TTS and message them using a secure web-based form. To evaluate whether the TTS used evidence-based practices, we coded messages using the Motivational Interviewing Self-Evaluation Checklist and Smoking Cessation Counseling (SCC) Scale. We assessed the content of messages initiated by the smokers by creating topical content codes. At 6 months, we assessed the association between smoking cessation and the amount of TTS use and created a multivariable model adjusting for demographic characteristics and smoking characteristics at baseline. RESULTS: Of the 725 smokers offered asynchronous counseling support, 33.8% (245/725) messaged the TTS at least once. A total of 1082 messages (TTSs: 565; smokers 517) were exchanged between the smokers and TTSs. The majority of motivational interviewing codes were those that supported client strengths (280/517, 54.1%) and promoted engagement (280/517, 54.1%). SCC code analysis showed that the TTS provided assistance to smokers if they were willing to quit (247/517, 47.8%) and helped smokers prepare to quit (206/517, 39.8%) and anticipate barriers (197/517, 38.1%). The majority of smokers' messages discussed motivations to quit (234/565, 41.4%) and current and past treatments (talking about their previous use of nicotine replacement therapy and medications; 201/565, 35.6%). The majority of TTS messages used behavioral strategies (233/517, 45.1%), offered advice on treatments (189/517, 36.5%), and highlighted motivations to quit (171/517, 33.1%). There was no association between the amount of TTS use and cessation. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for gender, age, race, education, readiness at baseline, number of cigarettes smoked per day at baseline, and the selected TTS, smokers messaging the TTS one or two times had a smoking cessation odds ratio (OR) of 0.8 (95% CI 0.4-1.4), and those that messaged the TTS more than two times had a smoking cessation OR of 1.0 (95% CI 0.4-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of using asynchronous counseling to deliver evidence-based counseling. Low participant engagement or a lack of power could be potential explanations for the nonassociation with smoking cessation. Future trials should explore approaches to increase participant engagement and test asynchronous counseling in combination with other approaches for improving the rates of smoking cessation.

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BACKGROUND: Population-based studies show that the risk of mental ill health is highest among young people aged 10 to 24 years, who are also the least likely to seek professional treatment because of a number of barriers. Electronic mental (e-mental) health services have been advocated as a method for decreasing these barriers for young people, among which text-based online counseling (TBOC) is a primary intervention used at many youth-oriented services. Although TBOC has shown promising results, its outcome variance is greater in comparison with other electronic interventions and adult user groups. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to explore and confirm e-mental health professional's perspectives about various domains and themes related to young service users' (YSUs) motivations for accessing TBOC services and factors related to higher and lower effectiveness on these modalities. METHODS: Participants were 9 e-mental health professionals who were interviewed individually and in focus groups using a semistructured interview. Thematic analysis of qualitative themes from interview transcripts was examined across the areas of YSU motivations for access and factors that increase and decrease TBOC effectiveness. RESULTS: A total of 4 domains and various subthemes were confirmed and identified to be related to YSUs' characteristics, motivations for accessing TBOC, and moderators of service effectiveness: user characteristics (ie, prior negative help-seeking experience, mental health syndrome, limited social support, and perceived social difficulties), selection factors (ie, safety, avoidance motivation, accessibility, and expectation), and factors perceived to increase effectiveness (ie, general therapeutic benefits, positive service-modality factors, and persisting with counseling despite substantial benefit) and decrease effectiveness (ie, negative service-modality factors). CONCLUSIONS: Participants perceived YSUs to have polarized expectations of TBOC effectiveness and be motivated by service accessibility and safety, in response to several help-seeking concerns. Factors increasing TBOC effectiveness were using text-based communication, the online counselor's interpersonal skills and use of self-management and crisis-support strategies, and working with less complex presenting problems or facilitating access to more intensive support. Factors decreasing TBOC effectiveness were working with more complex problems owing to challenges with assessment, the slow pace of text communication, lack of nonverbal conversational cues, and environmental and connectivity issues. Other factors were using ineffective techniques (eg, poor goal setting, focusing, and postcounseling direction) that produced only short-term outcomes, poor timeliness in responding to service requests, rupture in rapport from managing service boundaries, and low YSU readiness and motivation.

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BACKGROUND: Young people aged 10-24 years are at the highest risk for mental health problems and are the least likely to seek professional treatment. Owing to this population's high consumption of internet content, electronic mental (e-mental) health services have increased globally, with an aim to address barriers to treatment. Many of these services use text-based online counseling (TBOC), which shows promising results in supporting young people but also greater variance in outcomes compared with adult comparators. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study qualitatively explored the characteristics of users aged 15-25 years accessing TBOC services, their motivations for access, and their perceptions about factors believed to influence the effectiveness of these modalities. METHODS: E-surveys were administered naturalistically to 100 young service users aged 15-25 years who accessed webchat and email counseling services via an Australian e-mental health service. Thematic analysis of qualitative themes and quantitative descriptive and proportional data presented in electronic surveys were examined across the areas of user characteristics, motivations for selecting TBOC modalities, and their perceptions of TBOC effectiveness. RESULTS: Participants were predominately female high school students of Caucasian or European descent from middle socioeconomic status, living with their parents in major cities. Four domains and various themes and subthemes were related to participants' reasons for accessing TBOC and perceptions of its effectiveness: user characteristics (ie, physical and mental health syndrome and perceived social difficulties), selection factors (ie, safety, avoidance motivation, accessibility, and expectation), factors perceived to increase effectiveness (ie, general therapeutic benefits, positive modality and service factors, and persisting with counseling to increase benefit), and factors perceived to decrease effectiveness (ie, negative modality and service factors, and persisting with counseling despite benefit). CONCLUSIONS: Participants were motivated to use TBOC to increase their sense of safety in response to negative perceptions of their social skills and the response of the online counsellor to their presenting problem. By using TBOC services, they also sought to improve their access to mental health services that better met their expectations. Factors that increased effectiveness of TBOC were the counsellor's interpersonal skills, use of text-based communication, and persisting with beneficial counseling sessions. Factors that reduced TBOC effectiveness were poor timeliness in response to service requests, experiencing no change in their presenting problem, not knowing what postcounseling action to take, and persisting with ineffective counseling sessions.

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BACKGROUND: A collaboration between a hospital in Tanzania and a German institute for pathology was initiated in 2007 with the aim of establishing a working telepathological connection using the internet-based platform iPath to transmit static histological images. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the diagnostic spectrum evaluated in the course of an aid project in a developing country in Africa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 5230 diagnoses were analyzed, including cases that could only be definitively concluded after a second analysis of the paraffin-embedded material in Germany. The most frequent diagnoses in the five largest diagnostic groups from 17 different anatomical locations were surveyed. In addition, cases sampled from children/young adults and rare diagnoses were assessed separately. RESULTS: Altogether we diagnosed 2934 (56.1%) benign and 2134 (40.8%) malignant diseases. The number of cases sent to Germany for a second opinion was 734 (14%). The five most common anatomical locations were the uterine cervix (n = 1211), the prostate (n = 728), skin (n = 626), breast (n = 524), and lymph nodes (n = 340). Children comprised 504 cases (9.6%). Typical tropical diseases were only rarely seen in the whole collective of cases. CONCLUSIONS: By means of telepathology histopathological diagnoses can be supplied in a short period of time. Difficulties occurred mainly due to the unstable staff situation on site and because the quality of sampled biopsy material was not always sufficient for further investigations. Furthermore, it became clear in the course of this aid project that a predominance of standard diagnostic findings routinely seen in the pathology of tumors and infections can be anticipated rather than exotic diseases.

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Resumo Objetivo Identificar os sinais e sintomas apresentados por pacientes com Linfoma de Hodgkin submetidos ao protocolo quimioterápico composto por Doxorrubicina, Bleomicina, Vimblastina e Dacarbazina (ABVD) por meio de aconselhamento telefônico e comparar os escores de gradação dos sinais e sintomas apresentados nos ciclos do protocolo. Métodos Descritivo, prospectivo, quantitativo. Sete pacientes receberam aconselhamento telefônico, em 24 tempos de chamadas programadas e não programadas, correspondentes a 6 ciclos de quimioterapia com protocolo ABVD. Utilizou-se o Inventário de Sintomas do M.D Anderson e o Critério Comum de Terminologia para Eventos Adversos, para a gradação dos sintomas e um protocolo de condutas. Realizou-se análise descritiva e analítica. Resultados Duzentas e oitenta e seis chamadas telefônicas geraram1.870 queixas sintomáticas. Nas chamadas programadas, as queixas com maior prevalência foram fadiga, preocupações, falta de apetite, vômitos e náuseas. Quanto a interferência nas atividades de vida diária, os itens relacionados a atividades em geral, no trabalho e dificuldade para caminhar, além de alterações no humor foram relatados em maior frequência. Nas chamadas não programadas, a falta de apetite e desregulação menstrual foram as queixas mais recorrentes. Na análise da progressão dos sintomas, observou-se aumento de náuseas e vômitos (p=0,02), diminuição da fadiga e falta de ar (p≤0,03), melhora do sono (p=0,02) e diminuição do estresse (p=0,02). Conclusão A fadiga, náusea, vômito e alteração nas atividades de trabalho foram relatados frequentemente. Houve progressão de náuseas e vômitos, mas regressão da fadiga e do estresse. O aconselhamento telefônico permitiu a comunicação e o manejo rápido de um número expressivo de sintomas.

Resumen Objetivo Identificar los signos y síntomas presentados por pacientes con linfoma de Hodgkin sometidos al protocolo quimioterápico compuesto por doxorrubicina, bleomicina, vinblastina y dacarbazina (ABVD) mediante consulta telefónica, y comparar los puntajes de graduación de los signos y síntomas presentados en los ciclos del protocolo. Métodos Descriptivo, prospectivo, cuantitativo. Siete pacientes recibieron asesoramiento telefónico en 24 momentos de llamadas programadas y no programadas, correspondientes a 6 ciclos de quimioterapia con protocolo ABVD. Se utilizó el Inventario de Síntomas de M. D. Anderson y el Criterio de Terminología Común para Efectos Adversos, para la puntuación de lis síntomas, y un protocolo de conductas. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y analítico. Resultados Doscientas ochenta y seis llamadas telefónicas determinaron 1.870 quejas sintomáticas. En las llamadas programadas, las quejas más prevalentes fueron: fatiga, preocupaciones, falta de apetito, vómitos y náuseas. Respecto a interferencia en actividades cotidianas, los ítems relacionados con actividad en general, laboral y dificultad para caminar, además de cambios del humor, fueron informados con mayor frecuencia. En llamadas no programadas, la falta de apetito y la irregularidad menstrual resultaron las quejas más habituales. En el análisis de progresión de los síntomas se observó aumento de náuseas y vómitos (p=0,02), disminución de fatiga y falta de aire (p≤0,03), mejora del sueño (p=0,02) y disminución del estrés (p=0,02). Conclusión Hubo informe frecuente de fatiga, náuseas, vómitos y cambios en actividades laborales. Existió progresión de náuseas y vómitos, y regresión de fatiga y estrés. La consulta telefónica permitió comunicación y rápido manejo de una expresiva cantidad de síntomas.

Abstract Objective To identify through telephone counselling the signs and symptoms presented by patients with Hodgkin's Lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with the protocol composed by doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine and to compare severity scores of the signs and symptoms presented in the cycles of the protocol. Methods Descriptive, prospective, quantitative study. Seven patients received telephone counselling in 24 scheduled and unscheduled calls, corresponding to 6 ABVD chemotherapy cycle. The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were used for scoring the symptoms, along with a conduct protocol. A descriptive and analytical analysis was conducted. Results Two hundred and eighty-six telephone calls generated 1,870 symptomatic complaints. In scheduled calls, the most prevalent complaints were fatigue, distress, lack of appetite, vomiting and nausea. As for the interference in daily life activities, the items related to general activities, work, difficulty walking, and mood changes were reported more frequently. In unscheduled calls, lack of appetite and irregular menstruation were the most recurring complaints. The analysis of the progression of symptoms showed an increase in nausea and vomiting (p=0.02), decrease in fatigue and shortness of breath (p≤0.03), improvement in sleep (p=0.02) and decrease of stress (p=0.02). Conclusion Fatigue, nausea, vomiting and alterations in work activities were frequently reported. There was progression of nausea and vomiting but regression of fatigue and stress. Telephone consultation allowed a rapid communication and management of an expressive number of symptoms.

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BACKGROUND: It is estimated that postpartum depression (PPD) occurs in 10-15% of women in the year after childbirth. The highest number of women with PPD has limited access to psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. Long-distance counseling via mobile phone might be useful for the treatment of women with PPD, specifically in regions with low socioeconomical status and rural areas. OBJECTIVE: Due to the high prevalence of PPD and its effects on health status of mothers and babies, we aimed to determine whether long-distance counseling via mobile phone text messaging is efficacious for the treatment of mothers at PPD risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This pre-test and post-test clinical study was conducted in 2014 on 54 women referred to hospital affiliated to Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in the south of Iran. Data were collected twice (baseline and follow-up) through telephone interviews for assessing PPD risk of participants via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The participants were recontacted by phone within 14 days after their childbirth. Women at PPD risk (EPDS ≥12) were included in the study to receive daily text messages and others were excluded. Each mother received two daily text messages via mobile phones for 35 days. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 27.27 (range 17-35). Findings revealed that sending text messages to women with PPD would decline PPD. At pre-test, the average score for PPD was 14.44 (SD = 2.66) and it was declined to 11.94 (SD = 2.49) at the post-test phase. There was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test evaluations (P-value < 001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-distance counseling through sending text messages to patients with PPD can be an effective treatment along with other current treatments. This can improve mothers' health literacy about maternal postpartum psychological disorders.

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La Tele-Enfermería es el cuidado de Enfermería a la distancia, que se realiza mediante el uso de herramientas tecnológicas. Los profesionales que la utilizan planifican, intervienen y evalúan los resultados de la atención utilizando las tecnologías de la información y comunicación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el conocimiento, práctica y percepción de enfermeras que laboran en un hospital público clase A de Costa Rica, respecto a la Tele-Enfermería como estrategia de continuidad del cuidado. Se optó por una investigación cuantitativa exploratoria transversal, se implementó un cuestionario tipo entrevista previamente validado con una consistencia interna de 0.96, conformado por 38 preguntas abiertas y cerradas. La población fue de 251 profesionales de enfermería que laboran dentro de dicha institución de salud y la muestra seleccionada fue de 104. Los datos obtenidos fueron tabulados, procesados y analizados mediante el uso del paquete estadístico SPSS versión 22 y la Escala Aditiva. Se identificó que la mayor parte de las participantes tenían entre 26 y 45 años y habitaban dentro del Gran área Metropolitana. Una minoría conocía el término Tele-Enfermería previo al cuestionario, la mayoría sí había implementado prácticas relacionadas con tecnología por lo que la mayor parte de las personas entrevistadas tuvieron una perspectiva muy favorable respecto a la temática. Este artículo es el primero de su índole a nivel costarricense; intenta abordar un tema con muchos vacíos pero con múltiples beneficios para la salud nacional y global. A la vez, busca generar diálogo con la comunidad internacional sobre nuevas formas de llevar cuidados aprovechando los avances de la globalización y demostrando que la enfermería es una profesión capaz de modernizarse y romper barreras geográficas y temporales

Tele-Nursing is nursing care at a distance, which is done using technological tools. The professionals who use Tele-Nursing plan, intervene and evaluate the results of nursing care using information and communication technologies. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, practice and perception of nurses working in a Class A public hospital in Costa Rica, regarding Tele-Nursing as a strategy of continuity of care. A cross-sectional exploratory quantitative research was carried out using a pre-validated interview questionnaire with an internal consistency of 0.96, consisting of 38 open and closed questions. The population was 251 nursing professionals working within this health institution and the selected sample was 104. The data obtained was processed and analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 22 and the Additive Scale. The majority of the participants were between 26 and 45 years old and lived within the Greater Metropolitan Area. A minority knew the term Tele-Nursing prior to the questionnaire and most had implemented technology-related practices; therefore most of the people interviewed had a very favorable perspective on the subject. This article is the first of its kind at the Costa Rican level; it attempts to address a topic with many unknowns but with multiple benefits for national and global health. At the same time, it seeks to generate a dialogue with the international community on new ways of nursing care by taking advantage of the advances of globalization and demonstrating that nursing is a profession capable of modernizing and breaking geographical and temporal barriers.

A tele-enfermagem é o cuidado de Enfermagem à distância, realizado mediante o uso de ferramentas tecnológicas. Os profissionais que utilizam esta ferramenta planejam, intervém e avaliam os resultados da atenção utilizando as tecnologias da informação e comunicação. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o conhecimento, prática e percepção das enfermeiras que trabalham em um hospital público classe A de Costa Rica, com relação à tele-enfermagem como estratégia de continuidade do cuidado. Optou-se pela pesquisa quantitativa exploratória transversal, aplicando um questionário do tipo entrevista, previamente validado, com uma consistência interna de 0,96, conformado por 38 perguntas abertas e fechadas. A população foi de 251 profissionais da enfermagem que trabalham dentro dessa instituição de saúde, e a amostra selecionada foi de 104. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados, processados e analisados mediante o uso do pacote estatístico SPSS e a Escala Aditiva. Identificou-se que a maior parte das participantes tinha entre 26-45 anos, e morava dentro da Grande Área Metropolitana. A minoria conhecia o termo tele-enfermagem antes do questionário; a maioria já havia implementado práticas relacionadas com a tecnologia, e a maior parte das pessoas entrevistadas teve uma perspectiva muito favorável com relação à temática. Este artigo é o primeiro do seu tipo a nível costarriquenho e tenta abordar um tema com muitos vazios, mas com múltiplos benefícios para a saúde nacional e global. Ao mesmo tempo, procura gerar diálogo com a comunidade internacional sobre novas formas de prestar cuidados aproveitando os avanços da globalização, demonstrando que a enfermagem é uma profissão capaz de se modernizar e vencer barreiras geográficas e temporais

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Nearly everyone in society uses the Internet in one form or another. The Internet is heralded as an efficient way of providing mental health treatments and services. However, some people are still excluded from using Internet-enabled technology through lack of resources, skills, and confidence. OBJECTIVE: Five years ago, we showed that people with severe mental illness were at risk of digital exclusion, especially middle-aged patients with psychosis and/or people from black or minority ethnic groups with psychosis. An understanding of the breadth of potential digital exclusion is vital for the implementation of digital health services. The aim of this study is to understand the context of digital exclusion for people who experience mental illness. METHODS: We conducted a survey involving people with a primary diagnosis of psychosis or depression in London, United Kingdom. A total of 241 participants were recruited: 121 with psychosis and 120 with depression. The majority of surveys were collected face-to-face (psychosis: n=109; depression: n=71). Participants answered questions regarding familiarity, access, use, motivation, and confidence with Internet-enabled technologies (ie, computers and mobile phones). Variables predicting digital exclusion were identified in regression analyses. The results were compared with the survey conducted in 2011. RESULTS: Digital exclusion has declined since 2011. Online survey collection introduced biases into the sample, masking those who were likely to be excluded. Only 18.3% (20/109) of people with psychosis in our sample were digitally excluded, compared with 30% (28/93) in 2011 (χ21=3.8, P=.04). People with psychosis had less confidence in using the Internet than people with depression (χ21=7.4, P=.004). Only 9.9% (24/241) of participants in the total sample were digitally excluded, but the majority of these people had psychosis (n=20). Those with psychosis who were digitally excluded were significantly older than their included peers (t30=3.3, P=.002) and had used services for longer (t97=2.5, P=.02). Younger people were more likely to use mobile phones. Digitally excluded participants cited a lack of knowledge as a barrier to digital inclusion, and most wanted to use the Internet via computers (rather than mobile phones). CONCLUSIONS: Digital exclusion is lower, but some remain excluded. Facilitating inclusion among this population means helping them develop skills and confidence in using technology, and providing them with access. Providing mobile phones without basic information technology training may be counterproductive because excluded people may be excluded from mobile technology too. An evidence-based digital inclusion strategy is needed within the National Health Service to help digitally excluded populations access Internet-enabled services.

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