4 August 2023
Revolutionizing Occupational Health Care: Telehealth and AI Join Forces for Musculoskeletal Disorders
By Gholamreza Hassanzadeh [1,2,3], Ardalan Shariat [1*], Mahsa Farghadan [4], Albert T. Anastasio [5], and Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin [6]
[1] Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
[2] Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
[3] Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
[4] Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Engineering, Islamic Azad University of South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
[5] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
[6] Department of Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
Call for Papers for Special Issue: Advancements in Telehealth for the Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders
We invite experts in the fields of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital health to submit their valuable papers for a special issue entitled: "Advancements in Telehealth: Empowering Occupational Health through Teleconsultation, Telerehabilitation, and Teleexercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders across Occupations."
Submission Instructions: Manuscripts should be submitted to the journal's online submission system: work.editorialmanager.com - under Section: Advancements in Telehealth.
Corresponding Author: Ardalan Shariat, PhD Associate Professor in Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Email: a-Shariat@sina.tums.ac.ir
Introduction
Telehealth, which involves providing healthcare services remotely through online platforms, has gained widespread acceptance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and constraints in time and resources [1,2]. However, there are still gaps in telehealth services for different occupational groups, and most applications have focused on patients with existing pathologies rather than healthy individuals [3,4].
Musculoskeletal disorders are common work-related complaints, and many individuals seek care from physiotherapists or occupational therapists without considering virtual care options [3,4]. With fixed salaries, family obligations, and financial constraints, some patients may find it challenging to attend regular in-person therapy sessions [5–7]. Therefore, there is a need to explore telehealth services and their potential benefits across various occupations.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Telehealth
One of the most promising applications of telehealth is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance treatment effectiveness and quality [8,9]. AI algorithms can analyze data from telehealth platforms, such as movement patterns and vital signs, to develop personalized and data-driven treatment plans in real-time [8,9]. This can revolutionize occupational and physical therapy care provision, providing access to care regardless of location, mobility, or financial capability [8,9].
Additionally, AI can facilitate better communication between patients and providers using chatbots or virtual assistants [10–12]. Patients can receive timely feedback, ask questions, and receive guidance on exercises, improving patient engagement and treatment adherence.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite the advantages, using AI in telehealth presents challenges, such as data privacy concerns and potential biases in healthcare [13–15]. Providers must implement robust data security measures and ensure transparency in data usage. Bias in AI algorithms can be addressed by training them on diverse populations and regularly updating them to reflect changes in demographics and risk factors.
Topics for Submission
We invite experts to submit papers on topics related to telehealth and AI, including but not limited to:
- Present and future use of telehealth and AI in occupational therapy.
- Ethical considerations in using AI for telehealth.
- Efficacy and effectiveness studies of telehealth and AI.
- Outcome studies for specific musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses.
- Practical models and suggestions to enhance telehealth outcomes and adoption.
- Telerehabilitation, teleconsultation, and teleexercise in various occupations.
- Validity and reliability of digital platforms for telehealth provision.
- Theories and frameworks supporting telehealth implementation in different occupations.
- Identifying specific needs for telehealth services within various occupations.
References
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[2] De Simone S, Franco M, Servillo G, Vargas M. Implementations and strategies of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1):833.
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[5] Alizadeh R, Anastasio AT, Shariat A, Bethell M, Hassanzadeh G. Teleexercise for geriatric patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1140506.
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[11] Amjad A, Kordel P, Fernandes G. A Review on Innovation in Healthcare Sector (Telehealth) through Artificial Intelligence. Sustainability 2023;15:6655.
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[13] Saaei F, Klappa SG. Rethinking telerehabilitation: attitudes of physical therapists and patients. J Patient Exp. 2021;8:23743735211034335.
[14] Agarwal R, Bjarnadottir M, Rhue L, Dugas M, Crowley K, Clark J, Gao G. Addressing algorithmic bias and the perpetuation of health inequities: An AI bias aware framework. Health Policy and Technology. 2023;12:100702.
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