Publications
133 results found
Meinert E, Alturkistani A, Brindley D, et al., 2018, Protocol for a mixed-methods evaluation of a massive open online course on real world evidence, BMJ Open, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2044-6055
Introduction: Increasing number of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are being used to train learners at scale in various healthcare-related skills. However, many challenges in course delivery require further understanding, for example, factors exploring the reasons for high MOOC dropout rates, recorded low social interaction between learners and the lack of understanding of the impact of a course facilitators’ presence in course engagement. There is a need to generate further evidence to explore these detriments to MOOC course delivery to enable enhanced course learning design. The proposed mixed-methods evaluation of the MOOC was determined based on the MOOC’s aims and objectives and the methodological approaches used to evaluate this type of a course. The MOOC evaluation will help appraise the effectiveness of the MOOC in delivering its intended objectives. This protocol aims to describe the design of a study evaluating learners knowledge, skills and attitudes in a MOOCs about data science for healthcare.Methods and analysis: Study participants will be recruited from learners who have registered for the MOOC. On registration, learners will be given an opportunity to opt into the study and complete informed consent. Following completion of the course, study participants will be contacted to complete semistructured interviews. Interviews will be transcribed and coded using thematic analysis, with data analysed using two evaluation models: (1) the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance framework and the (2) Kirkpatrick model drawing data from pre and post-course surveys and post-MOOC semi-structured interviews. The primary goal of the evaluation is to appraise participants' knowledge, skills and attitude after taking the MOOC.Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval for this study was obtained from Imperial College London through the Education Ethics Review Process (EERP) (EERP1617-030). A summary of the research findings will be
Carter A, Meinert E, Brindley D, 2018, Data and corporate governance in pharma and digital health: a necessary regulatory convergence, Rejuvenation Research, Vol: 21, Pages: 291-293, ISSN: 1549-1684
Alturkistani A, Car J, Majeed A, et al., 2018, Determining the effectiveness of a massive open online course in data science for health, 12th International Conference on e-Learning 2018, Publisher: IADIS
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are widely used to deliver specialized education and training in different fields. Determining the effectiveness of these courses is an integral part of delivering comprehensive, high-quality learning. This study is an evaluation of a MOOC offered by Imperial College London in collaboration with Health iQ called, Data Science Essentials: Real World Evidence. The paper analyzes the reported learning outcomes, attitudes and behaviours of students after completing the MOOC. The study used mixed-methods, drawing from a Kirkpatrick evaluation-using data from semi-structured interviews transcribed and analyzed through Braun and Clark's method for thematic coding. 191 learners joined the MOOC. Two participants who completed at least 75% of the course were interviewed for the course evaluation. The findings of the analysis suggest that the course attracted target learners and learners found its application and engagement methods effective. Learners found the training provided by the MOOC to be helpful and with the potential to be applied in their work environment in the future and identified some work-related barriers that prevent knowledge application. Networking during and post-MOOC was identified as an area that needs improvement and development in the future. Findings derived from this evaluation support the fact that generally, MOOCs can improve learning and knowledge attainment in practical skills-based knowledge. One implication of this study is to inform factors that engage learners in the design and implementation of MOOC. The findings have shown that factors that affect the learners’ engagement are the availability of lecture videos, self-assessment tools and high networking and communication between learners. In terms of knowledge application, support and availability of the right resources are essential because learners are not able to apply learning in their workplace if the workplace lacked the right resources and sup
Lam C, Meinert E, Alturkistani A, et al., 2018, A Systematic Review of Decision-Support Tools for Regenerative Medicine
Meinert E, Alturkistani A, Brindley D, et al., 2018, Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Massive Open Online Course on Real World Evidence (Preprint)
<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p>Increasing number of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are being used to train learners at scale in various healthcare related skills. However, many challenges in course delivery require further understanding, for example, factors exploring the reasons for high MOOC dropout rates, recorded low social interaction between learners and the lack of understanding of the impact of a course facilitators’ presence in course engagement. There is a need to generate further evidence to explore these detriments to MOOC course delivery to enable enhanced course learning design.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> <p>This protocol aims to describe the design of a study evaluating learners knowledge, skills and attitudes in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) about data science for healthcare.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> <p>This study will use two evaluation models: 1) The RE-AIM framework and the 2) Kirkpatrick model drawing data from pre and post-course surveys and post-MOOC semi-structured interviews. The primary goal of the evaluation is to appraise participants' knowledge, skills, and attitude after taking the MOOC.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>A summary of the research findings will be reported through a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at an international conference.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>The proposed multi-method
Meinert E, Alturkistani A, Brindley D, et al., 2018, The technological imperative for value-based health care, British Journal of Hospital Medicine, Vol: 79, Pages: 328-332, ISSN: 0210-0258
The overarching principle of a value-based health-care strategy is to provide higher quality care at a lower cost. To achieve the goals of a value-based healthcare system is highly dependent on the availability and the effective use of technologies. This article explores the potential for the use of technology to enable value and the key design factors associated with their implementation in a value-based health-care system.
Osama T, Brindley D, Car J, et al., 2018, Teaching the relationship between health and climate change: a systematic scoping review protocol, BMJ Open, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2044-6055
Introduction The observed and projected impacts of climate change on human health are significant. While climate change has gathered global momentum and is taught frequently, the extent to which the relationships between climate change and health are taught remain uncertain. Education provides an opportunity to create public engagement on these issues, but the extent to which historical implementation of climate health education could be leveraged is not well understood. To address this gap, we propose to conduct a scoping review of all forms of teaching that have been used to illustrate the health effects of climate change between 2005-2017, coinciding with a turning point in the public health and climate change agendas following the 2005 Group of 7/8 (G7/8) Summit. Methods and analysis Using Arksey/O’Malley’s and Levac's methodological framework, MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Education Resource Information Centre (ERIC), Web of Science, Global Health, Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC), Georef, Ebsco and PROSPERO will be systematically searched. Predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria will be applied by two independent reviewers to determine study eligibility. Studies published in English and after 2005 only will be examined. Following selection of studies, data will be extracted and analysed. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is required as exclusively secondary data will be used.Our findings will be communicated to the European Institute of Innovation & Technology Health-Knowledge and Innovation Communities (EIT-KICs) to assist in the development of a FutureLearn Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the health effects of climate change.
Meinert E, Alturkistani A, Foley KA, et al., 2018, Blockchain implementation in health care: protocol for a systematic review (Preprint), Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Background:A blockchain is a digitized, decentralized, distributed public ledger that acts as a shared and synchronized database that records cryptocurrency transactions. Despite the shift toward digital platforms enabled by electronic medical records, demonstrating a will to reform the health care sector, health systems face issues including security, interoperability, data fragmentation, timely access to patient data, and silos. The application of health care blockchains could enable data interoperability, enhancement of precision medicine, and reduction in prescription frauds through implementing novel methods in access and patient consent.Objective:To summarize the evidence on the strategies and frameworks utilized to implement blockchains for patient data in health care to ensure privacy and improve interoperability and scalability. It is anticipated this review will assist in the development of recommendations that will assist key stakeholders in health care blockchain implementation, and we predict that the evidence generated will challenge the health care status quo, moving away from more traditional approaches and facilitating decision making of patients, health care providers, and researchers.Methods:A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest Technology Collection and Engineering Index will be conducted. Two experienced independent reviewers will conduct titles and abstract screening followed by full-text reading to determine study eligibility. Data will then be extracted onto data extraction forms before using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool to appraise the quality of included randomized studies and the Risk of Bias in nonrandomized studies of Interventions to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Data will then be analyzed and synthesized.Results:Database searches will be initiated in September 2018. We expect to complete the review in January 2019.Conclusions:This review will summarize the strategies and framewor
Alturkistani A, Majeed A, Car J, et al., 2018, Data collection approaches to enable evaluation of a massive open online course about data science for continuing education in health care: case study (Preprint), Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Background:This study presents learner perceptions of a pilot massive open online course (MOOC).Objective:The objective of this study was to explore data collection approaches to help inform future MOOC evaluations on the use of semistructured interviews and the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.Methods:A total of 191 learners joined 2 course runs of a limited trial of the MOOC. Moreover, 7 learners volunteered to be interviewed for the study. The study design drew on semistructured interviews of 2 learners transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clark’s method for thematic coding. This limited participant set was used to identify how the Kirkpatrick evaluation model could be used to evaluate further implementations of the course at scale.Results:The study identified several themes that could be used for further analysis. The themes and subthemes include learner background (educational, professional, and topic significance), MOOC learning (learning achievement and MOOC application), and MOOC features (MOOC positives, MOOC negatives, and networking). There were insufficient data points to perform a Kirkpatrick evaluation.Conclusions:Semistructured interviews for MOOC evaluation can provide a valuable in-depth analysis of learners’ experience of the course. However, there must be sufficient data sources to complete a Kirkpatrick evaluation to provide for data triangulation. For example, data from precourse and postcourse surveys, quizzes, and test results could be used to improve the evaluation methodology.
Meinert E, Alturkistani A, Osama T, et al., 2018, Digital Technology in Somatic and Gene Therapy Trials of Pediatric Patients With Ocular Diseases: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint), Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Background:Pharmacogenomics suggests that diseases with similar symptomatic presentations often have varying genetic causes, affecting an individual patient’s response to a specific therapeutic strategy. Gene therapies and somatic cell therapies offer unique therapeutic pathways for ocular diseases and often depend on increased understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship in disease presentation and progression. While demand for personalised medicine is increasing and the required molecular tools are available, its adoption within paediatric ophthalmology remains to be maximised in the post-genomic era. To address the individual hurdles encountered in the field of genomic-related clinical trials and facilitate the uptake of personalised medicine, we propose to conduct a review that will examine and identify the digital technologies used to facilitate data analysis in somatic and gene therapy trials in paediatric patients with ocular diseases.Objective:To present an outline of HIT/ICT resources used in somatic and gene therapy clinical trials in children with ocular diseases. This review will enable authors to identify challenges and provide recommendations facilitating the uptake of genetic and somatic therapies as therapeutic tools in paediatric ophthalmology. The review will also determine whether conducting a systematic review will be beneficial.Methods:The review will be guided by Arksey/O’Malley’s and Levac’s methodological frameworks. Following the development of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)/subject headings and keywords, a systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and Scopus will be conducted. Two suitably qualified independent reviewers will determine study eligibility. Following identification of studies, data will be extracted and analysed.Results:Database searches will be initiated in September 2018. We expect to complete the review in December 2018.Conclusions:Based
Banks C, Meinert E, 2016, The acceptability of MOOC certificates in the workplace, 10th International Conference on eLearning: Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are being undertaken by hundreds of thousands of participants globally. Reasons for taking these courses vary, such as improving employment prospects, especially in the technology sector, though the impact of these certificates has not been established. Factors identified as barriers to the acceptance of these certifications include user verification issues and a lack of familiarity of MOOC content. There are positive signs in employers recommending MOOCs for training purposes and a major MOOC platform collaborating with companies to provide a work placement scheme. The discussion regarding the value of traditional and online education also applies, as employers are seeking candidates who are technically skilled and ready for work, which is not guaranteed by a traditional degree certificate. This review provides a baseline collation of current opinion and research. Independent qualitative research and further literature review should be conducted to build an evidence base regarding the use of MOOCs and their certificates.
Maramba ID, Jones R, Austin D, et al., The Role of Health Kiosks: Scoping Review, Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Health kiosks are publicly accessible computing devices that provide access to services, including health information provision, clinical measurement collection, patient self–check-in, telemonitoring, and teleconsultation. Although the increase in internet access and ownership of smart personal devices could make kiosks redundant, recent reports have predicted that the market will continue to grow.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective</jats:title> <jats:p>We seek to clarify the current and future roles of health kiosks by investigating the settings, roles, and clinical domains in which kiosks are used; whether usability evaluations of health kiosks are being reported, and if so, what methods are being used; and what the barriers and facilitators are for the deployment of kiosks.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We conducted a scoping review using a bibliographic search of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for studies and other publications between January 2009 and June 2020. Eligible papers described the implementation as primary studies, systematic reviews, or news and feature articles. Additional reports were obtained by manual searching and querying the key informants. For each article, we abstracted settings, purposes, health domains, whether the kiosk was opportunistic or integrated with a clinical pathway, and whether the kiosk included usability testing. We then summarized the data in frequency tables.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>A total of 141 articles were included, of which 134 (95%) were primary studies, and
Lam C, Milne-Ives M, Van Velthoven MH, et al., Internet of Things–Enabled Technologies for Weight Management in Children and Adolescents: Protocol for a Systematic Review, Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Childhood obesity is a serious global issue, leading to increased medical spending on obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. There is a need for health care services that link health behavior to risk factors, such as diet and physical activity, and that provide better advice and feedback to users, which Internet of Things–enabled technologies could facilitate.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective</jats:title> <jats:p>The objective of the systematic review will be to identify available Internet of Things–enabled technologies for weight management of children and adolescents (users younger than 18 years). It will also aim to understand the use, effectiveness, and feasibility of these technologies.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We will search the Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Central, and IEEE Xplore Digital Library databases for studies published after 2010, using a combination of keywords and subject headings related to health activity tracking, youth, and Internet of Things. In addition, a Google search to identify grey literature will be conducted. Two authors will independently screen the titles and abstracts identified from the search and accept or reject the studies according to the study inclusion criteria. Any discrepancies will then be discussed and resolved. The quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Data from included studies will be extracted into a predesigned form to identify the types of devices or apps, Internet of Things applications, and health outcomes related to weight management.</jats:p>
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