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Review
. 2020 Nov 11:44:e123.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2020.123. eCollection 2020.

Information and communication technologies in neonatal health

Pablo Duran  1 , Janine A Sommer  2 , Paula Otero  2 , Mariana Daus  2 , Sonia Benitez  2 , Suzanne Serruya  1 , Luis Andres De Francisco  3
Affiliations
Review

Information and communication technologies in neonatal health

Pablo Duran et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objectives: To identify scientific evidence on the use and results of information and communication technologies for the improvement of neonatal health in general or specific health problems or interventions, and to describe the type of intervention and its results.

Methods: A systematic review of the available evidence was performed. The search was carried out in peer-reviewed journals between January 1, 2008 and April 30, 2018, in English and Spanish. The searched key terms were (health informatics OR telemedicine OR mHealth) AND (newborn OR newborn care OR neonatal care).

Results: From a total of 305 articles initially identified, 10 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The main domains of eHealth identified as applied to neonatal health were telemedicine (3 studies), eLearning (1 study) and mHealth (7 studies). Target population were health care providers or parents. The studies aimed at diagnosis, provision of health care and training, promoting adherence to interventions in parents or improving quality of care.

Conclusions: The use of eHealth in general and specifically focused on neonatal health shows important possibilities for development and expansion, given the advances and present needs, and should be considered a key tool for the reduction of inequalities.

Objetivos: Identificar la evidencia científica sobre el uso y los resultados de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación para mejorar la salud neonatal en general o problemas de salud o intervenciones específicos, y describir el tipo de intervención y sus resultados.

Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la evidencia disponible. La búsqueda se llevó a cabo en revistas revisadas por pares entre el 1 de enero de 2008 y el 30 de abril de 2018, en español e inglés. Los términos clave de la búsqueda fueron (health informatics OR telemedicine OR mHealth) AND (newborn OR newborn care OR neonatal care).

Resultados: De un total de 305 artículos identificados inicialmente, 10 artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Los principales dominios de la eSalud aplicados a la salud neonatal fueron la telemedicina (3 estudios), el aprendizaje electrónico (1 estudio) y la salud móvil (7 estudios). La población destinataria consistió en los proveedores de atención de la salud o los padres. Los estudios tenían por objeto el diagnóstico, la prestación de atención sanitaria y la capacitación, la promoción del cumplimiento de las intervenciones en los padres o la mejora de la calidad de la atención.

Conclusiones: El uso de la eSalud en general, y específicamente en la salud neonatal, muestra importantes posibilidades de desarrollo y expansión, dados los avances y las necesidades actuales, y debería considerarse un instrumento clave para la reducción de las desigualdades.

Keywords: Information technology; eHealth strategies; evidence-based medicine; infant health; perinatal care; telemedicine.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.. Article search and selection process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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