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The promise of remote patient monitoring (RPM) lies in its ability to revolutionize health care delivery by enabling continuous, real-time tracking of patient health outside traditional clinical settings. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of RPM, particularly in underserved and rural populations, highlighting both its potential and the persistent barriers that limit its widespread use. This paper explores the critical role of technological advancements-such as wearables, artificial intelligence (AI), and broadband expansion-in sustaining and optimizing RPM in the postpandemic era. We examine Michigan as a microcosm of national health care challenges, focusing on its diverse population and geographic barriers, and propose condition-specific RPM protocols to address these inequities. Key facilitators and barriers to RPM implementation are discussed, with a focus on AI integration, community engagement, and digital infrastructure. We also explore the role of policy reform and public-private partnerships in supporting RPM's scalability and long-term sustainability. Our findings suggest that while RPM offers a powerful tool for improving health care access and outcomes, especially for chronic conditions and rural maternal health, sustained investment in technology and infrastructure is critical. By addressing these challenges, RPM can become a cornerstone of modern health care, reducing disparities and improving care delivery for underserved populations.

Background: Limited knowledge exists about the drivers of telehealth use among obstetricians during COVID-19 in the United States. We investigated the use of live video visits by Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinicians, the factors associated with use and interest in future use. Methods: We drew survey data from 373 clinicians on two outcomes: (1) use of any (vs. no) live video visits during COVID-19 and (2) among users, the extent of live video use. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions quantified the association between predisposing (demographic and practice setting characteristics) and enabling factors (prepandemic telehealth use, structural and perceived patient barriers) and each outcome. Results: During the pandemic, 88% reported any use, a jump from 29% prepandemic utilization. Users (vs. nonusers) were younger ( p  = 0.02); tended to provide comprehensive prenatal care ( p  = 0.01) and/or inpatient care ( p  = 0.02), practice in university settings ( p  = 0.01), engage in various telehealth modalities prepandemic ( p ≤ 0.01), and to perceive challenges with technical ( p < 0.01), reimbursement ( p  = 0.05), and patient barriers to internet or data plan access ( p ≤ 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, only prepandemic communication through patient portal (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-11.12), perceived patient access barriers (aOR = 5.27; 95% CI = 1.95-14.23), and practice in multiple versus university settings (aOR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.06-0.56) remained significantly associated with use. Approximately 44% were high users. Prepandemic ultrasound use (aOR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.17-3.16), perceived patient access barriers (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.12-3.06) and Midwest versus North practice location (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.21-0.98) predicted high use. Among high users, 99% wanted to continue offering video visits. Conclusions: We found widespread use of live video obstetric care by MFM clinicians and continued interest in use postpandemic.

Abstract Adherence to the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) put in place to mitigate the spreading of infectious diseases is a multifaceted problem. Several factors, including socio-demographic and socio-economic attributes, can influence the perceived susceptibility and risk which are known to affect behavior. Furthermore, the adoption of NPIs is dependent upon the barriers, real or perceived, associated with their implementation. Here, we study the determinants of NPIs adherence during the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Analyses are performed at the level of municipalities and include socio-economic, socio-demographic, and epidemiological indicators. Furthermore, by leveraging a unique dataset comprising tens of millions of internet Speedtest® measurements from Ookla®, we investigate the quality of the digital infrastructure as a possible barrier to adoption. We use mobility changes provided by Meta as a proxy of adherence to NPIs and find a significant correlation between mobility drops and digital infrastructure quality. The relationship remains significant after controlling for several factors. This finding suggests that municipalities with better internet connectivity were able to afford higher mobility reductions. We also find that mobility reductions were more pronounced in larger, denser, and wealthier municipalities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes in the telecommunications and information and communication technologies market. The telecommunications sector is becoming one of the key ones in combating the consequences caused by the pandemic. It appears that digitalization, right behind health care, is crucial for successfully overcoming the new situations and that its role will be even more dominant in the future. Access to the Internet has provided an opportunity for everyday life to unfold. However, due to the growing need for network access, congestion occurs and the availability of consumable resources is reduced. It was necessary to efficiently solve the new problems on the network and overcome all the challenges to make the digital infrastructure more ready and reliable for future emergencies. In this paper, the importance of the digital infrastructure and the availability of telecommunication services during the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed. The effects of the growing Internet traffic volume on the availability and network performances are presented. Potential critical segments and limitations of the existing digital infrastructure, as well as the future development goals for telecommunication networks, are identified. In addition, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital divide and digital economies are observed.

Adherence to the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) put in place to mitigate the spreading of infectious diseases is a multifaceted problem. Several factors, including socio-demographic and socio-economic attributes, can influence the perceived susceptibility and risk which are known to affect behavior. Furthermore, the adoption of NPIs is dependent upon the barriers, real or perceived, associated with their implementation. Here, we study the determinants of NPIs adherence during the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Analyses are performed at the level of municipalities and include socio-economic, socio-demographic, and epidemiological indicators. Furthermore, by leveraging a unique dataset comprising tens of millions of internet Speedtest® measurements from Ookla®, we investigate the quality of the digital infrastructure as a possible barrier to adoption. We use mobility changes provided by Meta as a proxy of adherence to NPIs and find a significant correlation between mobility drops and digital infrastructure quality. The relationship remains significant after controlling for several factors. This finding suggests that municipalities with better internet connectivity were able to afford higher mobility reductions. We also find that mobility reductions were more pronounced in larger, denser, and wealthier municipalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited knowledge exists about the drivers of telehealth use among obstetricians during COVID-19 in the United States. We investigated the use of live video visits by Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinicians, the factors associated with use and interest in future use. Methods: We drew survey data from 373 clinicians on two outcomes: (1) use of any (vs. no) live video visits during COVID-19 and (2) among users, the extent of live video use. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions quantified the association between predisposing (demographic and practice setting characteristics) and enabling factors (prepandemic telehealth use, structural and perceived patient barriers) and each outcome. Results: During the pandemic, 88% reported any use, a jump from 29% prepandemic utilization. Users (vs. nonusers) were younger (p = 0.02); tended to provide comprehensive prenatal care (p = 0.01) and/or inpatient care (p = 0.02), practice in university settings (p = 0.01), engage in various telehealth modalities prepandemic (p ≤ 0.01), and to perceive challenges with technical (p < 0.01), reimbursement (p = 0.05), and patient barriers to internet or data plan access (p ≤ 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, only prepandemic communication through patient portal (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33–11.12), perceived patient access barriers (aOR = 5.27; 95% CI = 1.95–14.23), and practice in multiple versus university settings (aOR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.06–0.56) remained significantly associated with use. Approximately 44% were high users. Prepandemic ultrasound use (aOR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.17–3.16), perceived patient access barriers (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.12–3.06) and Midwest versus North practice location (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.21–0.98) predicted high use. Among high users, 99% wanted to continue offering video visits. Conclusions: We found widespread use of live video obstetric care by MFM clinicians and continued interest in use postpandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many cities around the world have adopted digital technologies to combat COVID-19, but they have experienced varying degrees of success. This research developed an analytical framework involving the components of "preparation", "praxis", and "paradox" regarding a city's leveraging of digital infrastructure for pandemic governance. Then, the case of Hangzhou is employed to illustrate this framework. This research finds that (1) the application of digital technologies should be a systematic arrangement based on institutional and technological preparations, (2) innovative governance instruments supported by digital infrastructure can be developed to respond to a variety of practical scenarios, and (3) adopting a paradox lens aids in mitigating potential negative socio-economic consequences. This research suggests that leveraging digital infrastructure for pandemic governance requires a coherent system that has the potential to aid cities around the world in better managing public health crises going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Introduction The first wave of COVID-19 pandemic period has drastically changed people’s lives all over the world. To cope with the disruption, digital solutions have become more popular. However, the ability to adopt digitalised alternatives is different across socio-economic and socio-demographic groups. Objective This study investigates how individuals have changed their activity-travel patterns and internet usage during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemicperiod, and which of these changes may be kept. Methods An empirical data collection was deployed through online forms. 781 responses from different countries (Italy, Sweden, India and others) have beencollected, and a series of multivariate analyses was carried out. Two linear regression models are presented, related to the change of travel activities andinternet usage, before and during the pandemic period. Furthermore, a binary regression model is used to examine the likelihood of the respondents to adoptand keep their behaviours beyond the pandemic period. Results The results show that the possibility to change the behaviour matter. External restrictions and personal characteristics are the driving factors of the reductionin ones' daily trips. However, the estimation results do not show a strong correlation between the countries' restriction policy and the respondents' likelihoodto adopt the new and online-based behaviours for any of the activities after the restriction period. Conclusion The acceptance and long-term adoption of the online alternatives for activities are correlated with the respondents' personality and socio-demographicgroup, highlighting the importance of promoting alternatives as a part of longer-term behavioural and lifestyle changes.

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 caused new challenges in education at a general level. In particular, it also forced us to rethink the type of training given in rural areas, which, in the case of Colombia, has historically lagged behind. In this sense, this research aims to show, in a documented way, the pre-pandemic conditions of educational institutions in the Colombian countryside and of some fundamental components for the teaching-learning processes. The methodology used in this study was documented research. For this, four analysis variables were created from which the information collected was searched, organized and systematized. These variables were: digital infrastructure, teacher training, technological skills of the students and skills of the guardians. The main result of the investigation was the poor preparation in which rural education in the country was to face the model of home education decreed by the national government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to report and analyze the lessons learnt from a case study of the implementation of the move from onsite to online learning at a Sino-Foreign higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reports a case study based on an analysis of three elements of the move to digital education during the COVID-19 pandemic. In suggesting three elements, it argues that the first and most immediate move away from onsite teaching should be thought of as emergency response teaching, and it is the lessons learnt from this vital and necessary stage that have informed the subsequent implementation of a more digitalization process. Findings: The case study identifies the journey that the university is going through to deliver digitalized education, and how the pandemic hastened what had already been started. It illustrates how the pandemic has been useful in highlighting where we are, what decisions have been made and what still needs to be done with regard to readiness for the disruption likely by Industry 4.0. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted at one institution, which along with eight other similar institutions is unique within China. Findings, especially the processes of making decisions, while relevant to the wider discussion on digitalization and Industry 4.0, should also be considered in this light. Practical implications: While the focus of the paper is on COVID-19 and Rapid Digitalization of Learning and Teaching, the main implication is that universities need to better prepare their teaching staff for digitalized education, especially if they are wanting to engage with disruption brought about by Industry 4.0. Originality/value: The paper is based on a single university case study of a rather unique university within China. The discussion illustrates the need for flexibility and decisiveness in making key decisions on managing disruption, but with strategic direction in mind, illustrated in the study by COVID-19, but with future digitalization initiatives also to the fore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has caused disruption all over the world including in the US. It seems that this pandemic is going to stay for a while. Under current circumstances, what matters most is to mitigate its impact to get back to the daily routine as fast as possible. One answer to this challenge is to turn to technology, especially ICT (information and communication technology). Relying on ICT requires a dependable ICT infrastructure that can handle the fast-growing number of users transitioning to online mode. NRI (Network Readiness Index) is a composite index to measure the multi-faceted impact of ICT on society and development. It is a holistic framework measuring the impact of ICT on four fundamental dimensions of society: technology, people, governance, and impact. In this article, a thorough study of the NRI pillars in 2019 is conducted to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of network readiness in the US. The results of the analysis will provide insight into the trend of digital transformation in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries suspended physical learning due to COVID-19 and switched to virtual learning to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Grounded on social learning theory, this quantitative study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of students with special needs in Kenya. Statistical analysis revealed negative consequences of school closure on the academic performance and the level of inclusion of remote learning of students with special needs. COVID-19 affected academic performance of participants distinctly 90% (n = 27), greatly 36.7% (n = 11), considerably 16.7% (n = 5), moderately 26.7% (n = 8), slightly 10% (n = 3), and not at all 10% (n = 3). Besides, school dropout after lockdown showed that COVID-19 significantly affected the education of students with special needs, 60% (n = 6). Additionally, COVID-19-induced remote learning hurt the education of students with special needs--P-value = 0.00403<0.05. Education is a significant component in poverty eradication. However, the sudden change to virtual learning created accessibility difficulties that compounded the historical deficit culture-induced schooling problems students with special needs faced. Then, the Kenyan government should include children and youth with special needs and their families in all the community disaster management and recovery programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases nears 27 million, there is a rush to answer (what next) and a rush to act (to solve the immediate problems of COVID-19). This paper discusses, with a specific focus on urban areas in the global South, what is missing to date from this response. That includes an identification of things that there are too much of, things that are not being done at all, and things that are unbalanced. There has been an enormous upsurge of academic research papers and opinions on COVID-19. "Technological" and "scientific" solutions tend to overshadow other approaches, even if people know that "social is important". Based on our analysis to date, our primary concern is that there is too little understanding about the importance of building dialogue, exploring collaboration and co-producing solutions. There is too little understanding as to why social and cultural responses are important, and how the recognition that they are important can be actioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has led the world toward severe socioeconomic crisis and psychological distress. It has severely hit the economy; but the service sector, particularly the hospitality industry, is hard hit by it. It increases the sense of insecurity among the employees and their perception of being unemployed, adversely affecting their mental health. This research aims to contribute to the emerging debate by investigating the effect of economic crisis and non-employability on employees' mental health through perceived job insecurity under the pandemic situation. It empirically examines the underlying framework by surveying 372 employees of the hospitality industry during COVID-19. Results indicate that perceived job insecurity mediates the relationship of fear of economic crisis, non-employability, and mental health. Furthermore, the contingency of fear of COVID-19 strengthens the indirect relationship of fear of economic crisis on mental health through perceived job insecurity. The findings will provide a new dimension to the managers to deal with the psychological factors associated with the employees' mental health and add to the emerging literature of behavioral sciences. The study also highlights the increasing need for investment in the digital infrastructure and smart technologies for the hospitality industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands upon digital infrastructure as large portions of the population work, socialize and attend school online. National regulators worldwide have been struggling to maintain service for all citizens as the essential place of internet access in contemporary life becomes paramount. This article narrows the policy focus from the national to the municipal level. Using the case study of Calgary, Canada, the authors outline a unique and successful private–public partnership where local internet service providers have been able to adapt to the changing demands of the COVID era, supported by forward-thinking municipal policy. The authors draw upon local data sources, municipal reports and interviews with key public and private sector officials to explore how municipalities can best position themselves to provide resilient and sustainable digital service in the face of this global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The first wave of COVID-19 pandemic period has drastically changed people’s lives all over the world. To cope with the disruption, digital solutions have become more popular. However, the ability to adopt digitalised alternatives is different across socio-economic and socio-demographic groups. Objective: This study investigates how individuals have changed their activity-travel patterns and internet usage during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic period, and which of these changes may be kept. Methods: An empirical data collection was deployed through online forms. 781 responses from different countries (Italy, Sweden, India and others) have been collected, and a series of multivariate analyses was carried out. Two linear regression models are presented, related to the change of travel activities and internet usage, before and during the pandemic period. Furthermore, a binary regression model is used to examine the likelihood of the respondents to adopt and keep their behaviours beyond the pandemic period. Results: The results show that the possibility to change the behaviour matter. External restrictions and personal characteristics are the driving factors of the reduction in ones' daily trips. However, the estimation results do not show a strong correlation between the countries' restriction policy and the respondents' likelihood to adopt the new and online-based behaviours for any of the activities after the restriction period. Conclusion: The acceptance and long-term adoption of the online alternatives for activities are correlated with the respondents' personality and socio-demographic group, highlighting the importance of promoting alternatives as a part of longer-term behavioural and lifestyle changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]