Evaluating the Quality and Features of Visual Acuity Apps Using the Mobile App Rating Scale: Systematic Review
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025 Dec 12;13:e65997. doi: 10.2196/65997. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Mobile visual acuity (VA) apps have emerged as valuable tools in both clinical and home settings, particularly in the context of expanding teleophthalmology. Despite the growing number of apps available to measure visual acuity, studies evaluating their overall quality, functionality, and clinical relevance are limited. […]
Smartwatch-Derived Digital Phenotypes Relate to Psychopathology Dimensions in Patients With Psychotic Spectrum Disorders: Longitudinal Observational Study
JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Dec 12;12:e75774. doi: 10.2196/75774. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Digital phenotyping refers to the objective measurement of human behavior via devices such as smartphones or watches and constitutes a promising advancement in personalized medicine. Digital phenotypes derived from heart rate, mobility, or sleep schedule data have been used in psychiatry to either diagnose individuals […]
Assessment of behaviors related to smartphone use in the context of digital hygiene among medical students: A pilot study
Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):379-392. doi: 10.32394/pe/209454. Epub 2025 Sep 22. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Both in Poland and worldwide, an increase in the number of smartphone users has been observed. It is estimated that two-thirds of the global population uses them. Smartphones significantly enhance many aspects of daily life. However, it is important to be aware […]
How Far Is Too Far? The Ethics of Mini Brain Research
In just over a decade, organoid models, small, lab-grown cell clusters that mimic human organs, have revolutionized the study of human development, disease, and drug discovery. The one major benefit is that such models have helped reduce the need for animal testing. Brain organoids are one of them. Formed out of stem cells, these brain-like […]
Theobromine as a Dietary Biomarker of Slower Epigenetic Age Acceleration
Dietary phytochemicals like polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and alkaloids are linked with beneficial effects on human health and ageing. Alkaloids represent a particularly important class because of their abundance, bioactivity, and involvement in pathways related to inflammation, metabolic diseases, and cellular aging. Cocoa and coffee are two widely consumed foods rich in methylxanthine alkaloids, including caffeine, […]
Emerging technologies and virtual medicine in obesity management
S Afr Med J. 2025 Nov 4;115(9b):e3699. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i9b.3699. ABSTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Implementation of strategies in the management of obesity can be delivered through web-based platforms (e.g. online education on medical nutrition therapy and physical activity) or mobile devices (e.g. daily weight reporting through a smartphone phone application) (Level 2a, Grade B). 2. We suggest […]
Obtaining Patient-Reported Outcome Data via a Home Patient Monitoring App: Development, Implementation, and Validation of Novel Interface Terminology
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025 Dec 11;13:e65504. doi: 10.2196/65504. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Adverse events (AEs) related to cancer treatment represent a valuable source of information that can be used to adjust therapy for individual patients. The National Institutes of Health developed the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), a comprehensive standardized terminology for health care providers […]
Simulation of Clinical Visits as a Novel Approach to Evaluate Digital Health in Multiple Sclerosis: Simulation Study
JMIR Med Inform. 2025 Dec 11;13:e67845. doi: 10.2196/67845. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Efforts are being made to integrate digital health technologies into clinical care for multiple sclerosis (MS) to improve patient monitoring. Efficiently probing how they might impact clinical care could streamline digital tool development. The Floodlight digital tool, comprising 5 smartphone sensor-based tests, was used to […]
The utility of a smartphone electronic referral application in facilitating telemedicine in pulmonology
S Afr Med J. 2025 Nov 4;115(10):e2747. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i10.2747. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: A streamlined referral system for respiratory diseases is essential, and telemedicine offers a viable solution, particularly within the public healthcare sector. There is a paucity of data on the utility of the Vula medical referral application in pulmonology, a field that lends itself to […]
Improving Provider Experience During Credentialing: Communication and Transparency Strategies
Credentialing is important to bring new providers into clinical practice, yet it is one of the most frustrating parts of onboarding. Poor communication, unclear timeline, and repeated document requests contribute to delay, dissatisfaction, and early turnover. As organizations work to improve retention and deliver better onboarding experiences, communication and transparency are quickly becoming the main […]
