Healthcare Goes Digital: Mobile Health and Electronic Health Technology in the 21st Century: Second Edition

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "TeleHealth and Digital Healthcare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1393

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Centre Tisp, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: biomedical engineering; robotics; artificial intelligence; digital health; rehabilitation; smart technology; cybersecurity; mental health; animal-assisted therapy; social robotics; acceptance; diagnostic pathology and radiology; medical imaging; patient safety; healthcare quality; health assessment; chronic disease
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the success of the Special Issue The 10th Anniversary of Healthcare—TeleHealth and Digital Healthcare, I invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, Healthcare Goes Digital: Mobile Health and Electronic Health Technology in the 21st Century: Second Edition.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, healthcare is experiencing a profound shift toward digital solutions, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and conversational agents such as ChatGPT.

This Special Issue has the following aims:

  • Explore the convergence of mobile health (mHealth), electronic health technology (eHealth) and AI in the 21st century; we invite contributions that delve into innovative applications, challenges and future prospects in these domains.
  • To foster a comprehensive dialogue on the evolving landscape of digital healthcare, specifically in regards to eHealth and mHealth, also recognizing the role of AI and conversational agents such as ChatGPT. Researchers, practitioners and experts are encouraged to contribute their perspectives to shape the future of healthcare in the digital age.

Topics of interest:

  • Mobile Health Applications: Assessing the impact of mobile apps on healthcare delivery.
  • Wearable Health Technology: Exploring the role of wearables in monitoring and managing health.
  • Telemedicine: Analyzing the evolution and effectiveness of telehealth services, with an emphasis on AI integration.
  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Examining the integration and implications of EHR systems with AI-driven analytics.
  • Data Security and Privacy: Addressing concerns and solutions in the digital healthcare space, particularly in AI-driven applications.
  • Patient Engagement: Investigating strategies to enhance patient involvement through digital platforms, including AI-driven chat interfaces.
  • Emerging Technologies: Exploring the influence of AI, IoT and other emerging tech in healthcare, with a specific focus on ChatGPT and conversational AI.

Prof. Dr. Daniele Giansanti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • telemedicine
  • eHealth
  • mHealth

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 351 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Telehealth Literacy in Users: Survey and Analysis of Demographic and Behavioral Determinants
by Marcela Hechenleitner-Carvallo, Jacqueline Ibarra-Peso and Sergio V. Flores
Healthcare 2025, 13(15), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151825 - 26 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background: Telehealth is an essential component of modern healthcare, and it was especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, but disparities in digital and technological literacy among health professionals may limit its equitable adoption and impact. Objective: This study seeks to validate [...] Read more.
Background: Telehealth is an essential component of modern healthcare, and it was especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, but disparities in digital and technological literacy among health professionals may limit its equitable adoption and impact. Objective: This study seeks to validate an eight-item telehealth literacy survey among health professionals in Central–South Chile and to examine demographic and behavioral determinants of literacy levels, developing predictive models to identify key factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2182 health professionals from urban and rural centers in Central–South Chile completed the adapted survey along with questions on age, gender, nationality, and frequency of telehealth use. We assessed internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), explored factor structure via exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and tested associations using Pearson correlations, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and both linear and multinomial logistic regressions. Results: The instrument demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and a two-factor structure explaining 65% of variance. Age negatively correlated with literacy (r = −0.26; p < 0.001), while the frequency of telehealth use showed a positive correlation (r = 0.26; p < 0.001). Female professionals and those in urban settings scored significantly higher on telehealth literacy (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). The reduced multinomial model achieved moderate classification accuracy (51.65%) in distinguishing low, medium, and high literacy groups. Conclusions: The validated survey is a reliable tool for assessing telehealth literacy among health professionals in Chile. The findings highlight age, gender, and geographic disparities, and support targeted digital literacy interventions to promote equitable telehealth practice. Full article
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28 pages, 776 KiB  
Article
Surveying the Digital Cytology Workflow in Italy: An Initial Report on AI Integration Across Key Professional Roles
by Daniele Giansanti, Elisabetta Carico, Andrea Lastrucci and Enrico Giarnieri
Healthcare 2025, 13(8), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13080903 - 14 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 404
Abstract
Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly in digital cytology, has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. However, AI adoption remains limited due to technological and human-related barriers. Understanding the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals is [...] Read more.
Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly in digital cytology, has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. However, AI adoption remains limited due to technological and human-related barriers. Understanding the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals is essential for overcoming these challenges and facilitating effective AI implementation. Objectives: This study aimed to assess AI integration in digital cytology workflows by evaluating professionals’ perspectives on its benefits, challenges, and requirements for successful adoption. Methods: A survey was conducted among 150 professionals working in public and private healthcare settings in Italy, including laboratory technicians (35%), medical doctors (25%), biologists (20%), and specialists in diagnostic technical sciences (20%). Data were collected through a structured Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) and a Virtual Focus Group (VFG) to capture quantitative and qualitative insights on AI familiarity, perceived advantages, and barriers to adoption. Results: The findings indicated varying levels of AI familiarity among professionals. While many recognized AI’s potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline workflows, concerns were raised regarding resistance to change, implementation costs, and doubts about AI reliability. Participants emphasized the need for structured training and continuous support to facilitate AI adoption in digital cytology. Conclusions: Addressing barriers such as resistance, cost, and trust is essential for the successful integration of AI in digital cytology workflows. Tailored training programs and ongoing professional support can enhance AI adoption, ultimately optimizing diagnostic processes and improving clinical outcomes. Full article
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38 pages, 1030 KiB  
Systematic Review
Dynamic Computer-Aided Navigation System in Dentoalveolar Surgery and Maxillary Bone Augmentation in a Dental Setting: A Systematic Review
by Federica Di Spirito, Roberta Gasparro, Maria Pia Di Palo, Alessandra Sessa, Francesco Giordano, Iman Rizki, Gianluca Allegretti and Alessia Bramanti
Healthcare 2025, 13(14), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13141730 - 17 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background: Dynamic computer-aided navigation systems are a real-time motion tracking technology widely applied in oral implantology and endodontics to enhance precision and reduce complications. However, their reliability, accuracy, and usability in dentoalveolar surgery and maxillary bone augmentation remain underinvestigated. Methods: A [...] Read more.
Background: Dynamic computer-aided navigation systems are a real-time motion tracking technology widely applied in oral implantology and endodontics to enhance precision and reduce complications. However, their reliability, accuracy, and usability in dentoalveolar surgery and maxillary bone augmentation remain underinvestigated. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024610153). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until October 2024 to retrieve English eligible studies, without restrictions on the publication year, on dynamic computer-assisted navigation systems in dentoalveolar and bone augmentation surgeries. Exclusion criteria were surgery performed without dynamic computer-assisted navigation systems; dental implant placement; endodontic surgery; and maxillo-facial surgery. The outcomes were reliability, accuracy, post-operative course, surgical duration, complications, patient- and clinician-reported usability, acceptability, and satisfaction. Included studies were qualitatively synthetized and judged using dedicated tools for the different study designs. Results: Twenty-nine studies with 214 patients were included, showing high reliability in dentoalveolar and bone augmentation surgeries comparable to or superior to freehand surgeries, higher accuracy in dentoalveolar surgery compared to maxillary bone augmentation, and reduced complication rates across all surgeries. While overall surgical duration slightly increased due to technology installation, operative time was reduced in third molar extractions. Patient-reported outcomes were poorly investigated. Clinician-reported outcomes were mixed, but difficulties in the differentiation of soft tissue from hard tissue were recorded, especially in sinus floor elevation. Conclusions: Dynamic computer-assisted navigation systems enhance accuracy and safety in dentoalveolar and bone augmentation surgery. Further studies are needed to assess the underinvestigated patient-reported outcomes and standardize protocols. Full article
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