Search Results (242)

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is a global public health challenge, with increasing prevalence worldwide. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the management of this condition offers potential benefits in improving healthcare outcomes. This study primarily investigates the barriers and facilitators perceived by healthcare professionals in the adoption of AI. Secondarily, by analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data collected, it aims to support the potential development of AI-based programs for diabetes management, with particular focus on a possible bottom-up approach. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting and registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) database. The study selection process was conducted in two phases—title/abstract screening and full-text review—independently by three researchers, with a fourth resolving conflicts. Data were extracted and assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. The included studies were synthesized narratively, combining both quantitative and qualitative analyses to ensure methodological rigor and contextual depth. Results: The adoption of AI tools in diabetes management is influenced by several barriers, including perceived unsatisfactory clinical performance, high costs, issues related to data security and decision-making transparency, as well as limited training among healthcare workers. Key facilitators include improved clinical efficiency, ease of use, time-saving, and organizational support, which contribute to broader acceptance of the technology. Conclusions: The active and continuous involvement of healthcare workers represents a valuable opportunity to develop more effective, reliable, and well-integrated AI solutions in clinical practice. Our findings emphasize the importance of a bottom-up approach and highlight how adequate training and organizational support can help overcome existing barriers, promoting sustainable and equitable innovation aligned with public health priorities. Full article

Many hospitals still lack digital traceability in hygiene and cleaning management, leading to operational inefficiencies and inconsistent quality control. This study aims to establish cleaning and hygiene processes in healthcare services that are planned in accordance with standards, as well as to enhance the traceability and sustainability of these processes through digitalization. This study proposes a Hyperledger Fabric-based blockchain architecture to establish a reliable and transparent quality assurance system in process management. The proposed Quality Assurance Model utilizes digital technologies and IoT-based RFID devices to ensure the transparent and reliable monitoring of cleaning processes. Operational data related to cleaning processes are automatically recorded and secured using a decentralized blockchain infrastructure. The permissioned nature of Hyperledger Fabric provides a more secure solution compared to traditional data management systems in the healthcare sector while preserving data privacy. Additionally, the execute–order–validate mechanism supports effective data sharing among stakeholders, and consensus algorithms along with chaincode rules enhance the reliability of processes. A working prototype was implemented and validated using Hyperledger Caliper under resource-constrained cloud environments, confirming the system’s feasibility through over 100 TPS throughput and zero transaction failures. Through the proposed system, cleaning/hygiene processes in patient rooms are conducted securely, contributing to the improvement of quality standards in healthcare services. Full article

Background/Objectives: It is essential to explore and disseminate positive deviance strategies that promote resilience, mindfulness, and well-being beyond stress and burnout reduction strategies for residents and physicians who experience high levels of occupational stress. This scoping review maps studies that investigate positive deviance strategies to enhance the well-being of residents and physicians. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by PRISMA guidelines to identify English-language studies on strategies for physician well-being. PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and ERIC were searched using terms related to well-being, coping, and medical education. Results: Among the 38 studies included, 17 (44.7%) targeted physicians in graduate medical education (GME), while 19 (50%) focused on continuing medical education (CME). Positive deviance strategies were identified in 26 studies and were most frequently implemented at the microsystem level, such as small group interventions (e.g., coaching, mentoring, and workshops). These strategies addressed individual and organisational factors that contribute to physician well-being and were associated with improvements in life satisfaction, resilience, professional identity, and psychological safety. The review found that positive deviance strategies were often proactive, values-driven, and disseminated organically over time, emphasising the importance of longitudinal engagement and sustained institutional support. Conclusions: This scoping review highlights the growing use of positive deviance strategies, especially at the microsystem level, to promote physician well-being. These approaches emphasise sustainable, values-driven practices and may offer effective, context-sensitive solutions within healthcare systems. Full article

Recently, solar energy technologies are a cornerstone of the global effort to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. However, in many rural areas of developing countries, unreliable electricity severely impacts healthcare delivery, resulting in reduced medical efficiency and increased risks to patient safety. This review explores the transformative potential of solar energy as a sustainable solution for powering healthcare facilities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and improving health outcomes. Consequently, energy harvesting is a vital renewable energy source that captures abundant solar and thermal energy, which can sustain medical centers by ensuring the continuous operation of life-saving equipment, lighting, vaccine refrigeration, sanitation, and waste management. Beyond healthcare, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers operational costs, and enhances community resilience. To address this issue, the paper reviews critical solar energy technologies, energy storage systems, challenges of energy access, and successful solar energy implementations in rural healthcare systems, providing strategic recommendations to overcome adoption challenges. To fulfill the aims of this study, a focused literature review was conducted, covering publications from 2005 to 2025 in the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Google Scholar databases. With targeted investments, policy support, and community engagement, solar energy can significantly improve healthcare access in underserved regions and contribute to sustainable development. Full article

The One Health paradigm—recognizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment—promotes the development of sustainable technologies that enhance human health while minimizing ecological impact. In this context, bio-based hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials for advanced medical applications. Produced through biotechnological methods such as genetic engineering and microbial fermentation, these hydrogels are composed of renewable and biocompatible materials, including recombinant collagen, elastin, silk fibroin, bacterial cellulose, xanthan gum, and hyaluronic acid. Their high water content, structural tunability, and biodegradability make them ideal candidates for various biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and the design of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds. By offering controlled mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and the potential for minimally invasive administration, sustainable hydrogels represent a strategic innovation for regenerative medicine and therapeutic interventions. This review discusses the characteristics and medical applications of these hydrogels, highlighting their role in advancing sustainable healthcare solutions within the One Health framework. Full article

Smart home technology enhances the quality of life, particularly with respect to in-home care and health monitoring. While video-based methods provide accurate behavior analysis, privacy concerns drive interest in non-visual alternatives. This study proposes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-enabled indoor positioning and behavior recognition system, integrating machine learning techniques to support sustainable and privacy-preserving health monitoring. Key optimizations include: (1) a vertically mounted Data Collection Unit (DCU) for improved height positioning, (2) synchronized data collection to reduce discrepancies, (3) Kalman filtering to smooth RSSI signals, and (4) AI-based RSSI analysis for enhanced behavior recognition. Experiments in a real home environment used a smart wristband to assess BLE signal variations across different activities (standing, sitting, lying down). The results show that the proposed system reliably tracks user locations and identifies behavior patterns. This research supports elderly care, remote health monitoring, and non-invasive behavior analysis, providing a privacy-preserving solution for smart healthcare applications. Full article

Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic biopolymer on Earth, is rapidly emerging as a powerful enabler of next-generation sustainable technologies. This review shifts the focus to the latest industrial breakthroughs that exploit lignin’s multifunctional properties across energy, agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sectors. Lignin-derived carbon materials are offering scalable, low-cost alternatives to critical raw materials in batteries and supercapacitors. In agriculture, lignin-based biostimulants and controlled-release fertilizers support resilient, low-impact food systems. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are leveraging lignin’s antioxidant, UV-protective, and antimicrobial properties to create bio-based, clean-label products. In water purification, lignin-based adsorbents are enabling efficient and biodegradable solutions for persistent pollutants. These technological leaps are not merely incremental, they represent a paradigm shift toward a materials economy powered by renewable carbon. Backed by global sustainability roadmaps like the European Green Deal and China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, lignin is moving from industrial residue to strategic asset, driven by unprecedented investment and cross-sector collaboration. Breakthroughs in lignin upgrading, smart formulation, and application-driven design are dismantling long-standing barriers to scale, performance, and standardization. As showcased in this review, lignin is no longer just a promising biopolymer, it is a catalytic force accelerating the global transition toward circularity, climate resilience, and green industrial transformation. The future of sustainable innovation is lignin-enabled. Full article

Pharmaceutical packaging materials play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications. This mini-review examines the properties of common packaging materials (glass, plastics, metals, and rubber) and their implications for drug safety. By analyzing 127 research articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases (2000–2025), we also discuss recent regulatory updates in China and highlight emerging technologies, including nanomaterials, sustainable packaging solutions, and intelligent packaging systems that present new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. Key findings include the following: (1) The physicochemical properties of packaging materials and potential microbial contamination risks during production significantly impact drug quality and safety, underscoring the need for enhanced research and regulatory oversight. (2) Each material exhibits distinct advantages and limitations: glass demonstrates superior chemical stability but may leach ions; plastics offer versatility but risk plasticizer migration; metals provide exceptional strength yet have limited applications; rubber ensures effective sealing but may release additives compromising drug quality. (3) The pharmaceutical packaging sector is evolving toward intelligent systems and sustainable solutions to address contemporary healthcare challenges. This review can aid pharmaceutical companies in selecting drug packaging and guide manufacturers in developing innovative packaging solutions. Full article

Job satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial as it directly impacts employee productivity, retention, and overall economic growth, fostering a motivated workforce that drives regional development. In sub–Saharan Africa, poor remuneration, limited professional development opportunities, and inadequate working conditions impact satisfaction. This study examined job-satisfaction predictors among health workers in primary healthcare settings across eight countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. A cross-sectional study surveyed 1711 health workers, assessing five dimensions: employer–2employee relationships, remuneration and recognition, professional development, physical work environment, and supportive supervision. The study was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024. The job-satisfaction assessment tool was adopted from a validated tool originally developed for use in low-income healthcare settings. The tool was reviewed by staff from all the country offices to ensure contextual relevance and organization alignment. The responses were measured on a five-point Likert scale: 0: Not applicable, 1: Very dissatisfied, 2: Dissatisfied, 3: Neutral, 4: Satisfied, and 5: Very satisfied. The analysis employed descriptive and multivariable regression methods. Job satisfaction varied significantly by country. Satisfaction with the employer–employee relationship was highest in Zambia (80%) and lowest in Tanzania (16%). Remuneration satisfaction was highest in Senegal (63%) and Zambia (49%), while it was very low in Malawi (9.8%) and Ethiopia (2.3%). Overall, 44% of respondents were satisfied with their professional development, with Uganda leading (62%) and Ethiopia having the lowest satisfaction level (29%). Satisfaction with the physical environment was at 27%, with Uganda at 40% and Kenya at 12%. Satisfaction with supervisory support stood at 62%, with Zambia at 73% and Ethiopia at 30%. Key predictors of job satisfaction included a strong employer–employee relationships (OR = 2.20, p < 0.001), fair remuneration (OR = 1.59, p = 0.002), conducive work environments (OR = 1.71, p < 0.001), and supervisory support (OR = 3.58, p < 0.001. Improving the job satisfaction, retention, and performance of health workers in sub-Saharan Africa requires targeted interventions in employer–employee relationships, fair compensation, supportive supervision, and working conditions. Strategies must be tailored to each country’s unique challenges, as one-size-fits-all solutions may not be effective. Policymakers should prioritize these factors to build a motivated, resilient workforce, with ongoing research and monitoring essential to ensure sustained progress and improved healthcare delivery. Full article

Background: Developing countries face significant challenges in accessing high-quality pharmaceutical products due to resource constraints, limited regulatory capacity, and market dynamics that often prioritize cost over quality. This review addresses the critical gap in regulatory frameworks that fail to ensure pharmaceutical quality equity between developed and developing nations. Objective: This comprehensive review examines a novel dual-pathway regulatory framework that leverages stringent regulatory authority (SRA) approvals, artificial intelligence-based evaluation systems, and harmonized pricing mechanisms to ensure pharmaceutical quality equity across global markets. Methods: A comprehensive systematic analysis of current regulatory challenges, proposed solutions, and implementation strategies was conducted through an extensive literature review (202 sources, 2019–2025), expert consultation on regulatory science, AI implementation in healthcare, and pharmaceutical policy development. The methodology included an analysis of regulatory precedents, an economic impact assessment, and a feasibility evaluation based on existing technological implementations. Results: The proposed framework addresses key regulatory capacity gaps through two complementary pathways: Pathway 1 enables same-batch distribution from SRA-approved products with pricing parity mechanisms. At the same time, Pathway 2 provides independent evaluation using AI-enhanced systems for differentiated products. Key components include indigenous AI development, which requires systematic implementation over 4–6 years across three distinct stages, outsourced auditing frameworks that reduce costs by 40–50%, and quality-first principles that categorically reject cost-based quality compromises. Implementation analysis demonstrates a potential for achieving a 90–95% quality standardization, accompanied by a 200–300% increase in regulatory evaluation capability. Conclusions: This framework has the potential to significantly improve pharmaceutical quality and access in developing countries while maintaining rigorous safety and efficacy standards through innovative regulatory approaches. The evidence demonstrates substantial public health benefits with projected improvements in population access (85–95% coverage), treatment success rates (90–95% efficacy), and economic benefits (USD 15–30 billion in system efficiencies), providing a compelling case for implementation that aligns with global scientific consensus and Sustainable Development Goal 3.8. Full article

The war between humans and bacteria started centuries ago. With the advent of antibiotics, there was a temporary ceasefire in this war, but the scenario soon started becoming worse with the emergence of drug-resistant strains within years of the deployment of antibiotics in the market. With the surge in the misuse of antibiotics, there was a drastic increase in the number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant bacterial strains, even to antibiotics like Methicillin and vancomycin, aggravating the healthcare scenario. The threat of MDR ESKAPE pathogens is particularly high in nosocomial infections, where biofilms formed by bacteria create a protective barrier that makes them highly resistant to antibiotics, complicating the treatment efforts. Scientists are looking at natural and sustainable solutions, as several studies have projected deaths contributed by drug-resistant bacteria to go beyond 50 million by 2050. Many plant-derived metabolites have shown excellent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties that can be tapped for combating superbugs. The present review explores the current status of various studies on antibacterial plant metabolites like alkaloids and flavonoids and their mechanisms in disrupting biofilms and killing bacteria by way of inhibiting key survival strategies of bacteria like motility, quorum-sensing, reactive oxygen species production, and adhesion. These mechanisms were found to be varied in Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which will be discussed in detail. The successful tapping of the benefits of such plant-derived chemicals in combination with evolving techniques of nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery can go a long way in achieving the goal of One Health, which advocates the unity of multiple practices for the optimal health of people, animals, and the environment. Full article

The growing antimicrobial resistance and the increasing environmental concerns associated with conventional antibacterial agents have prompted a search for more effective and sustainable alternatives. Biopolymer-based nanofibers are promising candidates to produce environment-friendly antibacterial coatings, owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, structural adaptability, and tunable porosity. These features make them particularly well-suited for delivering antimicrobial agents in a controlled manner and for physically modifying the surface of medical devices. This review critically explores recent advances in the use of electrospun fibers enhanced with natural antimicrobial agents as eco-friendly surface coatings. The mechanisms of antibacterial action, key factors affecting their efficacy, and comparisons with conventional antibacterial agents are discussed herein. Emphasis is placed on the role of a “green electrospinning” process, which utilizes bio-based materials and nontoxic solvents, to enable coatings able to better combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Applications in various clinical settings, including implants, wound dressings, surgical textiles, and urinary devices, are explored. Finally, the environmental benefits and prospects for the scalability and sustainability of green coatings are discussed to underscore their relevance to next-generation, sustainable solutions in healthcare. Full article

Radiotherapy, a critical component of cancer treatment, faces significant challenges in Gauteng, South Africa. These disparities hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, primarily due to systemic issues, socioeconomic barriers, and limitations within the health system. This article presents the House framework, designed to enhance access to radiotherapy services by integrating the WHO Health Systems framework with the dimensions of access proposed by Penchansky and Thomas. The framework is visually represented as a house, with Policy & Governance as the foundation, WHO building blocks as pillars, and Equitable Cancer Care and Improved Outcomes as the roof. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, combining quantitative data from radiotherapy facilities and qualitative insights from healthcare professionals to identify barriers and potential solutions. Findings indicate significant disparities in resource distribution and accessibility between public and private institutions, compounded by socioeconomic factors like transport costs and lack of awareness. The article discusses innovative proposed framework using the 5As of access as potential solutions. The House framework serves as a valuable tool for policymakers and healthcare providers aiming to improve radiotherapy access and promote equitable cancer care in Gauteng, ultimately working towards reducing disparities in cancer outcomes. Full article

Biomimetics has emerged as a transformative interdisciplinary approach that harnesses nature’s evolutionary strategies to develop sustainable solutions across diverse fields. This study explores its integrative role in shaping smart cities, advancing artificial intelligence and robotics, innovating biomedical applications, and enhancing computational design tools. By analysing the evolution of biomimetic principles and their technological impact, this work highlights how nature-inspired solutions contribute to energy efficiency, adaptive urban planning, bioengineered materials, and intelligent systems. Furthermore, this paper discusses future perspectives on biomimetics-driven innovations, emphasising their potential to foster resilience, efficiency, and sustainability in rapidly evolving technological landscapes. Particular attention is given to neuromorphic hardware, a biologically inspired computing paradigm that mimics neural processing through spike-based communication and analogue architectures. Key components such as memristors and neuromorphic processors enable adaptive, low-power, task-specific computation, with wide-ranging applications in robotics, AI, healthcare, and renewable energy systems. Furthermore, this paper analyses how self-organising cities, conceptualised as complex adaptive systems, embody biomimetic traits such as resilience, decentralised optimisation, and autonomous resource management. Full article

Objectives: Online healthcare offers an effective solution to reduce regional disparities in medical access. However, building patient trust in a virtual environment, particularly amid digital divide challenges, remains critical for the sustainable development of healthcare platforms. This study investigates how doctors’ professional experience, communicated through online biographies, influences patient consultation decisions, aiming to uncover strategies that enhance trust and facilitate efficient doctor–patient matching. Methods: Drawing on trust theory and social distance theory, we develop an empirical model incorporating professional signals, follower community engagement, and sentiment intensity. Using text data and topic modeling from a leading online health platform, we analyze the impact of these factors on patient consultation behavior. Results: The findings demonstrate that professional experience significantly increases consultation purchases, partially mediated by active follower communities. Additionally, positive emotional expressions in biographies reduce perceived social distance, thereby strengthening trust and willingness to consult. These results highlight the combined effectiveness of professional signals and emotional cues in fostering patient trust. Conclusions: Strategically designed doctor profiles, integrating professional and emotional elements, can bridge the digital divide in online healthcare by enhancing trust and improving doctor-patient matching. This study advances the understanding of how online biographical narratives shape trust and decision-making, offering novel insights into the interplay of doctor-generated content, trust, and social distance. Full article