This book focuses on recent advances regarding clinical conditions and ailments whose mechanisms remain unclear, limiting our ability to treat them. The respective chapters address a range of multidisciplinary topics related to timely or emergent research areas, such as osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, the optimal surgical procedures for vertebral compression fractures, novel rehabilitative approaches in pelvic muscle training in case of urinary incontinence, and a rational approach to balneotherapy not only for the skin but also other organ systems disorders. Alterations in the endocrine function during strenuous physical activity at high altitude – a multi-stressor environment comprising hypobaric hypoxia, exercise, and nutritional changes – are presented as well. Other articles provide evidence-based insights into the diagnosis, mechanisms, and clinical course of respiratory infections in children such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and influenza. Finally, the pros and cons of e-health are discussed; a rapidly growing area based on the use of information and communication technology to streamline the flow of health information and patient-healthcare provider connections. The content is a well-structured blend of research and practical aspects, as well as updates on cutting-edge developments. All these essential topics are presented in a format suitable for medical professionals engaged in day-to-day patient care and therapy, as well as researchers, academics, and physiotherapists.

The very rapid pace of advances in biomedical research promises us a wide range of new drugs, medical devices, and clinical procedures. The extent to which these discoveries will benefit the public, however, depends in large part on the methods we choose for developing and testing them. Modern Methods of Clinical Investigation focuses on strategies for clinical evaluation and their role in uncovering the actual benefits and risks of medical innovation. Essays explore differences in our current systems for evaluating drugs, medical devices, and clinical procedures; health insurance databases as a tool for assessing treatment outcomes; the role of the medical profession, the Food and Drug Administration, and industry in stimulating the use of evaluative methods; and more. This book will be of special interest to policymakers, regulators, executives in the medical industry, clinical researchers, and physicians.

On March 3-4, 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders held a workshop in Washington, DC, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss opportunities for improving the integrity, efficiency, and validity of clinical trials for nervous system disorders. Participants in the workshop represented a range of diverse perspectives, including individuals not normally associated with traditional clinical trials. The purpose of this workshop was to generate discussion about not only what is feasible now, but what may be possible with the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in the future.

A wave of new health care innovation and growing demand for health care, coupled with uncertain productivity improvements, could severely challenge efforts to control future health care costs. A committee of the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine organized a conference to examine key health care trends and their impact on medical innovation. The conference addressed the following question: In an environment of renewed concern about rising health care costs, where can public policy stimulate or remove disincentives to the development, adoption and diffusion of high-value innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and devices?

Technology continues to play a major role in all aspects of society, particularly healthcare. Advancements such as biomedical image processing, technology in rehabilitation, and biomedical robotics for healthcare have aided in significant strides in the biomedical engineering research field. Technological Advancements in Biomedicine for Healthcare Applications presents an overview of biomedical technologies and its relationship with healthcare applications. This reference source is essential for researchers and practitioners aiming to learn more about biomedical engineering and its related fields.

Learn and innovate with the latest technologies in nursing and healthcare! The first text of its kind in nursing, this book provides up-to-date information on innovative, smart technologies that nurses can use in clinical and nonclinical settings to keep up with the changing face of healthcare. This compelling guide will provide you with information about exciting areas of technology that have great potential to improve patient care. Subjects include big data, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented realities, connected technologies, and precision health. There is also discusson of the shift of healthcare delivery into the community, with an outlook on improving outcomes and enhancing practice. Each chapter focuses on developing competency in current and future real-world applications of emerging technologies. Early chapters describe how to utilize new tools, processes, models, and products to serve the quadruple aim of better managing populations, decreasing costs, and enhancing both the patient’s and the clinician’s experience. The culture of innovation coincides with the ever-changing politics of healthcare in later chapters, which then evolves into the entrepreneurial opportunities for nurses. This text is an essential introduction for all practicing nurses, nurse leaders, and nurses teaching health information technology or informatics courses. Key Features: Written by nurses for nurses The latest information on emerging health information technology and associated nursing implications Compelling cases show the dramatic effect of innovations on value-based care Learn how applying novel technologies can improve patient care Qualified instructors have access to supplementary materials, including PowerPoint slides and an Instructor’s Manual

Nearly 20 million nuclear medicine procedures are carried out each year in the United States alone to diagnose and treat cancers, cardiovascular disease, and certain neurological disorders. Many of the advancements in nuclear medicine have been the result of research investments made during the past 50 years where these procedures are now a routine part of clinical care. Although nuclear medicine plays an important role in biomedical research and disease management, its promise is only beginning to be realized. Advancing Nuclear Medicine Through Innovation highlights the exciting emerging opportunities in nuclear medicine, which include assessing the efficacy of new drugs in development, individualizing treatment to the patient, and understanding the biology of human diseases. Health care and pharmaceutical professionals will be most interested in this book's examination of the challenges the field faces and its recommendations for ways to reduce these impediments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare is more than a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence as a tool in the generation and analysis of healthcare data. The book is split into two sections where the first section describes the current healthcare challenges and the rise of AI in this arena. The ten following chapters are written by specialists in each area, covering the whole healthcare ecosystem. First, the AI applications in drug design and drug development are presented followed by its applications in the field of cancer diagnostics, treatment and medical imaging. Subsequently, the application of AI in medical devices and surgery are covered as well as remote patient monitoring. Finally, the book dives into the topics of security, privacy, information sharing, health insurances and legal aspects of AI in healthcare. - Highlights different data techniques in healthcare data analysis, including machine learning and data mining - Illustrates different applications and challenges across the design, implementation and management of intelligent systems and healthcare data networks - Includes applications and case studies across all areas of AI in healthcare data

Drawing on the work of the Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine, the 2007 IOM Annual Meeting assessed some of the rapidly occurring changes in health care related to new diagnostic and treatment tools, emerging genetic insights, the developments in information technology, and healthcare costs, and discussed the need for a stronger focus on evidence to ensure that the promise of scientific discovery and technological innovation is efficiently captured to provide the right care for the right patient at the right time. As new discoveries continue to expand the universe of medical interventions, treatments, and methods of care, the need for a more systematic approach to evidence development and application becomes increasingly critical. Without better information about the effectiveness of different treatment options, the resulting uncertainty can lead to the delivery of services that may be unnecessary, unproven, or even harmful. Improving the evidence-base for medicine holds great potential to increase the quality and efficiency of medical care. The Annual Meeting, held on October 8, 2007, brought together many of the nation's leading authorities on various aspects of the issues - both challenges and opportunities - to present their perspectives and engage in discussion with the IOM membership.

Health information about any patent is extremely critical. As there are many malicious users and misuses of health data, this information is not shared amongst health organizations due to security and privacy issues. Blockchain is being explored as a platform for securely exchanging healthcare data among the organizations in public domains, allowing doctors and practitioners to have access to more comprehensive health histories and in turn provide better care to patients. Prospects of Blockchain Technology for Accelerating Scientific Advancement in Healthcare disseminates the recent research findings on blockchain in healthcare and reviews current state-of-the-art blockchain applications in healthcare. This book also discusses various challenges faced by the healthcare community in securing healthcare data. Covering topics such as consensus mechanisms, smart healthcare systems, and supply chain management, it serves as an essential resource for healthcare professionals, computer scientists, information security professionals, data scientists, policymakers, researchers, and academicians.