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Diabetic foot is the most common side-effect and the most financially expensive complication of diabetes, which increases the fatality risk of diabetic patients by two to four times. Without proper medical attention, this condition can lead to a plethora of complications, including scarring, infection, gangrene, amputation, and even death. Therefore, this study was performed with the purpose of designing and presenting the Minimum Data Set (MDS) required to introduce effective indicators in the better management, control, and monitoring of diabetic foot. First, we conducted a comprehensive review of different databases to identify the MDS. The necessary managerial and clinical data were extracted from the studies and then formulated using a questionnaire. In the second stage, the questionnaire was distributed to 15 specialists of fields of endocrinology, physical medicine, infectious diseases, and surgery, and three general practitioners and medical informatician experts during two rounds of the Delphi technique. Out of 105 proposed data elements of managerial and clinical data in 14 groups, 90 data elements were ultimately confirmed with consensus and collective agreement according to the opinion of experts, while 12 data elements were mentioned in the open question section of the questionnaire. The aforementioned MDS can assist policymakers, software developers, and health data managers in recognizing the type of information that should be in the system when starting to design different systems and/or software programs for patients diagnosed with diabetes. This system should be able to meet the needs of these patients, enable the standardization of medical services in hospitals, clinics, and health centers, and provide grounds for data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The epidemic of viral respiratory diseases in the last 20 years has affected many people around the world. In these situations, telemedicine may reduce unnecessary contacts and the risk of exposure to infection. This study aimed to review the papers performed to manage viral respiratory disease epidemics using telemedicine. Material and Methods: The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched in May 2020 for this systematic review study. Data were extracted from the final included papers based on the author, country, type of epidemic, telemedicine modality, telecommunication method, objective, participants, clinical outcome, cost, and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Results: From 365 retrieved papers, 18 papers were included. Most of the papers were done in the US and China (67%). Half of the papers were done during the COVID-19 pandemic. Real-time modality was used in 78% of the papers. The telecommunication method in half of the papers was internetbased. Patients’ management and treatment was the main objective of the six papers. In 81% of the teleconsultation papers, the consultation was performed between patients and healthcare providers. The clinical outcome of all papers showed that telemedicine was successful in the management of viral respiratory disease epidemics. Cost and satisfaction outcomes were considered in a few papers. Conclusion: There is considerable evidence to show that telemedicine is a useful and convenient method to manage and control viral respiratory disease epidemics. Therefore, countries should pay special attention to telemedicine to control the current pandemic and future epidemics and use it extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about the prevention and management of COVID-19 are on the rise, as it is crucial in contagious epidemics that travel and transfer of the patients be minimal for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-ups. Telemedicine or telehealth can play an important role, especially with previous successful experiences in the management of acute infectious respiratory epidemics such as SARS and MERS. In order to better control the rapid spread of coronavirus and manage the COVID-19 crisis, both developed and developing countries can improve the efficiency of their health system by replacing a proportion of face-to-face clinical encounters with telehealth. Recent technological advancement facilitates this reform, but there is a need for national or state-wide rules and regulations to be adapted accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]