Scalable Telehealth Services to Combat Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Abstract

An ongoing pandemic, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is threatening the nations of the world regardless of health infrastructure conditions. In the age of digital electronic information and telecommunication technology, scalable telehealth services are gaining immense importance by helping to maintain social distances while providing necessary healthcare services. This paper aims to review the various types of scalable telehealth services used to support patients infected by COVID-19 and other diseases during this pandemic. Recently published research papers collected from various sources such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore databases using the terms “Telehealth”, “Coronavirus”, “Scalable” and “COVID-19” are reviewed. The input data and relevant reports for the analysis and assessment of the various aspects of telehealth technology in the COVID-19 pandemic are taken from official websites. We described the available telehealth systems based on their communication media such as mobile networks, social media, and software based models throughout the review. A comparative analysis among the reviewed systems along with necessary challenges and possible future directions are also drawn for the proper selection of affordable technologies. The usage of scalable telehealth systems improves the quality of the healthcare system and also reduces the infection rate while keeping both patients and doctors safe during the pandemic.

Introduction

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by a novel coronavirus which was discovered at the end of December 2019. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it has become a pandemic in recent times. This pandemic has affected the entire world and forced us to reconsider the available healthcare facilities, treatment systems and technologies [1–3].

Social gap or social distancing is the major way of reducing the transmission of the virus. Social distance is made possible by decreasing the person to person contact [4, 5]. To reduce mass transmissions, travel restrictions have been established and enforced around the world, and most of the cities have been quarantined. In this situation, it is difficult to take treatment from specialists at the clinic or hospital in person [6, 7]. In the age of modern technology of mobile communication [8–10] and virtual reality [11, 12], telehealth is the ideal system for such kind of communicable disease [13]. The evolution of telecommunication technologies plays a key role in the ability of telehealth services to exchange valid information for diagnosis and management of diseases and injuries [14, 15]. There are various types of telehealth systems based on the working principle and method. In a typical telehealth system, patients and doctors are connected by a media which is used to transfer patient medical data to doctor and necessary prescriptions are delivered to the patient. Medical data from patients is acquired by using different types of Body Sensor Network (BSN). Scalability refers to the property of a system to accommodate growing amounts of work by adding resources to the system. Scalable telehealth systems can accommodate the rapidly growing number of coronavirus patients by introducing more resources such as doctors, specialists, artificial assistants, etc. A typical scalable telehealth service with proper functionality is depicted in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

Typical functionality of the telehealth system

This paper aims to review the available scalable telehealth systems that have been evolved to ensure remote healthcare support for COVID-19 and other disease infected patients. The available frameworks are described here as mobile networks, social media, and software-based systems. All of the systems are demonstrated in terms of working principle, technology, hardware equipment like sensors used, types, and methodology of service provided. A comparative analysis among the available systems with challenges and possible future trends are also presented in the review.

The rest of the paper is organized as follows. The following section describes the existing systems for telehealth services for the patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. The next section describes a relative analysis among the available technologies with the necessary challenges and possible future directions. The subsequent section concludes the paper.

Telehealth Systems

Telehealth systems are used to deliver health-related services and medicare in such a pandemic where reducing the infection caused by close contact is an important fact  [16, 17]. Similarly, in the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth systems reduce the infection rate while the patients are allowed to continue their diagnostic-therapeutic process [18, 19]. The most used telehealth systems which are utilized for COVID-19 as well as other diseases can be categorized into three types based on their communication media. Figure 2 shows the possible categorization for easy understanding.

Fig. 2.

Categorization of telehealth systems used in the COVID-19 outbreak

(A) Mobile Network Based Systems

There are various telehealth systems available using the mobile network which are frequently used in the COVID-19 pandemic [20, 21]. In a mobile network based scalable telehealth system, the data from patients is acquired and transmitted through a wireless communication network as well as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) networks [22, 23].

García and Torres [24] proposed a telehealth system using a commercial GSM network. The developed system measured temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure using the Body Sensor Network, which are the most important parameters for monitoring the condition of COVID-19 patients. It consists of three subsystems (1) Input subsystem to collect medical information, (2) Local subsystem to transmit data using GSM cellular network, and (3) Remote subsystem to receive and show on a website. A compact and user-friendly telehealth system was developed by Suganthi et al. [25] using GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global positioning system (GPS), and peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. The proposed system consists of a temperature sensor, Blood Pressure (BP) measurement sensor, pulse counter clip, and non-invasive glucose monitoring sensor. Using the GPS module, the location of patients and the necessary data are saved in the web server and delivered through a short message service (SMS) to the pre-configured doctor’s phone. For continuous monitoring, if any abnormality is found, then an emergency flag is raised to the doctors automatically. Besides, in emergency cases, an automatic call is generated to the doctor and the doctor can hear any voice or messages from the site of the patient. During the COVID-19 pandemic situation, this type of telehealth system can help in early and distance treatment for COVID-19 and other patients. Using similar technologies, TeleHealth Emergency (THE) system is implemented in [26]. In this system, a tele-bio wristwatch is used which consists of some sensors like BP, pulse rate, temperature, and GSM/GPRS and GPS module. The developed watch works like a telephone for the GSM module and can locate the patient’s position using GPS. A speaker and call button in this watch help to make emergency call and a red alert button notify the patient for abnormal BP, heart rate, or temperature. In primary treatment, THE can play an important role.

A 3G cellular network based telehealth system is presented in [27]. The described system has services to provide Electrocardiography (ECG), blood sugar, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and patient health record database to the doctor, pharmacist, technician, social worker, etc. using a 3G network system. In another research, a novel architecture is presented in [28] using the GSM module. The proposed system consists of some sensor transducers, Analog to Digital (A/D) converter, an embedded processor, a transceiver in a sensor node, and a GSM shield interface, Arduino, and an encoder as a 5G enhancer. The collected data is routed via GSM voice and control channels to the doctor. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown situation, the treatment of other diseases is also being delayed. The developed system can provide proper facilities to the patient having a serious heart problem. A GSM mobile communication network based system is proposed in [29] which is used to provide an emergency diagnosis to COVID-19 patients. The system allows transmission of various bio-signal like 3–12 lead ECG signal, SpO2, noninvasive blood pressure amplifier (NIBP), invasive blood pressure (IBP), and temperature through the GSM network. The still images of patients are also transmitted using the proposed system. While GSM is not available, the transmission is performed through satellite links and plain old telephony system (POTS). Using this device, the doctor can telemetrically move to the patient and treat them properly. The available telehealth systems based on mobile networks are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Available telehealth services based on mobile networks

Authors	Received data format	Transferring media	Major technology/sensor used	Provided services
García  and Torres [24]	SMS	GSM network	Body sensor network	Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
Suganthi et al. [25]	SMS	GSM, GPRS, GPS, P2P	Temperature sensor, blood pressure measurement sensor, pulse counter clip, and non-invasive glucose monitoring sensor, GPS module	Temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and non-invasive glucose monitoring
Ade et al. [26]	Voice call	GSM, GPS	BP sensor, pulse rate sensor, temperature sensor, and GSM/GPRS and GPS module	BP, pulse rate, temperature
Sorwar and Ali [27]	Image, call	3G cellular network	ECG, blood sugar, SpO2 sensor	ECG, blood sugar, SpO2
Mishra and Agrawal [28]	Voice call/image	GSM voice and control channels	A/D converter, embedded processor, a transceiver in a sensor node, GSM shield interface, Arduino, and an encoder	Serious heart problem
Kyriacou et al. [29]	Image, call	GSM or POTS	ECG, SpO2, NIBP, IBP, and temperature sensor	ECG signal, SpO2, NIBP, IBP, and temperature

(B) Social Media Based Systems

The social media platform is being used widely in the outbreak situation of COVID-19 due to the high availability and user-friendliness of the platforms [30, 31]. In this type of telehealth system, doctors and other specialized radiologists are connected to such a social platform [32, 33]. They can monitor the patient’s regular condition and prescribe them via message or video call.

Recently in Iran, a social media based system [34] is proposed based on WhatsApp and email platform. The image or video of patients is delivered in JPG or MP4 version to the volunteer of the developed system. The volunteers post these images to a private group of radiologists and specialists where the confidentiality of data is maintained properly. Only some registered volunteers and coordinator radiologists accessed this private group for generating reports for certain cases. A preliminary report is delivered to patients in image format through email or WhatsApp message having necessary data and instructions. The system is developed only for chest image now. The developed system can deliver faster service of teleradiology and can eliminate the need for overpopulated hospitals. Besides, a video conferencing and email based telehealth system is  described in [35]. The developed system is proposed for adult patients. This study provides consultation or advice to health providers through email or video conferencing. The use of public transportation is eliminated by using this system.

In addition, a new web based system [36] is proposed using Facebook like plug-in architecture. The Facebook app helped users to develop virtual support groups. Friends are searched using different parameters, including name, hobbies, and conditions of health. Many apps will not disclose the real health problems and users should not use their actual name due to privacy reasons. Users can send requests to friends and accept or reject requests from other users. Similarly, Care Deliver Frame (CDF) [37] is one kind of telehealth system based on social networking. The developed system is designed for older adults having a communication platform with their family members. Data from various sensors or devices such as blood pressure/glucose meters and weight scales are transmitted to mobile using Bluetooth. The collected data are posted on the patient’s Facebook timeline via message, photo, or video module. Children's family members or pre-allocated professional caregivers access this data via mobile or computer from the Facebook database under appropriate Facebook privacy settings. ‘Comm & Care’ app is used to retrieve vital signs measurement data from the patient’s timeline by professional caregivers. HC3i.cn [38] is another social media platform for telehealth extensively used in China. The first internet-based platform focuses on health informatics, internet-based medicine, and mHealth in China. The patients can receive consultation from physicians at home. The social media based telehealth systems that are frequently used are shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Available telehealth services based on social media

Authors	Received data format	Transferring media	Major technology/sensor used	Provided services
Davarpanah et al. [34]	Image	WhatsApp and email	N/A	Chest problem
Nicol et al. [35]	Video	Email or Video Conferencing	N/A	Any types of problems of adult patients
Dhillon et al. [36]	Facebook post	Facebook	N/A	Any types of problems of adult patients
Huang and Hsu [37]	Message, video or image	Facebook	BP, glucose, weight measure sensor, Bluetooth	Older adult patient
Leung et al. [38]	Message, call, video or image	HC3i.cn	N/A	Any types of patients

N/A: not appropriately defined

(C) Software Based Systems

In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), a software based telehealth system is not a new concept. In certain instances, video cameras or other acquisition panels are required as additional equipment in telehealth software [39, 40]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, such type of telehealth system can play a significant role in faster treatment [41].

Several telehealth services are available through software nowadays. Magdalena et al. [42] presented a new telemedicine application named NEMESIS using Java programming language. The developed system can acquire, visualize, and revise the ECG signal and transmit it among several medical stations. It has video conference and electronic mail module to communicate with specialists. The main feature of this system is that it has knowledge database access where all the records are saved and encrypted. Recently, VITASENIOR-MT [43] is introduced as another platform of telehealth service. The proposed system has three parts including a wireless sensor network (WSN), VITABOX, and cloud. VITABOX which is one kind of medical equipment collects data from the patient’s body using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) biometric sensors. Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, oximetry, and blood glucose are measured by these sensors and sent it to the cloud. Only associated doctors can access these data from the cloud using any web browser. A new telehealth system is designed and implemented for prenatal management in [44]. The developed system consists of a server, prenatal data assistant, and a workstation for an electronic health record. At first, the patient is required to complete registration with email and password through payment transactions. Then, the software collects data such as present and past medical history, family member history, menstrual history, obstetric history, gynecological history, and immunization history from the patient. The main part of this software is the routine checkup part which is important for good patient monitoring. Doctors or specialists check patient data from the website and make teleconsultation and prescription to the patients. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, this type of telehealth system can play a vital role in the treatment of obstetrics patients.

Matsumoto et al. [45] described another platform of telehealth based on the feedback control system. The proposed system can share information among clients, clinicians, and medical professionals. The key specification of this system is obtaining and transferring the information of the client, finding a problem, and confirming client safety, informing urgency to co-medical and clinician, and providing health care advice. An object-oriented method named Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used to develop this software. Similarly, a modern telehealth scheme is introduced in [46] based on neurofuzzy technology. It consists of a tele-practitioner terminal, a patient terminal, and a web-based central station. In both the tele-practitioner terminal and the patient terminal, Embedded Expert System (EMES) is used to serve the embedded intelligent agent for telecommunication and information management. Besides, in the central station, a database and EMES modules are used to store the patient’s personal information and medical data. XML is used between database and terminal for data transmission. The most popular, simple, and safe telehealth software in recent times is “Doxy.me” [47]. It has a free trial version as well as a paid version. The key features of this site are video conferencing, one-to-one messaging, group calling, screen sharing, and file-sharing options between clients and specialists. This web-based telehealth platform is integrated with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) software. In another research, advanced telehealth software “AMC Health” [48] is developed for health monitoring via the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medical instruments. It involves monitoring and Bluetooth communication, which can be provided either by the patient or caregiver to allow remote devices to work. In the COVID-19 situation, AMC Health provides probable diagnosis using their kit that includes Bluetooth at home peripheral devices and smart devices tablets for patients requiring e-visit. The popular telehealth softwares that are widely used is summarised in Table 3.

Table 3.

Available telehealth services based on Software

Authors	Received data format	Transferring media	Major technology/sensor used	Provided services
Magdalena et al. [42]	Video conference and electronic mail with image data	NEMESIS database	Java programming language	ECG signal
Mendes et al. [43]	Medical data	Cloud	Wireless sensor network, VITABOX, BLE biometric sensors	Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, oximetry or blood glucose
Jalil et al. [44]	Prenatal data	Cloud	N/A	Obstetrics patients
Matsumoto et al. [45]	Any kinds of data	Cloud	Unified modeling language	Any kinds of patients
Wang and Winters [46]	Medical data	XML	Embedded expert system, neurofuzzy technology	Any kinds of patients
Doxy.me [47]	Video, call, message, screen, or file sharing	Cloud	Electronic health records and practice management	Any kinds of patients
AMC Health [48]	Any kinds of data	Cloud and bluetooth	Bluetooth	Any kinds of patients, especially for COVID-19 testing

N/A: not appropriately defined

Discussions

In this review, a brief discussion on the scalable telehealth services has been presented. All the necessary features of the reviewed systems have been organized in Tables 1, 2, and 3. The main features such as received data format, transferring media, major technology/ sensor used, provided services are focused on describing these systems.

As most of the reviewed scalable telehealth systems make the use of the already existing world-wide network infrastructure, patients around the world can get help from doctors and specialists regardless of their physical distance. The reviewed systems used various forms of data to exchange necessary information. Some systems collected data as an image format [27–29, 34, 37] and some systems in video [35, 37, 38], or voice call [26–29] from patient side. Some mobile network based telehealth systems also received SMS [24, 25] from patients. Whereas some frameworks [45–48] did not have any restrictions on the data format received from patient’s devices.

The reviewed systems also used different types of networks to send and receive necessary information. Mobile network based systems used GSM network whereas some systems used GPRS [25], P2P [25], and 3G cellular network [27] as transferring medium. Social media based systems utilized their databases such as Facebook [36, 37], WhatsApp [34], email [35], etc. as data transferring medium on top of internet connectivity technologies. Similarly, software based systems used cloud and proprietary servers for data transferring purposes.

Almost all of the reviewed systems used various types of sensors to measure necessary data from the patient’s body. The temperature sensor, glucose sensor, BP sensor, weight measure sensor, SpO2 sensor, and ECG machine have been generally used in the reviewed systems to monitor and test potential patients. While some reviewed systems are designed to provide general emergency support, some systems are proposed only for special cases such as obstetrics patients [44], chest problems [34], older adult patients' problems [37], and ECG monitoring [42]. Furthermore, the system reviewed in [48] provided a way to test potential COVID-19 patients from a safe distance.

As doctors and healthcare workers need to get close to potential patients infected with the COVID-19 virus for proper testing, they are more vulnerable to infection. Also, a lot of developing and under-developed countries do not have sufficiently advanced healthcare systems or expertise in a global pandemic. Telehealth technologies not only reduce the risk of infection of healthcare professionals, but also bridge the gap among countries to provide emergency services to people who need it regardless of nationality, gender, race, caste, or religion. The reviewed systems are scalable in the sense that, the systems can accommodate the growing number of infected patients by increasing the number of interested specialists and doctors in the platforms. However, most of the systems are depended on the doctor’s or specialist’s feedback. Modern machine learning [49] and artificial intelligence [50–52] technology may improve the quality of early detection and proper direction in healthcare and aid the doctors in faster detection. Proper guidelines to use telehealth technology alongside general clinical measures should also be developed to fight against the ongoing pandemic. Integrated telehealth systems including proper sensory and networking hardware can also be developed for providing proper support in rural areas.

Telehealth systems also have some limitations. If the patients themselves connect and measure the various information through the electronic sensors, the risk of improper setup or incorrect readings increases. Also, electronic devices and sensors have varying levels of measurement errors. As these telehealth systems exchange very sensitive medical information, data privacy is also a huge concern.

Conclusion

The number of COVID-19 infected patients is increasing exponentially around the world. To minimize the COVID transmission risk and maintaining social distance, scalable telehealth services play an important role to provide health services to the community. This paper overviews the available scalable telehealth services that are frequently used for COVID-19 patients as well as other patients. The existing telehealth systems are divided into mobile networks, social media, and software based services. The systems are described throughout the paper in terms of working principle, technology, used equipment, and types and methodology of service provided. The current challenges of existing technologies with possible future trends are also drawn in this review. Based on the findings of this study, clinicians and patients are highly recommended to apply telehealth systems as an appropriate option to prevent and avoid COVID-19 infection.

Funding

No funding sources.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.