The article contains systematized and summarized data on the possible uses of metaverse technologies in practical healthcare in order to assess the prospects of their widespread use. We searched PubMed and ScienceDirect for publications. The search resulted in 35 relevant articles published during 2021–2022 period.

Metaverses could be used both to create realistic immersive patient interactions and to improve diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation processes. The use of metaverses certainly has some potential risks. It is important to determine for what purposes and in what cases their implementation is necessary and justified.

In case of close mutually beneficial cooperation of regulatory bodies, academic medical community, IT companies and step-by-step solution of existing problems, it becomes feasible to move from fantasies about the virtual universe to its real embodiments.

Background. Presently, in diagnostic radiology, it is possible to use clinical decision support systems (CDSS) based on artificial intelligence technologies. These systems are integrated into medical information systems and/or federal health care information systems of the Russian Federation. The availability of a quality control system for diagnostic radiology enables impact evaluation of AI-based CDSS in the medical care. Moreover, the challenge of defect prevention in radiology with such CDSS is relevant.

Aim. To evaluate the use of decision support systems based on artificial intelligence (AI) for preventing defects in the radiologist’s work.

Methods. Retrospective observational study. Inclusion criteria: (i) chest computed tomography (CT) reported by radiologists and subsequently analyzed by AI; (ii) clinically relevant discrepancies between radiologist and expert identified at the time of retrospective quality control.

Results. 12 572 CT scans were reviewed, including 4949 chest CT scans. Complete agreement according to the audit results was observed in 61.4% of cases, clinically significant discrepancies in 2.8%. 15 studies with clinically significant discrepancies and relevant AI results were identified. In 60% of cases a radiologist missed signs of pneumonia; in 33.0% of cases a solid or subsolid lung nodule (>5 mm) was undetected. Coronary artery calcification was not reported once. In all cases pathological findings had not been reported initially, but were found during the audit and by AI algorithms.

Conclusion. AI-based decision support systems ensure that significant pathology is not missed during the initial imaging study reporting. Therefore, AI system could act as a means of preventing defects in the work of the radiologist.

Background. The revolutionary leap in Internet accessibility and the introduction of information technologies in all spheres of modern society have become significant reasons for the growing popularity of web applications providing personalized health information.

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of the online means of checking symptoms present in the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet.

Research methods. To achieve this goal on the basis of the information submitted in the review of the publications and results of queries to the search engines Google and Yandex a list of symptom checkers included in the study has compiled. As scenarios for comparative analysis, based on approved clinical recommendations, 3 situational tasks were formed with a description of the symptoms (reference clinical descriptions) of nosologies related to the pathology of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and digestive organs.

Results. In the course of the work, the studied online means of checking symptoms were compared according to the following characteristics:

• the ability to enter information about the patient and the necessary symptoms;
• the results of the formation of a diagnostic conclusion;
• usability of navigation and overall impression of the interface;
• availability of additional features.

Conclusion. A comparative analysis of ten web-based applications for checking symptoms present in the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet using «reference» descriptions of nosological forms indicates a sufficiently high quality of software products for this purpose. However, in order to obtain more reliable conclusions, we consider it appropriate to conduct a similar study using scenarios created based on the description of complaints from real patients of different age and gender groups.

Background. The current level of digitalization of society determines the feasibility of developing effective web tools designed to expand the contingent of people who are motivated and ready to provide first aid. The purpose of the study is to develop a conceptual model of a multifunctional first aid web service based on an analysis of open web resources on first aid.

Materials and methods. In November-December 2022, 30 English-language and 30 Russian-language web resources on first aid were selected by the keywords “first aid” in Russian and English in the Google search engine. A structured content analysis of selected web resources was carried out according to 78 features distributed over 10 checklists.

Results. The content of the web resources contained functions of first aid training (42%), first aid promotion (50%) and first aid counseling (60%). Text materials (95%) and pictures (52%) prevailed in the web resources, new digital solutions were rarely used (18%), the content often did not meet the requirements of digital accessibility (87%). Less than 17% of the web resources matched the definition of a first aid web service. Based on the analysis performed, a model of a multifunctional first aid web service was built. The model includes the following modules: interface customization; information and methodological materials; counseling and prompt assistance; promotion and popularization; training. According to the concept of the model, user interaction with a web service can be: synchronous or asynchronous; autonomous or interactive; involving a person or a software.

Conclusion. The conceptual model of a multifunctional first aid web service, combining the functions of informing, counseling, promotion, training and prompt coordination was developed for the first time. Implementation of the proposed model is aimed at increasing the efficiency of using web technologies to intensify general population involvement in providing first aid.

Successful efforts made to reduce incidence of tuberculosis have not translated into improved cure rates which remain low. This is largely due to long time for diagnosis, formation of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during treatment, a large set of anti-TB drugs and adverse events during their use. Therapy regimens change and replace each other rapidly, clinical guidelines update more and more often.

This along with growing number of comorbidities of a patient, requiring multicomponent pharmacotherapy, makes the development of an intellectual assistant for a TB doctor highly anticipated. Such an assistant would help a doctor processing a large amount of information about the patient, drugs he takes. It would also offer an informed decision in administering chemotherapy regimen and it’s timely changes in case of detection of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Aim: study of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) needs in terms of therapy monitoring using a mobile application (MА) and the development of the required functions of the MА.

Materials and methods: 96 patients, 18 years of age and older (mean age 57,3±11,9) with a diagnosis of AF receiving anticoagulant therapy were included. We developed a questionnaire to assess the needs of patients with AF in terms of the use of MA, which included questions regarding the readiness of patients to use the developed MA in everyday life, their expectations regarding its interface and functionality.

Results: To study the expectations, needs for certain functions, as well as fears when working with MA, 96 patients (100%) were surveyed. Based on the results of the survey, the main expectations from the developed product were identified as follows: communication with a doctor to control therapy — 96% of respondents (n = 92), improved adherence to therapy — 94% of respondents (n=90). The most common fear was an incomprehensible interface — 21% of respondents (n = 20). Mean age of patients «ready to use MA» was 54,2±12,2 vs. 60,3±10,3 in the group «not ready to use MA» (p = 0,01). Prompt communication with the doctor was considered as the most important function in MA (45 (47%)).

Conclusion: A study of the needs of patients with AF in terms of the developed MA showed that the most important parameters were the convenience and ease of use, and the most demanded function of the MA was the possibility of prompt communication with the doctor.

The introduction of information technology is currently the main direction of the healthcare progress. Existing data published by domestic and foreign authors demonstrating the clinical and economic benefits of telemedical and information technologies, doesn’t cover regional practices. This study focused on broadening the knowledge about telemedicine application in the regional health care. The aim is to assess the directions of development and practice of application of telemedicine and information technologies in regional health care (using example of medical organizations of the Kemerovo region — Kuzbass). Materials and methods: online sociological survey using author’s questionnaire, statistical, general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, logical and system analysis. Results. Telemedicine technologies are used in the practice by 54,1% of the surveyed doctors, 52,9% of administrative staff, and 27,8% of nursing staff and secondary medical personnel. 75,1% of all respondents agreed with the statement that telemedicine technologies can be used as a powerful tool to improve health care delivery. The key factors hindering the use of the technologies in Kuzbass medical institutions include: the need to prepare a large number of documents, low-quality technical equipment, and the lack of time for this type of activity for the medical staff. The conclusions and generalizations made in the study can be used as a basis for the adoption and implementation of management decisions by the organizers of the regional health care system.