Recommending Suitable Smart Technology Applications to Support Mobile Healthcare after the COVID-19 Pandemic Using a Fuzzy Approach

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be entering its final stage. However, to restore normal life, the applications of smart technologies are still necessary. Therefore, this research is dedicated to exploring the applications of smart technologies that can support mobile healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, this study compares smart technology applications to support mobile healthcare within the COVID-19 pandemic with those before the pandemic, so as to estimate possible developments in this field. In addition, to quantitatively assess and compare smart technology applications that may support mobile healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic, the calibrated fuzzy geometric mean (CFGM)-fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) approach is applied. The proposed methodology has been applied to evaluate and compare nine potential smart technology applications for supporting mobile healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the experimental results, “vaccine passport and related applications” and “smart watches” were the most suitable smart technology applications for supporting mobile healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluating the sustainability of smart technology applications in healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic: A hybridising subjective and objective fuzzy group decision-making approach with explainable artificial intelligence

“… 9 However, the COVID-19 pandemic did not end as expected, resulting in a low reference value of previous analysis results. For example, Chen and Wang 9 did not consider remote temperature scanners as the most suitable smart technology application, yet as COVID-19 remained prevalent in society, the cost-effectiveness of remote temperature scanners increased. Now, remote temperature scanners are used extensively worldwide.…”

“…Chen and Wang 9 listed some characteristics of smart technology applications in healthcare after the COVID-19 pandemic, namely allowing users to regain their freedom of movement and travel, 7 , 26 meeting practical needs, having high effectiveness, the ability to be continually improved through software developments, and being cost-effective. In that study, restoring people's freedom of movement was considered the most crucial characteristic.…”

“… 3 , 4 Several studies have investigated the application of contact-tracing apps and sensors. 5 – 7 According to Khan et al., 8 robotics (including drones), artificial intelligence (AI), masks, and sensors were all relatively frequently used to minimise the spread of COVID-19, and according to Chen and Wang, 9 robots, smartphone apps, wearable sensors and devices, and wireless medical sensor networks were considered the most effective smart technology applications during the pandemic. By contrast, the application of remote temperature scanners was deemed unfavourable.…”

“…In summary, Most studies conducted before or during the COVID-19 pandemic focused on the use of smart technology applications in healthcare 2 , 10 ; State-of-the-art development has tended to focus on comparing the prevalence of various smart technology applications in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommending the possible applications of such technologies 5 , 8 ; and Few studies have discussed the reasons for this difference. 9 , 11 Thus, the following research gaps need to be addressed: Smart technologies that will likely be widely used after the COVID-19 pandemic may be different from those widely used during the pandemic; this topic was discussed by Chen and Wang. 9 However, the COVID-19 pandemic did not end as expected, resulting in a low reference value of previous analysis results.…”

“… 9 , 11 Thus, the following research gaps need to be addressed: Smart technologies that will likely be widely used after the COVID-19 pandemic may be different from those widely used during the pandemic; this topic was discussed by Chen and Wang. 9 However, the COVID-19 pandemic did not end as expected, resulting in a low reference value of previous analysis results. For example, Chen and Wang 9 did not consider remote temperature scanners as the most suitable smart technology application, yet as COVID-19 remained prevalent in society, the cost-effectiveness of remote temperature scanners increased.…”