Healthcare

Our medical research library holds 5 studies published in Healthcare (2023–2025). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 5 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Published: 2013 to the present, Switzerland
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2227-9032 (electronic)
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2020s

• Gender Differences in the Use of ChatGPT as Generative Artificial Intelligence for Clinical Research and Decision-Making in Occupational Medicine. P. Mashburn, F.A. Weuthen, N. Otte, et al. 2025;13(12). PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from early diagnostic expert systems to advanced generative models, such as GPT-4, which are increasingly being used in healthcare. Concerns persist regarding inaccuracies and input dependency. This study aimed to deliver initial insights into whether gender influences the interaction of medical professionals with generative AI. Methods: This analysis investigated gender differences in medical students' and physicians' interactions with ChatGPT-4 while researching occupational medicine cases in a randomized controlled study. Participants assessed cases involving asbestos-related disease, metal sulfate allergy, and berylliosis using ChatGPT. Inputs and outputs were evaluated for accuracy, confabulations, communication styles, and user satisfaction. Demographic data and self-assessments of occupational medicine knowledge before and after the tasks were also collected. Results: Among 27 participants (63% women, 37% men), women showed greater knowledge improvement after using ChatGPT, particularly in asbestos-related cancer identification. No significant gender differences emerged in diagnostic accuracy, reporting procedures, or satisfaction with ChatGPT. Women exhibited significantly higher self-rated competence after using the ChatGPT application, while men only showed minimal change. Input from the female participants led to more confabulations, although response accuracy remained comparable. Conclusions: This study offers the first real-world insights into the use of generative AI in occupational medicine, highlighting the importance of understanding user-dependent variability in AI-supported clinical practice and decision-making. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive AI literacy training in medical education, accommodating diverse interaction styles and strategies to mitigate AI-generated misinformation. Future research with larger and more diverse cohorts could provide deeper insights into the influence of gender, age, and experience on AI utilization in healthcare. Integrating gender-based interaction differences into AI training and applications may improve clinical performance and promote more equitable healthcare practices.

• Colorectal Cancer and Asbestos Exposure: A Women's Health Perspective. A. Porzio, A. Feola, C. Salzillo, et al. 2024;12(18). Review PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a "man's disease". However, emerging data show that females may have a higher prevalence of certain risk factors. A potential causal role of asbestos in CRC carcinogenesis has been suggested. This relationship is controversial, and only a few studies have focused on exposed female populations. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature related to asbestos-related CRC incidence and mortality rates in female populations to address gender bias in the existing research.

  Methods: A systematic review was performed following PRISMA statement.

  Results: Fourteen studies reporting 92 cases in total were included. Most women were aged 50 years or older and were employed in occupational activities with high asbestos exposure (steel, textile, and asbestos-cement industry) for at least 10 years. In one single case, household asbestos exposure was reported. The colon was the primary location of the tumor in 47 out of 92 cases. Three women were also affected by synchronous or metachronous peritoneal mesotheliomas.

  Conclusions: This study revealed a general methodological "gender bias" in scientific research. A significantly higher representation of women in clinical studies is needed to clarify the link between asbestos exposure and the development of colorectal cancer.

• Respiratory Diseases with High Occupational Fraction in Italy: Results from the Italian Hospital Discharge Registry (2010-2021). P. Ferrante. 2024;12(24). PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Objectives: Occupational respiratory diseases represent a major public health concern worldwide. This study analyses the hospitalization costs and characteristics of four major occupational respiratory diseases: malignant mesothelioma (MM), sinonasal cancer (SNC), pneumoconiosis (PN), and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The findings are situated within the context of Italy's population trends and healthcare system, offering insights into the economic and clinical burden of these diseases.

  Study Design: This retrospective, population-based study examines Italian hospitalizations for MM, SNC, PN, and HP during the period 2010-2021. The primary outcomes were the number of hospitalizations, length of stay, and associated cost. Costs were derived from charges linked to diagnosis-related groups (version 24) and major diagnostic category coding systems.

  Results: Though the Italian population is rapidly aging, the annual number and rate of hospitalizations declined by 35% over the study period. SNC hospitalizations aligned with the overall trend, PN and MM experienced faster declines, whereas HP admissions remained steady. MM emerged as the most resource-intensive (EUR 25 million yearly, with 86% attributable to occupation), followed by PN (EUR 10 million, entirely occupational), SNC (EUR 5 million, with EUR 650,000 occupational), and HP (EUR 2 million, with EUR 370,000 occupational). All studied diseases had an average length of stay exceeding the national one. The SNC admissions were the shortest (6.5 days) and least expensive (EUR 3647). In contrast, MM, PN, and HP had a mean length of stay exceeding 10 days, with admission costs averaging EUR 4700 for MM and EUR 4000 for PN and HP. The median age was the highest for PN (78 years) and MM (71 years), while SNC and HP patients had a median age of approximately 65 years.

  Conclusions: Consistent with their anticipated benefits, Italian workplace health regulations over the last three decades, including the 1992 asbestos ban and D.lgs. 81/2008, are associated with significant reductions in the hospitalization burden and an increased median age at discharge for MM and PN. In contrast, fewer conclusions can be drawn for SNC and HP due to their lower occupational fractions (10-20%). This finding suggests adding an occupational exposure flag in hospital records for acknowledged occupational diseases to enhance surveillance. Finally, this study provides the first estimate of the occupational fraction of hospitalization costs for the studied diseases in Italy.

• The Pleural Mesothelioma Cases and Mortality in Portugal in 2014-2020: A Descriptive Study. C. Santos, E. Sacadura-Leite, J. Ferreira, et al. 2024;12(11). PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Background: The incidence and mortality of pleural mesothelioma (PM) reflect the production and consumption of asbestos over time. However, despite the current global concern, these data remain to be known.

  Objective: Our aim was to carry out a descriptive analysis of PM cases and mortality from some Portuguese databases between 2014 and 2020.

  Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out between 2014 and 2020. Data on the number of PM cases were provided by the Portuguese Cancer Registry, and data on mortality were from the Portuguese Death Certificate Information System.

  Results: Between 2014 and 2020, 315 cases of PM were reported, with 222 (70.5%) men. The average age of patients was 72.1, with the highest number of cases in patients aged >70 years (n = 198; 62.9%). The highest number of cases was reported in 2018 (n = 62; 19.7%). Regarding mortality, 169 deaths were reported, with 126 (74.6%) men and mostly in individuals aged >70 years (n = 109; 64.5%). It is estimated that around 520 years of potential life were lost. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2015 (n = 33; 19.5%).

  Conclusion: It is mandatory to reinforce the need for surveillance programs that allow us to gather real and reliable data and eliminate asbestos-related diseases.

• Colorectal Cancer: 35 Cases in Asbestos-Exposed Workers. A. Porzio, A. Feola, G. Parisi, et al. 2023;11(23). PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Background: Asbestos is considered one of the major global work-related carcinogens. Some studies suggest a potential causal relationship between asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of asbestos in CRC carcinogenesis is still controversial.

  Methods: 35 claims of occupational CRC among asbestos-exposed workers were reviewed. All claims were rejected by the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents (INAIL) due to the "lack of scientific evidence in the causality" between asbestos exposure and CRC; causality was finally assessed in civil trials. All cases were categorized by age, gender, industry type, task, exposure and latency periods, anatomical location, and histopathological characteristics of CRC and concomitant respiratory diseases.

  Results: Most workers were males aged 60 years or more and employed in occupational activities with extensive use of asbestos for over 20 years. In 31 out of 35 cases, CRC was diagnosed over 39 years after employment. Right-sided colic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in nine cases; rectum was involved in eight cases. Respiratory comorbidities were observed in 22 workers.

  Conclusions: Our study provides some interesting points in the assessment of the causal relationship between asbestos exposure and CRC.

Browse every journal in the library or the library by type of article, or return to medical research.