scholarly journals Trial collaborators’ perceptions of the process of delivering Healthy Beginnings advice via telephone calls or text messages

Author(s):  
Mahalakshmi Ekambareshwar ◽  
Sarah Taki ◽  
Seema Mihrshahi ◽  
Louise Baur ◽  
Li Ming Wen ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e001126
Author(s):  
Adeola Oyegbite ◽  
Jessica Roberts ◽  
Joanna Bircher

BackgroundNationally, cervical screening uptake is suboptimal, even though research shows that the programme is highly effective at preventing cervical cancer.Local problemCornerstone is a small practice located in Salford in the North West of England. Historically, screening uptake here has been lower than average. There were 656 eligible women on our practice list and 177 of them were unscreened at the start of the project. The largest group of non-white British or Irish people on our list (13) spoke Polish as their first language.MethodsWe used quality improvement methods: the model for improvement, a driver diagram and Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles. Specifically, we targeted 177 women who were previously non-responders, as well as keeping up the regular screening service. We managed to contact 120 women during the project.InterventionsWe tested different methods of inviting women to attend cervical screening: telephone calls, text messages and letters. Later, a video link was also included in the text invitation. Information leaflets about the tests were added to letters. The letter was also translated into Polish.ResultsUptake improved and the aim was reached. Telephone calls from the nurse increased uptake but took time away from other work, so was not a sustainable change for our practice. A letter stating evidence basis for the test, and a letter translated into Polish showed limited improvement. Sending letters with information leaflets and text messages with video links achieved similar response rates with no statistical significance when we analysed the data. Offering extended hours and flexible appointment times showed very positive results.ConclusionsThe text message with a video attached was adopted as an effective method for targeting persistent non-responders.The project in its second year is being scaled up across the Primary Care Network.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahalakshmi Ekambareshwar ◽  
Sarah Taki ◽  
Seema Mihrshahi ◽  
Louise A. Baur ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
...  

A 3-arm randomised controlled trial implemented in 2017, recruited participants from four Local Health Districts (LHDs) in New South Wales (NSW) to test an early obesity prevention program delivered via telephone calls (telephone) or text messages (SMS). This sub-study explored participants’ experience and satisfaction with the program. A multimethod design was used. Quantitative satisfaction questions were completed by participants when their child was six-months old. A purposive sample of participants with varying satisfaction levels was invited for in-depth qualitative interviews. Data were analysed using Excel (quantitative) and inductive thematic analysis (qualitative). Of the 1155 participants recruited: 947 (293 telephone; 338 SMS; 316 control) completed the six-month survey; 34 (14 telephone; 13 SMS; 7 control) were interviewed. Participants’ overall program satisfaction was 100% (telephone) and 85% (SMS). Participants’ qualitative responses demonstrated appreciation of: personalised stage-based information; opportunity to communicate with health professionals (telephone); linked Healthy Beginnings booklets and SMS mostly as nudges (SMS). There is a clear need for stage-based information, and supplemented modes of delivery i.e., text messages along with telephone calls; with text messages solely seen as nudges or reminders. However, individual preferences vary according to information needs at any given time, time constraints on new mothers and hence, multiple modes of information provision are recommended in order to reach a wider population and for better engagement. Choice and flexibility in mode of delivery has the potential to provide equitable access to information, empowering women with infants to practice recommended health behaviours for infant obesity prevention.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-111
Author(s):  
Helen Namondo Linonge-Fontebo

Homosexuality is highly resisted in Cameroon by all spectrums of the social strata and it is a criminal offence under Cameroonian criminal law. Yet there has been little research on homosexuality in Cameroon, let alone prison sexuality. Defence lawyers for lesbians, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex individuals (LGBTI) and their families receive anonymous telephone calls and text messages threatening them with death if they do not withdraw from defending homosexuals. The National Commission for Human Rights and Freedom (NCHRF) refuses to protect LGBTI victims from arbitrary arrest and police brutality, and their subsequent incarceration in prison. Workshops organised for sexual minorities are being disrupted even when the organisers obtain due authorisation. The article examines the continuation or spread of the practice of homosexuality despite its criminalisation, as well as the dynamics of the practice within a prison system. The research is qualitative, involving the narratives of 38 research participants distributed as follows: 18 female inmates, 18 prison staff members and two NGO representatives. The findings reveal that homosexuality exists in Cameroonian prisons and is more common in men’s cells than in women’s cells. Prison staff have attempted to limit its practise in the cells, yet it is ongoing and both prison staff and inmates punish the perpetrators of this offence. The decriminalisation of homosexuality as an offence has become imperative, because in this author’s view sexual orientation is not biologically determined but rather the result of socialisation.


1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Riley

An integrated voice and text message system has been provided to members of our research organization as part of an experimental system that provides our everyday communications services. The message service answers telephone calls, and the resulting messages are included in a standard electronic mailbox. Both voice and text messages are accessible from either the telephone or a terminal. Message retrieval and message management from the terminal are used extensively for voice messages as well as text messages. The telephone, while often convenient for retrieving voice messages, does not provide an attractive user interface for service control. Users neither use nor remember how to use many of the service features. The terminal, with its visual, menu-driven interface, is much more usable for service control. We believe that both our text and voice message services have been enhanced by their integration. We have also observed that the display terminal provides a very effective interface to managing voice communications services.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110048
Author(s):  
Erik G. Gunderson ◽  
Bradley J. Newell ◽  
Brent J. Rohling ◽  
Brittany L. Melton ◽  
Amy D. Robertson

Background: Prescription abandonment impacts patients’ quality of life and disease progression. In addition, prescription abandonment can increase total healthcare costs. Objective: This study compared effects of automated telephone calls (ATC), automated text messages (ATM), and control on prescription abandonment rates with Medicare defined Star Rated medications. The secondary objective compared prescription abandonment rates between age groups (18-64 versus ≥ 65 years) within each arm. Methods: This was a retrospective observational analysis from a regional division of a large community-based pharmacy chain. Star Rated medication prescriptions consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, and non-insulin type 2 diabetes mellitus medications were included. Prescriptions for patients who activated or deactivated automated notification enrollment during the study period were excluded. Results: A total of 31,056, 33,278, and 20,299 prescriptions were included in the analysis of ATC, ATM, and control arms, respectively. Prescription abandonment occurred on 726 (2.3%) prescriptions within ATC arm, 864 (2.6%) prescriptions within ATM arm, and 513 (2.5%) prescriptions within control arm (p = 0.099). Prescription abandonment occurred on 390 (2.6%) prescriptions for 18-64 and 336 (2.1%) prescriptions for 65 years or older within the ATC arm (p = 0.002). Prescription abandonment occurred on 251 (2.9%) prescriptions for 18-64 and 262 (2.3%) prescriptions for 65 years or older within the control arm (p = 0.006). Conclusion: No difference in rates of prescription abandonment existed between each automated notification arm on Star Rated medications. ATC notifications decreased rates of prescription abandonment when utilized by patients 65 years or older.


2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R Nimmo ◽  
Claire Mitchell

Interruptions occur throughout clinical practice. They occur during ward rounds, procedures, discussions with relatives or specialists, while checking drugs or equipment, when prescribing and writing in notes. They can take the form of face-to-face interaction, telephone calls or text messages, pagers, alarms on monitors or equipment. They may be for mundane reasons, low priority or urgent. They may be for relaying information, to refer patients, to discuss plans, to arrange treatment or investigations. Some are unnecessary and potentially unsafe, but others are essential re-directions to more urgent clinical situations. It may be that educational interventions could be used to reduce the detrimental effects of ill-timed interruptions and to promote effective re-directional interruptions.


Author(s):  
Rasha Zaid Abu-Baker

Background: Nonadherence with medication occurs in all chronic disorders. It is a challenge in schizophrenia due to the nature of illness’s association with social isolation, stigma, and substance misuse, lack of insight and cognitive impairment. It increases the risk of relapse, rehospitalization, self-harm, increases inpatient costs, and lowers quality of life. Tele-nursing interventions improve medication adherence, shared decision-making, ensuring that treatment is effective and that side effects are managed, promoting a positive therapeutic alliance and good communication between the physician, nurse and patient. Objective: To systematically evaluate the tele-nursing interventions and their efficiency in schizophrenia patient care. Method: This study was conducted using scientific search engines Cumulative Index of Nursing Allied and Health Literature (CINAHL), OVID, Pubmed, Wiley, Science Direct and PsycINFO database were searched for relevant information from 2010 until 2016. Results: According to the findings that were evaluated within the scope of the systematic review, it was observed that the tele-nursing interventions were telephone calls and text messages used, shown to extend the time spent by schizophrenia patients in society and decrease the duration of days spent at the hospital after rehospitalization. Conclusion: According to this systematic review, the applications of tele-nursing interventions are effective among schizophrenia patients. Keywords: schizophrenia; tele-nursing; adherence; nonadherence


Trials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahalakshmi Ekambareshwar ◽  
Seema Mihrshahi ◽  
Li Ming Wen ◽  
Sarah Taki ◽  
Greer Bennett ◽  
...  

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S188-S188
Author(s):  
George Gillett ◽  
Barbara Arroyo ◽  
The Beth Team

AimsTo design & develop a clinically scalable personalised health record and patient portal to;Improve patient safety through improved communication and information sharing between staff, patients and carers, and improved access to safety plans for patients.Increase the uptake of virtual appointments and video calls rather than over-reliance on telephone calls for clinical careEmpower patients to access supported self-management and self-directed care using digital resourcesBackgroundCurrent mental health services often rely on telephone calls, letters, text messages and email, which often repeat information to the detriment of the patient. Likewise, care plans and appointments are given in paper cards, which can be lost or become out-dated. Furthermore, service-users often have no access to curated resources, symptom-tracking tools or ability to document their personal treatment targets in medical notes.MethodBased on service-user feedback, clinical need and the above aims, a digital personalised health record and online portal was developed for patients to record personal goals & coping strategies, access crisis plans, view appointments, track symptoms, complete clinical assessments, communicate with their care-team and access self-management materials. The tool, ‘Beth’, was named after the Bethlem Royal Hospital and was launched in July 2020 to all patients in the South London and Maudsley Trust.ResultAcross the Trust, the tool currently has 710 active users. Features used include; accessing care plans and safety plans, communicating with care teams, organising and viewing appointments, undertaking clinical assessments to inform measurement-based care, tracking symptoms and progress, developing a secure diary, and accessing free & trusted self-management resources.ConclusionWe have developed “Beth,” a digital personalised health record and patient portal for use in widespread clinical practice. The tool allows patients to take an active role in their care-planning, enhances communication between patients, carers and clinical teams and may improve service efficiency and patient safety. Future development may customise the tool further to incorporate new features and optimise usability for patients and clinicians alike.


Author(s):  
Remi A. Oladigbolu ◽  
Mansur O. Oche ◽  
Mansur O. Raji ◽  
Godwin J. Gana ◽  
Zainab A. Ezenwoko

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proven to be a good predictor of clinical outcome among patients on ART. This study aimed to assess the effect of phone reminder interventions on the knowledge of Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV)/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), ART and adherence to ART drugs among non-adherent patients receiving care in Sokoto State.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 196 non-adherent HIV patients between February and July 2017. The intervention group received monthly telephone calls and weekly text messages for twelve weeks while the control group received only standard of care. Self-report adherence, forgetfulness to take ART and knowledge of HIV/AIDS and ART were measured pre- and post- intervention. Data were processed and analysed using IBM Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22 computer statistical software package.Results: At baseline, although majority of participants in both groups had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, ART drug adherence, they were both non-adherent to ART and it was mainly due to forgetfulness. At post intervention, respondents with good knowledge and adherent to ART were significantly higher in the intervention group. There was also a significantly lower proportion of forgetfulness among the intervention group compared with control group (c2=47.57, p<0.001).Conclusion: The interventions were found to be effective. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with the support of implementing partners need to integrate these interventions into clinical setting as part of comprehensive care for HIV care and treatment to assist in improving their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, ART and adherence to ART.


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