Readability of Patient Education Texts Presented on the Internet Related to Vaccines

Objective This study aimed to compare the readability and the contents of the patient information texts regarding vaccination on Turkish Internet sites. Material and Methods Websites were searched in the Google search engine using the keywords “what is vaccination?” “benefits of vaccination,” “harms of vaccination,” and “side effects of vaccination” in May 2018. Readability was determined using Ateşman and Bezirci–Yilmaz formulas. According to Ateşman readability formula, the higher the readability of a text, the easier it can be read. Readability of “health-care professional” websites was compared with that of “non–health-care professional” websites. The content of the websites was analyzed by two pediatricians. Results After the exclusion of the website not fulfilling the criteria, 44 websites, of which 20 were created by health-care professionals and 24 by non–health-care professionals, were evaluated. Ateşman readability scores were 53.62 ± 14.27 and 54.30 ± 8.60 for websites created by health-care professionals and non–health-care professionals, respectively. Mean readability level was “moderately difficult” for both groups according to Ateşman formula, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.83). Mean readability level was categorized as at “secondary-high school” with Bezirci–Yilmaz readability formula, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.68). The percentage of the contents of websites prepared by health-care professionals was found to be significantly higher when compared with non–health-care professionals (p = 0.04). Conclusion It was found that the readability of the patient information texts in the web pages related to vaccination was moderately difficult and that the text content was insufficient. To improve the readability, short sentences should be prepared by health-care professionals with few words and syllables. Existing texts should be revised in the light of current information.

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Digital Diabetes Care System Observations from a market acceptance evaluation study in Vietnam (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16435 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Tran Quang Khanh ◽

Pham Nhu Hao ◽

Eytan Roitman ◽

Baruch Marganitt ◽

Avivit Cahn

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Health Care Professional ◽

Diabetes Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mobile App ◽

Physician Satisfaction ◽

Diabetes Clinic ◽

Blood Glucose Monitor ◽

Hba1c Levels

BACKGROUND Digital technologies are gaining an important role in the management of patients with diabetes. The GlucoMe solution integrates multiple aspects of diabetes care: 1) Wireless blood glucose monitor - communicates glucose data automatically to any smartphone; 2) Mobile-app - securely transmits real-time blood glucose monitor data for cloud based analyses, and enables 2-way communication between patients and health care professionals; 3) Digital diabetes clinic – analyzes and presents data to the health care professional; and 4) Control tower software provides population management reports and sends individualized alerts. OBJECTIVE Assess clinical outcomes and user satisfaction of incorporating the GlucoMe digital solution in diabetes clinics of a developing country. METHODS Five hospital endocrinology clinics in Vietnam participated in a market acceptance evaluation pilot of the GlucoMe system. The clinics sequentially recruited all patients willing to join, so long as they had a smartphone and access to internet connectivity. Patients were provided with the GlucoMe app and blood glucose monitor and instructed in their use in individual or groups sessions. The digital diabetes clinic and control tower software were installed in the clinic computers. Face-to-face visits were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks, with monthly digital visits scheduled in the interim and additional digital visits performed as needed. HbA1c levels were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks (±20 days). Treatment modification was at the discretion of the treating physician. Outcome measures included adherence to glucose monitoring, change in glycemic parameters and patient and physician satisfaction as assessed by questionnaires. Only patients completing the pilot were included in data analyses. RESULTS The study recruited 300 patients of whom 279 patients completed the evaluation. Dropout was due to change in internet access availability (18) or death (3). Adherence to glucose measurements gradually declined, yet, at study end 81% of the patients were measuring glucose at least once a week. Digital contact from the health care professional to the patient or vice-versa (excluding automated alerts) occurred in average every 6.2 days. Average glucose levels declined from 170.4±64.6 mg/dl in the first two weeks to 150.8±53.2 mg/dl in the last two weeks (P<0.001) (n=221). HbA1c levels at baseline and 12 weeks were available for only 126 of the patients and declined from 8.3±1.9% to 7.6±1.3 (P<0.001). Over 95% of the physicians and patients stated they would strongly support the broad usage of the GlucoMe platform in diabetes clinics across the country. CONCLUSIONS The GlucoMe digital solution was broadly accepted by both patients and health care professionals and improved glycemic outcomes. The digital platform yielded increased number of patient-health care professional interactions, yet of short duration, enabling judicious allocation of limited time resources. The durability, scalability and cost-effectiveness of this approach merit further study.

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Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity of Students in a Physical Therapy Program – A Pilot Survey

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ◽

10.46743/1540-580x/2018.1668 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Olaide Oluwole-Sangoseni ◽

Michelle Jenkins-Unterberg

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Cultural Sensitivity ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Cultural Awareness ◽

Health Care Disparities ◽

Care Delivery ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Attempts to address health and health care disparities in the United States have led to a renewed focus on the training of healthcare professionals including physical therapists. Current health care policies emphasize culturally competent care as a means of promoting equity in care delivery by health care professionals. Experts agree that cultural insensitivity has a negative association with health professionals’ ability to provide quality care. Objective: To evaluate the cultural awareness and sensitivity of physical therapy (PT) students in a didactic curriculum aimed to increase cultural awareness. Methods: Using the Multicultural Sensitivity Scale (MSS), a cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess cultural sensitivity among three groups of students, (N = 139) from a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program at a liberal arts university in Saint Louis, MO. Results: Response rate was 76.3%. Participants (n=100) were students in first (DPT1, n=36), third (DPT3, n=36), and sixth (DPT6, n=28) year of the program. Mean ranked MSS score was DPT1 = 45.53, DPT3 = 46.60 DPT6 = 61.91. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of the mean ranked scores showed a significant difference among three groups, H = 6.05 (2, N=100), p ≤ .05. Discussion: Students who have completed the cultural awareness curriculum, and undergone clinical experiences rated themselves higher on the cultural sensitivity/awareness. Results provide initial evidence that experiential learning opportunities may help PT students to more effectively integrate knowledge from classroom activities designed to facilitate cultural competence.

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Impact of Diabetes Continuing Education on Knowledge and Practice of Diabetes Care among Health Care Professionals in Yemen

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i28a31525 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 221-230

Author(s):

Salmeen D. Babelgaith ◽

Mansour Almetwazi ◽

Syed Wajid ◽

Saeed Alfadly ◽

Ahmed M Shaman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Continuing Education ◽

Diabetes Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Diabetes Management ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

General Knowledge ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Knowledge And Practice ◽

The Impact

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the Impact of diabetes continuing education on knowledge and practice of diabetes care among health care professionals in Yemen. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out among health care professionals. The original questionnaire consisted of 22 multiple choice questions. A total of 73 HCPs received continuing education (CE) intervention. Knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results: The result showed that majority of the HCPs has a good general knowledge on diabetes and its managements prior to the CE program. Evaluation of the general knowledge score of the HCPs found some improvement in the knowledge score, however the improvement was not significant (p=0.31). The result of this study found that HCPs has good knowledge on monitoring the sign, symptoms and laboratory parameters. Conclusion: Evaluation of the knowledge score on Goal of Diabetes Management of HCPs found significant (p=0.024) improvement in the knowledge score. The results indicated that the lab values were rated as the most important in the goal for the treatment of diabetes patients. The study also found no significant difference in practice score after CE program among HCPs.

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Physical Activity on Prescription in Routine Health Care: 1-Year Follow-Up of Patients with and without Counsellor Support

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165679 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5679

Author(s):

Pia Andersen ◽

Sara Holmberg ◽

Kristofer Årestedt ◽

Lena Lendahls ◽

Per Nilsen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Routine Care ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Everyday Activity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

One Year

The effectiveness of counsellor support in addition to physical activity on prescription (PAP) from health care professionals has rarely been evaluated. This observational follow-up study investigated differences in physical activity levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) one year after PAP regarding patients’ use of counsellor support in addition to PAP in routine care. The study was conducted in a Swedish health care region in which all patients receiving PAP from health care professionals were offered counsellor support. Data were collected from medical records and questionnaires (baseline and follow-up). Of the 400 study participants, 37% used counsellor support. The group of counsellor users attained a higher level of physical activity one year after receiving PAP compared to the group of non-users (p < 0.001). The level of physical activity was measured by a validated index (score 3–19) calculated from weekly everyday activity and exercise training. Comparison of the change in scores between baseline and follow-up showed a significant difference between the two groups, (p < 0.001). The median difference in the PAP + C group was 2.0 (interquartile range, 7.0) and 0.0. among non-users (interquartile range, 4.0). Significant differences in HRQoL were due to positive improvements among counsellor users, with the main improvement in general health. The conclusion is that patients using counsellor support after receiving PAP from health care professionals had higher physical activity and better HRQoL one year after compared with patients who did not use this support.

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Canadian health care professionals' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of nutritional genomics

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114510002035 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 104 (8) ◽

pp. 1112-1119 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Mark Weir ◽

Karine Morin ◽

Nola Ries ◽

David Castle

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professional ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Social Issues ◽

Genome Project ◽

Regulatory Oversight ◽

Canadian Health ◽

Open Debate ◽

Canadian Health Care ◽

Nutritional Genomics

Nutritional genomics has reached the public through applications of the Human Genome Project offered direct to consumers (DTC). The ability to pursue nutrigenetic testing without the involvement of a health care professional has received considerable attention from academic and policy commentators. To better understand the knowledge and attitudes of Canadian health care professionals regarding nutritional genomics and nutrigenetic testing, qualitative research in the form of focus group discussions was undertaken. Four key themes emerged: (1) concerns over DTC testing; (2) lack of health care professional competency; (3) genetic scepticism and inevitability; (4) expectation of regulation. Together, they indicate that health care professionals have little knowledge about nutritional genomics and hold contradictory attitudes towards genomics in general, and to nutritional genomics in particular. Respondents argue in favour of a delivery model where health care professionals act as intermediaries. They are also aware of their lack of competency to provide such services. To ensure greater public protection, respondents cite the importance of more stringent regulatory oversight of DTC genetic testing. Whether such an approach is necessary to address the various ethical and social issues raised by nutrigenetic testing remains an open debate.

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Knowledge, attitude and practices towards pharmacovigilance among health care professionals in a teaching and general hospital of South India

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20190091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 289

Author(s):

Zainab Ghazala ◽

Prakash Kalshetty ◽

Shrenik Vardhamane

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Good Practice ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Pharmaceutical Products ◽

Multiple Choice Questions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to detection, monitoring, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problem from any pharmaceutical products. The core purpose of pharmacovigilance is to enhance patient care and generate the evidence based information on safety of medicines. The objective of present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the healthcare professionals about pharmacovigilance and to assess the reasons for underreporting of ADRs.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by administering KAP questionnaire to the healthcare professionals. There were 22 multiple choice questions. Ten related to knowledge, 5 related to attitude, and 6 related to practice. One question was asked to determine the reasons for underreporting of ADRs. The performance in each category was graded as good, average and poor if the number of participants giving correct/positive responses were >70%, 50-69%, <50% respectively. Question no 22 was assessed independently to find out reasons for underreporting of ADRs. Data was compiled and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square and ANOVA test.Results: The response rate in this study was 62.5%. The study included professors (11%), associate professors (6%), assistant professors (20%), postgraduates (26%) and interns (37%). That there was statistically very highly significant difference of mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice among health care professionals (P<0.001). The performance score with respect to attitude of health care professionals towards pharmacovigilance was good as compared to knowledge which was average followed by practice which showed poor performance (72.5% >51.6% >36.8%) (p <0.001).Conclusions: Awareness campaigns, CMEs, workshops on pharmacovigilance should be conducted regularly such that good knowledge about pharmacovigilance can be imparted which can be moulded into good practice.

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Knowledge and attitude of health care professional’s towards clinical pharmacy services in Nedjo General Hospital, Western Ethiopia

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20192798 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (7) ◽

pp. 172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ginenus Fekadu ◽

Busha Gamachu ◽

Teklie Mengie ◽

Mudasir Maqbool

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Hospital ◽

Clinical Pharmacy ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Clinical Pharmacy Service ◽

Pharmacy Services ◽

Clinical Pharmacy Services ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Clinical pharmacy service (CPS) is an expanding patient-oriented, hospital role with the potential for encroachment on the physician's role. In large part, the success of CPS will depend on the degree to which other health professionals accept the concept and are willing to cooperate with its disciples. Unfortunately, our information about the degree of knowledge regarding acceptance and reaction toward clinical pharmacy by other health workers is meager.Methods: A cross sectional study design was carried out by using self–administered questionnaires on 110 health care professionals (HCP) in Nedjo General Hospital 10th March to 10th April, 2018.Results: From the total respondents 91 (82.7%) were males and majority of them were nurses 46 (41.8%) followed by midwifes 23 (20.9%). This study showed that 67 (60.9%) of the HCPs had a good knowledge and 67.3% of the HCPs had a positive attitude about CPS. There was no significant difference between the HCPs knowledge of clinical pharmacy services in relation to their sex (p=0.744), age (p=0.313), profession (p=0.997), level of education (p=0.509), and experience (p=0.553). Regarding HCPs’ attitude of CPs role, there was no significant difference in relation to their sex (p=0.588), age (p=0.144), profession (p=0.059) and experience (p=0.394). However, the study revealed that there was a significant difference (p=0.009) between HCPs attitude and level education of HCPs.Conclusions: Majority of the HCPs had a good knowledge and a positive attitude towards CPS. Attention should focus to hospitals to implement ward based CPS and increasing inter-professional relationships between HCPs and pharmacists.

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Education of health care professionals, health associates and expert associates on gender-based violence

PONS - medicinski casopis ◽

10.5937/pomc17-24352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 14-19

Author(s):

Katarina Boričić

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Continuing Education ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Civil Society Organizations ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Health Council ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Republic ◽

Gender Based

Objective. The aim of this study is to determine the quality of accredited education on the topic of gender-based violence to health care professionals, health and professional associates in the Republic of Serbia. Methods. A search of a database of accredited continuing education programs published on the website of the Health Council of the Republic of Serbia for the period between January 2010 and July 2019. identified programs using the keywords "violence", "family" "gender-based". The ch2 test was used to examine the differences between the independent variables versus the dependent variable. Results. This study showed that two thirds of the training was intended for health care professionals, only while health care workers, health and professional associates were allocated for every seventh education. If the type of institution is observed, it can be noticed that twice as many programs are accredited by civil society organizations in relation to the number of programs accredited by health institutions. Considering the time period in which the programs are accredited, a trend of increasing number of programs can be observed. Among the accredited programs, national courses accounted for 42.6% of the accredited programs while every other program was free. There is a statistically significant difference between educations organized by different types of institutions in relation to the type and cost of education. Conclusion. Although in the observed period there is an increasing trend in the number of accredited programs dealing with gender-based violence, there is still room to improve the quality of continuing education in terms of increasing the number of trainings with an interactive method of work, trainings aimed at different profiles of health professionals and health and professional associates, as well as free on line trainings.

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Self-Medication Practices Among Health Care Professional Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Pune

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944501710010063 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 63-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Manjusha Sajith ◽

Sruthi M. Suresh ◽

Naveen T. Roy ◽

Dr. Atmaram Pawar

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professional ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Self Medication ◽

Medication Practice ◽

Professional Students ◽

Professional Exposure

Background: Self-medication practice is common among health care professionals due to their professional exposure to drugs and knowledge of treatment of their disease. Objective: The aim was to assess self-medication practice among medical, pharmacy, and nursing students in a tertiary care hospital, Pune. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out over a period of three months. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: A total of 318 students participated in the survey; among them106 were medical, 106 were nurses and 106 were Pharmacy students. Out of the total participants, 52.5% were females. Among them, 280 (87.5%) were practicing self- medication. Most drugs for self-medication were obtained from the pharmacy or drug shops, and the most commonly used drugs were non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs(81.2%) and antipyretics (67.6%) and antibiotics (35.0%). However, 112 (35.0%) of health care professional students had received antibiotics without medical prescription in the past few months. Common reported illnesses were fever and chills (62.5%) followed by headache (40.0%) and common cold(35.0%).The main reasons for self- medication was that their knowledge about drugs and diseases helped them (67%) and their health problem was not serious(65%). 40 (12.0%) were against self -medication practice and their reasons were fear of misdiagnosis of illness and adverse effect of drugs. Conclusion: Our study concluded that self-medication was practiced with a range of drugs among health care professional students. Educating the students and creating awareness among them may decrease the chance of self-medication practice.

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Preparedness to Tackle Coronavirus and Its Risk Perceptions among Health Care Professionals in Chennai City, India - A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Research and Review ◽

10.52403/ijrr.20211130 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 227-233

Author(s):

Suganya. P ◽

Sindhu. R ◽

Dinesh Dhamodhar

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adequate Knowledge ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Chennai City ◽

Dental Professionals

Background: Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease which begins to spread rapidly in various parts of the world including India. The health care professionals play a pivotal role in preventing or managing this disease so it is very essential for them to have an adequate knowledge, attitude and practice in tackling the disease. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the preparedness to tackle coronavirus and its risk perceptions among health care professionals in Chennai city, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 health care professionals in Chennai city. A sample of 67 medical and 66 dental professionals were selected from various hospitals in Chennai city based on the simple random sampling method. The questionnaire consists of 33 items regarding knowledge, attitude and practice towards coronavirus (COVID-19) and its risk perceptions among medical and dental health care professionals were obtained. The data was analyzed by using chi square test. P value <0.05 was considered to be a statistically significant. Results: The statistically significant difference was found regarding knowledge of symptoms, diagnosis of coronavirus among medical and dental professionals (p=0.0005). There was a highly significant difference was found among medical professionals regarding about the coronavirus WHO guidelines and proper facilities in treating coronavirus between medical and dental professionals (p=0.0005). The risk perceptions of medical professionals towards coronavirus was found to be statistically significant when compared to dental professionals (p>0.0005). Conclusion: The medical professionals have an adequate knowledge, attitude, practice and risk perceptions towards coronavirus when compared to dental professionals. Keywords: Coronavirus, Health care professionals, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Risk perceptions.

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