scholarly journals Use of digital tools by PHC professionals as instrument for health decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R B David ◽  
V A Oliveira ◽  
L G Mota ◽  
D F Botelho ◽  
M Barral-Netto
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Health Work ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Critical View ◽  
Daily Work

Abstract Background Investments have been made in precision public health strategies, as a way to better assess needs and evaluate the health services. Experiences point out that the computerization of health systems reduces costs and improves the quality of information. Primary Health Care (PHC) workers are key elements of this transformation, which can be enhanced with the use of digital health strategies. This paper aims to know the perception of the use of digital tools provided by the Ministry of Health by PHC workers in municipalities in the state of Ceará/Brazil. Methods Focus groups and field monitoring were carried out with different professional profiles. The inclusion criterion was the use of digital tools in their daily work. Questionnaires were built to conduct semi-structured interviews. The analyzes were made using content analysis method. Results Among the 21 participants (32-49 years old, mostly female),3 reported not having digital knowledge prior to the use of digital tools in their daily work. Mostly associated the use of digital tools with greater agility and ease in the work routine and greater accuracy of information. The challenges were mainly related to the use of the equipment(tablet),such as fear of breakage, theft and problems in the synchronization of the information system. There was a consensus that the data collected are useful, however they are underutilized for the work process in PHC. Conclusions The use of digital tools in the health work process is able to foster the critical view of professionals for analysis and decision making, pointing out strategies to face health issues in the territories. Pointed out as a facilitator in daily work, the use of digital tools does not exclude the use of paper sheets. Despite the greater supply of data, these are not used to their full potential, mainly due to insufficient time, given the numerous tasks for professionals. Key messages Carefully planned, developed and deployed digital interventions are powerful tools to improve health care system performance. The use of digital tools in the health work process is able to foster the critical view for analysis and decision making, pointing out strategies to face health issues in the territories.

scholarly journals Willingness to Use Digital Health Tools in Patient Care Among Health Care Professionals and Students at a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia: Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey

10.2196/18590 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e18590
Author(s):  
Subash Thapa ◽  
Jesper Bo Nielsen ◽  
Abdullah M Aldahmash ◽  
Fatima R Qadri ◽  
Anja Leppin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Willingness To Use

Background The adoption rate of digital health in the health care sector is low in many countries. A facilitating factor for successful implementation and adoption of digital health is acceptance by current and future health care professionals. Objective This study was conducted to identify factors associated with willingness to use digital health tools in patient care among health care professionals and students. Methods This was a quantitative cross-sectional survey study conducted among health care professionals and students at a university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A nonprobability convenience sampling procedure was used to recruit participants. Data were collected using a self-completed e-questionnaire that was distributed by email. Chi-square tests, t tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results We found that 181 out of 218 health care professionals (83.0%; 75.6% [59/78] physicians; 87.1% [122/140] nurses) and 115 out of 154 students (74.7%; 80.0% [76/95] medical students and 66.1% [39/59] nursing students) were willing to use digital tools in patient care. Willingness to use digital tools was significantly associated with attitude (Adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR] 1.96; 95% CI 1.14-3.36) and self-efficacy (AOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.17-2.30) among health care professionals, and with current year of study (AOR 2.08; 95% CI 1.18-3.68) and self-efficacy (AOR 1.77; 95% CI 1.17-2.69) among students. No significant difference in willingness to use digital tools was found between physicians and nurses (P=.113), and between medical and nursing students (P=.079). Conclusions The findings of this study should encourage policy makers and hospital managers to implement relevant eHealth interventions within routine health care systems in Saudi Arabia. For successful implementation, digital health education programs should be implemented simultaneously, so that current and future health care professionals are able to develop required positive attitudes as well as practical skills and competencies.

scholarly journals The construction of permanent education in the process of health work in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kênia Lara Silva ◽  
Juliana Alves Viana Matos ◽  
Bruna Dias França
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Health Work ◽  
National Politics ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Two Phases

Abstract Objective: To analyze the practices of Educação Permanente em Saúde (EPS - Permanent Education in Health) and its repercussions on the work process of the involved actors. Method: This is a qualitative study, developed in two phases: mapping of EPS experiments in Minas Gerais and visits and interviews with nine managers, 22 coordinators and 18 professionals from ten selected municipalities. The first phase occurred from March to October 2014 and the second from March to June 2015. The material was analyzed under the prism of Critical Discourse Analysis. Results: The denomination of educational actions as training still prevails among professionals, contrary to national politics. However, it was possible to identify EPS signs in the professionals' daily life, indicating changes in the work process. Conclusion: There is evidence of a process of transformation of educational practices mobilized by EPS, despite the hegemonic model of education in the field of health work. Implications for practice: This is the need to problematize the daily work process in health.

scholarly journals Health System Stakeholders’ Perspective on the Role of Mobile Health and Its Adoption in the Swiss Health System: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Lingg ◽  
Verena Lütschg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Swiss Health ◽  
Recommendations For Action

BACKGROUND Digital health solutions have great potential to change the way health care is delivered, including better clinical outcomes and improved processes and access to health services. However, the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) solutions for patient monitoring has been rather slow in Switzerland. The reasons are complex, and a better understanding is needed to leverage the full potential of mHealth. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to deepen the understanding of the potential relevance and influence of mHealth for the health system and health care provision, and factors influencing its adoption. The findings will be used to provide an outlook on feasible recommendations for action. METHODS We conducted a qualitative survey using a maximum variation sample of a heterogeneous group of stakeholders (N=50) in the Swiss health care system with a profound knowledge of digital health and medical devices. A semistructured interview guide including open- and closed-ended questions was used to address questions around mHealth relevance and its influence on the health system, the relevance of selected determinants for mHealth adoption, and important influencing factors. A content analysis method was applied. RESULTS Overall, respondents thought that mHealth would have a beneficial impact on the Swiss health system but that its adoption would evolve slowly. We derived 23 key opportunities regarding patient and patient pathway, treatment of disease, and diseases and health conditions. High consistency in answers among respondents was observed for <i>treatment of disease</i>. Stakeholders’ attitudes toward mHealth adoption along the relevance of 23 preselected determinants were relatively consistent. However, we obtained diverging attitudes regarding the influence of <i>trends</i>, <i>enablers</i>, and <i>restraints</i> in Switzerland and translated them into 26 key themes influencing mHealth adoption. Relevant trends comprise <i>changing needs and expectations of patients</i>, <i>a rising need for efficient health care delivery</i>, <i>growing interest in improved outpatient care</i>, and <i>emerging technologies and progressing digitization</i>. Important enablers include <i>growing demand for new financing schemes and incentive concepts</i>, <i>rising demand for comprehensive information on and stronger body of evidence for mHealth use cases</i>, and <i>increasing need for easy to use alternate care approaches</i>. Challenging restraints are <i>rigidness of thinking and siloed actions of health system actors</i>, <i>complexity of changing the existing regulations and structures</i>, <i>little understanding of mHealth use and the role of clinicians</i>, and <i>risk of further polarization of the population</i>. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive look at mHealth in the Swiss health system. It becomes apparent that strong governance is inevitable to foster a sustainable data strategy and to reconcile the different interests of stakeholders. The use of mHealth will add value but will not necessarily reduce the burden on the system caused by emerging societal needs and changing disease prevalence.

scholarly journals Assimilation of Digital Health by Family Physicians in Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Paré ◽  
Marie-Pascale Pomey ◽  
Louis Raymond ◽  
Janine Badr
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Health Technologies

Abstract Background: In recent years, governments, medical associations and other health care stakeholders have advocated digital health as a promising avenue to reduce inefficiencies, improve the delivery of health care services, increase the quality of primary care, and detect and manage infectious diseases. The present study aims to investigate the assimilation of digital health by family physicians, going beyond the simple adoption of these technologies to further understand the breadth and depth of their use in clinical practice for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, and for the monitoring of chronically-ill patients.Methods: The study was designed as an online survey. After conducting a pre-test of the questionnaire instrument, an invitation to participate in the study was sent to 7,664 members of the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners. The online questionnaire was developed on the Qualtrics survey platform. Data was collected from 768 family physicians, representing a 10% response rate.Results: Findings show that a large majority of the sampled physicians have yet to assimilate digital health within their medical practice. This is true in terms of both the physicians not incorporating digital health technologies into their routine work patterns and their not using these technologies to their full potential. The minority of respondents who showed a somewhat higher level of assimilation were motivated by patients’ greater requests related to digital health (e.g. for online consultations) and a greater chronic care caseload, and are characterized by their greater need for digital health training and their younger age, and use an EMR system that includes more functionalities (e.g. pharmaceutical advisers/prescribers).Conclusions: This study has policy implications in terms of the need for greater motivation and training of family physicians in order for them to make more extensive and innovative use of digital health technologies in their medical practice, for greater interoperability and integration of the digital health tools made available to them, and for greater awareness of their patients’ emerging attitudes and behaviors with regards to digital health. These implications make even more sense in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Data-Driven Personalization of a Physiotherapy Care Pathway: Case Study of Posture Scanning

10.2196/18508 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e18508
Author(s):  
Olli Korhonen ◽  
Karin Väyrynen ◽  
Tino Krautwald ◽  
Glenn Bilby ◽  
Hedwig Anna Theresia Broers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Care Process ◽  
The Impact

Background Advanced sensor, measurement, and analytics technologies are enabling entirely new ways to deliver health care. The increased availability of digital data can be used for data-driven personalization of care. Data-driven personalization can complement expert-driven personalization by providing support for decision making or even by automating some parts of decision making in relation to the care process. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze how digital data acquired from posture scanning can enhance physiotherapy services and enable more personalized delivery of physiotherapy. Methods A case study was conducted with a company that designed a posture scan recording system (PSRS), which is an information system that can digitally record, measure, and report human movement for use in physiotherapy. Data were collected through interviews with different stakeholders, such as health care professionals, health care users, and the information system provider, and were analyzed thematically. Results Based on the results of our thematic analysis, we propose three different types of support that posture scanning data can provide to enhance and enable more personalized delivery of physiotherapy: 1) modeling the condition, in which the posture scanning data are used to detect and understand the health care user’s condition and the root cause of the possible pain; 2) visualization for shared understanding, in which the posture scanning data are used to provide information to the health care user and involve them in more collaborative decision-making regarding their care; and 3) evaluating the impact of the intervention, in which the posture scanning data are used to evaluate the care progress and impact of the intervention. Conclusions The adoption of digital tools in physiotherapy has remained low. Physiotherapy has also lacked digital tools and means to inform and involve the health care user in their care in a person-centered manner. In this study, we gathered insights from different stakeholders to provide understanding of how the availability of digital posture scanning data can enhance and enable personalized physiotherapy services.

The Impact of Digital Health on Traditional Healthcare Systems and Doctor-Patient Relationships

2018 ◽  
pp. 143-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Yuen Luk
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Administrative Costs ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care System

This chapter uses a historical perspective to examine the development trajectory of digital health in Singapore since 1980 and the impact of digital health on the current health care system and doctor-patient relationship. It shows that digital health is able to transform a fragmented and provider-centric health care system into a more integrated and patient-centric health care system. Besides, it improves the operational efficiency of health care providers, reduces administrative costs and turnaround time, and empowers patients to contribute in treatment decisions. It shows that the development of digital health requires the government to have strong political will and long-term commitment to support and promote the use of digital health to its full potential and engage stakeholders in the policy making process so that such policy can suit the special needs of stakeholders.

Using documentation to develop grounded advocacy for equity focused public health work

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Magnusson ◽  
M Hallmyr
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Health Work ◽  
Health Gap ◽  
And Control

Abstract Health inequity is a global concern. The Public Health Unit (PHU) of a local hospital conducts activities in partnership with many actors, aiming at decreasing the health gap. This commission highlights the need to advocate for shared participation, influence and control and for methods that make health care available, accessible and acceptable for all. A platform for such advocacy includes analysis of interventions based on evidence-informed strategies. How may PHU:s activities (2019) have contributed to health equity? Analyses build on documentation in the Health Equilibrium Methodology system which draw on Social Cognitive Theory, critical reflection and quantitative measurements. PHU participated in 81 meetings on the strategic level. Common values and trust, more stable in long-term partnership, facilitated development of population-focused activities that could support marginalised groups. On the population level the Unit participated in 170 activities. Examples were bicycle courses, family centred talks with dietician, tobacco talks with youths and groups for mothers of Somalian origin. Common strategies were to support self-efficacy by confirming and communicating knowledge, to use reciprocal determination by drawing attention to environmental factors, to affect outcome expectations by highlighting links between lifestyle and health and to facilitate healthy habits by making guidelines accessible. Critical reflection highlighted barriers for making use of general advice. Data indicate that professional reflection is needed to implement shared participation, influence and control and that trust-building is dependent on stable presence. Professional reflection, systematically documented and taken into account is needed to fully use health care potential to ensure Right to health for all. Trust takes time to build but creates possibilities for inhabitants to raise health issues from their perspective, enabling meaningful support Key messages To take the full potential of public health work into account actors should use systematic documentation focusing on processes, avoiding to reduce evaluation to numerical reports. Health care professionals that aim at closing the health gap need to distance themselves from their personal perspectives by using systematic critical reflection of their practice.

scholarly journals Why Healthcare and Education Professionals Underreport Suspicions of Child Abuse: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Jeanne Gubbels ◽  
Mark Assink ◽  
Peter Prinzie ◽  
Claudia E. van der van der Put
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Education and healthcare professionals are crucial in detecting and reporting child abuse and neglect. However, signs of child abuse are often undetected, and professionals tend to underreport their suspicions of abuse and neglect. This qualitative study aimed to examine experiences, attitudes, perspectives, and decision-making skills of healthcare and education professionals with regard to identifying and reporting child abuse and to gain insight into how detection and reporting can be improved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 49 Dutch professionals working in child health care, mental health care, primary schools, and secondary schools. The I-Change model was used as a theoretical framework to organize the results. Many professionals believe they miss child abuse signs in their daily work, partially due to a lack of focus on child abuse. Further, professionals indicated having insufficient knowledge of child abuse, and lack communication skills to detect or discuss signs indicative of child abuse in conversations with parents or children. As for risk assessment, professionals barely use structured instruments even though these are regarded as very helpful in the decision-making process. Finally, professionals experience deficits in the cooperation with child welfare organizations, and in particular with Child Protective Services (CPS). Various directions for improvement were discussed to overcome barriers in child abuse detection and reporting, including developing tools for detecting and assessing the risk of child abuse and improving communication and information transfer between organizations.

scholarly journals Telehealth for Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: A Hybrid Telemedicine-Community Accompaniment Model for Abortion and Contraception Services in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irum Shaikh ◽  
Stephanie Andrea Küng ◽  
Hina Aziz ◽  
Samina Sabir ◽  
Ghulam Shabbir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Telehealth Service

The COVID-19 pandemic led overburdened health care systems to deprioritize essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion and contraception care, while accelerating shifts in healthcare delivery to digital technologies. However, in many countries, including Pakistan, inequalities in access to digital technologies remain, presenting an opportunity for interventions that both increase access to deprioritized sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and overcome the digital divide in delivering digital solutions to those in need of SRHR services. In June 2020, Ipas Pakistan partnered with Sehat Kahani (SK), a local health care NGO and telehealth service, and an existing network of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) to launch a novel hybrid telemedicine-community accompaniment pilot. The model linked women via LHWs with mobile devices to online providers for telemedicine consultations for SRH, including abortion services, contraception, and other gynecological consultations. In June 2020, we trained 98 LHWs and 22 telehealth doctors. Between June 2020 and March 2021, a total of 176 women were referred by LHWs for telehealth consultations. Among women who received abortion services, nearly all (90%) reported complete uterine evacuation. No serious adverse events were reported. Overall satisfaction was high; 81% reported being satisfied, and 86% said it is likely they would recommend the telehealth service to others. Data show that the provision of SRHR services via a telehealth-accompaniment model can be successfully implemented in Pakistan. Outcome data show high satisfaction and good clinical outcomes for women accessing care through this model. However, more data are needed to understand the full potential of this model. Barriers to digital health models, such as poor or inconsistent internet access, remain in places like Pakistan, especially in rural settings. This approach has its limitations but should be considered as an option in settings with similarly established community health networks and inequitable access to digital health.

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