Quality and Readability of Online Information on In-Office Vocal Fold Injections

2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-300
Author(s):  
Grace S. Yi ◽  
Amanda Hu

Objectives: Vocal fold injection augmentations are increasingly being performed in the office setting on awake patients, as opposed to the operating room. These procedures thus require patient cooperation and education. As the Internet is a widely-used resource for patients, our aim was to assess the quality and readability of online resources on in-office awake vocal fold injections. Methods: An online Google search using the terms “office vocal fold injection medialization” and “awake vocal fold injection” was conducted. The first 50 English-language websites were categorized into professional- and patient-targeted, and major and minor sources. They were analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) test, and DISCERN quality score. Results: Fifty websites were evaluated, and the overall DISCERN score was 2.60 ± 1.01, the mean FRES was 32.16 ± 19.10, and the mean FKGL was 13.76 ± 4.12. Between the 25 professional-targeted and 25 patient-targeted websites, professional-targeted sites had significantly higher DISCERN ( P < .05) and FKGL ( P < .05) scores, and lower FRES ( P < .05) scores. Between the 30 major and 20 minor websites, major websites had significantly lower FRES ( P < .05) and higher FKGL ( P < .05) scores, and there was a trend toward significance for higher DISCERN scores ( P = .052). Conclusions: Our study shows that half of the top Google results for our topic were not written for patient education, but rather for health care professionals. The reading level of this information exceeds the recommended grade level for patient education materials, and may be less comprehensible than intended. While patient-targeted materials are easier to read than professional-targeted sites, they are of lower quality. The quality of the available online information on this topic is suboptimal for both patients and health care providers. This research highlights the need for more appropriate patient education materials given low health literacy rates.

2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562110131
Author(s):  
Christopher V. Lavin ◽  
Evan J. Fahy ◽  
Darren B. Abbas ◽  
Michelle Griffin ◽  
Nestor M. Diaz Deleon ◽  
...  

Objective: It is important for health care education materials to be easily understood by caretakers of children requiring craniofacial surgery. This study aimed to analyze the readability of Google search results as they pertain to “Cleft Palate Surgery” and “Palatoplasty.” Additionally, the study included a search from several locations globally to identify possible geographic differences. Design: Google searches of the terms “Cleft Palate Surgery” and “Palatoplasty” were performed. Additionally, searches of only “Cleft Palate Surgery” were run from several internet protocol addresses globally. Main Outcome Measures: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Readability Ease, Gunning Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index, and Coleman-Liau Index. Results: Search results for “Cleft Palate Surgery” were easier to read and comprehend compared to search results for “Palatoplasty.” Mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores were 7.0 and 10.11, respectively ( P = .0018). Mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease scores were 61.29 and 40.71, respectively ( P = .0003). Mean Gunning Fog Index scores were 8.370 and 10.34, respectively ( P = .0458). Mean SMOG Index scores were 6.84 and 8.47, respectively ( P = .0260). Mean Coleman-Liau Index scores were 12.95 and 15.33, respectively ( P = .0281). No significant differences were found in any of the readability measures based on global location. Conclusions: Although some improvement can be made, craniofacial surgeons can be confident in the online information pertaining to cleft palate repair, regardless of where the search is performed from. The average readability of the top search results for “Cleft Palate Surgery” is around the seventh-grade reading level (US educational system) and compares favorably to other health care readability analyses.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Sadeghi ◽  
Hasan Jafari ◽  
Hossein Rouhani ◽  
Akram Zhianifard ◽  
Maryam Siavashi

Introduction: Job Satisfaction in Health care organizations is one of the important pillars of health promotion, due to the role they play in the prevention, care and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the job satisfaction and its related factors in health workers in Esfarayen. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 140 health care workers in Esfarayen in 2017. Data was collected using Herzberg job satisfaction questionnaire, and data were analyzed using ANOVA and t-test in SPSS21 software. Results: The mean age of participant was 37 ± 8.34. Most of them were female (70%) and married (85.5%). The average of job satisfaction was 61.45 ± 7.65 (out of 100). The highest job satisfaction score was work ability (73.54 ± 1.08) and the lowest score belonged to supervision ( 49.15 ± 5.73). Among the demographic variables, Job satisfaction was significantly associated with Employment Status (P<0.05). Conclusion: Despite employees have job satisfaction, factors that increase job satisfaction of employees should be considered by the relevant authorities. Establishing suitable job standards, fair and reasonable salary, and the creation of facilities in the workplace can lead to improved employee satisfaction and, consequently, improved service quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuong ◽  
Tran Quang Huy ◽  
Do Anh Tai ◽  
Tran Nhuan Kien

Background. In recent years, health insurance (HI) has been chosen by many low- and middle-income countries to obtain an important health policy target—universal health coverage. Vietnam has recently introduced the Revised Health Insurance Law, and the effects of the voluntary health insurance (VHI) and heavily subsidised health insurance (HSHI) programmes have not yet been analysed. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the impact of these HI programmes on the utilisation of health care services and out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOP) in general and across different health care providers in particular. Methods. Using the two waves of Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys 2014 and 2016 and the difference-in-difference method, the impacts of VHI and HSHI on health care utilisation and OOP in Vietnam were estimated. Results. For both the VHI and HSHI groups, we found that HI increased the probability of seeking outpatient care, the mean number of outpatient visits, the total number of visits, and the mean number of visits at the district level of health care providers in the last 12 months. However, there was no evidence that the HSHI programmes increased the mean number of inpatient visits and the number of visits at the provincial hospital. We also found that while the VHI programme reduced OOP for both outpatient and inpatient care, the HSHI scheme did not result in a reduction in OOP for hospitalisation, although HI lowered the total OOP. Similarly, we found that for both groups, HI reduced OOP when the insured visited district and provincial hospitals. However, the statistically significant impact was not demonstrated when the enrolees of HSHI programmes visited provincial hospitals. Conclusion. The study offers evidence that the Vietnamese HI scheme increased health care service utilisation and decreased OOP for the participants of the VHI and HSHI programmes. Therefore, the government should continue to consider improving the HI system as a strategy to achieve universal health coverage.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Elmaghloub ◽  
Ashraf Elbahrawy ◽  
Gamal El Didamony ◽  
Ahmed Elwassief ◽  
Abdel-Gawad Saied Mohammad ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesHealth Care Workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of needle stick injuries and HBV infection in Egypt; this problem is further aggravated by low Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination coverage. Limited data are available on the prevalence of HBV infection in Egyptian HCWs. In this study, we aimed to assess the HBV infection rate and genotypes among Egyptian HCWs.MethodsFive hundred and sixty-four (564) HCWs were included. Of them, 258 (45.74%) were health care providers and 306 (54.25%) were non-health care providers. All HCWs completed both the study questionnaires and provided a blood sample for HBV testing. Indeed, all HCWs were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HBVDNA was checked for HCWs who tested positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc, by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). HBVDNA positive HCWs were further subjected to HBV genotyping.ResultsThe mean age of included HCWs was 33.0 ± 9.8 years, of whom 319 (56.56%) were males. The mean duration of health care work was 9.3 ± 6.7 years. The frequency of HBsAg and anti-HBc were 1.4%, and 24.5%, respectively. Old age and prolonged duration of health care work were significantly associated with anti-HBc seropositivity. Among 140 HCWs positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc, 14 (10 %) had positive HBVDNA by PCR. HBV/E (n= 7), HBV/D (n= 3) and co-infection with E and D (n= 4) genotypes were detected.ConclusionEgyptian HCWs have a significantly high rate of HBV exposure. The detection of HBV/E genotype among Egyptian HCWs suggests prevalent transmission of HBV/E among Egyptian populations.


Esculapio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Latif ◽  
◽  
Sobia Yaqub ◽  
Qudsia Anwar Dar ◽  
Umer Sultan Awan ◽  
...  

Objective: This study aims to determine level of stress, resilience and moral distress among health care providers during covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed using an online questionnaire. Data was collected from Health Care Providers, working in various tertiary care hospitals of Lahore, using an online questionnaire. Perceived stress scale (PSS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) and Moral Distress Thermometer were used to determine level of stress, resilience and moral stress respectively among the HCPs. Scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with scores of 0-13, 14-26 and 27-40 being considered as low, moderate and high stress respectively. The Moral Distress Thermometer has scores ranging from 0-10 with value of ≥4 considered high. Data was analyzed using SPSS version.23.Descriptive variables were reported as means and frequencies. Intergroup analysis was done using Chi square test with p<0.05 taken as significant. Results: A total of 278 (n=278) HCPs participated in study. According to the PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) scores, 5.03% (14) reported low, 86.69% (241) moderate and 8.27% (23) high stress levels. The mean stress score is 21.56+/-4.32. Providing patient care (mean = 2.28+/-1.15 SD) and transmitting infection to others (mean = 3.02+/-1.10 SD) were deemed major causes of stress. The mean CD-RISC score was 23.14+/-7.81 SD. Only 10.8% (30) had a score of ≥ 32. The mean Moral Distress score was 4.2+/-2.98 SD, with 53.2% (149) participants reporting high Moral distress (score ≥4). Conclusion: The high level of stress among HCPs during COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need of urgent measures to overcome this psychological issue which if left un-addressed can affect performance of HCPs. Key Words: Stress, Resilience, HCPs How to cite: Latif A., Yaqub S., Dar A.Q., Awan S.U., Farhat Hina., Khokhar A.M., Stress, Resilience and Moral Distress among Health care Providers during COVID-19 pandemic. Esculapio 2021;17 (01):79-82


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K Fortuna ◽  
Anne Riddering ◽  
Linda Shuster ◽  
Cassie Lopez-Jeng

Abstract Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition that leads to permanent vision loss in the central visual field. AMD makes reading challenging and inefficient. People with AMD often find it difficult to access, process and understand written patient education materials (PEMs). To promote health literacy, the demands of written PEMs must match the literacy capacities of the target audience. This study aims to evaluate the readability (grade level) and suitability (appropriateness) of online PEMs designed for people with AMD. Methods: Online PEMs were sourced from websites of national organizations providing patient education materials designed for people with AMD. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula and the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument were used to assess the readability and suitability of PEMs. Descriptive statistics were used to compare online PEMs by organization based on national guidelines for readability level (≤ sixth grade) and the recommended suitability score (≥ 70%) for “superior” material.Results: One hundred online PEMs were evaluated from websites of 16 professional organizations. The mean readability level was 9.3 (range 5.0-16.6). The mean suitability score was 53% (range 18%-78%). Only six (6%) of PEMs achieved the recommended guidelines for readability level and suitability score.Conclusion: The majority of online PEMs designed for people with AMD were written above the recommended readability level, and below the suggested suitability score. To promote health literacy, the demands of written health information must match the reading capacities of the target audience. Heeding to evidence-based guidelines for providing written information to patients with low health literacy and low vision is beneficial for both patients and health care providers. Future research is warranted.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minale Bezie Ambie ◽  
Habtamu Gebrehana Belay ◽  
Dagne Addisu Sewyew

Abstract Objective: Preparedness and approaches of health care providers to tackle the transmission of covid-19 among South Gondar zonal hospitals 2020Result: In this study a total of 422 health providers were interviewed from south Gondar zonal hospitals and overall response rate was 100%. The mean range 35 ± 6 and minimum and maximum ranges of age were between 23 to 50 years and more than three fourth of the providers age range was > 35 years. Regarding professions 203(48.1%), 112(26.5%) were nurses and midwifes respectively. The result over all was not good; people were not prepared preparedness of essential materials, equipments including psychological buildings of health providers in each hospital.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammedjud Hassen

BACKGROUND Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are systems to store patient information like medical histories, test results, and medications electronically. It is becoming the main system with the vision of giving quality service by improving data handling and communication in healthcare setting. Even though EMR implementation in developing countries increasing exponentially, only few of them are successfully implemented. Among the many factors, «intention to use» EMRs by health care provider is crucial for successful implementation and adoption of EMRs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess health care provider’s intention to use and its predictors towards Electronic Medical Record systems (EMRs) at three referral hospitals in north-west, Ethiopia, 2019. METHODS Institutional based cross-sectional quantitative study design was conducted from January to June, 2019. A total of 420 health care providers working at three referral hospitals in north-west Ethiopia were included. Data were analyzed using structural equation model (SEM)., Simple and multiple SEM were used to describe the study objectives and to assess the determinants of health care providers «intention to use» EMRs. Critical ratio and standardized coefficients were used to measure the association of dependent and independent variables, 95% confidence intervals and P-value were calculated to evaluate statistical significance. RESULTS The mean age of the study subjects were 32.4 years ±8.3 SD. Nearly two-third 293(69.8%) of the participants were Male. Among 420 health care providers, only 167 (39.8%) were scored above the mean of «intention to use» EMRs. Factors positively associated with «intention to use» EMRs were performance expectancy (β=0.39,p<0.001), effort expectancy (β=0.24,p<0.001),social influence (β=0.18,p<0.001),facilitating condition (β=0.23,p<0.001), and computer literacy (β=0.08,p<0.001). Among five influencing predictors, performance expectancy was highly associated with «intention to use» EMRs. The result of UTAUT2 model may be used to inform planning, decision-making, and evaluation of EMR implementations before actual utilization of EMRs. CONCLUSIONS Among 420 health care providers, 167 (39.8%) respondents were scored above the mean of intention use. Performance expectancy played a major role in determining health care providers’ intention to use EMRs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24194-e24194
Author(s):  
Jim (Zhang Hao) Li ◽  
Mingyang Wang ◽  
Paris-Ann Ingledew

e24194 Background: In recent years, there has been increasing awareness surrounding mental health and depression among cancer patients. Concurrently, the internet has cemented its role as a mainstay source of health information for the general public. However, little is known about the quality of online resources addressing depression specifically in cancer patients. Therefore, we aim to systematically evaluate the quality of such information. Methods: The term "depression in cancer patients" was searched online using the search engine Google and the meta-search engines Dogpile and Yippy. A set of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria was applied to all search results, which yielded 48 websites for inclusion. An evidence-based rating tool was then used to score the websites based on the six domains of Affiliation, Accountability, Interactivity, Structure & Organization, Readability, and Content Quality. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 48 websites evaluated, 50% were commercial. In terms of accountability measures, 63% of websites disclosed authorship, 54% cited one or more reliable sources, and 38% were updated within the last two years. Although in-site search engines and video support were found in 94% and 52% of websites respectively, the presence of other interactive features were considerably lower. The average readability was at a grade 12.3 level using the Flesch-Kincaid scale and 11.3 using the SMOG Index, both of which were significantly higher than the traditionally recommended grade-six level ( p < 0.0001 for both). The most commonly covered topics were symptoms and treatment – found on 87% and 83% of websites respectively. Prevention and prognosis were not covered by any of the websites. Content accuracy was generally high among covered topics. Conclusions: Many websites addressing depression in cancer have poor authorship disclosure, attribution, and currency. Additional interactive features should be encouraged to facilitate user-friendliness. Poor readability may pose a barrier for patient comprehension, indicating a need for health care providers to proactively guide patients to suitable resources. Despite high content accuracy in other topics, prevention and prognosis are seldom covered. Our results could help guide the development of new patient education materials and better inform health care providers about the limitations of available online resources. Future research should aim to elucidate reasons contributing to difficult readability levels and identify topics that patients need additional information in.


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