scholarly journals Rural Patients’ Perceptions of Their Potentially Preventable Hospitalisation: A Qualitative Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 237437352110698
Author(s):  
Andrew Ridge ◽  
Gregory M Peterson ◽  
Bastian M Seidel ◽  
Vinah Anderson ◽  
Rosie Nash

Potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) occur when patients receive hospital care for a condition that could have been more appropriately managed in the primary healthcare setting. It is anticipated that the causes of PPHs in rural populations may differ from those in urban populations; however, this is understudied. Semi-structured interviews with 10 rural Australian patients enabled them to describe their recent PPH experience. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify the common factors that may have led to their PPH. The analysis revealed that most participants had challenges associated with their health and its optimal self-management. Self-referral to hospital with the belief that this was the only treatment option available was also common. Most participants had limited social networks to call on in times of need or ill health. Finally, difficulty in accessing primary healthcare, especially urgently or after-hours, was described as a frequent cause of PPH. These qualitative accounts revealed that patients describe nonclinical risk factors as contributing to their recent PPH and reinforces that the views of patients should be included when designing interventions to reduce PPHs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Nessler ◽  
Anna Krztoń-Królewiecka ◽  
Anna Suska ◽  
Mitchell R. Mann ◽  
Michał B. Nessler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The accurate and independent measurement of blood pressure (BP) by patients is essential for home BP monitoring (HBPM) and determining the quality of hypertension (HTN) control. This study aimed to evaluate the BP self-measurement techniques of hypertensive patients and their accuracy in accordance with established guidelines. We sought to identify the common errors that patients make and suggest improvements that can be implemented in the primary healthcare setting to increase the reliability of HBPM conducted by hypertensive patients. Methods One hundred patients diagnosed with HTN completed a questionnaire inquiring about their health and demographic data and BP monitoring practices. Patients were then observed and filmed while measuring their BP on their own devices in five primary healthcare centres in Kraków, Poland. The correctness of their techniques was assessed in accordance with the European Society of Hypertension guidelines on HBPM. Results Only 3% of patients measured their BP without error; 60% made three or more errors. The most frequent error, made by 76% of subjects, was incorrect sphygmomanometer cuff placement (above or below heart level, or/and the indicator mark was not aligned with the brachial artery). Regarding patients’ previous instruction for the correct use of their devices, 36% of patients referred to their monitor’s user manual, 22% did not receive any prior assistance, and only 29% were adequately counselled by physicians on how to measure their BP correctly. Conclusions Our findings suggest that primary healthcare physicians and their personnel often do not adequately instruct patients on how to measure their BP correctly. Therefore, healthcare systems must provide patients with more adequate training and reference materials on the best practices of BP monitoring.


Author(s):  
Wen-Xiu Ma

Abstract We analyze N-soliton solutions and explore the Hirota N-soliton conditions for scalar (1 + 1)-dimensional equations, within the Hirota bilinear formulation. An algorithm to verify the Hirota conditions is proposed by factoring out common factors out of the Hirota function in N wave vectors and comparing degrees of the involved polynomials containing the common factors. Applications to a class of generalized KdV equations and a class of generalized higher-order KdV equations are made, together with all proofs of the existence of N-soliton solutions to all equations in two classes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Åse Lundin ◽  
Anna Bergenheim

Abstract Background Suicide is a serious public health issue and one of the most common causes of death globally. Suicide has long-lasting impact on personal, relational, community and societal levels. Research has shown that patients often seek help in the primary healthcare system preceding a suicide. Studies exploring the experiences of encountering patients at risk for suicide have been performed among various categories of healthcare personnel, such as nurses and psychiatry residents as well as emergency room staff. There is a lack of research regarding primary healthcare rehabilitation staff, despite the fact that physiotherapists are the third largest health profession in the Western hemisphere and often work with patients experiencing mental health symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of encountering patients at risk for suicide among physiotherapists working in a primary healthcare rehabilitation setting. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 physiotherapists working in primary healthcare rehabilitation clinics in the Gothenburg area, Sweden. The interviews were recorded on audio and transcribed into written text. A qualitative content analysis was performed on the material collected. Results The analysis of the material revealed an overarching theme, Through barriers and taboos – the physiotherapist finds a way, with five main categories: possibilities for identification, obstacles in meeting suicide, workplace environment matters, where does the patient belong? and education and experience are keys. Conclusions The present study indicates that physiotherapists in the primary healthcare system encounter patients experiencing suicidality, and they expressed a strong desire to care for both the physical and mental wellbeing of the patients. Despite reporting many barriers, the physiotherapists often found a way to form a meaningful therapeutic alliance with the patient and to ask about possible suicidality in their clinical practice. The result suggests that physiotherapists could play a larger role in working with patients experiencing suicidality in a primary healthcare setting and that they could be viewed as possible gatekeepers in identification as well as referral of these patients into other parts of the healthcare system.


2021 ◽  
pp. 154041532110117
Author(s):  
Cheryl A. Smith-Miller ◽  
Diane C. Berry ◽  
Cass T. Miller

Introduction: Evidence suggests that gender may influence many aspects of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) self-management (SM) and we posit that limited English language–proficient Latinx immigrants face additional challenges. Methods: Instruments and semi-structured interviews were used to examine gender differences on health literacy, diabetes knowledge, health-promoting behaviors, diabetes, eating and exercise self-efficacy (SE), and T2DM SM practices among a cohort of limited English language–proficient Latinx immigrants. Statistical and qualitative analysis procedures were performed comparing males and females. Results: Thirty persons participated. Males tended to be older, have higher educational achievement, and more financial security than females. Physiologic measures tended worse among female participants. Health literacy and exercise SE scores were similar, but females scored lower on Eating and Diabetes SE. Forty-seven percent ( n= 9) of the women reported a history of gestational diabetes mellitus and a majority of men ( n = 7) cited difficulty with excessive alcohol. Consumption: Males appeared to receive more SM support compared to females. Females more frequently noted how family obligations and a lack of support impeded their SM. Work environments negatively influenced SM practices. Conclusion: Men and women have unique SM challenges and as such require individualized strategies and support to improve T2DM management.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Yaqing Liu ◽  
Hongbing Ouyang ◽  
Xiaolu Wei

The existing spatial panel structural vector auto-regressive model can effectively capture the time and spatial dynamic dependence of endogenous variables. However, the hypothesis that the common factors have the same effect for all spatial units is unreasonable. Therefore, incorporating time effects, spatial effects, and time-individual effects, this paper develops a more general spatial panel structural vector autoregressive model with interactive effects (ISpSVAR) that can reflect the different effects of common factors on different spatial units. Additionally, based on whether or not the common factors can be observed, this paper proposes procedures to estimate ISpSVAR separately and studies the finite sample properties of estimators by Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed ISpSVAR model and its estimation procedures.


Author(s):  
Nooreddine Iskandar ◽  
Tatiana Rahbany ◽  
Ali Shokor

Abstract Background: Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades—but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near ‘dangerous zones’ were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented. Conclusion: The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.


Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26
Author(s):  
Anastasia I Kolomvotsou ◽  
Elena Riza

Over the past years there is a substantial wave of migrants and refugees all over the world. Europe accepts approximately one-third of the international migrant population with Greece, in particular, having received large numbers of refugees and migrants by land and sea since the beginning of the civil war in Syria. Diabetes, a non-communicable disease, is a global health problem, affecting people in developing countries, refugees and migrants, and its basic treatment tool includes self-management and education. In this pilot study, we organized educational, interactive group sessions for diabetic refugees, based on culture, health, and nutritional needs according to a questionnaire developed for the study. The sessions were weekly, for two months, in the context of primary healthcare, organized by a dietitian. Nine individuals completed the sessions, five of nine were diagnosed in Greece and seven of nine needed diabetes education. Their waist circumference was above normal and they were all cooking at home. Their nutritional habits improved by attending the sessions and the interaction helped their social integration. They all found the sessions useful, and felt more self-confident regarding diabetes control and healthier.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document