scholarly journals Perceptions of adult Arkansans regarding trusted sources of information about the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel S. Purvis ◽  
Don E. Willis ◽  
Ramey Moore ◽  
Cari Bogulski ◽  
Pearl A. McElfish
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Health Messaging

Abstract Background The United States leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases; Arkansas ranks fifth in average daily cases per 100,000. Historically, Americans relied on health communications from governmental sources and the news media. However, there has been a documented decline of trust in these sources. The present study seeks to understand trusted sources of information about COVID-19 to improve health messaging because research shows the level of trust is associated with adherence to recommendations. Methods Data were collected using an online survey from participants (N = 1221) who were 18 years of age or older and residing, employed, or accessing health care in Arkansas. A qualitative descriptive design was used to summarize participants’ experiences and perceptions related to trusted sources of COVID-19 information. Results Two primary themes related to participants’ perceptions of sources of information about COVID-19 are reported: 1) trusted sources of information and 2) distrust or lack of trust in sources of information. Several subthemes emerged within each primary theme. Results showed high trust in the academic medical center, federal and state public health agencies, and local health care providers. The study also documents diverging voices of distrust and uncertainty in making sense of contradictory information. Participants reported the main reason for their lack of trust was the rapidly changing information and the lack of consistency in information provided across sources. Conclusions This finding provides insight into the importance of coordination between national, state, and local communications to bolster trust. Personal recommendations and testimonies from trusted health care providers and professionals could inform public health messaging interventions to increase vaccine uptake.

Perceptions of Adult Arkansans Regarding Trusted Sources of Information about the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel S Purvis ◽  
Don E Willis ◽  
Ramey Moore ◽  
Cari Bogulski ◽  
Pearl A McElfish
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
News Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information

BACKGROUND The US leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases; Arkansas ranks fifth in average daily cases per 100,000. Historically, Americans relied on health communications from governmental sources and the news media. However, there has been a documented decline of trust in these sources. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to understand trusted sources of information about COVID-19 to improve health messaging because research shows the level of trust is associated with adherence to recommendations. METHODS A mixed methods concurrent triangulation design was used. Data were collected using an online survey and interview instrument from participants (N=1,221) who were 18 years of age or older and residing, employed, or accessing health care in Arkansas. RESULTS Two primary themes related to participants’ perceptions of sources of information about COVID-19 are reported: 1) trusted sources of information and 2) distrust or lack of trust in sources of information. Several subthemes emerged within each primary theme. Results showed high trust in the academic medical center, federal and state public health agencies, and local health care providers. The study also documents diverging voices of distrust and uncertainty in making sense of contradictory information. Participants reported the main reason for their lack of trust was the rapidly changing information and the lack of consistency in information provided across sources. CONCLUSIONS This finding provides insight into the importance of coordination between national, state, and local communications to bolster trust. This study makes a significant contribution as the largest mixed methods study on trusted sources of information for COVID-19.

Creating Academic and Health Care Partnerships that Impact Public Health

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-384
Author(s):  
Peter W. Grandjean ◽  
Burritt W. Hess ◽  
Nicholas Schwedock ◽  
Jackson O. Griggs ◽  
Paul M. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Research Partnerships ◽  
Local Health Care ◽  
Training Community ◽  
The University

Kinesiology programs are well positioned to create and develop partnerships within the university, with local health care providers, and with the community to integrate and enhance the activities of professional training, community service, public health outreach, and collaborative research. Partnerships with medical and health care organizations may be structured to fulfill accreditation standards and the objectives of the “Exercise is Medicine®” initiative to improve public health through primary prevention. Barriers of scale, location, time, human resources, and funding can be overcome so all stakeholder benefits are much greater than the costs.

Pediatric Collections: Vaping: Effects and Solutions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Pediatric Health ◽  
Pediatric Health Care

Electronic cigarettes are the tobacco products most commonly used by youths in the United States. The use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping or JUULing, is a public health epidemic. This collection offers reviews and research to assist pediatric health care providers in identifying and treating adolescent use and exposure to e-cigarettes. https://shop.aap.org/pediatric-collections-vaping-effects-and-solutions-paperback/

Critical Challenges and Impediments Affecting Rural Physicians During a Public Health Emergency

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin J. Putzer ◽  
Mirka Koro-Ljungberg ◽  
R. Paul Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Rural Physicians

ABSTRACTObjective: Disaster preparedness has become a health policy priority for the United States in the aftermath of the anthrax attacks, 9/11, and other calamities. It is important for rural health care professionals to be prepared for a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency. We sought to determine the barriers impeding rural physicians from being prepared for a human-induced disaster such as a bioterrorist attack.Methods: This study employed a qualitative methodology using key informant interviews followed by grounded theory methods for data analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 6 physicians in the state of Florida from federally designated rural areas.Results: The interview participants articulated primary barriers and the associated factors contributing to these barriers that may affect rural physician preparedness for human-induced emergencies. Rural physicians identified 3 primary barriers: accessibility to health care, communication between physicians and patients, and rural infrastructure and resources. Each of these barriers included associated factors and influences. For instance, according to our participants, access to care was affected by a lack of health insurance, a lack of finances for health services, and transportation difficulties.Conclusions: Existing rural organizational infrastructure and resources are insufficient to meet current health needs owing to a number of factors including the paucity of health care providers, particularly medical specialists, and the associated patient-level barriers. These barriers presumably would be exacerbated in the advent of a human-induced public health emergency. Thus, strategically implemented health policies are needed to mitigate the barriers identified in this study.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:342–348)

New Challenges for Public Health Care: Biological and Chemical Weapons Awareness, Surveillance, and Response

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Dudley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
First Line ◽  
Nursing Professionals

Recent events in the United States have demonstrated a critical need for recognizing nurses and emergency health care providers as important elements of the nation’s first line of defense and response against terrorist attacks involving biological, chemical, or radiological weapons. The anthrax letter attacks of September/October 2001 demonstrate the importance of vigilance and attention to detail while interviewing and attending patients and when entering, reviewing, and cataloging patient records. Nursing professionals, emergency care responders, and physicians can perform a crucial role in our first-line defense against terrorism by detecting and reporting unusual or anomalous illness(es) consistent with possible exposure to biological or chemical agents. Nursing professionals should become more familiar with the etiology and clinical symptoms of biological agents of greatest current concern (smallpox, anthrax, tularemia, plague) and be alert for potentially anomalous or unfamiliar combinations of symptoms that could point to unwitting exposure to biological toxins, toxic chemicals, or cryptic radiological agents. Public health surveillance systems must be developed that encourage and facilitate the rapid reporting and follow-up investigation of suspect illnesses and potential disease outbreaks that will ensure early identification and response for covert attacks involving biological, chemical, or radiological weapons.

scholarly journals Congenital syphilis in East Baton Rouge parish, Louisiana: providers’ and women’s perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily W. Harville ◽  
Gloria P. Giarratano ◽  
Pierre Buekens ◽  
Eurydice Lang ◽  
Jennifer Wagman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Baton Rouge ◽  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
East Baton Rouge Parish

Abstract Background Congenital syphilis is completely preventable through screening and treatment, but rates have been rising in the United States. Certain areas are at particularly high risk. We aimed to assess attitudes, knowledge, and barriers around effective prevention of congenital syphilis among health care providers and community women potentially at risk. Methods Two parallel studies were conducted: in-depth interviews with health care providers and focus groups with community women in the area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Each group was questioned about their experience in providing or seeking prenatal care, knowledge and attitudes about congenital syphilis, sources of information on testing and treatment, perceptions of risk, standards of and barriers to treatment. Results were transcribed into QSR NVivo V10, codes developed, and common themes identified and organized. Results Providers identified delays in testing and care, lack of follow-through with partner testing, and need for community connection for prevention, as major contributors to higher rates of congenital syphilis. Women identified difficulties in accessing Medicaid contributing to delayed start of prenatal care, lack of transportation for prenatal care, and lack of knowledge about testing and prevention for congenital syphilis. Conclusions Providers and community members were in broad agreement about factors contributing to higher rates of congenital syphilis, although some aspects were emphasized more by one group or another. Evidence-based interventions, likely at multiple levels, need to be tested and implemented to eliminate congenital syphilis.

scholarly journals A Hierarchy of Medicine: Health Strategies of Elder Khmer Refugees in the United States

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Aging Populations

This study addresses ways Khmer refugee elders utilize traditional herbal medicine with Western biomedicine in the treatment and prevention of illnesses. Methods include semi-structured and informal interviews with elders and family members, semi-structured interviews with local health care providers and Khmer physicians, and participant observation of everyday life and actions specific to health beliefs and behaviors. Data reveal a reliance on traditional medical ideology for understanding and treating illnesses. Utilizing a traditional ideology, Khmer elders rely heavily on traditional treatments and use Western biomedicine as supplements or adjuncts to traditional preventive and curative practices. This research has important implications for health care providers who treat SEA elders, especially for di et and treatment of chronic illnesses often associated with aging populations.

scholarly journals Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Antibodies in Diverse Samples: Protocol to Validate the Sufficiency of Provider-Observed, Home-Collected Blood, Saliva, and Oropharyngeal Samples

10.2196/19054 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e19054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sean Sullivan ◽  
Charles Sailey ◽  
Jodie Lynn Guest ◽  
Jeannette Guarner ◽  
Colleen Kelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Specimen Collection

Background The response in the United States to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been hampered by a lack of aggressive testing for the infection. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cornerstone of an effective public health response. However, efforts to test have been hampered by limited reagents, limitations in the availability of swabs used for the collection of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens, limitations in personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care providers collecting the NPS specimens, and limitations in viral transport media for transporting the specimens. Therefore, more flexible options for screening for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and serologic responses are critical to inform clinical and public health responses. Objective We aim to document the ability of patients to self-collect sufficient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 viral detection and serology. Methods Patient self-collection of samples will be done with observation by a health care provider during a telemedicine session. Participants will be mailed a specimen collection kit, engage in a telehealth session with a provider through a HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)-compliant video meeting, and collect specimens while being observed by the provider. Providers will record whether they are confident in the suitability of the specimen for laboratory testing that would inform clinical decision making. We will objectively assess the sufficiency of biological material in the mailed-in specimens. Results The protocol was approved by the Emory University Institutional Review Board (IRB) on March 30, 2020 (Protocol number 371). To date, we have enrolled 159 participants. Conclusions Defining a conceptual framework for assessing the sufficiency of patient-collected samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and serologic responses to infection is critical for facilitating public health responses and providing PPE-sparing options to increase testing. Validation of alternative methods of specimen collection should include objective measures of the sufficiency of specimens for testing. A strong evidence base for diversifying testing modalities will improve tools to guide public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Concussion knowledge and experience among a sample of American adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 205970021876921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Waltzman ◽  
Jill Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
The Public ◽  
Annual Survey ◽  
Concussion Knowledge ◽  
Reported Data

Background Recently, there has been a strong emphasis on educating athletes, parents, coaches, and health care providers about concussions. However, not much is known about whether these efforts are affecting the general public’s level of concussion knowledge. Purpose To determine what is currently known among the public about concussions and where education campaigns may be targeted in order to fill in the gaps. Methods In order to achieve the project’s objective, CDC analyzed self-reported data from Porter Novelli’s 2017 SummerStyles survey, an annual survey of American adults aged 18 and older across the United States. The questions focused on personal concussion experiences, basic concussion knowledge, knowledge of prevention strategies, and perceived best sources of information about concussion. Results Analysis of the data showed that approximately 18% of respondents reported that they had personally experienced a concussion in their lifetime, and about two-thirds of these respondents were evaluated by a health care provider after their injury. In terms of concussion knowledge, the majority were aware of common causes of concussion. While 94% knew that headache was a symptom of concussion, just over half were aware that sleep problems were as well. Most respondents (>78%) correctly identified that wearing seat-belts, preventing falls, and reducing participation in contact sports were ways to prevent a concussion, while installing baby-gates across stairs was less frequently known (65.5%) as a prevention technique. Nearly all of the respondents believed that a doctor or other health professional was a good source of information about concussions. These results varied by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education. Conclusion The results demonstrate that even though the public has a relatively high knowledge level of concussion, targeted education is needed to teach American adults about the symptoms and ways of getting a concussion.

Interdisciplinary Information for Infectious Disease Response: Exercising for Improved Medical/Public Health Communication and Collaboration

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Saskia Popescu ◽  
Nathan Myers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Disease Response ◽  
Train The Trainer

Abstract Infectious disease threats like the novel coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 continue to demand an increase in preparedness and response capabilities. One capability that is both essential and consistently challenging is information sharing between responding organizations, particularly between public health agencies and health care providers. This policy analysis reviews the threat that infectious diseases continue to pose to the United States, and the role that the Hospital Preparedness Program can play in countering such threats. Current strategies for preparing for, and responding to, infectious disease outbreaks are also reviewed, noting some gaps that need to be addressed. Particular attention is given to challenges in information sharing that continue to hinder effective surveillance and response, despite advances in technology. The study looks at recommendations from biodefense organizations and experts in the field. It concludes with our recommendation that regulatory requirements and funding opportunities for health care institutions emphasize the importance of communication and training in relation to high consequence pathogens. We further recommend that providers in Ebola treatment hospitals be employed to train and educate providers in frontline hospitals in a ‘train-the-trainer’ model.

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