scholarly journals Sixteen years of eHealth experiences in Iran: a qualitative content analysis of national policies

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyyed Meysam Mousavi ◽  
Amirhossein Takian ◽  
Mahmood Tara
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Health System ◽  
Building Block ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
National Policy ◽  
National Health System ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Strategic Plans

Abstract Introduction As a building block of all health systems and a multi-sectoral domain, eHealth has a critical role to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly universal health coverage (UHC). Our objective was to provide a better understanding of the recent experiences on eHealth policy, particularly in framing process of the policies and strategies, in an attempt to develop evidence-based recommendations that can inform future eHealth policy formulation, implementation, and development in Iran. Methods We undertook an exploratory, descriptive, comparative, retrospective and longitudinal analysis of eHealth policies by using content analysis of upstream and other key national policy documents, guided by criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). A systematic and purposive search was conducted to identify publicly-accessible documents related to eHealth policies in Iran, followed by in-depth, semi-structured, open-ended interviews with purposefully identified national key informants in the field of eHealth. MAXQDA® 12 was used to assist with qualitative data analysis. Findings We retrieved and included 13 national policy documents demonstrating 16 years experiences of recorded eHealth policy in Iran, from 2004–2020. Our analysis revealed seven main categories as challenges of eHealth policies in Iran: (1) lack of comprehensive and big picture of all eHealth components; (2) lack of long-term and strategic plans on eHealth; (3) poor consistency among national policy documents; (4) unrealistic and non-operational timing of policy documents; (5) inappropriate identification and lack of involvement of key actors in development and implementation of eHealth policies; (6) low priority of eHealth in the national health system, and (7) unconventional focus and attention to Electronic Health Record (EHR). Conclusion The findings reveal almost two decades history of eHealth initiatives at the national and upstream policy level in Iran, with noticeable gaps between desired policies and achieved expectations. The inclusion of eHealth solutions in the policy documents has been controversial and challenging. eHealth seems to have not been meaningfully established in the minds and views of policy makers and senior manager, which might have led to the development of incomplete and contradictory policies. The health system in Iran needs, we advocate, the design of an evidence-informed eHealth roadmap, as well as continuous, systematic, and reasonably time-bounded strategic plans to establish eHealth as the building block of health system along the pathway towards sustainable health development.

scholarly journals An analysis of the policies of Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture in Mali

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 100-117
Author(s):  
Macire Kante ◽  
Patrick Ndayizigamiye
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
National Framework

To harness the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), developing countries need to develop national ICT policies that will serve as a framework for integrating ICTs at all levels of society. In the absence of that, different actors often engage in various actions for the same beneficiaries and in pursuit of the same objectives. That raises the need to define a national framework for the promotion and application of ICTs in the various production areas, particularly agricultural ones. It is for that reason that this study examined through qualitative methods (policy documents and semi-structured interviews) the national policy of Mali on the use of ICTs in agriculture. Data was analysed using the Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) method with the aid of NVIVO 12 software. The results showed that the country has two policy documents that articulate the country’s strategy towards the use of ICTs in the agricultural sector, that is, the Agricultural Orientation Law and the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy. Further examination revealed that that these two policy documents are neither appropriate nor coherent in today's Malian landscape. This has resulted in an underutilisation of digital tools by agricultural extension officers which led to the low agricultural productivity in the country. This study recommended therefore the recasting of both documents to take into account the reported observations

scholarly journals Discursive Representations of Education for Sustainable Development in Policy Documents by English Medium Instruction Schools in Estonia and Norway

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Kapranov
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Discursive Strategies ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
Discursive Representations

Abstract This article introduces and discusses a study that aims at illuminating discursive representations of education for sustainable development (henceforth – ESD) by means of compiling and analysing a corpus of policy documents written by English medium instruction (EMI) secondary schools in Estonia and Norway, respectively. Informed by the constructivist approach (Foucault, 1981), discursive representations of ESD in the study were operationalised as discursive strategies that were employed in naming, referring to, and providing an evaluative perspective to ESD-related topics. In this study, the corpus of policy documents published by EMI secondary schools in Estonia and Norway was collected in order to analyse discursive representations of ESD by means of applying a qualitative content analysis. The results of the analysis indicated that the discursive representations of ESD were similarly construed in policy documents written and communicated by EMI secondary schools in Estonia and Norway. Those findings were further discussed in the article in conjunction with their didactic implications.

scholarly journals Doing Frontiers: On the Performativity of the European Border and Migration Regime

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2016) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Tobias Heinze ◽  
Sebastian Illigens Sebastian Illigens ◽  
Michael Pollok
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
European Identity ◽  
European Security ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Security Discourse ◽  
Subject Categories ◽  
Multidimensional Matrix ◽  
And Migration

Determining European territory is a delicate endeavor. A definite borderline is hard to identify. Instead, European security discourse spans a space with conditional qualities: open for some, impervious for many. Referring to Judith Butler's theory, this constribution’s aim is to disclose performative forces that create corresponding subject-categories. Particularly, expert-driven legislation on migration and the militarization of the security discourse is relevant. It is possible to reconstruct a multidimensional matrix of intelligibility. For this, relevant policy documents are analyzed by conducting a qualitative content analysis. This contribution allows to critically question foundational dimensions of European identity constituted by regulatory and exclusive practices at the borders.

‘La radio émouvante, divertissante, intéressante?’

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lien De Cang ◽  
Katia Segers
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Theoretical Reflection

How to serve the audience? The Belgian National Radio Institute (N.I.R.) in search of putting into practice the public service remit through its music and audience policy before the era of television (1930-1953). How to serve the audience? The Belgian National Radio Institute (N.I.R.) in search of putting into practice the public service remit through its music and audience policy before the era of television (1930-1953). This article questions in what way the Belgian radio-broadcaster was searching how to put into practice the central public service remit through its music and audience policy from the start of the institute in 1930 till the launch of television in 1953. Departing from a theoretical reflection on the concept of Public Service Broadcasting, this article presents the results of a qualitative content analysis of policy documents (minutes, annual reports) as well as writings of key members of the N.I.R.-staff. It reveals a shared paternalistic vision on the public service remit as well as oppositional views upon the audience and how to serve it.

scholarly journals Hospital preparedness challenges in biological disasters: A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Mohsen Aminizadeh ◽  
Mehrdad Farrokhi ◽  
Abbas Ebadi ◽  
Gholam Reza Masoumi ◽  
Pirhossein Kolivand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Health System ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objective: Identification of hospital preparedness challenges against biological events such as COVID-19 is essential to improve dynamics, quality and business continuity confidence in the health system. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the challenges of hospital preparedness in biological events. Methods: This study employed a qualitative method using content analysis in which 20 healthcare managers and experts who are experienced in biological events were selected through purposeful sampling. The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, which continued until data saturation. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as well as the Landman and Graneheim Approach. Results: Six main concepts (training and practice, resource management, safety and health, patient management, risk communication, and laboratory and surveillance) and 14 sub-concepts were extracted on hospital preparedness challenges in biological events through analyzing interviews. Conclusions: The present study indicated that the health system of the country faces many challenges in response to biological events and threats. Moreover, study participants indicated that Iranian hospitals were not prepared for biological events. It is recommended to design preparedness plans of hospitals based on preparedness standards for biological events. In addition, comprehensive measures are required to enhance their capacity to respond to biological emergencies.

scholarly journals Experiences of Health Providers and patients in COVID‑19: A SWOT analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliasghar kheirkhah ◽  
Ehsan Movahed ◽  
Fereshte gheyabi ◽  
Fatemeh kave Farsani ◽  
Fatemeh Rigabadi
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Health System ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
The Family

Abstract Background: Health providers and patients face many problems in preventing and controlling COVID-19 in the family and the health system.Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore experiences of health providers and patients in COVID‑19.Methods: directional qualitative content analysis was applied and 15 participants, including 10 patients with COVID-19 and 5 health providers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed by Lundman and Graneheim qualitative content analysis methods. The MAXQDA10 software was used to manage qualitative data analysis.Results: During the data analysis, "strengths", "weaknesses", "opportunities", and "threats" were defined in terms of categories. The " Benefits and Barriers " was determined as the main theme.Conclusion: Community members and policymakers should support and reinforce the positive experiences of patients and health providers and the health system and families need to be more prepared for the crisis.

scholarly journals Structure Model of Foresightful Export Oriented Strategies for Iran Pharmaceutical Industry: Using a Fuzzy DEMATEL Method

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Structure Model ◽  
Fuzzy Dematel ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Related Part ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Production Knowledge

Background: Export orientation is one of the main approaches in developing Iran's pharmaceutical industry as a key health-related part of industries. It is necessary to identify, formulate and implement some foresightful strategies and strategic plans toward adopting the export approach in the Iran pharmaceutical industry. Objectives: This paper aims to identify, prioritize and develop a structure model of foresightful export-oriented strategies and strategic plans for Iran's pharmaceutical industry. Methods: Data gathering for identifying strategies conducted through literature review and some interviews with pharmaceutical industry experts analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Then fuzzy DEMATEL technique is used to prioritize and develop cause and effect and structure the model of identified strategies. Results: Policy modification, privatization, smart self-sufficiency in production, knowledge management in both national policy and industry firm's levels, and quality improvement in all aspects of production and products were identified as foresightful export-oriented strategies and plans for Iran pharmaceutical industry. Conclusion: Privatization is the most effective and important foresightful export-oriented strategy in Iran's pharmaceutical industry.

scholarly journals Population-level interventions targeting risk factors of diabetes and hypertension in South Africa: a document review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannine Uwimana - Nicol ◽  
Lynn Hendricks ◽  
Taryn Young
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Unhealthy Diet

Abstract Background South Africa bears an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The objective of this study was to identify which population-level interventions, implemented at the level of governmental or political jurisdictions only, targeting risk factors of diabetes and hypertension were included in policies in South Africa. We also looked at whether these have been implemented or not. Methods A review of relevant reports, journal articles, and policy documents was conducted. Documentation from government reports that contains information regarding the planning, implementation and evaluation of population-level interventions targeting diabetes and hypertension were considered, and various databases were searched. The identified population-level interventions were categorized as supportive policies, supportive programs and enabling environments according to the major risk factors of NCDs i.e., tobacco use, harmful consumption of alcohol, unhealthy diet/nutrition and physical inactivity, in accordance with the WHO ‘Best buys’. A content document analysis was conducted. Results The source documents reviewed included Acts and laws, regulations, policy documents, strategic plans, case studies, government reports and editorials. South Africa has a plethora of policies and regulations targeting major risk factors for diabetes and hypertension implemented in line with WHO ‘Best buys’ since 1990. A total of 28 policies, legislations, strategic plans, and regulations were identified - 8 on tobacco use; 7 on harmful consumption of alcohol; 8 on unhealthy diet and 5 on physical inactivity - as well as 12 case studies, government reports and editorials. There is good progress in policy formulation in line with the ‘Best buys’. However, there are some gaps in the implementation of these policies and programs. Conclusion Curbing the rising burden of NCDs requires comprehensive strategies which include population-level interventions targeting risk factors for diabetes and hypertension and effective implementation with robust evaluation to identify successes and ways to overcome challenges.

scholarly journals The Privatization of the Italian National Health System and its Impact on Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: The COVID-19 Case

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110249
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Buzelli ◽  
Tammy Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
National Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
National Health System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Health ◽  
The Public

Hospitals play a critical role in providing essential care during emergencies; however, this essential care can overwhelm the functional capacity of health systems. In Italy, substantial cuts in funding have drastically reduced the resources of the National Health Service (NHS) and contributed to the expansion of the private health sector which, unlike the public health system, does not have the capacity to deal with a health emergency such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this article is to show how the privatization of the NHS contributed to making Italy more vulnerable and unprepared to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The available capacity and resources in the public and private emergency services systems in Italy are compared, including a focus on the numbers of hospital staff, hospitals, and hospital beds. The reduced funding and subsequent shortfalls in services in the NHS are reasons why extreme measures were needed to increase these resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. A public NHS in Italy would be better prepared for future health emergencies. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can help to inform future health systems strategies, to halt the current financial decline and performance loss of national health systems, and to enable better preparation for future health emergencies.

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