Clinicians' Views On The Uptake Of Technology In Health Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 11-11
Author(s):  
Nasreen Sau ◽  
Anju Jaggi ◽  
Mindy Cairns
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Use Of Technology

Background/Aims The NHS recognises digital technology is key in improving healthcare systems and delivery. However, the uptake of technology has been slow due to various factors including clinician attitudes and behaviours identified in the Personalised Health and Care 2020 plan. To evaluate attitudes and current use of technology within a healthcare setting of allied health professionals. Methods An online survey was designed with closed and open questions exploring the barriers and facilitators towards the uptake of technology. The survey was disseminated to 130 allied health professionals at a specialist orthopaedic hospital. The questions were based on the extended Technology Acceptance Model, which focused on perceived threat, perceived inequity, perceived usefulness and behavioural intention. Results Response rate was 44%. There were more positive results towards perceived usefulness and behavioural intention than to perceived threat and perceived inequity with regards to technology. Clinicians reported that technology has improved efficiency and effectiveness at work benefiting the patient and institution. However, the barriers related to loss of clinical time due to technical issues, lack of IT support, lack of confidence in IT skills and knowledge and patients' inability to access technology. The solutions suggested were more technical support, training and allocated time in work templates and work space. Conclusions Clinicians' behavioural intentions were positive towards the use of technology and they were willing to incorporate them more in health care. However, developments in infrastructure are required to provide staff with the tools and skills to facilitate greater use of technology within the clinical environment.

Responding and adapting to change: an allied health perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-349
Author(s):  
Lisa Beasley ◽  
Sandra Grace ◽  
Louise Horstmanshof
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Change Leaders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals. Understanding how individuals respond and adapt to change is essential to assist leaders to manage transformational change effectively. Contemporary health-care environments are characterised by frequent and rapid change, often with unrealistic and challenging time frames. Individuals operate independently, but also as members of teams, professions and organisations. Therefore, having a sound understanding of individual response to change is important for change leaders. In the Australian context, allied health professionals represent a quarter of the health-care workforce. There is a significant gap in understanding how allied health professionals respond and adapt to change. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review was designed to report on the nature and extent of the literature on the response and adaption to change in the context of allied health professionals. Change leaders in the health-care environment face a number of complex challenges when attempting to facilitate change. While this scoping review did not identify any specific literature on the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals, it did however provide information on change models and factors to take into consideration when implementing a change process. Findings The results of this scoping review identified findings in two main areas with regard to response and adaptation of allied health to change: a review of change management literature at the organisation level and change management for allied health. Most of the literature described organisational level change management without providing a structural framework for change. At the professional individual level, the literature focused on specific clinical interventions, rather than on the response and adaption to change for allied health. Minimal literature was identified in regard to the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals. In an environment characterised by continuous change and policy reform, a greater understanding of the response and adaption to change by allied health is a priority for research, policy and practice. Research limitations/implications This scoping review was undertaken to explore the response and adaption to change of allied health. It sought to identify the factors that may explain why certain disciplines within the allied health professional group responded to change differently. Scoping reviews do not set out to comprehensively source all relevant literature but rather to ascertain the nature and extent of the published literature in the field. Therefore, it is possible that a systematic review might uncover additional relevant papers. However, this scoping review provides a clear indication of the nature and extent of the literature in allied health. Practical implications Social implications This scoping review will assist change leaders to gain a better understanding of theoretical frameworks of individual, team and organisational change processes and the impacts these have individually and collectively on change processes. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this scoping review is the first of its kind to identify the minimal literature available on the way allied health professionals respond and adapt to change.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study of challenges and benefits of clinical academic careers for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e030595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Trusson ◽  
Emma Rowley ◽  
Louise Bramley
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Role ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Academic Study

ObjectivesThe clinical academic trajectory for doctors and dentists is well-established, with research embedded in their career development. Recent years have also seen a burgeoning interest and push for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) to pursue a clinical academic career. However, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 10-year review suggested that there may be problems with progression post Master’s degree level for this group, with nurses and midwives receiving less NIHR funding than allied health professionals. This study responds to these concerns, tracking the progression and exploring experiences of NMAHPs in the East Midlands region of England.DesignAn online survey and in-depth interviews were used to capture a wide range of experiences.Participants67 NMAHPs who were pursuing a clinical academic career were surveyed, supplemented by 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews.ResultsThree themes emerged during data analysis: Embarking on a clinical academic career, overcoming barriers and benefits.ConclusionsNMAHPs are motivated to pursue a clinical academic career by a drive to improve services for the benefit of patients and the National Health Service more widely, as well as for personal development and career progression. People working in these roles have opportunities to explore possible solutions to issues that they encounter in their clinical role through academic study. Findings reveal benefits emanating from the individual level through to (inter)national levels, therefore academic study should be encouraged and supported. However, investment is needed to establish more clinical academic roles to enable NMAHPs to continue to use their experience and expertise post-PhD, otherwise the full extent of their value will not be recognised.

scholarly journals Cost of Sickness Absenteeism during Seasonal Influenza Outbreaks of Medium Intensity among Health Care Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gianino ◽  
Gianfranco Politano ◽  
Antonio Scarmozzino ◽  
Michela Stillo ◽  
Viola Amprino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Medical Doctor ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Sickness Absenteeism ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Care Workers

This study aims to estimate the economic costs of sickness absenteeism of health care workers in a large Italian teaching hospital during the seasonal flu periods. A retrospective observational study was performed. The excess data of hospital’s sickness absenteeism during three seasonal influenza periods (2010/2011; 2011/2012; 2012/2013) came from a previous study. The cost of sickness absenteeism was calculated for six job categories: medical doctor, technical executive (i.e., pharmacists); nurses and allied health professionals (i.e., radiographer), other executives (i.e., engineer), non-medical support staff, and administrative staff, and for four age ranges: <39, 40–49, 50–59, and >59 years. An average of 5401 employees working each year were under study. There were over 11,100 working days/year lost associated with an influenza period in Italy, the costs associated were approximately 1.7 million euros, and the average work loss was valued at € 327/person. The major shares of cost appeared related to nurses and allied health professionals (45% of total costs). The highest costs for working days lost were reported in the 40–49 age range, accounting for 37% of total costs. Due to the substantial economic burden of sickness absenteeism, there are clear benefits to be gained from the effective prevention of the influenza.

Best Practice and Allied Health

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Jill Thoroughgood
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Health

In this paper, issues are discussed relating to the provision of quality allied health advice, and the focus of the allied health program in primary health care and community health settings in the Peninsula and Torres Strait Region of Queensland, since Regionalisation in 1991. It was apparent to allied health professionals working in community health, that the change process presented an opportunity to influence not only the Regional Health Authority, but also to act as a united voice for the professions and to be advocates for best practice models of care for the community. Why do allied health professionals need to be utilised in an advisory role in community based health settings? What are the impacts on policy, planning, and on the services provided by community health care workers? How can allied health advisers enhance the quality of outcomes of best practice for the consumers of community health programs? Allied health advisers are important for the whole health sector by ensuring that effective and appropriate allied health services are delivered, that there are increases in allied health resources, that there are improvements in health outcomes for clients, that primary health care models of care are implemented, and, finally, that best practice is implemented by the allied health professional.

scholarly journals Similarities and Differences Between Asthma Health Care Professional and Patient Views Regarding Medication Adherence

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 221-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Peláez ◽  
Simon L Bacon ◽  
Mark W Aulls ◽  
Guillaume Lacoste ◽  
Kim L Lavoie
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Collective Case Study ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Asthma Patients

BACKGROUND: The recent literature has reported disparate views between patients and health care professionals regarding the roles of various factors affecting medication adherence.OBJECTIVE: To examine the perspectives of asthma patients, physicians and allied health professionals regarding adherence to asthma medication.METHODOLOGY: A qualitative, multiple, collective case study design with six focus-group interviews including 38 participants (13 asthma patients, 13 pulmonologist physicians and 12 allied health professionals involved in treating asthma patients) was conducted.RESULTS: Patients, physicians and allied health professionals understood adherence to be an active process. In addition, all participants believed they had a role in treatment adherence, and agreed that the cost of medication was high and that access to the health care system was restricted. Major disagreements regarding patient-related barriers to medication adherence were identified among the groups. For example, all groups referred to side effects; however, while patients expressed their legitimate concerns, health care professionals believed that patients’ opinions of medication side effects were based on inadequate perceptions.CONCLUSION: Differences regarding medication adherence and barriers to adherence among the groups examined in the present study will provide insight into how disagreements may be translated to overcome barriers to optimal asthma adherence. Furthermore, when designing an intervention to enhance medication adherence, it is important to acknowledge that perceptual gaps exist and must be addressed.

scholarly journals Models of psychological service provision under Australia's Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Pirkis ◽  
Philip Burgess ◽  
Fay Kohn ◽  
Belinda Morley ◽  
Grant Blashki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Psychological Service ◽  
Health Care Program

The Access to Allied Psychological Services component of Australia?s Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program enables eligible general practitioners to refer consumers to allied health professionals for affordable, evidence-based mental health care, via 108 projects conducted by Divisions of General Practice. The current study profiled the models of service delivery across these projects, and examined whether particular models were associated with differential levels of access to services. We found: � 76% of projects were retaining their allied health professionals under contract, 28% via direct employment, and 7% some other way; � Allied health professionals were providing services from GPs? rooms in 63% of projects, from their own rooms in 63%, from a third location in 42%; and � The referral mechanism of choice was direct referral in 51% of projects, a voucher system in 27%, a brokerage system in 24%, and a register system in 25%. Many of these models were being used in combination. No model was predictive of differential levels of access, suggesting that the approach of adapting models to the local context is proving successful.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document