scholarly journals Vision status of children aged 7 - 15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003 - 2013: a retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle K Falkenberg ◽  
Trine Langaas ◽  
Ellen Svarverud
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Included Patient ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
The University

Abstract Background: Undetected vision problems are an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. Data on how many schoolchildren are affected are limited. This study aims to increase the knowledge of vision status in primary and secondary school children by retrospectively describing the vision status of children referred from vision screening during the ten year period 2003 – 2013. Methods: Of 1126 (15 %) children referred to the university eye clinic, all 782 who attended were included. Patient records were reviewed with regards to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected logMAR visual acuity (BCVA), binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. Results: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83 %) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups, but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < .001). Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > .05). Mean BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < .001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149), and reduced distance vision (107). Conclusions: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. There was no change in refractive errors for either age group over the decade. Importantly, most of the problems were solved with glasses. Types of visual problems varied with age, which stresses the importance of regular eye examinations, and raised awareness among parents and teaching staff.

scholarly journals Vision status of children aged 7 - 15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003 - 2013: a retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle K Falkenberg ◽  
Trine Langaas ◽  
Ellen Svarverud
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Included Patient ◽  
Visual Problems

Abstract Background: Undetected vision problems are an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. Data on how many schoolchildren are affected are limited. This study aims to increase the knowledge of vision status in primary and secondary school children by retrospectively describing the vision status of children referred from vision screening during the ten year period 2003 – 2013. Methods: Of 1126 (15 %) children referred to the university eye clinic, all 782 who attended were included. Patient records were reviewed with regards to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected logMAR visual acuity (BCVA), binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. Results: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83 %) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups, but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < .001). Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > .05). Mean BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < .001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149), and reduced distance vision (107). Conclusions: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. There was no change in refractive errors for either age group over the decade. Importantly, most of the problems were solved with glasses. Types of visual problems varied with age, which stresses the importance of regular eye examinations, and raised awareness among parents and teaching staff. Keywords: Health care services, children, vision examination, visual status, refractive errors.

scholarly journals Vision status of children aged 7 - 15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003 - 2013: a retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle K Falkenberg ◽  
Trine Langaas ◽  
Ellen Svarverud
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
Eye Clinic

Abstract Background: Undetected vision problems is an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services in Norway even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. There are no published data on how many Norwegian schoolchildren are affected by correctable vision problems. This study aims to determine the vision status in primary and secondary schoolchildren referred from vision screening during the 10 year period of 2003 -2013. Methods: Of the 1126 children (15%) aged 7 - 15 years referred to the university eye clinic by the school screening program, all 782 who attended the eye clinic were included in the study. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logMAR, binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. Results: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83%) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow-up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Overall, 51% were hyperopic, 32% emmetropic and 17% myopic. Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > 0.05). Mean logMAR BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149) and reduced distance vision (107). Conclusions: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. This study shows that the types of visual problems varied with age and that most problems could be solved with glasses. Our results stress the importance of regular eye examinations and that vision examinations should be included in primary health care services. Furthermore, there is a need for raised awareness among parents and teaching staff regarding vision problems in children.

scholarly journals Vision status of children aged 7 - 15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003 - 2013: a retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle K Falkenberg ◽  
Trine Langaas ◽  
Ellen Svarverud
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
Eye Clinic

Abstract Background: Undetected vision problems is an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services in Norway even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. There are no published data on how many Norwegian schoolchildren are affected by correctable vision problems. This study aims to determine vision status in primary and secondary schoolchildren by describing the vision status in children referred from vision screening during the 10-year period of 2003 – 2013. Methods: Of the 1126 children (15%) aged 7 - 15 years referred to the university eye clinic by the school screening program, all 782 who attended the eye clinic were included in the study. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logMAR, binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. Results: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83%) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow-up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Overall, 51% were hyperopic, 32% emmetropic and 17% myopic. Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > 0.05). Mean logMAR BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149) and reduced distance vision (107). Conclusions: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. This study shows that the types of visual problems varied with age and that most problems could be solved with glasses. Our results stress the importance of regular eye examinations and that vision examinations should be included in primary health care services. Furthermore, there is a need for raised awareness among parents and teaching staff regarding vision problems in children.

scholarly journals Vision status of children aged 7 - 15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003 - 2013: a retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle K Falkenberg ◽  
Trine Langaas ◽  
Ellen Svarverud
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
Eye Clinic

Abstract Background: Undetected vision problems is an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services in Norway even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. There are no published data on how many Norwegian schoolchildren are affected by correctable vision problems. This study aims to determine the vision status in primary and secondary schoolchildren referred from vision screening during the 10 year period of 2003 -2013. Methods: Of the 1126 children (15%) aged 7 - 15 years referred to the university eye clinic by the school screening program, all 782 who attended the eye clinic were included in the study. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logMAR, binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. Results: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83%) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow-up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Overall, 51% were hyperopic, 32% emmetropic and 17% myopic. Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > 0.05). Mean logMAR BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149) and reduced distance vision (107). Conclusions: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. This study shows that the types of visual problems varied with age and that most problems could be solved with glasses. Our results stress the importance of regular eye examinations and that vision examinations should be included in primary health care services. Furthermore, there is a need for raised awareness among parents and teaching staff regarding vision problems in children.

scholarly journals Structure and Distribution of Health Care Costs across Age Groups of Patients with Multimorbidity in Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2767
Author(s):  
Laura Nedzinskienė ◽  
Elena Jurevičienė ◽  
Žydrūnė Visockienė ◽  
Agnė Ulytė ◽  
Roma Puronaitė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Resource Usage ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Costs

Background. Patients with multimorbidity account for ever-increasing healthcare resource usage and are often summarised as big spenders. Comprehensive analysis of health care resource usage in different age groups in patients with at least two non-communicable diseases is still scarce, limiting the quality of health care management decisions, which are often backed by limited, small-scale database analysis. The health care system in Lithuania is based on mandatory social health insurance and is covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. Based on a national Health Insurance database. The study aimed to explore the distribution, change, and interrelationships of health care costs across the age groups of patients with multimorbidity, suggesting different priorities at different age groups. Method. The study identified all adults with at least one chronic disease when any health care services were used over a three-year period between 2012 and 2014. Further data analysis excluded patients with single chronic conditions and further analysed patients with multimorbidity, accounting for increasing resource usage. The costs of primary, outpatient health care services; hospitalizations; reimbursed and paid out-of-pocket medications were analysed in eight age groups starting at 18 and up to 85 years and over. Results. The study identified a total of 428,430 adults in Lithuania with at least two different chronic diseases from the 32 chronic disease list. Out of the total expenditure within the group, 51.54% of the expenses were consumed for inpatient treatment, 30.90% for reimbursed medications. Across different age groups of patients with multimorbidity in Lithuania, 60% of the total cost is attributed to the age group of 65–84 years. The share in the total spending was the highest in the 75–84 years age group amounting to 29.53% of the overall expenditure, with an increase in hospitalization and a decrease in outpatient services. A decrease in health care expenses per capita in patients with multimorbidity after 85 years of age was observed. Conclusions. The highest proportion of health care expenses in patients with multimorbidity relates to hospitalization and reimbursed medications, increasing with age, but varies through different services. The study identifies the need to personalise the care of patients with multimorbidity in the primary-outpatient setting, aiming to reduce hospitalizations with proactive disease management.

scholarly journals Impacts of mild COVID-19 on elevated use of primary and specialist health care services: A nationwide register study from Norway

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0257926
Author(s):  
Katrine Damgaard Skyrud ◽  
Kjersti Helene Hernæs ◽  
Kjetil Elias Telle ◽  
Karin Magnusson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Specialist Health Care

Aim To explore the temporal impact of mild COVID-19 on need for primary and specialist health care services. Methods In all adults (≥20 years) tested for SARS-CoV-2 in Norway March 1st 2020 to February 1st 2021 (N = 1 401 922), we contrasted the monthly all-cause health care use before and up to 6 months after the test (% relative difference), for patients with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 (non-hospitalization, i.e. mild COVID-19) and patients with a negative test (no COVID-19). Results We found a substantial short-term elevation in primary care use in all age groups, with men generally having a higher relative increase (men 20–44 years: 522%, 95%CI = 509–535, 45–69 years: 439%, 95%CI = 426–452, ≥70 years: 199%, 95%CI = 180–218) than women (20–44 years: 342, 95%CI = 334–350, 45–69 years = 375, 95%CI = 365–385, ≥70 years: 156%, 95%CI = 141–171) at 1 month following positive test. At 2 months, this sex difference was less pronounced, with a (20–44 years: 21%, 95%CI = 13–29, 45–69 years = 38%, 95%CI = 30–46, ≥70 years: 15%, 95%CI = 3–28) increase in primary care use for men, and a (20–44 years: 30%, 95%CI = 24–36, 45–69 years = 57%, 95%CI = 50–64, ≥70 years: 14%, 95%CI = 4–24) increase for women. At 3 months after test, only women aged 45–70 years still had an increased primary care use (14%, 95%CI = 7–20). The increase was due to respiratory- and general/unspecified conditions. We observed no long-term (4–6 months) elevation in primary care use, and no elevation in specialist care use. Conclusion Mild COVID-19 gives an elevated need for primary care that vanishes 2–3 months after positive test. Middle-aged women had the most prolonged increased primary care use.

scholarly journals Library in Search of Self-identification: the Experience of the Center for Scientific and Humanitarian Information of PUA

New Collegium ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (104) ◽  
pp. 87-91
Author(s):  
E. Astakhova ◽  
I. Kozitskaya
Keyword(s):  
Ukrainian Academy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Constant Change ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Humanitarian Information ◽  
The Times ◽  
The University ◽  
Available Information

The article is devoted to a description of various approaches to solving topical educational and “library” problems typical of the contemporary world, which are being realized in its practical activities by the scientific-educational complex for continuing education Kharkiv University of Humanities “People’s Ukrainian Academy”. “People’s Ukrainian Academy” is the institution where the university library’s functions are not limited to repositing and providing books to students and teaching staff. The authors point out that in the contemporary world where 90% of all available information has come up in the last two years, libraries are to learn and teach others how to manage information, how to analyze and systematize it, how to maintain the academic ethos, and foster academic integrity. The authors emphasize that the tasks are qualitatively different from what libraries used to have. Among the main goals the Centre for Scientific and Humanitarian Information (the whole name of the PUA’s librarian complex) attempts to achieve, combination of functions is a priority: shaping reader’s needs and developing a culture of reading, a culture of dealing with books and other information sources, establishing and developing a cuture of Dialogue in the education institutions, leadership in its innovative activity. The paper substantiates the existing PUA approaches to the functions of the librarian complex and considers the principles and methods of the library work with people of different age-groups, its participation in soling cultural communication problems, developing a culture of the Dialogue, book-crossing and others. The paper explicates how non-standard formats of activity ensure achieving the goals of the university library in the times of uncertainty and constant change.

scholarly journals Does Telemedicine Reduce health disparities? Longitudinal Evidence during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Roghani ◽  
Samin Panahi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Us ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Socioeconomic Heterogeneity

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic could be a significant health issue for the elderly population and those with pre-excising chronic condition. In response to the pandemic health care services have increased the use of telehealth medicine. The propose of this study is to examine factors associated with access to telemedicine before and after COVID-19 based on sociodemographic factors and type of chronic disease.MethodWe have used data from the Research and Development Survey (RANDS) at two different time points Data collection for the first wave occurred between June 9, 2020 and July 6, 2020 (n= 6786), second wave was between August 3, 2020 and August 20, 2020 (n=5972). Three questions have been asked from the participant: 1) did the provider offer telemedicine before the pandemic? 2) does the provider offer telemedicine during the pandemic? And 3) have the participants schedule telemedicine appointments?ResultIn both waves, 62 % of the participants reported providers did not have telemedicine services prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we found a 22% increase in offering telemedicine in six first month of the COVID-19 pandemic. The finding shows almost no change in providing telemedicine between June and August. The data indicates just a 0.5% and 0.1% increase in accessing telemedicine, and scheduling in August than June, respectively. Patients older than 65 had higher access to telemedicine and had higher scheduling frequencies than other age groups, while they had the lowest access prior to the COVID-19. Blacks had the highest access to telemedicine services than other races (40%). Additionally, females, higher education, and living in metropolitan areas were associated with higher access and scheduling during the pandemic. There was a variation of access and scheduling in different chronic diseases, however, providers offered more remote services for those who diagnosed by diabetes.ConclusionThe aim of telemedicine is to reduce disparities in healthcare access. The findings of this study show telemedicine has reduced racial disparities and provided greater accessibility for older groups. However, spatial and educational disparities are still noticeable. Research is necessary to examine how healthcare must address the socioeconomic heterogeneity in telemedicine by avoiding further disparities.

scholarly journals Patients’ Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption of E-Hospitals: Cross-Sectional Study in Western China

10.2196/17221 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e17221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiyi Li ◽  
Yunmei Luo ◽  
Xuexin Yu ◽  
Jin Wen ◽  
Elizabeth Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Western China ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Willingness To Use

Background As an innovative approach to providing web-based health care services from physical hospitals to patients at a distance, e-hospitals (ie, extended care hospitals through the internet) have been extensively developed in China. This closed health care delivery chain was developed by combining e-hospitals with physical hospitals; treatment begins with web-based consultation and registration, and then, patients are diagnosed and treated in a physical hospital. This approach is promising in its ability to improve accessibility, efficiency, and quality of health care. However, there is limited research on end users’ acceptance of e-hospitals and the effectiveness of strategies aimed to prompt the adoption of e-hospitals in China. Objective This study aimed to provide insights regarding the adoption of e-hospitals by investigating patients’ willingness to use e-hospitals and analyzing the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of this technology. Methods We used a pretested self-administered questionnaire and performed a cross-sectional analysis in 1032 patients across three hierarchical hospitals in West China from June to August 2019. Patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, current disease status, proficiency with electronic devices, previous experience with web-based health services, willingness to use e-hospitals, and perceived facilitators and barriers were surveyed. Multiple significance tests were employed to examine disparities across four age groups, as well as those between patients who were willing to use e-hospitals and those who were not. Multivariate logistic regression was also performed to identify the potential predictors of willingness to use e-hospitals. Results Overall, it was found that 65.6% (677/1032) of participants were willing to use e-hospitals. The significant predictors of willingness to use e-hospitals were employment status (P=.02), living with children (P<.001), education level (P=.046), information technology skills (P<.001), and prior experience with web-based health care services (P<.001), whereas age, income, medical insurance, and familiarity with e-hospitals were not predictors. Additionally, the prominent facilitators of e-hospitals were convenience (641/677, 94.7%) and accessibility to skilled medical experts (489/677, 72.2%). The most frequently perceived barrier varied among age groups; seniors most often reported their inability to operate technological devices as a barrier (144/166, 86.7%), whereas young participants most often reported that they avoided e-hospital services because they were accustomed to face-to-face consultation (39/52, 75%). Conclusions We identified the variables, facilitators, and barriers that play essential roles in the adoption of e-hospitals. Based on our findings, we suggest that efforts to increase the adoption of e-hospitals should focus on making target populations accustomed to web-based health care services while maximizing ease of use and providing assistance for technological inquiries.

scholarly journals Patients’ Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption of E-Hospitals: Cross-Sectional Study in Western China (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiyi Li ◽  
Yunmei Luo ◽  
Xuexin Yu ◽  
Jin Wen ◽  
Elizabeth Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Western China ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Willingness To Use

BACKGROUND As an innovative approach to providing web-based health care services from physical hospitals to patients at a distance, e-hospitals (ie, extended care hospitals through the internet) have been extensively developed in China. This closed health care delivery chain was developed by combining e-hospitals with physical hospitals; treatment begins with web-based consultation and registration, and then, patients are diagnosed and treated in a physical hospital. This approach is promising in its ability to improve accessibility, efficiency, and quality of health care. However, there is limited research on end users’ acceptance of e-hospitals and the effectiveness of strategies aimed to prompt the adoption of e-hospitals in China. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide insights regarding the adoption of e-hospitals by investigating patients’ willingness to use e-hospitals and analyzing the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of this technology. METHODS We used a pretested self-administered questionnaire and performed a cross-sectional analysis in 1032 patients across three hierarchical hospitals in West China from June to August 2019. Patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, current disease status, proficiency with electronic devices, previous experience with web-based health services, willingness to use e-hospitals, and perceived facilitators and barriers were surveyed. Multiple significance tests were employed to examine disparities across four age groups, as well as those between patients who were willing to use e-hospitals and those who were not. Multivariate logistic regression was also performed to identify the potential predictors of willingness to use e-hospitals. RESULTS Overall, it was found that 65.6% (677/1032) of participants were willing to use e-hospitals. The significant predictors of willingness to use e-hospitals were employment status (<i>P</i>=.02), living with children (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), education level (<i>P</i>=.046), information technology skills (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), and prior experience with web-based health care services (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), whereas age, income, medical insurance, and familiarity with e-hospitals were not predictors. Additionally, the prominent facilitators of e-hospitals were convenience (641/677, 94.7%) and accessibility to skilled medical experts (489/677, 72.2%). The most frequently perceived barrier varied among age groups; seniors most often reported their inability to operate technological devices as a barrier (144/166, 86.7%), whereas young participants most often reported that they avoided e-hospital services because they were accustomed to face-to-face consultation (39/52, 75%). CONCLUSIONS We identified the variables, facilitators, and barriers that play essential roles in the adoption of e-hospitals. Based on our findings, we suggest that efforts to increase the adoption of e-hospitals should focus on making target populations accustomed to web-based health care services while maximizing ease of use and providing assistance for technological inquiries.

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