Perceptions of the Diabetes Online Community’s Credibility, Social Capital, and Help and Harm: Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Baby Boomers and Younger Adults

Background The use of online health communities such as the diabetes online community (DOC) is growing. Individuals who engage in the DOC are able to interact with peers who have the same medical condition. It is not known if older adults are perceiving the DOC differently compared with younger adults. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how the DOC is perceived in terms of social capital, source credibility, and help and harm. The findings from this study will shed light on how users of different age groups (baby boomers and younger adult counterparts) perceive DOC use. Methods This study represents a subset of participants from a larger study of DOC users. Baby boomers and younger adults with diabetes were recruited from the DOC to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Demographics, electronic health use (reasons to join the DOC, DOC intensity, DOC engagement, internet social capital, and help or harm from the DOC), source credibility, health-related quality of life, and diabetes self-care data were collected. We examined the differences between baby boomer and younger adult responses. Results The participants included baby boomers (N=76) and younger adult counterparts (N=102). Participants scored their diabetes health care team (mean 33.5 [SD 8]) significantly higher than the DOC (mean 32 [SD 6.4]) with regard to competence (P<.05) and trustworthiness (diabetes health care team mean 36.3 [SD 7.1]; DOC mean 33.6 [SD 6.2]; P<.001). High bonding and bridging social capital correlated with high DOC intensity (r=.629; P<.001 and r=.676; P<.001, respectively) and high DOC engagement (r=.474; P<.01 and r=.507; P≤.01, respectively). The greater majority (69.8%) reported the DOC as being helpful, and 1.8% reported that the DOC had caused minor harm. Baby boomers perceived DOC credibility, social capital, help, and harm similarly to their younger adult counterparts. Conclusions Baby boomers are using and perceiving the DOC similarly to younger adults. DOC users find the DOC to be credible; however, they scored their health care team higher with regard to competence and trustworthiness. The DOC is beneficial with low risk and may augment current diabetes care.

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Perceptions of the Diabetes Online Community’s Credibility, Social Capital, and Help and Harm: Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Baby Boomers and Younger Adults (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10857 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle L Litchman ◽

Linda S Edelman

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Social Capital ◽

Baby Boomers ◽

Source Credibility ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Care Team ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults

BACKGROUND The use of online health communities such as the diabetes online community (DOC) is growing. Individuals who engage in the DOC are able to interact with peers who have the same medical condition. It is not known if older adults are perceiving the DOC differently compared with younger adults. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how the DOC is perceived in terms of social capital, source credibility, and help and harm. The findings from this study will shed light on how users of different age groups (baby boomers and younger adult counterparts) perceive DOC use. METHODS This study represents a subset of participants from a larger study of DOC users. Baby boomers and younger adults with diabetes were recruited from the DOC to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Demographics, electronic health use (reasons to join the DOC, DOC intensity, DOC engagement, internet social capital, and help or harm from the DOC), source credibility, health-related quality of life, and diabetes self-care data were collected. We examined the differences between baby boomer and younger adult responses. RESULTS The participants included baby boomers (N=76) and younger adult counterparts (N=102). Participants scored their diabetes health care team (mean 33.5 [SD 8]) significantly higher than the DOC (mean 32 [SD 6.4]) with regard to competence (<italic>P</italic><.05) and trustworthiness (diabetes health care team mean 36.3 [SD 7.1]; DOC mean 33.6 [SD 6.2]; <italic>P</italic><.001). High bonding and bridging social capital correlated with high DOC intensity (<italic>r</italic>=.629; <italic>P</italic><.001 and <italic>r</italic>=.676; <italic>P</italic><.001, respectively) and high DOC engagement (<italic>r</italic>=.474; <italic>P</italic><.01 and <italic>r</italic>=.507; <italic>P≤</italic>.01, respectively). The greater majority (69.8%) reported the DOC as being helpful, and 1.8% reported that the DOC had caused minor harm. Baby boomers perceived DOC credibility, social capital, help, and harm similarly to their younger adult counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Baby boomers are using and perceiving the DOC similarly to younger adults. DOC users find the DOC to be credible; however, they scored their health care team higher with regard to competence and trustworthiness. The DOC is beneficial with low risk and may augment current diabetes care.

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Evaluation of prescription containing medication via enteral feeding tubes in an adult emergency unit

Revista Brasileira de Farmácia Hospitalar e Serviços de Saúde ◽

10.30968/rbfhss.2020.114.0497 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 497

Author(s):

Inaê A. SPEZIA ◽

Filipe C. MATHEUS

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Enteral Feeding ◽

Feeding Tube ◽

Medication Administration ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Care Team ◽

Emergency Unit ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pharmaceutical Form

Objective: This study aims to evaluate medication prescriptions to be used by a feeding tube in an emergency unit, identify and classify the problems with the prescriptions and suggest interventions, done by a pharmacist, when necessary. Also aims to develop a guide with information about administering medication through the feeding tube in order to help the health care team. Methods: the study is characterized as a quantitative cross-sectional study, with data collected during March to September of 2019 at an adult emergency unit, a total of 47 prescriptions were analyzed by a pharmacist and 138 drugs were prescripted to be administered through a feeding tube. Results: A total of 18.8% of those medications presented some restriction to be administered by the feeding tube. The most common problems observed were the loss or reduction of therapeutic effect present in 61,6% of the cases, followed by drug-food interactions with 30.8%. About the pharmaceutical intervention more performed was requesting to change the pharmaceutical form (36%), followed by orientation about stop the enteral feeding (30.2%). To the elaboration of the guide for the health care team, 181 medications standardized at the hospital were analyzed, of that 33.1% presented some restriction to administer by feeding tube and only 35% presented another pharmaceutical form for substitution. Conclusion: it was possible to note the importance of pharmaceutical evaluation of prescriptions to identify errors and prevent future problems assuring the patient’s safety. The guide elaboration sought to assist and optimize the process of medication administration by feeding tube guaranteeing the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy.

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E-Mail Communication Practices and Preferences Among Patients and Providers in a Large Comprehensive Cancer Center

Journal of Oncology Practice ◽

10.1200/jop.2015.008722 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 676-684 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Natalie Cook ◽

Manjula Maganti ◽

Aditi Dobriyal ◽

Michal Sheinis ◽

Alice C. Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Care ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Care Team ◽

Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Impact ◽

E Mail

Purpose: Little is known about how electronic mail (e-mail) is currently used in oncology practice to facilitate patient care. The objective of our study was to understand the current e-mail practices and preferences of patients and physicians in a large comprehensive cancer center. Methods: Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to patients and physicians (staff physicians and clinical fellows) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with current e-mail use. Record review was performed to assess the impact of e-mail communication on care. Results: The survey was completed by 833 patients. E-mail contact with a member of the health care team was reported by 41% of respondents. The team members contacted included administrative assistants (52%), nurses (45%), specialist physicians (36%), and family physicians (18%). Patient factors associated with a higher likelihood of e-mail contact with the health care team included younger age, higher education, higher income, enrollment in a clinical trial, and receipt of multiple treatments. Eighty percent of physicians (n = 63 of 79) reported previous contact with a patient via e-mail. Physician factors associated with a greater likelihood of e-mail contact with patients included older age, more senior clinical position, and higher patient volume. Nine hundred sixty-two patient records were reviewed, with e-mail correspondence documented in only 9% of cases. Conclusion: E-mail is commonly used for patient care but is poorly documented. The use of e-mail in this setting can be developed with appropriate guidance; however, there may be concerns about widening the gap between certain groups of patients.

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Gender analysis and training needs assessment of class 4 staff in a tertiary health care institute

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20212161 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 2275

Author(s):

Priyanka U. Honavar ◽

Padmaja Y. Samant ◽

Swati B. Bhosle

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Training Needs ◽

Support Staff ◽

Care Team ◽

Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Trained Staff

Background: A health care team comprises of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, medical assistants, administrators and support staff or class 4 workers. Each individual has a role in the execution of proper health care delivery to the patients. Obstetrics and gynecology is a dynamic branch requiring urgent attention in most cases right from admission to discharge. Delivery of prompt treatment is possible with better training and coordination of the health care team. In a tertiary care institute, referred patients have more critical health problems and need urgent assistance by well-trained staff. On the other hand, in a smaller set up with less human resource, agile and well-trained support staff would be an asset to overcome the limitations. Better-trained staff means less loss of man-hours from injuries and illnesses, less medico legal liabilities, reduced maintenance cost of equipment and less expenditure on health-related issues of staff. We conducted an interview based cross sectional observational cohort study of the situation and an assessment of needs for skill building of support staff in a tertiary care hospital. At the end, we propose a structured training program suitable to the local needs that can be conducted by experienced peers, technical staff and medical personnel. We studied unmet training needs of the staff and gender related issues.Methods: A questionnaire based cross sectional study involving 92 class 4 workers in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in a tertiary care hospital was conducted comprising questions regarding their demography, work profile, training, needs and problems faced. Key informants in the relevant area were also interviewed.Results: Graphical representation of the responses received has been made. Professional work profile, health issues, gender issues, training need of any specialized training has been highlighted.Conclusions: As an important part of the health care team, this study has brought out issues related to health especially occupational health, needs for training, hurdles faced at work amongst class 4 staff working in the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

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Acceptability of Research and Health Care Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27185 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn M Ross ◽

Young-Rock Hong ◽

Rebecca A Krukowski ◽

Darci R Miller ◽

Dominick J Lemas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Survey Study ◽

Questionnaire Data ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Cdc Guidelines ◽

Health Related Research ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Health Related

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread impact on attendance in biomedical research and health care visits. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify when and how American adults might feel comfortable about resuming in-person research and health care visits. METHODS Cross-sectional questionnaire data were collected from 135 adults (age: median 48 years; women: n=113, 83.7%; White participants: n=92, 68.2%) who were engaged in health-related research. RESULTS More than half of the respondents (65/122, 53.3%) felt that the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected their desire to participate in research. Although 73.6% (95/129) of respondents also indicated a willingness to attend in-person health care visits while Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are implemented, 85.8% (109/127) indicated a willingness to attend in-person, outdoor visits, and 92.2% (118/128) reported a willingness to attend drive-through visits (with CDC guidelines implemented during both visit types). Videoconferencing was the most preferred format for intervention visits; however, adults over the age of 65 years preferred this format less than younger adults (<i>P</i>=.001). CONCLUSIONS Researchers and clinicians should continue to provide opportunities for continuing the conduction of remote-based interventions while enforcing CDC guidelines during in-person visits.

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Perceptions of chiropractic students regarding interprofessional health care teams

Journal of Chiropractic Education ◽

10.7899/jce-20-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew J. Knieper ◽

Judy L. Bhatti ◽

Elissa J. Twist DC

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

Positive Response ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Health Care Teams ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Care Training ◽

Chiropractic Students

Objective To describe perceptions of knowledge of interprofessional teams and value of interprofessional education (IPE) among 3 distinct years of chiropractic students at 1 chiropractic college. Methods A 24-item cross-sectional survey was administered to 247 chiropractic students in years 1–3 within a single institution. Surveys included 5 demographic questions and the 19-item Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). The RIPLS collected information on perceptions and value of interprofessional health care in a health care training program. Each question is scored on a 1–5 scale, with 5 indicating a stronger agreement. Multivariable analysis was used for comparison. Results Out of a total 321 eligible students, 247 (148 male) students completed the survey from year 1 (n = 66), year 2 (n = 102), and year 3 (n = 79), respectively. Most students (68%) were 18–25 years old. The mean compiled score of all 3 years (n = 231) was 77.2 (SD = 9.1). Each individual's year scores were as follows: year 1 (n = 60, mean = 79.7, SD=7.4), year 2 (n = 95, mean = 76.9, SD = 9.1), and year 3 (n = 76, mean = 75.4, SD = 9.9). Of the 247 students who responded, 87% of participantsagreed with “shared learning with other health care students will increase my ability to understand clinical problems.” Conclusion Most participants demonstrated a positive response to IPE and collaborating with health care teams. Participants in earlier years demonstrated a more positive response compared to later years. While positive perceptions to IPE were demonstrated, chiropractic students lacked knowledge and understanding of their role within an interprofessional health care team.

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Using an inpatient portal to engage families in pediatric hospital care

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association ◽

10.1093/jamia/ocw070 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 153-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Michelle M Kelly ◽

Peter L T Hoonakker ◽

Shannon M Dean

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Error Detection ◽

Hospital Care ◽

Information Needs ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Care Team ◽

Quality Data ◽

Medication List ◽

Cross Sectional

Objective: Assess parent use and perceptions of an inpatient portal application on a tablet computer that provides information about a child’s hospital stay. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of children hospitalized on a medical/surgical unit at a tertiary children’s hospital. From December 2014 to June 2015, parents were provisioned a tablet portal application to use throughout the hospitalization. The portal includes real-time hospital vitals, medications, schedules, lab results, education, health care team pictures/roles, and request and messaging functionalities. Portal use information was gathered from tablet metadata. Parents completed discharge surveys on portal satisfaction, use, and impact on their information needs, engagement, communication, error detection, and care safety and quality. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: Over 6 months, 296 parents used the portal, sending 176 requests and 36 messages. No tablets were lost or damaged. The most used and liked features included vitals, medication list, health care team information, and schedules. Overall, parent survey respondents (90) were satisfied with the portal (90%), reporting that it was easy to use (98%), improved care (94%), and gave them access to information that helped them monitor, understand, make decisions, and care for their child. Many parents reported that portal use improved health care team communication (60%). Most perceived that portal use reduced errors in care (89%), with 8% finding errors in their child’s medication list. Conclusions: Overall, parents were satisfied with the inpatient portal. Portals may engage parents in hospital care, facilitate parent recognition of medication errors, and improve perceptions of safety and quality.

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