scholarly journals Indigenous Mothers’ Use of Web- and App-Based Information Sources to Support Healthy Parenting and Infant Health in Canada: Interpretive Description

10.2196/16145 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e16145
Author(s):  
Amy Lynn Wright ◽  
Rachel VanEvery ◽  
Vicky Miller
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Interpretive Description ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Sources Of Health Information

Background Web-based sources of health information are widely used by parents to support healthy parenting and aid in decision making about their infants’ health. Although fraught with challenges such as misinformation, if used appropriately, web-based resources can improve access to health education and promote healthy choices. How Indigenous mothers use web-based information to support their parenting and infants’ health has not yet been investigated; however, web-based modalities may be important methods for mitigating the reduced access to health care and negative health care interactions that many Indigenous people are known to experience. Objective This study aims to understand the experience of Indigenous mothers who use web-based information to support the health of their infants. Methods This interpretive description qualitative study used semistructured interviews and a discussion group to understand how Indigenous mothers living in Hamilton, Ontario and caring for an infant aged <2 years experienced meeting the health needs of their infants. The data presented reflect their experiences of using web-based sources of health information to support their infants’ health. The Two-Eyed Seeing approach was applied to the study design, which ensured that both western and Indigenous worldviews were considered throughout. Results A total of 19 Indigenous mothers participated in this study. The resulting 4 themes included distrusting information, staying anonymous, using visual information to support decision making, and accessing a world of experiences. Although fewer Indigenous mothers used web-based sources of information compared to mothers in the general population in other studies, tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique needs of Indigenous mothers is an important opportunity for supporting the health and wellness of both mothers and infants. Conclusions Web-based information sources are commonly used among parents, and ever-evolving web-based technologies make this information increasingly available and accessible. Tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique preferences and needs of Indigenous mothers is an important method for improving their access to reliable and accurate health care information, thereby supporting healthy parenting and promoting infant health.

scholarly journals Indigenous Mothers’ Use of Web- and App-Based Information Sources to Support Healthy Parenting and Infant Health in Canada: Interpretive Description (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Lynn Wright ◽  
Rachel VanEvery ◽  
Vicky Miller
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Interpretive Description ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Sources Of Health Information

BACKGROUND Web-based sources of health information are widely used by parents to support healthy parenting and aid in decision making about their infants’ health. Although fraught with challenges such as misinformation, if used appropriately, web-based resources can improve access to health education and promote healthy choices. How Indigenous mothers use web-based information to support their parenting and infants’ health has not yet been investigated; however, web-based modalities may be important methods for mitigating the reduced access to health care and negative health care interactions that many Indigenous people are known to experience. OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand the experience of Indigenous mothers who use web-based information to support the health of their infants. METHODS This interpretive description qualitative study used semistructured interviews and a discussion group to understand how Indigenous mothers living in Hamilton, Ontario and caring for an infant aged &lt;2 years experienced meeting the health needs of their infants. The data presented reflect their experiences of using web-based sources of health information to support their infants’ health. The Two-Eyed Seeing approach was applied to the study design, which ensured that both western and Indigenous worldviews were considered throughout. RESULTS A total of 19 Indigenous mothers participated in this study. The resulting 4 themes included distrusting information, staying anonymous, using visual information to support decision making, and accessing a world of experiences. Although fewer Indigenous mothers used web-based sources of information compared to mothers in the general population in other studies, tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique needs of Indigenous mothers is an important opportunity for supporting the health and wellness of both mothers and infants. CONCLUSIONS Web-based information sources are commonly used among parents, and ever-evolving web-based technologies make this information increasingly available and accessible. Tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique preferences and needs of Indigenous mothers is an important method for improving their access to reliable and accurate health care information, thereby supporting healthy parenting and promoting infant health. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Digital Health and Inequalities in Access to Health Services in Bangladesh: Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/16473 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e16473
Author(s):  
Tanvir Ahmed ◽  
Syed Jafar Raza Rizvi ◽  
Sabrina Rasheed ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal ◽  
Abbas Bhuiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Integrating Technology ◽  
Access To Health

Background Globally, the rapid growth of technology and its use as a development solution has generated much interest in digital health. In line with global trends, Bangladesh is also integrating technology into its health system to address disparities. Strong political endorsement and uptake of digital platforms by the government has influenced the rapid proliferation of such initiatives in the country. This paper aims to examine the implications of digital health on access to health care in Bangladesh, considering who uses electronic devices to access health information and services and why. Objective This study aims to understand how access to health care and related information through electronic means (digital health) is affected by sociodemographic determinants (ie, age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and personal and household ownership of mobile phones) in a semiurban community in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 854 households (between October 2013 and February 2014) and 20 focus group discussions (between February 2017 and March 2017) were conducted to understand (1) who owns electronic devices; (2) who, among the owners, uses these to access health information and services and why; (3) the awareness of electronic sources of health information; and (4) the role of intermediaries (family members or peers who helped to look for health information using electronic devices). Results A total of 90.3% (771/854) of households (471/854, 55.2% of respondents) owned electronic devices, mostly mobile phones. Among these, 7.2% (34/471) used them to access health information or services. Middle-aged (35-54 years), female, less (or not) educated, and poorer people used these devices the least (α=.05, α is the level of significance). The lack of awareness, discomfort, differences with regular care-seeking habits, lack of understanding and skills, and proximity to a health facility were the main reasons for not using devices to access digital health. Conclusions Although influenced by sociodemographic traits, access to digital health is not merely related to device ownership and technical skill. Rather, it is a combination of general health literacy, phone ownership, material resources, and technical skill as well as social recognition of health needs and inequity. This study’s findings should serve as a basis for better integrating technology within the health system and ensuring equitable access to health care.

scholarly journals Economic Burden and Health Care Access for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in China: Web-Based Survey Study

10.2196/20629 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e20629
Author(s):  
Qiao Yu ◽  
Chunpeng Zhu ◽  
Shuyi Feng ◽  
Liyi Xu ◽  
Shurong Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Financial Burdens

Background The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has imposed heavy financial burdens for Chinese patients; however, data about their financial status and access to health care are still lacking. This information is important for informing patients with IBD about disease treatment budgets and health care strategies. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic status and medical care access of patients with IBD through the China Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation web-based platform in China. Methods Our study was performed in 14 IBD centers in mainland China between 2018 and 2019 through WeChat. Participants were asked to complete a 64-item web-based questionnaire. Data were collected by the Wenjuanxing survey program. We mainly focused on income and insurance status, medical costs, and access to health care providers. Respondents were stratified by income and the associations of income with medical costs and emergency visit times were analyzed. Results In this study, 3000 patients with IBD, that is, 1922 patients with Crohn disease, 973 patients with ulcerative colitis, and 105 patients with undetermined colitis were included. During the last 12 months, the mean (SD) direct and indirect costs for per patient with IBD were approximately US $11,668.68 ($7944.44) and US $74.90 ($253.60) in China. The average reimbursement ratios for most outpatient and inpatient costs were less than 50%. However, the income of 85.5% (2565/3000) of the patients was less than ¥10,000 (US $1445) per month. Approximately 96.5% (2894/3000) of the patients were covered by health insurance, but only 24.7% (741/3000) of the patients had private commercial insurance, which has higher imbursement ratios. Nearly 98.0% (2954/3000) of the patients worried about their financial situation. Thus, 79.7% (2392/3000) of the patients with IBD tried to save money for health care and even delayed their medical treatments. About half of the respondents (1282/3000, 42.7%) had no primary care provider, and 52.2% (1567/3000) of the patients had to visit the emergency room 1-4 times per year for the treatment of their IBD. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower income (P=.001) and higher transportation (P=.004) and accommodation costs (P=.001) were significantly associated with the increased number of emergency visits of the patients. Conclusions Chinese patients with IBD have enormous financial burdens and difficulties in accessing health care, which have increased their financial anxiety and inevitably influenced their disease outcomes. Early purchase of private insurance, thereby increasing the reimbursement ratio for medical expenses, and developing the use of telemedicine would be effective strategies for saving on health care costs.

scholarly journals Economic Burden and Health Care Access for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in China: Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao Yu ◽  
Chunpeng Zhu ◽  
Shuyi Feng ◽  
Liyi Xu ◽  
Shurong Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Financial Burdens

BACKGROUND The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has imposed heavy financial burdens for Chinese patients; however, data about their financial status and access to health care are still lacking. This information is important for informing patients with IBD about disease treatment budgets and health care strategies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic status and medical care access of patients with IBD through the China Crohn’s &amp; Colitis Foundation web-based platform in China. METHODS Our study was performed in 14 IBD centers in mainland China between 2018 and 2019 through WeChat. Participants were asked to complete a 64-item web-based questionnaire. Data were collected by the Wenjuanxing survey program. We mainly focused on income and insurance status, medical costs, and access to health care providers. Respondents were stratified by income and the associations of income with medical costs and emergency visit times were analyzed. RESULTS In this study, 3000 patients with IBD, that is, 1922 patients with Crohn disease, 973 patients with ulcerative colitis, and 105 patients with undetermined colitis were included. During the last 12 months, the mean (SD) direct and indirect costs for per patient with IBD were approximately US $11,668.68 ($7944.44) and US $74.90 ($253.60) in China. The average reimbursement ratios for most outpatient and inpatient costs were less than 50%. However, the income of 85.5% (2565/3000) of the patients was less than ¥10,000 (US $1445) per month. Approximately 96.5% (2894/3000) of the patients were covered by health insurance, but only 24.7% (741/3000) of the patients had private commercial insurance, which has higher imbursement ratios. Nearly 98.0% (2954/3000) of the patients worried about their financial situation. Thus, 79.7% (2392/3000) of the patients with IBD tried to save money for health care and even delayed their medical treatments. About half of the respondents (1282/3000, 42.7%) had no primary care provider, and 52.2% (1567/3000) of the patients had to visit the emergency room 1-4 times per year for the treatment of their IBD. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower income (<i>P</i>=.001) and higher transportation (<i>P</i>=.004) and accommodation costs (<i>P</i>=.001) were significantly associated with the increased number of emergency visits of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Chinese patients with IBD have enormous financial burdens and difficulties in accessing health care, which have increased their financial anxiety and inevitably influenced their disease outcomes. Early purchase of private insurance, thereby increasing the reimbursement ratio for medical expenses, and developing the use of telemedicine would be effective strategies for saving on health care costs.

2-1-1 Toronto: Lessons Learnt About Newcomers’ Access to Health Information

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Cortinois ◽  
Richard Glazier ◽  
Nadia Caidi ◽  
Gavin Andrews ◽  
Mary Herbert-Copley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Soins De Santé ◽  
Phone Survey ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Nouveaux Arrivants

This study examines the importance of access to information as an enabler of access to health care by newcomers to Canada. Specifically, we focus on the role played by the 2-1-1 Toronto service through a 2005 phone survey and face-to-face qualitative interviews with 2-1-1 Toronto callers in 2006-2007.Cette étude examine l’importance de l’accès à l’information comme moteur de l’accès aux soins de santé par les nouveaux arrivants au Canada. Plus précisément, nous nous attardons sur le rôle que joue le service 2-1-1 Toronto au moyen d’entrevues téléphoniques effectuées en 2005 et d’entrevues qualitatives en personne avec des appelants du service 2-1-1 Toronto en 2006-2007.

scholarly journals Improving access to multilingual health information for newcomers to Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Gallo Stampino
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Health Care Organizations ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee

Canada's immigrant and refugee population is a vulnerable group in our health care system with specific information needs. Newcomers to Canada face certain socioeconomic, cultural–linguistic, and systemic barriers to access to health care that government, social agencies, and health care organizations work to overcome. To address some of the communication barriers, many health organizations develop information resources such as online brochures and education handouts. Several organizations offer specifically tailored multilingual publications to meet newcomers' information needs and write them using cross-cultural approaches. However, multilingual health information may be hard to locate and is not readily available through major Canadian consumer Web sites. This article discusses the advantages of sharing multilingual publications online and asks whether a central portal or repository is a possible solution for making publications more widely available across Canada.

scholarly journals Mhealth

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-62
Author(s):  
Jeannette Herrle
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Institutional Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
People’S Daily ◽  
Digital Modality

Web-based applications (email, websites, portals) have long been the favoured digital modality for interacting with the public in health care, in part because they enable institutional control of the flow of health data. But today, smartphones are becoming the default portal in many people’s daily lives. Their presence is increasingly felt in health care, whether as a means of connecting patients with practitioners or satisfying a desire for instant access to health information.

scholarly journals The Community Analytics Academy Pilot: A Community-Academic Partnership for Building Community Health Care Analytic Capacity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093240
Author(s):  
Rhonda BeLue ◽  
Lorinette Wirth ◽  
Amanda Steormer ◽  
Suzanne Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Organizations ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Data Informed ◽  
Analyze Data

The ability to analyze data to identify best practices is key to improving quality of care for community-based health care organizations (CBOs). Leading commercial statistical software remains too costly for many CBOs operating in underserved communities. The St Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) collaborates with CBOs to increase access to health care. IHN and a local university developed the Community Analytics Academy (CAA), a training collaborative designed to meet the need for data-informed decision making among CBOs. Establishing analytics training collaboratives for CBOs empowers organizations to respond to the ever-growing amounts of health care data and the need for data-driven decision making.

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