scholarly journals The Impact of a Web-Based Course Concerning Patient Education for Mental Health Care Professionals: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Maritta Välimäki ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
Virve Pekurinen ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Continuing education has an important role in supporting the competence of health care professionals. Although Web-based education is a growing business in various health sectors, few studies have been conducted in psychiatric settings to show its suitability in demanding work environments. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the impact of a Web-based educational course to increase self-efficacy, self-esteem, and team climate of health care professionals. Possible advantages and disadvantages of the Web-based course are also described. METHODS The study used nonrandomized, pre-post intervention design in 1 psychiatric hospital (3 wards). Health care professionals (n=33) were recruited. Self-efficacy, self-esteem, and team climate were measured at 3 assessment points (baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months). Possible advantages and disadvantages were gathered with open-ended questions at the end of the course. RESULTS Our results of this nonrandomized, pre-post intervention study showed that health care professionals (n=33) had higher self-efficacy after the course, and the difference was statistically significant (mean 30.16, SD 3.31 vs mean 31.77, SD 3.35; P=.02). On the other hand, no differences were found in the self-esteem or team climate of the health care professionals before and after the course. Health care professionals found the Web-based course useful in supporting their work and relationships with patients. The tight schedule of the Web-based course and challenges in recruiting patients to use the patient education program with health care professionals were found to be the disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS Web-based education might be a useful tool to improve the self-efficacy of health care professionals even in demanding work environments such as psychiatric hospitals. However, more studies with robust and sufficiently powered data are still needed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apolline Adé ◽  
Denis Lebel ◽  
Jean-François Bussières

<p><strong>RÉSUMÉ</strong></p><p><strong>Contexte : </strong>La littérature scientifique portant sur l’application des connaissances (AC) est vaste et complexe et les publications sur les interventions dans le domaine de la santé concernent surtout les médecins et les infirmières. Pour autant que les auteurs sachent, il n’existe pas de revue documentaire s’intéressant à l’AC et à ses retombées en pharmacie.</p><p><strong>Objectif : </strong>Décrire le profil des interventions visant l’AC en pratique pharmaceutique.</p><p><strong>Source des données : </strong>La plateforme Knowledge Translation+ (KT+) a été utilisée pour en extraire des articles publiés entre janvier 2010 et décembre 2016 à l’aide du terme « pharmacist ».</p><p><strong>Sélection des études et extraction des données : </strong>Les principales variables retenues pour établir le profil des interventions visant l’AC en pratique pharmaceutique étaient le protocole de recherche de l’étude, le lieu de l’intervention, les rôles du pharmacien, les types de connaissances transférées et les retombées. Le codage de la nature des interventions pharmaceutiques reposait sur la classification du site Impact Pharmacie.</p><p><strong>Synthèse des données : </strong>Au total, 114 articles ont été sélectionnés : revues systématiques (<em>n </em>= 25, 22 %), études contrôlées à répartition aléatoire (<em>n </em>= 45, 40 %) études rétrospectives (<em>n </em>= 21, 18 %), études prospectives (<em>n </em>= 13, 11 %), études pré-post intervention (<em>n </em>= 10, 9 %). Les études se déroulaient surtout en établissement de santé (74 %). La majorité des interventions ciblaient des étapes de soins pharmaceutiques et la realization de séances d’éducation thérapeutique et de conseils prodigués aux patients. Il existait un manque de rigueur méthodologique lors de la conception des interventions et quant à leur description.</p><p><strong>Conclusion : </strong>Le pharmacien est le principal producteur de connaissances et oriente les interventions visant leur application vers les patients ou les professionnels de santé. Celles-ci concernaient principalement la démarche de soins pharmaceutiques et le travail en interdisciplinarité. La mise en place d’une formation initiale et continue, la gestion de l’information et la désignation d’un pharmacien responsable de l’AC au sein de chaque département de pharmacie pourraient encourager le développement de cette mise en application des connaissances. Ce concept peut être utile pour soutenir la création d’un modèle de pratique pharmaceutique cohérent.</p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The scientific literature on knowledge translation (KT) is vast and complex, and most publications concerning health care interventions involve physicians and nurses. To the authors’ knowledge, there have been no literature reviews on KT and its impact on pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the profile of interventions relating to KT in pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Data Sources: </strong>The term “pharmacist” was used to search the web platform Knowledge Translation+ (KT+) to identify pertinent articles published between January 2010 and December 2016.</p><p><strong>Study Selection and Data Extraction: </strong>The main variables analyzed to determine the profile of KT interventions in pharmacy practice were the study’s research protocol, the geographic location of the intervention, pharmacist roles, the types of knowledge transferred, and impacts of the interventions. The nature of pharmacy interventions was coded according to the classification on the Impact Pharmacie website.</p><p><strong>Data Synthesis: </strong>A total of 114 articles were selected: systematic reviews (<em>n </em>= 25, 22%), randomized controlled trials (<em>n </em>= 45, 40%), retrospective studies (<em>n </em>= 21, 18%), prospective studies (<em>n </em>= 13, 11%), and pre-post intervention studies (<em>n </em>= 10, 9%). Most of the studies (74%) were conducted in a health care institution. The majority of interventions targeted pharmaceutical care steps, therapeutic educational sessions, and patient education. There was a lack of methodological rigour during the development of interventions and in their description.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pharmacists are key generators of knowledge, and their interventions related to KT are directed toward patients or other health care professionals. These interventions have mainly addressed the pharmaceutical care process and interdisciplinary work. The implementation of initial and continuing education, the management of information, and the designation of a pharmacist responsible for KT in each pharmacy department might promote the development of such KT. This concept might in turn support the design of a coherent pharmacy practice model.</p>


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kelly ◽  
Crispin Jenkinson ◽  
David Morley

BACKGROUND The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising, placing increasing strain on health care services. Web-based and mobile technologies can be an important source of information and support for people with type 2 diabetes and may prove beneficial with respect to reducing complications due to mismanagement. To date, little research has been performed to gain an insight into people’s perspectives of using such technologies in their daily management. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of using Web-based and mobile technologies to support the management of type 2 diabetes. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 people with type 2 diabetes to explore experiences of using Web-based and mobile technologies to manage their diabetes. Transcripts were analyzed using the framework method. RESULTS Technology supported the users to maintain individualized and tailored goals when managing their health. A total of 7 themes were identified as important to participants when using technology to support self-management: (1) information, (2) understanding individual health and personal data, (3) reaching and sustaining goals, (4) minimizing disruption to daily life, (5) reassurance, (6) communicating with health care professionals, and (7) coordinated care. CONCLUSIONS Patients need to be supported to manage their condition to improve well-being and prevent diabetes-related complications from arising. Technologies enabled the users to get an in-depth sense of how their body reacted to both lifestyle and medication factors—something that was much more difficult with the use of traditional standardized information alone. It is intended that the results of this study will inform a new questionnaire designed to assess self-management in people using Web-based and mobile technology to manage their health.


10.2196/19500 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. e19500
Author(s):  
Tomislav Jukic ◽  
Alojz Ihan ◽  
Marija Petek Šter ◽  
Vojko Strojnik ◽  
David Stubljar ◽  
...  

Background Health care professionals are exposed to the psychological and physiological effects of stress, which is a well-known risk factor for various mental and physical health problems. Objective The aims of this study were to assess the adherence of female health care workers to use a web-based tool for improving and modifying lifestyle and to identify the potential factors influencing their adherence. Methods A prospective, observational study was performed. A total of 80 female health care workers (physicians and gradated nurses) from 2 university medical centers and female members of a family medicine society participated. Participants completed a questionnaire that inquired about their basic demographic data and physical fitness. Physical fitness was assessed by the Rockport Fitness Walking Test. Adherence to a web-based application (24@life) was followed for 3 months and the number of log-ins into the application was counted. Results The study was conducted from March to October 2019. Significantly high workload has been detected in all groups (P<.05), except in the general practitioner with normal workload group. The graduated nurse working in the surgery room group showed chronic stress with elevated S-cortisol levels (>690 nmol/L); activated cellular immune system with elevated concentrations of lymphocytes (reference 1.1-2.5 × 109 cells/L), CD3 cells (reference 0.7-1.9 × 109 cells/L), CD8 cells (reference 0.2-0.7 × 109 cells/L), and HLA-DR/CD3 cells (reference 0.04-0.2 × 109 cells/L); and the worst quality of sleep (mean 2.8 [SD 1.2]). Only 32 of 80 participants (40%) were adherent to the web-based application. Participants most frequently viewed web pages on areas of physical activity (497 times) and nutrition (332 times). No factors or participant’s characteristics such as weight (odds ratio [OR] 1.026, 95% CI 0.977-1.078), BMI (OR 0.993, 95% CI 0.834-1.184), age (OR 0.970, 95% CI 0.910-1.034), or stress level (OR 0.997, 95% CI 0.995-1.000) were identified to affect the adherence rates. Conclusions Female health care workers exposed to high workload did not find the web-based application useful for improving and modifying their lifestyle. Therefore, other strategies that might help health care workers facing stress and improve their lifestyle should be identified.


10.2196/15772 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. e15772
Author(s):  
Daniel Drewniak ◽  
Andrea Glässel ◽  
Martina Hodel ◽  
Nikola Biller-Andorno

Background Patient narratives are illustrative, individual accounts of patients’ experiences with certain health conditions. Web-based patient narratives have become widely available on the internet and in social media, as part of electronically available patient decision aids or Web-based databases. In recent years, the role of patient narratives as a source of information, insight, and support for both health care users and providers has increasingly been emphasized. Although the potential impact of patient stories has high immediate plausibility, it is of interest to know if this impact can be captured in quantitative studies. Objective This review aimed to evaluate whether research-generated Web-based patient narratives have quantifiable risks or benefits for (potential) patients, relatives, or health care professionals. Methods We searched the following databases from August 2017 to March 2019: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies were reviewed and assessed for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers were included if they studied the following: (1) (potential) patients, relatives, or health care professionals; (2) the effects of Web-based patient narratives that were generated scientifically (eg, through qualitative research methods); and (3) were quantitative studies. Furthermore, 2 authors independently performed an assessment of the quality of the included studies using a validated checklist. Results Of 4226 documents, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies investigated 10 different sources of Web-based patient narratives. Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 2458. The mean score of the quality assessment was 82.6 (range 61-100). Effects regarding five different purposes were identified as follows: provide information, engage, model behavior, persuade, and comfort. We found positive effects in every category and negative effects in one category (persuade). Several of the reported effects are rather small or were identified under specific experimental conditions. Conclusions Patient narratives seem to be a promising means to support users in improving their understanding of certain health conditions and possibly to provide emotional support and have an impact on behavioral changes. There is limited evidence for beneficial effects on some outcomes. However, narratives are characterized by considerable heterogeneity and the investigated outcomes are hardly comparable with each other, which makes the overall judgment difficult. As there are numerous possible measures and purposes of narratives, quantifying the impact of Web-based patient narratives remains a challenge. Future research is needed to define the optimal standards for quantitative approaches to narrative-based interventions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. JMECD.S20377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan F. McLean

Introduction Case-based learning (CBL) is a newer modality of teaching healthcare. In order to evaluate how CBL is currently used, a literature search and review was completed. Methods A literature search was completed using an OVID© database using PubMed as the data source, 1946-8/1/2015. Key words used were “Case-based learning” and “medical education”, and 360 articles were retrieved. Of these, 70 articles were selected to review for location, human health care related fields of study, number of students, topics, delivery methods, and student level. Results All major continents had studies on CBL. Education levels were 64% undergraduate and 34% graduate. Medicine was the most frequently represented field, with articles on nursing, occupational therapy, allied health, child development and dentistry. Mean number of students per study was 214 (7–3105). The top 3 most common methods of delivery were live presentation in 49%, followed by computer or web-based in 20% followed by mixed modalities in 19%. The top 3 outcome evaluations were: survey of participants, knowledge test, and test plus survey, with practice outcomes less frequent. Selected studies were reviewed in greater detail, highlighting advantages and disadvantages of CBL, comparisons to Problem-based learning, variety of fields in healthcare, variety in student experience, curriculum implementation, and finally impact on patient care. Conclusions CBL is a teaching tool used in a variety of medical fields using human cases to impart relevance and aid in connecting theory to practice. The impact of CBL can reach from simple knowledge gains to changing patient care outcomes.


10.2196/25480 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e25480
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Minna Anttila ◽  
Heli Hirvonen ◽  
Maritta Välimäki

Background Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that burdens both patients and caregivers. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a web-based psychoeducation course targeted at caregivers of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and to describe their experiences of living with a person with SSD based on the material caregivers produced during the web-based course. Methods A convergent, parallel, mixed methods study design was used. First, caregivers’ engagement in the course was evaluated quantitatively. Second, the overview of the course feedback was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods. Third, the experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD were analyzed qualitatively with the thematic analysis of the writings caregivers produced during the web-based course. Results A total of 30 caregivers participated in the study and a web-based psychoeducation course. Less than two-thirds (18/30, 60%) completed the course. Content was most often logged for the first module, Orientation (3465 log-ins), and the lowest number of log-ins was recorded for the Daily life module (1061 log-ins). Feedback on the course varied; over half (10/17, 59%) of the caregivers considered the content to be very good or good, about half (9/17, 53%) considered the website layout to be good, only 6% (1/17) felt that the usability of the website was poor, and no one felt that it was very poor. From the reported experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD, 3 themes were formed: the caregiver’s own well-being, relationship with the person with SSD, and experience of health care services. Conclusions The web-based psychoeducation course for caregivers living with a person with SSD seems to be especially suitable for those who have little experience as a caregiver. In the future, more planning and the consideration of aspects related to the needs of specific target groups, course content, practical arrangements, and scheduling should be taken into account. In addition, although caregivers can improve their own well-being in different ways, they need regular support and cooperation from health care professionals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomislav Jukic ◽  
Alojz Ihan ◽  
Marija Petek Šter ◽  
Vojko Strojnik ◽  
David Stubljar ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Health care professionals are exposed to the psychological and physiological effects of stress, which is a well-known risk factor for various mental and physical health problems. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to assess the adherence of female health care workers to use a web-based tool for improving and modifying lifestyle and to identify the potential factors influencing their adherence. METHODS A prospective, observational study was performed. A total of 80 female health care workers (physicians and gradated nurses) from 2 university medical centers and female members of a family medicine society participated. Participants completed a questionnaire that inquired about their basic demographic data and physical fitness. Physical fitness was assessed by the Rockport Fitness Walking Test. Adherence to a web-based application (24@life) was followed for 3 months and the number of log-ins into the application was counted. RESULTS The study was conducted from March to October 2019. Significantly high workload has been detected in all groups (<i>P</i>&lt;.05), except in the general practitioner with normal workload group. The graduated nurse working in the surgery room group showed chronic stress with elevated S-cortisol levels (&gt;690 nmol/L); activated cellular immune system with elevated concentrations of lymphocytes (reference 1.1-2.5 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/L), CD3 cells (reference 0.7-1.9 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/L), CD8 cells (reference 0.2-0.7 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/L), and HLA-DR/CD3 cells (reference 0.04-0.2 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/L); and the worst quality of sleep (mean 2.8 [SD 1.2]). Only 32 of 80 participants (40%) were adherent to the web-based application. Participants most frequently viewed web pages on areas of physical activity (497 times) and nutrition (332 times). No factors or participant’s characteristics such as weight (odds ratio [OR] 1.026, 95% CI 0.977-1.078), BMI (OR 0.993, 95% CI 0.834-1.184), age (OR 0.970, 95% CI 0.910-1.034), or stress level (OR 0.997, 95% CI 0.995-1.000) were identified to affect the adherence rates. CONCLUSIONS Female health care workers exposed to high workload did not find the web-based application useful for improving and modifying their lifestyle. Therefore, other strategies that might help health care workers facing stress and improve their lifestyle should be identified.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Minna Anttila ◽  
Heli Hirvonen ◽  
Maritta Välimäki

BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that burdens both patients and caregivers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a web-based psychoeducation course targeted at caregivers of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and to describe their experiences of living with a person with SSD based on the material caregivers produced during the web-based course. METHODS A convergent, parallel, mixed methods study design was used. First, caregivers’ engagement in the course was evaluated quantitatively. Second, the overview of the course feedback was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods. Third, the experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD were analyzed qualitatively with the thematic analysis of the writings caregivers produced during the web-based course. RESULTS A total of 30 caregivers participated in the study and a web-based psychoeducation course. Less than two-thirds (18/30, 60%) completed the course. Content was most often logged for the first module, <i>Orientation</i> (3465 log-ins), and the lowest number of log-ins was recorded for the <i>Daily life</i> module (1061 log-ins). Feedback on the course varied; over half (10/17, 59%) of the caregivers considered the content to be very good or good, about half (9/17, 53%) considered the website layout to be good, only 6% (1/17) felt that the usability of the website was poor, and no one felt that it was very poor. From the reported experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD, 3 themes were formed: the caregiver’s own well-being, relationship with the person with SSD, and experience of health care services. CONCLUSIONS The web-based psychoeducation course for caregivers living with a person with SSD seems to be especially suitable for those who have little experience as a caregiver. In the future, more planning and the consideration of aspects related to the needs of specific target groups, course content, practical arrangements, and scheduling should be taken into account. In addition, although caregivers can improve their own well-being in different ways, they need regular support and cooperation from health care professionals. CLINICALTRIAL


10.2196/11198 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. e11198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Maritta Välimäki ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
Virve Pekurinen ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iram Osman ◽  
Veena Singaram ◽  
Shaista Hamid

Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals were pushed to the front line of a global health crisis unprepared, resource constrained, and with heightened uncertainty and distress levels. The impact of an online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for health care professionals amid a pandemic has not been previously documented. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief online MBI on stress, burnout and mindful awareness for health professionals training and working during the COVID-19 crisis.Methods: A mixed methods, phenomenological, participatory evaluation framework was adopted for this study. A four-week online training programme was adapted and delivered to health professionals via the Zoom platform. Non-probability snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis via Stata 15.1 statistical software, and the participants’ qualitative experiences were interpreted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).Results: Forty-seven participants took part in this study. The study found a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in stress levels and emotional exhaustion as well as an increase in mindful awareness and feelings of personal accomplishment between the pre-and post-intervention assessments of the MBI. The participants’ shared experiences were analysed in two parts. The pre-intervention analysis presented with central themes of loss of control and a sense of powerlessness due to COVID-19. The post-intervention analysis comprised themes of a sense of acquired control and empowerment through increased mindfulness.Conclusions: The study found that a brief online MBI can be associated with increased awareness and present-moment focus as well as reduced levels of stress and burnout. The MBI had a positive impact on the health care professionals’ sense of control and empowerment, and increased their perceived sense of competence and accomplishment, both personally and professionally, during the global crisis.


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