scholarly journals Differences in Perceptions of Health Information Between the Public and Health Care Professionals: Nonprobability Sampling Questionnaire Survey (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Gesser-Edelsburg ◽  
Nour Abed Elhadi Shahbari ◽  
Ricky Cohen ◽  
Adva Mir Halavi ◽  
Rana Hijazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
New Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
General Public ◽  
The Public ◽  
Search For Information

BACKGROUND In the new media age, the public searches for information both online and offline. Many studies have examined how the public reads and understands this information but very few investigate how people assess the quality of journalistic articles as opposed to information generated by health professionals. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how public health care workers (HCWs) and the general public seek, read, and understand health information and to investigate the criteria by which they assess the quality of journalistic articles. METHODS A Web-based nonprobability sampling questionnaire survey was distributed to Israeli HCWs and members of the public via 3 social media outlets: Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. A total of 979 respondents participated in the online survey via the Qualtrics XM platform. RESULTS The findings indicate that HCWs find academic articles more reliable than do members of the general public (44.4% and 28.4%, respectively, P<.001). Within each group, we found disparities between the places where people search for information and the sources they consider reliable. HCWs consider academic articles to be the most reliable, yet these are not their main information sources. In addition, HCWs often use social networks to search for information (18.2%, P<.001), despite considering them very unreliable (only 2.2% found them reliable, P<.001). The same paradoxes were found among the general public, where 37.5% (P<.001) seek information via social networks yet only 8.4% (P<.001) find them reliable. Out of 6 quality criteria, 4 were important both to HCWs and to the general public. CONCLUSIONS In the new media age where information is accessible to all, the quality of articles about health is of critical importance. It is important that the criteria examined in this research become the norm in health writing for all stakeholders who write about health, whether they are professional journalists or citizen journalists writing in the new media.

scholarly journals Differences in Perceptions of Health Information Between the Public and Health Care Professionals: Nonprobability Sampling Questionnaire Survey

10.2196/14105 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. e14105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Gesser-Edelsburg ◽  
Nour Abed Elhadi Shahbari ◽  
Ricky Cohen ◽  
Adva Mir Halavi ◽  
Rana Hijazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
The Public

Influence of Social Networks in the Decision to Vote

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Barredo Ibáñez ◽  
Carlos Arcila Calderón ◽  
Jesús Arroyave ◽  
Roxana Silva
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
New Media ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Mediation Process ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
The Public ◽  
Moderated Mediation Model ◽  
Search For Information ◽  
The Relationship

The popularization of the Internet and the adoption of social media have brought major changes in the way of doing politics and managing the public arena. There is extensive scientific literature confirming the relationship between the use of new media and electoral political participation (Willnat et al, 2013; Lee and Shin, 2014; Ceron et al, 2014.). The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism by which using social networks influences the decision to vote. Ecuadorian citizens (n= 3,535) took part in an exploratory survey during the first half of 2013. The authors tested the measures and scales included in the questionnaire for validity and reliability; and they used a moderated mediation model (Hayes, 2013) based on regression. Results show that positive influence of using social networks on the decision to vote is not given directly, but rather through the search for information and need for political deliberation. In this mediation process, the indirect effect is in turn negatively moderated by age (the effect is stronger in young people). It is argued that despite the influence that networks may have on the behavior of voters, traditional factors related to the search for political information in more conventional means (e.g. radio or TV) seem to have a more significant effect. The authors explain both theoretical and practical implications. Finally, they address the study's limitations regarding the representativeness of the sample and suggest testing the model in other political and cultural contexts.

Health Information Technology and Quality Management

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 56-72
Author(s):  
T. Ray Ruffin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Services Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
Creative Thought ◽  
Management Quality

Even in healthcare and health information technology change will not vanish or disperse. Technology, civilization, and creative thought will drive this force increasingly forward. Health care managers will continue being judged on their ability to efficiently and effectively manage (Patton & James, 2000). The arena of Health Services Research (HSR) is trusted on by judgment deciders and the public is the principal basis of data on how thriving health systems are meeting this task (Steinwachs & Hughes, 2008). The goal of HSR is to deliver material that will ultimately lead to advances in the health of the community. HSR evaluation of quality of care has demonstrated it is an unspecified science and multifaceted, even though its description is comparatively simple (Steinwachs & Hughes, 2008). This article is to investigate the background, controversies, and problems surrounding Health Information Technology (HIT) Change and Quality Management including an overview of current changes and benefits of implementation. This will be coupled with solutions and recommendations, further research, and conclusion. This will enhance the field of research in leadership, change management, quality management, and health care.

Health Information Technology and Quality Management

2016 ◽  
pp. 354-371
Author(s):  
T. Ray Ruffin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Services Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
Creative Thought ◽  
Management Quality

Even in healthcare and health information technology change will not vanish or disperse. Technology, civilization, and creative thought will drive this force increasingly forward. Health care managers will continue being judged on their ability to efficiently and effectively manage (Patton & James, 2000). The arena of Health Services Research (HSR) is trusted on by judgment deciders and the public is the principal basis of data on how thriving health systems are meeting this task (Steinwachs & Hughes, 2008). The goal of HSR is to deliver material that will ultimately lead to advances in the health of the community. HSR evaluation of quality of care has demonstrated it is an unspecified science and multifaceted, even though its description is comparatively simple (Steinwachs & Hughes, 2008). This article is to investigate the background, controversies, and problems surrounding Health Information Technology (HIT) Change and Quality Management including an overview of current changes and benefits of implementation. This will be coupled with solutions and recommendations, further research, and conclusion. This will enhance the field of research in leadership, change management, quality management, and health care.

Views of General Public and Creating Awareness on the Role of Pharmacist in Health Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-477
Author(s):  
Melba GV ◽  
Muhila M ◽  
Sneha Anil ◽  
Sulekha Shafeeq ◽  
Prudence A Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
General Public ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Awareness Level

Pharmacies are natural first port of call healthcare providers in society who connect the gap between doctors and patients for optimal and rational use of the medicines although the public perception on pharmacists as a healthcare professional is ambiguous. There is a great need to generate awareness in the public as well as other health care professionals about the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in the healthcare system. The objectives of this study were to assess the approval of general public on the role of pharmacist in health care and to create awareness by educating using pamphlets. A total of 450 individuals were approached for the study, where 400 participated and 50 showed no interest. A validated Pre-awareness assessment questionnaire containing 15 questions and a set of five post education awareness assessment questions were prepared to assess the improvement in awareness level after pamphlet education. The study indicated that most of the respondents had poor awareness about the role of pharmacist to healthcare. Education levels of respondents were significantly associated with awareness levels of participants. The approval level was found to be average. The awareness level improved after creating awareness by educating via pamphlet.

Resilience of hospital facilities in Singapore’s healthcare industry: a pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sui Pheng Low ◽  
Shang Gao ◽  
Gina Qi Er Wong
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Survey Results

Purpose Singapore’s health-care infrastructure is suffering from increasing pressure due to population growth and a rapidly ageing population. This paper aims to assess the resilience of hospital facilities in Singapore’s health-care industry. The main attribute of resilience is adaptive capacity, which is also associated with vulnerability. Vulnerability is defined as the system’s susceptibility to threats that cause damage and affect its normal performance, while resilience is defined as the ability to anticipate and the capacity to change before a setback becomes obvious. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was adopted for the study, with respondents drawn randomly from both the health-care professionals as well as the public. The questionnaire survey results from 83 respondents, consisting of 31 health-care professionals and 52 members of the public, are analysed in this pilot study. Findings Ninety-one per cent of the respondents perceived bed shortage as an indication of vulnerability. The survey results showed that bed shortages, high bed-occupancy and long waiting hours were perceived as indications of vulnerability. The top three vulnerabilities identified were Singapore’s ageing population, the fast-growing population and the increasing trend of chronic diseases in its population. From the results, respondents appeared doubtful about the resilience of Singapore’s public hospitals. On a positive note, Singapore residents are still, relatively speaking, confident of the quality of Singapore’s health-care delivery system, which can be translated as one with relatively strong community resilience. Originality/value In conclusion, it appears fair to say that the public perceive hospital facilities in Singapore’s health-care industry to be reasonably resilient, but expect further improvements to ensure continuous delivery of quality health-care services.

scholarly journals Improving the Quality of Consumer Health Information on Wikipedia: Case Series (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Schecter Weiner ◽  
Jill Horbacewicz ◽  
Lane Rasberry ◽  
Yocheved Bensinger-Brody
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Health Care Information ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Wikipedia is one of the most consulted health resources in the world. Since the public is using health information from Wikipedia to make health care decisions, improving the quality of that health information is in the public interest. The open editable content design of Wikipedia and quality control processes in place provide an opportunity to add high-value, evidence-based information and take an active role in improving the health care information infrastructure. OBJECTIVE The aim of this project was to enhance Wikipedia health pages using high-quality, current research findings and track the persistence of those edits and number of page views after the changes to assess the reach of this initiative. METHODS We conducted Wikipedia Editathons with 3 different cohorts of Physical Therapy (PT) students to add high-quality health information to existing Wikipedia pages. Students synthesized best evidence information and updated and/or corrected existing Wikipedia entries on specific health pages. To evaluate the impact of these contributions, we examined two factors: (1) response to our contributions from the Wikipedia editing community, including number and type of subsequent edits as well as persistence of the student contributions and (2) number of page views by the public from the time of the page edits. RESULTS A total of 98 PT students in 3 different cohorts engaged in Editathons, editing 24 health pages. Of the 24 edits, 22 persisted at the end of the observation period (from time of entry to May 31, 2018) and received nearly 8 million page views. Each health page had an average of 354,724 page views. CONCLUSIONS The Wikipedia Editathon is an effective way to continuously enhance the quality of health information available on Wikipedia. It is also an excellent way of bridging health technology with best-evidence medical facts and disseminating accurate, useful information to the public.

Problems in the Health Care of Dying Old Men: Complaints by their Widows

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Talbott
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Old Men

Complaints of older widows regarding their husbands' health care are investigated in this study. Sixty-four older widows were interviewed several years after their husbands' deaths. The deaths occurred in the early 1980s. Forty-six percent reported problems in the health care their husbands had received. Widows whose husbands had not known in advance that they were going to die were more likely to complain about their husbands' medical care than widows whose husbands had known in advance. Complaints were also related to the frequency of several symptoms of grief. The widows' complaints about their husbands' care focus on quality of care, perceived insensitivity on the part of health care professionals, lack of control over the death, and the organization of services.

Quality Assessment of Health Information about Scaphoid Fracture in Chinese Websites (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaobin Yin ◽  
Jianguang Ji ◽  
Peng Lu ◽  
Wenyao Zhong ◽  
Liying Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Scaphoid Fracture ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
The Mean

BACKGROUND With online health information becoming increasingly popular among patients and their family members, concerns have been raised about the accuracy from the websites. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the overall quality of the online information about scaphoid fracture obtained from Chinese websites using the local search engines. METHODS We conducted an online search using the keyword “scaphoid fracture” from the top 5 search engines in China, i.e. Baidu, Shenma, Haosou, Sougou and Bing, and gathered the top ranked websites, which included a total of 120 websites. Among them, 81 websites were kept for further analyses by removing duplicated and unrelated one as well as websites requiring payment. These websites were classified into four categories, including forum/social networks, commercials, academics and physician’s personals. Health information evaluation tool DISCERN and Scaphoid Fracture Specific Content Score (SFSCS) were used to assess the quality of the websites. RESULTS Among the 81 Chinese websites that we studied, commercial websites were the most common one accounting more than half of all websites. The mean DISCERN score of the 81 websites was 25.56 and no website had a score A (ranging from 64 to 80).The mean SFSCS score was 10.04 and no website had a score A (range between 24 and 30). In addition, DISCERN and SFSCS scores from academic and physician’s websites were significantly higher than those from the forum/social networks and commercials. CONCLUSIONS The overall quality of health information obtained from Chinese websites about scaphoid fracture was very low, suggesting that patients and their family members should be aware such deficiency and pay special attentions for the medical information obtained by using the current search engines in China.

scholarly journals Overview of Facebook Use by Hospitals in Italy: A Nationwide Survey during the COVID-19 Emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7225
Author(s):  
Beniamino Schiavone ◽  
Andrea Vitale ◽  
Mena Gallo ◽  
Gianlucasalvatore Russo ◽  
Domenico Ponticelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
The Public ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Facebook Pages ◽  
Pandemic Wave

Background: Facebook is the most popular social network across the world and also allows users access to health information. Our study presents an overview of the official Facebook profiles of hospitals in Italy (n = 1351) and how much they are used. Methods: All hospitals were surveyed on the number of Facebook posts in May (post-lockdown) and October (second pandemic wave) 2020. The number of followers, the creation date of the official page, and the frequency of publication—that is, the average number of days between two subsequent posts—were determined. Results: In Italy, only 28% (n = 379) of the hospitals had official Facebook pages, of which 20.6% (n = 78) were public hospitals, and 79.4% (n = 301) were private hospitals. Of the hospitals with Facebook pages, 49.1% used them every week, and public hospitals published more often. Conclusions: Despite the differences between regions and types of management, the number of hospitals in Italy that use Facebook as a tool for the public dissemination of health information is still low. Hospitals should adopt an effective communication strategy using social networks to improve the quality of health care.

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