Viewpoint: eHealth solutions for Covid-19 and patientinvolvement (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Pappot ◽  
Gry Assam Taarnhøj ◽  
Helle Pappot

UNSTRUCTURED Many eHealth researchers at present hope for telemedicine to solve health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, and we agree that this is to hope for. However, most eHealth solutions have focus on the health care systems perspective and not necessarily the patients. With set-off in Covid-19 case-stories in the public media, our own experience from being healthcare professionals in this pandemic and experiences from previous research on eHealth and patient involvement in other severe illnesses, we here focus on eHealth solutions for Covid-19 and patientinvolvement, which may be of special importance, when the issue is isolation and quarantine. Going through a group of eHealth providers’ perception of their tool’s functionality according to eHealth solutions for Covid-19, we find that nearly all the solutions have potential for patient involvement, and it is our hypothesis that these solutions may benefit from patient involvement to integrate the healthcare systems needs and the patient’s needs, ensuring an improved outcome. Especially, when it comes to eHealth solutions to overcome isolation and quarantine patientinvolvement may be crucial to secure a successful, user-friendly and meaningful tool. During the Covid-19 pandemic every possible tool avoiding feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety is needed. We hope, that the Covid-19 pandemic can benefit from existing technologies used with the patient’s perspective to help solve the patients’ needs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
MONIKA FRĄCKOWIAK-SOCHAŃSKA

The primary aim of this paper is an attempt at the analysis of the prospective direct and indirect, short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 pandemic for the individuals’ mental health. The secondary aim is to deconstruct the binarity of categories of “mental health” and “mental disorder” in the context of the global critical situation. The pandemic and its consequences such as isolation requirements as well as uncertainty in diverse aspects of life burden the individuals with the stress that results in the increase of anxiety and depressiveness, which challenges the public mental health care systems. Since the anxiety and depressive states are the reactions to a hazardous outside situation, the categories of “mental health” and “mental disorder” needs reconsideration. The theoretical framework of present analyses is determined by the theory of social (cultural) trauma. The method used for the present study is a meta-analysis of theoretical literature, the results of empirical research on COVID-19 pandemic published so far (mostly in medical journals), studies on psychosocial aspects of the previous pandemics (SARS and Ebola), and press publications selected on the basis of their content on mental health issues in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiri Noy ◽  
Patricia A. McManus

Are health care systems converging in developing nations? We use the case of health care financing in Latin America between 1995 and 2009 to assess the predictions of modernization theory, competing strands of globalization theory, and accounts of persistent cross-national differences. As predicted by modernization theory, we find convergence in overall health spending. The public share of health spending increased over this time period, with no convergence in the public-private mix. The findings indicate robust heterogeneity of national health care systems and suggest that globalization fosters human investment health policies rather than neoliberal, “race to the bottom” cutbacks in public health expenditures.


Author(s):  
Pierre Pestieau ◽  
Mathieu Lefebvre

This chapter reviews the public health care systems as well as their challenges. It first shows how expenditure on health care has evolved in previous decades and deals with the reasons for the growth observed in almost every European country. It emphasizes the role of technological progress as a main explanatory factor of the increase in medical expenditure but also points to the challenges facing cost-containment policies. Especially, the main common features of health care systems in Europe, such as third-party payment, single provider approach and cost-based reimbursement are discussed. Finally the chapter shows that although inequalities in health exist in the population, health care systems are redistributive. Reforms are thus needed but the trade-off between budgetary efficiency and equity is difficult.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Riza ◽  
P Karnaki ◽  
D Zota ◽  
A Linos

Abstract The Mig-HealthCare Algorithm is a tool, comprising a set of questions developed with the aim to (a) guide the user on how to access all the categories and tools that are available through the Roadmap & Toolbox (b) help the user identify the health issues of importance when providing care to a specific migrant/refugee. At the end of a series of questions, a brief report summarizing the main outcomes is generated. The algorithm was tested in Greece in two mainland reception centres and a local hospital in an area serving migrants/refugees. Results discuss the usefulness of the algorithm for improving the delivery of appropriate health services to migrants/refugees and its importance in raising awareness about the health conditions which are crucial for migrants/refugees and are expected to pose a significant burden on the health care systems of host countries unless dealt with adequately at an early stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-303
Author(s):  
Anthony L Pillay ◽  
Anne L Kramers-Olen

The COVID-19 pandemic heralded challenges that were both significant and unfamiliar, placing inordinate burdens on health care systems, economies, and the collective psyche of citizens. The pandemic underscored the tenuous intersections between public mental health care, politics, economics, and psychosocial capital. In South Africa, the inadequacies of the public health system have been laid bare, and the disproportionate privileges of the private health care system exposed. This article critically considers government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychosocial correlates of lockdown, politics, corruption, and public mental health policy in South Africa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Drud Due ◽  
Thorkil Thorsen ◽  
Julie Høgsgaard Andersen

Abstract Background Attempts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have led to radical reorganisations of health care systems worldwide. General practitioners (GPs) provide the vast majority of patient care, and knowledge of their experiences with providing care for regular health issues during a pandemic is scarce. Hence, in a Danish context we explored how GPs experienced reorganising their work in an attempt to uphold sufficient patient care while contributing to minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Further, in relation to this, we examined what guided GPs’ choices between telephone, video and face-to-face consultations. Methods This study consisted of qualitative interviews with 13 GPs. They were interviewed twice, approximately three months apart in the initial phase of the pandemic, and they took daily notes for 20 days. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and inductively analysed. Results The GPs re-organised their clinical work profoundly. Most consultations were converted to video or telephone, postponed or cancelled. The use of video first rose, but soon declined, once again replaced by an increased use of face-to-face consultations. When choosing between consultation forms, the GPs took into account the need to minimise the risk of COVID-19, the central guidelines, and their own preference for face-to-face consultations. There were variations over time and between the GPs regarding which health issues were dealt with by using video and/or the telephone. For some health issues, the GPs generally deemed it acceptable to use video or telephone, postpone or cancel appointments for a short term, and in a crisis situation. They experienced relational and technical limitations with video consultation, while diagnostic uncertainty was not regarded as a prominent issue Conclusion This study demonstrates how the GPs experienced telephone and video consultations as being useful in a pandemic situation when face-to-face consultations had to be severely restricted. The GPs did, however, identify several limitations similar to those known in non-pandemic times. The weighing of pros and cons and their willingness to use these alternatives shifted and generally diminished when face-to-face consultations were once again deemed viable. In case of future pandemics, such alternatives seem valuable, at least for a short term.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Newdick

Most now recognize the inevitability of rationing in modern health care systems. The elastic nature of the concept of “health need,” our natural human sympathy for those in distress, the increased range of conditions for which treatment is available, the “greying” of the population; all expand demand for care in ways that exceed the supply of resources to provide it. UK governments, however, have found this truth difficult to present and have not encouraged open and candid public debate about choices in health care. Indeed, successive governments have presented the opposite view, that “if you are ill or injured there will be a national health service there to help; and access to it will be based on need and need alone.” And they have been rightly criticized for misleading the public and then blaming clinical and managerial staffin the National Health Service (NHS) when expectations have been disappointed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taher S. Valika ◽  
Kathleen R. Billings

The rapidly changing health care climate related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in numerous changes to health care systems and in practices that protect both the public and the workers who serve in hospitals around the country. As a result, these past few months have seen a drastic reduction in outpatient visits. With phased reopening and appropriate guidance, health care systems are attempting to return to normal. The experiences and lessons learned are described, and we provide guiding principles to allow for a safe and effective return to outpatient care.


OTO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473974X2093665
Author(s):  
Taher S. Valika ◽  
Kathleen R. Billings

The rapidly changing health care climate related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in numerous changes to health care systems and in practices that protect both the public and the workers who serve in hospitals around the country. As a result, these past few months have seen a drastic reduction in outpatient visits and surgical volumes. With phased reopening and appropriate guidance, health care systems are attempting to return to normal. Our institution has had the unique opportunity to already return operations back to full capacity. The experiences and lessons learned are described, and we provide guiding principles to allow for a safe and effective return to patient care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-132
Author(s):  
Stephen PH Alexander

The use of Cannabis-based preparations for medicinal use has waxed and waned in the multi-millennial history of human co-existence with the plant and its cultivation. Recorded use of preparations from Cannabis is effectively as old as recorded history with examples from China, India and Ancient Egypt. Prohibition and restriction of availability allowed a number of alternatives to take the place of Cannabis preparations. However, there has been a worldwide resurgence in medicinal Cannabis advocacy from the public. Media interest has been piqued by particular evocative cases. Altogether, therefore, there is pressure on healthcare professionals to prescribe and dispense Cannabis-based preparations. This review enunciates some of the barriers which are slowing the wider adoption of medicinal Cannabis.


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