Effects and utility of an online forward triage tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: patient perspectives (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Michel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health System ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Patient Perspectives ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
Mail Address ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
E Mail

BACKGROUND Background: Online forward triage tools (OFTT) or symptom checkers are being widely used during this COVID-19 pandemic. The effects and utility of such tools however, have not been widely assessed. OBJECTIVE Objective: To assess the effects (quantitatively) and the utility (qualitatively) of a COVID-19 OFTT in a pandemic context, exploring patient perspectives as well as eliciting recommendations for tool improvement. METHODS Methods: We employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory study design. Quantitative data of all users of the OFTT between March 2nd, 2020 and May 12th, 2020 were collected. A follow-up survey of people who consented to participation was conducted. Secondly, qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews (n=19) to explain the quantitative findings, as well as explore tool utility, user experience and elicit recommendations. RESULTS Results: An estimate of the effects, (quantitatively) and the utility (qualitatively) of a COVID-19 OFTT in a pandemic context, and recommendations for tool improvement. In the study period, 6,272 users consulted our OFTT; 560 participants consented to a follow-up survey and provided a valid e-mail address. 176 (31.4%) participants returned a complete follow-up questionnaire. 85.2% followed the recommendations given. 41.5% reported that their fear was allayed after using tool and 41.1% would have contacted the GP or visited a hospital had the tool not existed. Qualitatively, seven overarching themes emerged namely i) accessibility of tool, ii) user-friendliness of tool, iii) utility of tool as an information source, iv) utility of tool in allaying fear and anxiety, v) utility of tool in decision making (test or not to test), vi) utility of tool in reducing the potential for onward transmissions (preventing cross infection) and vii) utility of tool in reducing health system burden. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that a COVID-19 OFTT does not only reduce the health system burden, but can also serve as an information source, reduce anxiety and fear, reduce cross infections and facilitate decision making (to test or not to test). Further studies are needed to assess the transferability of these COVID-19 OFTT findings to other contexts as the second wave sweeps across Europe.

scholarly journals Longitudinal online survey in well-being research: first experiences from CRO-WELL project

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
MSc. Lana Lučić ◽  
Dr. Sc. Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Dr. Sc. Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Initial Questionnaire ◽  
Mail Address ◽  
E Mail

The aim of this report was to analyse positive and negative aspects of online administration of longitudinal well-being survey and to provide suggestions and guidelines for future research. The aim of CRO-WELL (Croatian Longitudinal Well-being Study) research was to follow well-being indicators longitudinally, on a large sample (N>5 000).For the purpose of the research we developed online platform with integrated questionnaire to assess various variables related to well-being. Participants could assess the application via various browsers, and it was also adjusted for smart phones.  “Friendly use” of the online application, understanding of questions and answering method, as well as ethical concerns, was tested using focus groups and individual trials. To enable matching the participants from two waves, every participant had to log in to the web page using his/her e-mail address. While e-mail address was protected by data-base, special computer-programme created token associated with each participant. A year after completing the initial questionnaire, participants were automatically invited to complete the follow-up. This paper brings review of designing and conducting a longitudinal research having in mind advantages and disadvantages of online survey.

scholarly journals Big data to support Indonesian health system recovery from the pandemic: potential and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 02006
Author(s):  
Anis Fuad
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Critical Question ◽  
Immediate Recovery ◽  
Second Wave

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the Indonesian health system. At the peak of the second wave, health care crises occurred in various regions, causing difficulties in accessing essential and emergency health services, accompanied by increased deaths in hospitals and self-isolation. Various efforts have been made to overcome the crisis, from providing field hospitals, adding facilities and infrastructure in hospitals, empowering health workers and volunteers, logistics, and implementing a massive digital system. In addition, strengthening in the upstream aspects starting from tracing, testing to health protocols is also continuously encouraged, along with the acceleration and expansion of vaccinations. The pandemic has encouraged massive utilization of digital systems in various aspects accompanied by an extraordinary increase in the volume of digital data in various types and quality. The critical question then is, what are the opportunities for big data to support the recovery of the health system affected by the pandemic? Likewise, what challenges must be overcome to make optimal use of big data so that the Indonesian health system can quickly recover, grow and become resilient again? To answer the questions above, we reviewed bibliographic databases, gray literature, media, and webinar recordings available online. Next, we group their potential based on the building blocks of the health system. Using the e-health framework from WHO-ITU, we categorize the main challenges of using big data into seven major groups: governance, strategy, data standards, interoperability, application, regulation, and human resources. We provide special notes on each aspect of these challenges along with priority follow-up steps. In the end, the Covid-19 pandemic provides essential lessons for the Indonesian health system to take advantage of digitalization, especially big data intelligently and creatively, to encourage the immediate recovery of the health system. However, several significant challenges need to be overcome so that big data can be utilized optimally to overcome this big global problem.

scholarly journals Patient Perspectives on the Learning Health System: The Importance of Trust and Shared Decision Making

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 4-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Kelley ◽  
Cyan James ◽  
Stephanie Alessi Kraft ◽  
Diane Korngiebel ◽  
Isabelle Wijangco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health System ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Patient Perspectives ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Learning Health System

Awareness of Pregnant Women for COVID-19 Infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhan Okuyan ◽  
Emre Gunakan ◽  
Sertaç Esin
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Home Birth ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Emotional Status ◽  
Prevention Method ◽  
And Behavior

Covid outbreak has been getting worse and spread affected all over the world. Pregnant patients are also vulnerable to respiratory diseases. We aimed to evaluate the awareness, emotional status, and behavior of pregnant during the COVID outbreak. This study's main benefit is to analyze the knowledge and understanding of pregnant women about the pandemic and draw attention to the prevention issues that need improvement. This research is a prospective observational study that 199 patients subjected to a questionnaire including 29 questions about patient characteristics, pregnancy information, knowledge about COVID19-infection, behavioral and emotional changes. 130 (65.3) of the patients stated an above-average knowledge level. Television was the most frequent information source (75.4%, n:150) and was the only information source for 90 (45.1%) of the patients. Sixty-nine patients used more than one information source. More than one prevention method uses by 149 (75%) of the patients. Washing hands (n:183, 92.0%) and cleaning the house (n:122, 61.3%) were the most preferred methods. Only 55 (27.6%) of the patients used a mask for prevention. 88(44.2%) of the patients stated that they preferred a shorter hospital stay, and 75 (37.7%) of the patients indicated that they postponed or avoided the pregnancy follow-up visits due to the COVID-19 issue. Pregnant women seem to be aware and stressed of COVID-19, but knowledge of what to do seems insufficient. Patients informed of risks of COVID infection, unplanned hospital admission, and chances of avoiding necessary visits and home birth demands.

scholarly journals Physical distancing and the perception of interpersonal distance in the COVID-19 crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Welsch ◽  
Marlene Wessels ◽  
Christoph Bernhard ◽  
Sven Thönes ◽  
Christoph von Castell
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Interpersonal Distance ◽  
Second Wave

AbstractIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been mandated to keep enlarged distances from others. We interviewed 136 German subjects over five weeks from the end of March to the end of April 2020 during the first wave of infections about their preferred interpersonal distance (IPD) before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, subjects adapted to distance requirements and preferred a larger IPD. This enlarged IPD was judged to partially persist after the pandemic crisis. People anticipated keeping more IPD to others even if there was no longer any risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also sampled two follow-up measurements, one in August, after the first wave of infections had been flattened, and one in October 2020, at the beginning of the second wave. Here, we observed that IPD varied with the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 within Germany. Overall, our data indicated that adaptation to distance requirements might happen asymmetrically. Preferred IPD rapidly adapted in response to distance requirements, but an enlargement of IPD may partially linger after the COVID-19 pandemic-crisis. We discuss our findings in light of proxemic theory and as an indicator for socio-cultural adaptation beyond the course of the pandemic.

scholarly journals The potential dangers of not understanding COVID-19 public health restrictions in dementia: “It’s a groundhog day – every single day she does not understand why she can’t go out for a walk”

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Manoj Rajagopal ◽  
Aravind Komuravelli ◽  
Jacqueline Cannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract Background Sudden public health restrictions can be difficult to comprehend for people with cognitive deficits. However, these are even more important for them to adhere to due to their increased levels of vulnerability, particularly to COVID-19. With a lack of previous evidence, we explored the understanding and changes in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions over time in people living with dementia (PLWD). Methods Unpaid carers and PLWD were interviewed over the phone in April 2020, shortly after the nationwide UK lockdown, with a proportion followed up from 24th June to 10th July. Participants were recruited via social care and third sector organisations across the UK, and via social media. Findings A total of 70 interviews (50 baseline, 20 follow-up) were completed with unpaid carers and PLWD. Five themes emerged: Confusion and limited comprehension; Frustration and burden; Putting oneself in danger; Adherence to restrictions in wider society; (Un) changed perceptions. Most carers reported limited to no understanding of the public health measures in PLWD, causing distress and frustration for both the carer and the PLWD. Due to the lack of understanding, some PLWD put themselves in dangerous situations without adhering to the restrictions. PLWD with cognitive capacity who participated understood the measures and adhered to these. Discussion In light of the new second wave of the pandemic, public health measures need to be simpler for PLWD to avoid unwilful non-adherence. Society also needs to be more adaptive to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities more widely, as blanket rules cause distress to the lives of those affected by dementia.

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