scholarly journals Quality of Publicly Available Physical Activity Apps: Review and Content Analysis (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Bondaronek ◽  
Ghadah Alkhaldi ◽  
April Slee ◽  
Fiona L Hamilton ◽  
Elizabeth Murray

BACKGROUND Within the new digital health landscape, the rise of health apps creates novel prospects for health promotion. The market is saturated with apps that aim to increase physical activity (PA). Despite the wide distribution and popularity of PA apps, there are limited data on their effectiveness, user experience, and safety of personal data. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review and content analysis was to evaluate the quality of the most popular PA apps on the market using health care quality indicators. METHODS The top-ranked 400 free and paid apps from iTunes and Google Play stores were screened. Apps were included if the primary behavior targeted was PA, targeted users were adults, and the apps had stand-alone functionality. The apps were downloaded on mobile phones and assessed by 2 reviewers against the following quality assessment criteria: (1) users’ data privacy and security, (2) presence of behavior change techniques (BCTs) and quality of the development and evaluation processes, and (3) user ratings and usability. RESULTS Out of 400 apps, 156 met the inclusion criteria, of which 65 apps were randomly selected to be downloaded and assessed. Almost 30% apps (19/65) did not have privacy policy. Every app contained at least one BCT, with an average number of 7 and a maximum of 13 BCTs. All but one app had commercial affiliation, 12 consulted an expert, and none reported involving users in the app development. Only 12 of 65 apps had a peer-reviewed study connected to the app. User ratings were high, with only a quarter of the ratings falling below 4 stars. The median usability score was excellent—86.3 out of 100. CONCLUSIONS Despite the popularity of PA apps available on the commercial market, there were substantial shortcomings in the areas of data safety and likelihood of effectiveness of the apps assessed. The limited quality of the apps may represent a missed opportunity for PA promotion.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1478.1-1478
Author(s):  
M. Antunes ◽  
A. Schmitt ◽  
A. Pasqual Marques

Background:Health education is pointed out as the front line in non-pharmacological approaches in fibromyalgia.Objectives:To develop an interdisciplinary educational program to promote the health of individuals with fibromyalgia in Brazil.Methods:This is a qualitative study, through a focus group, carried out in a Basic Health Unit in the city of São Paulo, SP. The guiding questions were about the needs and demands exposed by patients with fibromyalgia and health professionals who work in primary health care. 12 individuals with fibromyalgia and 10 health professionals participated. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method proposed by Bardin, specifically the thematic content analysis.Results:Amigos de Fibro (Fibro Friends) should be conducted through lectures, dynamics and conversation circles. The educational program must include 15 meetings with weekly frequency. The meetings are: 1st to present the program and socialization activities. 2nd: Doctor presents the concepts of fibromyalgia. 3rd: Nurse informs about practices and environments that favor self-care. 4th: Social Worker shows the importance of support. 5th: Physiotherapist shows the main body practices and physical activity. 6th: Nutritionist presents an adequate and healthy diet. 7: Psychologist shows mental health practices. 8th: Pharmacist informs about medicines. 9, 11 and 13: participants perform activities at home. 10: Naturologist presents integrative and complementary practices. 12th: Occupational Therapist encourages methods to save energy. Day 14: Speech therapist helps in the quality of sleep. 15: closing activity.Conclusion:Amigos de Fibro is a program that presents interdisciplinary educational information for individuals with fibromyalgia, being considered a trend of care for the future. The next step is to conduct a clinical trial to verify the effect of this intervention and then implement it in the health service in Brazil. Fibro Friends was created from the conjunct action of patients and healthcare professionals, it can be an effective educational tool to be implemented at primary health attention centers, promoting the self-care, life quality and the promotion of health in individuals with Fibromyalgia. Fibro Friends is an excellent tool for patient education and counseling in Brazil.References:[1]Antunes M, Ferreira A, Oliveira D, Júnior JN, Bertolini S, Marques AP. There is association between the level of physical activity and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia?. Annals of rheumatic diseases. 2019;78(2)650-1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-eular.2835.[2]García-Ríos MC, Navarro-Ledesma S, Tapia-Haro RM, Toledano-Moreno S, Casas-Barragán A, Correa-Rodríguez M et al. Effectiveness of health education in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2019;55(2):301-13. https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05524-2.[3]Oliveira DV, Ferreira AAM, Oliveira DCD, Leme DEDC, Antunes MD, Nascimento Júnior JRAD. Association of the practice of physical activity and of health status on the quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Physical Education. 2019;30(1): e3027. https://doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i1.3027.[4]Stuifbergen AK, Blozis SA, Becker H, Phillips L, Timmerman G, Kullberg V, et al. A randomized controlled trial of a wellness intervention for women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2010;24(4):305-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215509343247.Acknowledgements:This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Issrah Jawad ◽  
Sumayyah Rashan ◽  
Chathurani Sigera ◽  
Jorge Salluh ◽  
Arjen M. Dondorp ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Excess morbidity and mortality following critical illness is increasingly attributed to potentially avoidable complications occurring as a result of complex ICU management (Berenholtz et al., J Crit Care 17:1-2, 2002; De Vos et al., J Crit Care 22:267-74, 2007; Zimmerman J Crit Care 1:12-5, 2002). Routine measurement of quality indicators (QIs) through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) or registries are increasingly used to benchmark care and evaluate improvement interventions. However, existing indicators of quality for intensive care are derived almost exclusively from relatively narrow subsets of ICU patients from high-income healthcare systems. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically review the literature on QIs for evaluating critical care, identify QIs, map their definitions, evidence base, and describe the variances in measurement, and both the reported advantages and challenges of implementation. Method We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane libraries from the earliest available date through to January 2019. To increase the sensitivity of the search, grey literature and reference lists were reviewed. Minimum inclusion criteria were a description of one or more QIs designed to evaluate care for patients in ICU captured through a registry platform or EHR adapted for quality of care surveillance. Results The search identified 4780 citations. Review of abstracts led to retrieval of 276 full-text articles, of which 123 articles were accepted. Fifty-one unique QIs in ICU were classified using the three components of health care quality proposed by the High Quality Health Systems (HQSS) framework. Adverse events including hospital acquired infections (13.7%), hospital processes (54.9%), and outcomes (31.4%) were the most common QIs identified. Patient reported outcome QIs accounted for less than 6%. Barriers to the implementation of QIs were described in 35.7% of articles and divided into operational barriers (51%) and acceptability barriers (49%). Conclusions Despite the complexity and risk associated with ICU care, there are only a small number of operational indicators used. Future selection of QIs would benefit from a stakeholder-driven approach, whereby the values of patients and communities and the priorities for actionable improvement as perceived by healthcare providers are prioritized and include greater focus on measuring discriminable processes of care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Paolo Pietro Biancone ◽  
Silvana Secinaro ◽  
Valerio Brescia

Local health companies have been trying to report quantitative and qualitative information through social reporting tools for a long time. The OECD has been questioning for quite some time how to evaluate satisfaction and quality by not considering the economic aspect alone in the quest for satisfying the needs of the citizen. The aim of the work is to evaluate how the compound indicator of well-being perceived by the population and the composite indicator of the quality of health services can be used to define health policies considering the incidence of other variables. In the analysis, it is therefore assessed how much the two indicators are related and linked to other variables that need to be considered and how independent indicators are used without further evaluations to target policies. The data are updated to October 18, 2017. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA V.13 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas, USA, 2013) and p value <0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. The sample is made up of 35 OECD countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhushinie Bentotahewa ◽  
Chaminda Hewage ◽  
Jason Williams

The growing dependency on digital technologies is becoming a way of life, and at the same time, the collection of data using them for surveillance operations has raised concerns. Notably, some countries use digital surveillance technologies for tracking and monitoring individuals and populations to prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus. The technology has the capacity to contribute towards tackling the pandemic effectively, but the success also comes at the expense of privacy rights. The crucial point to make is regardless of who uses and which mechanism, in one way another will infringe personal privacy. Therefore, when considering the use of technologies to combat the pandemic, the focus should also be on the impact of facial recognition cameras, police surveillance drones, and other digital surveillance devices on the privacy rights of those under surveillance. The GDPR was established to ensure that information could be shared without causing any infringement on personal data and businesses; therefore, in generating Big Data, it is important to ensure that the information is securely collected, processed, transmitted, stored, and accessed in accordance with established rules. This paper focuses on Big Data challenges associated with surveillance methods used within the COVID-19 parameters. The aim of this research is to propose practical solutions to Big Data challenges associated with COVID-19 pandemic surveillance approaches. To that end, the researcher will identify the surveillance measures being used by countries in different regions, the sensitivity of generated data, and the issues associated with the collection of large volumes of data and finally propose feasible solutions to protect the privacy rights of the people, during the post-COVID-19 era.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Svetlana Jovanović ◽  
Maja Milošević ◽  
Irena Aleksić-Hajduković ◽  
Jelena Mandić

Summary Health care has witnessed considerable progresses toward quality improvement over the past two decades. More precisely, there have been global efforts aimed to improve this aspect of health care along with experts and decision-makers reaching the consensus that quality is one of the most significant dimensions and features of health system. Quality health care implies highly efficient resource use in order to meet patient’s needs in terms of prevention and treatment. Quality health care is provided in a safe way while meeting patients’ expectations and avoiding unnecessary losses. The mission of continuous improvement in quality of care is to achieve safe and reliable health care through mutual efforts of all the key supporters of health system to protect patients’ interests. A systematic approach to measuring the process of care through quality indicators (QIs) poses the greatest challenge to continuous quality improvement in health care. Quality indicators are quantitative indicators used for monitoring and evaluating quality of patient care and treatment, continuous professional development (CPD), maintaining waiting lists, patients and staff satisfaction, and patient safety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-356
Author(s):  
Sutikno Sutikno ◽  
Sandu Siyoto ◽  
Byba Melda Suhita

Hospitals are required to always improve the quality of service provided to patients. These challenges have forced the hospital to develop its ability to manifest in various aspects of health care quality responsible. One of them by applying the assessment and early detection in patients kegawatan as well as the critical state of activation becomes very important. Quick and proper response to a nurse against the worsening conditions of patients giving a great impact to the quality of the quality of service provided. The purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation of Early Warning systems (EWSS) Score against AvLOS and trust patients in Inpatient installation at Jombang General Hospitals. The research design was analytic observational with a quantitative approach. Research variables i.e. implementation of EWSS as independent variables. AvLos and trust patients as the dependent variable. The population of this entire research nurses in Inpatient installation at Jombang General Hospitals as much as 135 nurses, patients and families of patients who are being treated in Inpatient installation at Jombang General Hospitals Jombang. Samples taken with the cluster random sampling technique as much as 101 respondents. Data is collected with instruments ceklist and processed in coding, editing, tabulating and scoring as well as tested with logistics regression test. Logistic regression results indicate that partially and simultaneously show that the value of p values < 0.05 so that there were the implementation of Early Warning systems (EWSS) Score against AvLOS and trust of the patient, and the simultaneous influence of 83.2%. The existence of implementation of EWSS in patients with good then early detection and response officers can be done in a proper and effective against the condition and the healing of patients and can shorten the day care patients, so that it can affect the confidence and trust family and patient in receiving health services in the hospital


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Andre ◽  
RN. Kjersti Grønning ◽  
Frode F. Jacobsen ◽  
Gørill Haugan

Abstract Background: Nursing homes are under strong pressure to provide good care to the residents. In Norway, municipalities have applied the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy to increase a health-promoting perception that focuses on the older persons` resources. Implementations represent introducing changes to the healthcare personnel; however, changing one’s working approaches, routines and working culture may be demanding. On this background, we explored how the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy is perceived by the employees in retrospective, over a period after the implementation and which challenges the employees experience with this implementation.Method: We used a qualitative approach and interviewed 14 healthcare personnel working in nursing homes in one Norwegian municipality, which had implemented the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy. The analysis was conducted following Kvale’s approach to qualitative content analysis.Results: The main categories were: (a) the characteristics of care activities before implementations of ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’, (b) how ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ influenced the care activities, and (c) challenges with the implementation of ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’. Some of the informants spoke well about the implementation concerning the care quality stating “to see the joy in the eyes of the resident then I feel we have succeeded”. For informants who experienced resistance toward the implementation, they felt it was too much to document, it was too complicated, and the requirements were too many. Conclusions: Quality of care seems to have increased after the implementation, as perceived by the informants. Nevertheless, the fact that the informants seemed to be divided into two different groups related to their main perspective of the implementation is concerning. One group has positive experiences with the implementations process and the benefits of it, while the other group focuses on lack of benefits and problems with the implementation process. In order to understand what facilitates and hinders the implementation, research on contextual factors like work environment and leadership is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Agustinus Hermino

Latar belakang: Seiring dengan perkembangan jaman, dalam beberapa tahun terakhir ini banyak perhatian yang difokuskan pada eksplorasi dampak penyakit fisik dan mental pada kualitas hidup seseorang baik secara individu maupun masyarakat secara keseluruhan. Sifat subyektif dari 'kualitas hidup' individu, merupakan konsep yang dinamis untuk diukur dan didefinisikan, tetapi bahwa secara umum dapat dipandang sebagai konsep multidimensi yang menekankan pada persepsi diri dari keadaan pikiran seseorang saat iniTujuan: penulisan ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman tentang peran masyarakat dalam memahani pentingnya kesehatan di era global ditinjau dari perspektif akademis. Pada sektor kesehatan pemahaman kesehatan menjadi sangat pentingnya karena akan menunjukkan pada kualitas hidup seseorang, tetapi hal ini tidak cukup secara individu karena diperlukan pemahaman secara menyeluruh terhadap masyarakat tentang makna kesehatan dan perawatan kesehatan.Metode: penulisan ilmiah ini adalah dengan melakukan analisa akademis dari dari berbagai sumber rujukan relevan sehingga menemukan makna teoritis baru dalam rangka menjawab tantangan yang terjadi di masyarakat.Hasil: Berdasarkan berbagai sumber rujukan yang ada, dapat disimpulkan bahwa kesehatan merupakan gaya hidup yang bertujuan untuk mencapai kesejahteraan fisik, emosional, intelektual, spiritual, dan lingkungan. Penggunaan langkah-langkah kesehatan dapat meningkatkan stamina, energi, dan harga diri, kemudian meningkatkan kualitas hidup. Dengan demikian maka konsep kesehatan memungkinkan adanya variabilitas individu. Kesehatan dapat dianggap sebagai keseimbangan aspek fisik, emosional, psikologis, sosial dan spiritual dari kehidupan seseorang. Kata kunci: masyarakat, perawatan kesehatan, kualitas hidup Society Community and Health Care in Improving Quality of LifeAbstract Background: Along with the development of the era, in recent years there has been a lot of attention focused on exploring the impact of physical and mental illness on the quality of life of a person both individually and as a whole. The subjective nature of an individual's 'quality of life' is a dynamic concept to measure and define, but that in general can be seen as a multidimensional concept that emphasizes self-perception of one's current state of mindAim: purpose of this study is to provide an understanding the role of community in understanding the importance of health in the global era from an academic perspective. In the health sector understanding of health is very important because it will show the quality of life of a person, but this is not enough individually because a comprehensive understanding of the meaning of health and health care is needed. Method: The method of scientific writing is to carry out academic analysis from various relevant reference sources, and find new theoretical meanings in order to answer the challenges that occur in society. Keyword: Community, Society,Health Care, Quality oflife Resullt : Based on various academic reference, it can be concluded that health is a lifestyle that aims to achieve physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental well-being. The use of health measures can increase stamina, energy, and self-esteem, then improve the quality of life. Thus the concept of health allows for individual variability. Health can be considered as a balance of physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of one's life. Keywords: community, health care, quality of life 


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-544
Author(s):  
Teresa Teresa ◽  
Tuti Afrianti ◽  
Tini Suminarti

The role of a head nurse in optimizing of management function in supervision of nursing care documentation at X hospital in JakartaBackground: Nursing documentation is important thing that  is indicator quality of care. Since the nursing documentation is still a poor quality, it requires a supervision by the head nurse.Purpose: The head of nursing is responsible for the direction, organization and strategic planning collaborate with nursing staffs in ensuring the quality of nursing care to achieve accurate, effective and efficient documentation and to complete supervision.Method: A pilot project using questionnaire and observation methods was conducted at difference times on two hospital units in Jakarta.Results: The descriptive analysis results showed that among 18 nurses, 4 nurses believed that nursing documentation is an important, effective and clear way to  ease their job. Hence, supervision is continuity needed to support the improvement of health care quality. The innovative projects will be applied in health care.Conclusion:  Nursing documentation must show continuity and quality of  care nursing under the control and supervision of the head nurse and EMR is used as the instrument for documentation.Keywords :  The role; Head nurse; Management; Supervision; Nursing care; DocumentationPendahuluan: Dokumentasi asuhan keperawatan adalah hal yang penting karena menjadi indikator kualitas perawatan. Penerapan dokumentasi asuhan keperawatan saat ini belum optimal sehingga membutuhkan arahan dan supervisi dari Kepala Ruang/Kepala Unit.Tujuan: Tercapainya supervisi dan keberhasilan pelaksanaan dokumentasi asuhan keperawatan yang komprehensif, berkesinambungan, efektif dan  efisien.Metode: Metode pilot project di salah satu Rumah Sakit di Jakarta dengan pengambilan data melalui  observasi dan kuestioner. Instrumen diujikan pada dua ruangan dalam  waktu yang berbeda.Hasil: Analisis deskripsi pada  sejumlah 18 perawat, 4 orang menyatakan bermanfaat, penting dan mudah dalam penerapannya. Supervisi dilakukan untuk memberikan support terhadap kelangsungan pendokumentasian asuhan keperawatan yang berkesinambungan. Proyek inovasi akan ditindaklanjuti dan diaplikasikan dalam program kerja bidang pelayanan keperawatan.Simpulan: Asuhan keperawatan yang berkualitas memerlukan adanya supervisi. Sarannya penggunaan Instrumen Supervise Dokumentasi Asuhan Keperawatan akan disesuaikan dengan penggunaan pencatatan asuhan keperawatan Elektronic Medical Record/EMR


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Bilge Roj Gunerhanal ◽  
Merve Guney-Coskun

Technological advances now permit self-management strategies using mobile applications which could greatly benefit patient care. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) digital health monitoring platform, HealthPROMISE, leads to better quality of care and improved health outcomes in IBD patients. IBD patients were recruited in gastroenterology clinics and asked to install the HealthPROMISE application onto their smartphones. Patient satisfaction, quality of care, quality of life, patient symptoms, and resource utilization metrics were collected throughout the study and sent directly to their healthcare teams. Patients with abnormal symptom/SIBDQ scores were flagged for their physicians to follow up. After one-year, patient outcome metrics were compared to baseline values. Overall, out of 59 patients enrolled in the study, 32 patients (54%) logged into the application at least once during the study period. The number of IBD-related ER visits/hospitalizations in the year of use compared to the prior year demonstrated a significant decrease from 25% of patients (8/32) to 3% (1/32) (p = 0.03). Patients also reported an increase in their understanding of the nature/causes of their condition after using the application (p = 0.026). No significant changes were observed in the number of quality indicators met (p = 0.67) or in SIBDQ scores (p = 0.48). Given the significant burden of IBD, there is a need to develop effective management strategies. This study demonstrated that digital health monitoring platforms may aid in reducing the number of ER visits and hospitalizations in IBD patients.


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