Remote Patient Monitoring Program for COVID-19 Patients Following Hospital Discharge: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need to act to reduce the spread of the virus and alleviate congestion from healthcare services, protect healthcare providers, and help them maintain satisfactory quality and safety of care. Remote COVID-19 monitoring platforms emerged as potential solutions.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity and contribution of two different platforms used to remotely monitor patients with COVID-19 to maintain quality, safety, and patient engagement in care, as well as their acceptability, usefulness, and user-friendliness from the user's perspective. The first platform is focused on telecare phone calls (Telecare-Covid), and the second is a telemonitoring app (CareSimple-Covid).Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study. The data were collected through a phone survey from May to August 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test analysis. Participants' responses and comments on open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis to identify certain issues and challenges and potential avenues for improving the platforms.Results: Fifty one patients participated in the study. Eighteen participants used the CareSimple-Covid platform and 33 participants used the Telecare-Covid platform. Overall, the satisfaction rate for quality and safety of care for the two platforms was 80%. Over 88% of the users on each platform considered the platforms' services to be engaging, useful, user-friendly, and appropriate to their needs. The survey identified a few significant differences in users' perceptions of each platform: empathy toward users and the quality and safety of the care received were rated significantly higher on the CareSimple-Covid platform than on the Telecare-Covid platform. Users appreciated four aspects of these telehealth approaches: (1) the ease of access to services and the availability of care team members; (2) the user-friendliness of the platforms; (3) the continuity of care provided, and (4) the wide range of services delivered. Users identified some technical limitations and raised certain issues, such as the importance of maintaining human contact, data security, and confidentiality. Improvement suggestions include promoting access to connected devices; enhancing communications between institutions, healthcare users, and the public on confidentiality and personal data protection standards; and integrating a participatory approach to telehealth platform development and deployment efforts.Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that the two remote monitoring platforms are well-received by users, with very few significant differences between them concerning users' experiences and views. This type of program could be considered for use in a post-pandemic era and for other post-hospitalization clienteles. To maximize efficiency, the areas for improvement and the issues identified should be addressed with a patient-centered approach.

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Title: Remote monitoring program for patients with COVID-19 after hospital discharge: Exploring user's experience and perspectives on two telehealth platforms. (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27493 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marie-Pascale Pomey ◽

Khayreddine Bouabida ◽

Bertrand Lebouché ◽

Kathy Malas ◽

Annie Talbot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Remote Monitoring ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Research Approach ◽

Quality And Safety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Phone Calls

BACKGROUND As Covid-19 pandemic circumstances created the need to act to reduce the spread of the virus and alleviate healthcare services from congestions, protect healthcare providers and support them in maintaining a satisfactory quality and safety of care, Covid19 patient remote monitoring platforms quickly emerged. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the capacity and contribution of two different platforms' services to monitor remotely patients with Covid-19. The first is a platform of telecare calls (Telecare-Covid), and the second platform is a telemonitoring app (Tactio-Covid). The study sought to examine the differences in acceptability, usefulness, and conviviality of those two different platforms services from users' perspectives and evaluate their contribution in maintaining the quality and safety of care, and engaging patients in their care. METHODS We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study using a survey. The data were collected through phone calls between May and August 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and t-test analysis. The participants' responses and comments on open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis. The research approach through descriptive statistics allowed us to examine the differences in acceptability, usefulness, and conviviality of those two different platforms services from users' perspectives and determine their contributions to maintaining the quality and safety of care and promoting patient engagement. Whereas the content analysis of the general comments enabled the identification of certain stakes and challenges and improvements paths of the platforms. RESULTS In total, 51 patients participated in the study. 18 participants have used the Tactio-Covid platform and 33 participants have used the Telecare-Covid platform. Overall, the satisfaction rate regarding the quality and safety of the care services provided through the two platforms was 80%. Over 88% of users on each platform considered the services offered by the two platforms as engaging, useful, convivial, and meet their needs. The survey identified very few significant differences in users' perceptions regarding certain aspects on each platform. The survey identified four well-appreciated domains by the platforms’ users: (1) the ease of access and the proximity of care teams, and (2) the conviviality of the platform features (3) the continuity of care, and (4) the multitude of services. Certain stakes and limits such as the importance of maintaining human contact and confidentiality have been also identified and suggestions for improvement have been formulated. CONCLUSIONS This study provided preliminary evidence suggesting that the two remote monitoring platforms were well-received by users by users with very few significant differences between users' experience and perspectives over the two platforms. This type of program can be considered in a post-pandemic era and for other post-hospitalization clienteles. To maximize efficiency, the areas for improvement and the issues identified should be considered in a patient-centered manner. CLINICALTRIAL NA

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Unmet Healthcare Needs and Associated Factors in Rural and Suburban Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (17) ◽

pp. 6320

Author(s):

Ju Young Kim ◽

Dae In Kim ◽

Hwa Yeon Park ◽

Yuliya Pak ◽

Phap Ngoc Hoang Tran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Needs ◽

Unmet Healthcare Needs

The purpose of this study was to examine the current utilization of healthcare services, exploring unmet healthcare needs and the associated factors among people living in rural Vietnam. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 233 participants in a rural area. The methods included face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. We considered participants to have unmet health needs if they had any kind of health problem during the past 12 months for which they were unable to see a healthcare provider. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with unmet healthcare needs. Of the participants, 18% (n = 43) had unmet healthcare needs, for reasons like transportation (30%), a lack of available doctors or medicine (47%), and communication issues with healthcare providers (16%). The multivariate logistic regression showed that living in a rural area, having stage 2 hypertension, and having insurance were associated with unmet healthcare needs. To better meet the healthcare needs in rural or suburban areas of Vietnam, allocation of adequate healthcare resources should be distributed in rural areas and insurance coverage for personalized healthcare needs might be required. Efforts should focus on availability of medicine, improvement of transportation systems, and communication skills of healthcare providers to improve access to healthcare services.

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Unmet Healthcare Needs and Associated Factors in Rural Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-35473/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ju Young Kim ◽

Dae In Kim ◽

Hwa Yeon Park ◽

Yuliya Pak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Needs ◽

Unmet Healthcare Needs

Abstract Background: Although health status in Vietnam has been much improved, people living in rural areas have faced several challenges, including a rapid increase of the aging population, inadequate capacity of health system, and problems of inequities in access to the healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to examine the current utilization of healthcare services, exploring unmet healthcare needs and their associated factors among adults living in rural Vietnam.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted with 233 participants in a rural area of Binh Phuoc province and a suburban area of Da Lat city in Vietnam from October–December 2017. The methods included face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire as well as anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. We considered participants to have unmet health needs if they had any kind of health problem during the past 12 months for which they were unable to see a healthcare provider in the same period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with unmet healthcare needs.Results: Of the participants, 18% (n=43) had unmet healthcare needs. The common causes of unmet healthcare were transportation (30%), a lack of available doctors or medicines (47%), and communication issues with healthcare providers (16%). The multivariate logistic regression showed that having stage 2 high blood pressure and reporting no place to go for medical problems were associated with unmet healthcare needs.Conclusions: Healthcare services are still needed in disadvantaged group living in rural or suburban area of Vietnam. Efforts should focus on availability of medicines, improvement of transportation system as well as communication skills of healthcare providers to improve access to healthcare services.

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An assessment of parents’ knowledge and awareness regarding paracetamol use in children: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10432-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aiman Daifallah ◽

Ruba Jabr ◽

Faraj Al-Tawil ◽

Moutaz Elkourdi ◽

Ziad Salman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Providers ◽

Primary Source ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Wrong Dose ◽

Primary Health Care Centers

Abstract Background Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most common antipyretic and analgesic over-the-counter (OTC) medicines administered to children due to its efficacy, safety, and availability in many pharmaceutical forms, including suppositories, syrup, and drops. Parents frequently administer the wrong dose of paracetamol by mistake for their children, as reported by many previous studies. We aimed in this study to assess parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding paracetamol dosing and toxicity, as well as their awareness regarding paracetamol-containing products. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that targeted parents of children seeking healthcare services at primary health care centers in the Nablus area in the West Bank, Palestine. We used questionnaire-based interviews with parents for data collection. Results A total of 300 parents were included in the study. Most of the caregivers surveyed were (87%) females (mothers). About half the parents (50.9%) reported previously using paracetamol as an antipyretic in children under the age of six. A quarter (25.4%) preferred the syrup forms, while 33.8% preferred the suppository dosage form. Medical personnel was the primary source of information for half the caregivers (51.2%). The mean knowledge score about paracetamol was 2.1 (SD = 1.4) out of 6, and the median was 2.0 with an interquartile range of 1.0–3.0. Two hundred seventy-four (95.5%) of the participants scored less than 80% and were considered to have insufficient knowledge. Only 50.9% of parents recognized that paracetamol overdose could result in serious harm. Conclusions We found a serious lack of knowledge regarding paracetamol dosing, administration, and potential toxicity among Palestinian parents. We recommend raising awareness regarding this problem among healthcare providers and authorities and working on plans that aim to provide caregivers with accurate and adequate information on dosing, formulation, side effects, and other aspects of paracetamol use, as well as developing effective educational plans targeting healthcare providers, as well as the public.

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Minimum acceptable diet among children aged 6–23 months in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: a community-based cross-sectional study

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02713-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Richard Mbusa Kambale ◽

Gaylord Amani Ngaboyeka ◽

Joe Bwija Kasengi ◽

Sarah Niyitegeka ◽

Boss Rutakaza Cinkenye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Wide Range ◽

South Kivu

Abstract Background Suboptimal child nutrition remains the main factor underlying child undernutrition in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of minimum acceptable diet and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months old. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study including 742 mothers with children aged 6–23 months old was conducted in 2 Health Zones of South Kivu, Eastern DRC. WHO indicators of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) regarding complementary feeding practices were used. Logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the association between sociodemographic indicators and adequate minimum acceptable diet for both univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Overall, 33% of infants had minimum acceptable diet. After controlling for a wide range of covariates, residence urban area (AOR 2.39; 95% CI 1.43, 3.85), attendance postnatal care (AOR 1.68; 95% CI 1.12, 2.97), education status of mother (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.20, 2.77) and household socioeconomic status (AOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.14, 2.59) were factors positively associated with minimum acceptable diet. Conclusion Actions targeting these factors are expected to improve infant feeding practices in South Kivu.

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Results of a Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) to measure the rare disease patients and caregivers experience: a Spanish cross-sectional study

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases ◽

10.1186/s13023-021-01700-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mercedes Guilabert ◽

Alba Martínez-García ◽

Marina Sala-González ◽

Olga Solas ◽

José Joaquín Mira

Keyword(s):

Rare Disease ◽

Rare Diseases ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Paediatric Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Optimal Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Mean Time

Abstract Objective To measure the experience of the person having a rare disease in order to identify objectives for optimal care in the health care received by these patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain involving patients associated with the Spanish Rare Diseases Federation [Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras] (FEDER). A modified version of the PREM IEXPAC [Instrumento para evaluar la Experiencia del Paciente Crónico] instrument was used (IEXPAC-rare-diseases). Scores ranged between 0 (worst experience) and 10 (best experience). Results A total of 261 caregivers (in the case of paediatric population) and patients with rare diseases (response rate 54.4%) replied. 232 (88.9%) were adult patients and 29 (11.1%) caregivers of minor patients. Most males, 227 (87%), with an average age of 38 (SD 13.6) years. The mean time since confirmation of diagnosis was 7.8 (SD 8.0) years. The score in this PREM was 3.5 points out to 10 (95%CI 3.2–3.8, SD 2.0). Caregivers of paediatric patients scored higher, except for coordination of social and healthcare services. Conclusions There are wide and important areas for improvement in the care of patients with rare diseases. This study involves a first assesment of the experience of patients with rare diseases in Spain.

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Enhancing family nursing practice in schools: School nurses’ perspectives on illness beliefs and family nursing practice skills when caring for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or asthma – A cross-sectional study

Nordic Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/20571585211009690 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 205715852110096

Author(s):

Erla Kolbrun Svavarsdottir ◽

Gudny Bergthora Tryggvadottir ◽

Margret Gisladottir ◽

Ragnheidur Osk Erlendsdottir

Keyword(s):

Nursing Practice ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Nurses ◽

Illness Beliefs ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Family Nursing ◽

Practice Skills

An increasing number of children attend schools with chronic illnesses/disorders that require managing and comprehensive healthcare from school nurses during the day. Collaboration between school nurses, the school-aged child with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or asthma, and their families is needed when coordinating/managing chronic health problems in the school setting. However, involving families in the assessment and care planning processes can be challenging. The aim of this study was to survey the illness beliefs of school nurses and their perceptions of their family nursing practice skills when offering healthcare services to children with ADHD or asthma in schools. A cross-sectional study was used for a sample of 82 school nurses. The manuscript was prepared following STROBE guidelines. Results indicated that the school nurses perceived themselves to be more confident and to have better knowledge and skill in family nursing practice when offering healthcare services to families of children with ADHD in comparison to asthma.

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Knowledge and Practice of Health Professionals in the Management of Dysphagia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042139 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2139

Author(s):

Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez ◽

Ylenia Avellaneda-López ◽

Esperanza García-Marín ◽

Guillermo Ramírez-Vargas ◽

Jara Díaz-Jimenez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Swallowing Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Anonymous Questionnaire ◽

Knowledge And Practice ◽

Definition Of ◽

Management Of Dysphagia

The aim of this study was to determine healthcare providers’ knowledge and practices about dysphagia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire addressed to healthcare providers in Spain. A total of 396 healthcare providers participated in the study. Of these, 62.3% knew the definition of dysphagia as a swallowing disorder. In addition, up to 39.2% of the participants reported that they did not know whether the EatingAssessmentTool (EAT-10) dysphagia screening test was usedin their own clinical settings. Similarly, up to 49.1% of them did not know the ClinicalExaminationVolume-Viscosity (MECV-V) method. Nearly all participants (98.8%) reported that thickeners must be used forall liquids administered to patients. A higher percentage of respondents based the choice of texture on patient’s tolerance (78.2%) rather than on the MECV-V result (17.3%). In addition,76.4% of the professionals had witnessed a bronchoaspiration; after it, 44.4% (n = 175) of them reported the appearance of pneumonia, and 14.5% (n = 57) the death of the patient (p = 0.005). The participants revealeda moderate/low knowledge ofthe definition, diagnosis, and clinical management of liquid dysphagia, which indicates some room for improvements.

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Allergic rhinitis, asthma and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study on their reciprocal relations

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80793-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ameer Kakaje ◽

Mohammad Marwan Alhalabi ◽

Ayham Alyousbashi ◽

Ayham Ghareeb

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Reflux Disease ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Reflux Symptom Index ◽

Symptom Index ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Wide Range

AbstractAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a common medical condition worldwide. It is an inflammation in the nasal mucosa due to allergen exposure throughout the year. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is another medical condition that can overlap with AR. LPR can be considered an extra oesophageal manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or a different entity. Its diagnosis imposes a real challenge as it has a wide range of unspecific symptoms. Although AR and LPR are not life-threatening, they can severely affect the quality of life for years and cause substantial distress. Moreover, having AR is associated with having asthma which is also in turn associated with GORD. This is a cross-sectional study which used surveys distributed online on Social Media and targeted people across Syria. All participants who responded to the key questions were included. Reflux symptom index (RSI) was used for LPR, and score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) was used for AR. Demographic questions and whether the participant had asthma were also included in the survey. We found that there was an association between the symptoms of LPR and AR p < 0.0001 (OR, 2.592; 95% CI 1.846–3.639), and their scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.334). Having asthma was associated with LPR symptoms p = 0.0002 (OR 3.096; 95% CI 1.665–5.759) and AR p < 0.0001 (OR 6.772; 95% CI 2.823–16.248). We concluded that there was a significant association between having LPR, AR, and asthma. We need more studies to distinguish between their common symptoms and aetiologies.

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Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals Regarding Factors Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Their Consequences: A Cross Sectional Study in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10070878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 878

Author(s):

Mohamed A. Baraka ◽

Amany Alboghdadly ◽

Samar Alshawwa ◽

Asim Ahmed Elnour ◽

Hassan Alsultan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Inappropriate Prescribing ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Key Factors ◽

Eastern Province ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Factors Influencing

Factors reported in the literature associated with inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobials include physicians with less experience, uncertain diagnosis, and patient caregiver influences on physicians’ decisions. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance is critical for identifying emerging resistance patterns, developing, and assessing the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Improvement in prescribing antimicrobials would minimize the risk of resistance and, consequently, improve patients’ clinical and health outcomes. The purpose of the study is to delineate factors associated with antimicrobial resistance, describe the factors influencing prescriber’s choice during prescribing of antimicrobial, and examine factors related to consequences of inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobial. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers (190) in six tertiary hospitals in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The research panel has developed, validated, and piloted survey specific with closed-ended questions. A value of p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. All data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS version 23.0). 72.7% of the respondents have agreed that poor skills and knowledge are key factors that contribute to the inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobials. All of the respondents acknowledged effectiveness, previous experience with the antimicrobial, and reading scientific materials (such as books, articles, and the internet) as being key factors influencing physicians’ choice during antimicrobial prescribing. The current study has identified comprehensive education and training needs for healthcare providers about antimicrobial resistance. Using antimicrobials unnecessarily, insufficient duration of antimicrobial use, and using broad spectrum antimicrobials were reported to be common practices. Furthermore, poor skills and knowledge were a key factor that contributed to the inappropriate use and overuse of antimicrobials, and the use of antimicrobials without a physician’s prescription (i.e., self-medication) represent key factors which contribute to AMR from participants’ perspectives. Furthermore, internal policy and guidelines are needed to ensure that the antimicrobials are prescribed in accordance with standard protocols and clinical guidelines.

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