scholarly journals How Australian Health Care Services Adapted to Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Telehealth Professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Taylor ◽  
Liam J. Caffery ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
Alice King ◽  
Abdel-rahman Bassal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Society Newsletter ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Background: In Australia, telehealth services were used as an alternative method of health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a realist analysis of a survey of health professionals, we have sought to identify the underlying mechanisms that have assisted Australian health services adapt to the physical separation between clinicians and patients.Methods: Using a critical realist ontology and epistemology, we undertook an online survey of health professionals subscribing to the Australian Telehealth Society newsletter. The survey had close- and open-ended questions, constructed to identify contextual changes in the operating environment for telehealth services, and assess the mechanisms which had contributed to these changes. We applied descriptive and McNemar's Chi-square analysis for the close-ended component of the survey, and a reflexive thematic analysis approach for the open-ended questions which were framed within the activity based funding system which had previously limited telehealth services to regional Australia.Results: Of the 91 respondents most (73%) reported a higher volume of telephone-based care since COVID and an increase in use of video consultations (60% of respondents). Respondents felt that the move to provide care using telehealth services had been a “forced adoption” where clinicians began to use telehealth services (often for the first time) to maintain health care. Respondents noted significant changes in managerial and medical culture which supported the legitimisation of telehealth services as a mode of access to care. The support of leaders and the use personal and organisational networks to facilitate the operation of telehealth service were felt to be particularly valuable. Access to, and reliability of, the technology were considered extremely important for services. Respondents also welcomed the increased availability of more human and financial resources.Conclusions: During the pandemic, mechanisms that legitimise practise, build confidence, support relationships and supply resources have fostered the use of telehealth. This ongoing interaction between telehealth services, contexts and mechanisms is complex. The adoption of telehealth access to enable physically separated care, may mark a “new context;” or it could be that once the pandemic passes, previous policies and practises will re-assert themselves and curb support for telehealth-enabled care.

Australian health professionals’ social media (Web 2.0) adoption trends: early 21st century health care delivery and practice promotion

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne T. Usher
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Initial Data ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Web 2.0 Technologies ◽  
Australian Health

This study was concerned with indentifying reasons behind patterns of social media (Web 2.0) usage associated with eight of Australia’s major health professions. Attention was given to uncovering some of the more significant motivations for the resistance or adoption of Web 2.0 technologies for health care delivery and practice promotion by Australian health professionals. Surveys were developed from a common set of questions with specific variations between professions negotiated with professional health societies. Survey questions were constructed in an attempt to identify Web 2.0 adoption trends. An online survey (www.limesurvey.org) was used to collect data. Initial data preparation involved the development of one integrated SPSS file to incorporate all responses from the eight surveys undertaken. Initial data analysis applied Frequencies and Crosstabs to the identified groups and provided a profile of respondents by key business and demographic characteristics. Of the 935 respondents, 9.5% of participants indicated that they used Web 2.0 for their professional work, 19.1% of them did not use it for work but used it for their personal needs and 71.3% of them did not use Web 2.0 at all. Participants have indicated that the main reason for ‘choosing not to adopt’ Web 2.0 applications as a way of delivering health care to their patients is due to the health professionals’ lack of understanding of Web 2.0 (83.3%), while the main reason for ‘choosing to adopt’ Web 2.0 applications is the perception of Web 2.0 as a quick and effective method of communication (73.0%). This study has indicated that Australian health professionals ‘choose not to adopt’ Web 2.0 usage as a way of delivering health care primarily due to ‘a lack of understanding as to how social media would be used in health care’ (83.3%). This study identifies that Australian health professionals are interacting with Web 2.0 technologies in their private lives but are failing to see how such technologies might be used throughout their professions. Australian health professionals are willing to undertake online educational courses (n = 553, 58%) designed to upskill them about how Web 2.0 may be used for practice promotion and health care delivery.

When Clock Time Governs Interaction: How Time Influences Health Professionals’ Intersectoral Collaboration

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (13) ◽  
pp. 2059-2070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Bendix Andersen ◽  
Kirsten Beedholm ◽  
Raymond Kolbæk ◽  
Kirsten Frederiksen
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Clock Time ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Patient Pathways

When setting up patient pathways that cross health care sectors, professionals in emergency units strive to fulfill system requirements by creating efficient patient pathways that comply with standards for length of stay. We conducted an ethnographic field study, focusing on health professionals’ collaboration, of 10 elderly patients with chronic illnesses, following them from discharge to their home or other places where they received health care services. We found that clock time not only governed the professionals’ ways of collaborating, but acceleration of patient pathways also became an overall goal in health care delivery. Professionals’ efforts to save time came to represent a “monetary value,” leading to speedier planning of patient pathways and consequent risks of disregarding important issues when treating and caring for elderly patients. We suggest that such issues are significant to the future planning and improvement of patient pathways that involve elderly citizens who are in need of intersectoral health care delivery.

scholarly journals The qualitative experience of telehealth access and clinical encounters in Australian health care during COVID-19: Implications for policy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer White ◽  
Julie Byles ◽  
Tom Walley
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Adaptive Models ◽  
Hunter Region

Abstract BackgroundAdaptive models of health care delivery, such as telehealth consultations, have rapidly been adopted to ensure ongoing delivery of essential health care services during COVID-19. However there remain gaps in our understanding of how clinicians have adapted to telehealth. This study aims to explore the telehealth experiences or specialists, based at tertiary hospital in the Hunter Region, and General Practitioners (GP) including barriers, enables and opportunities. Methods In-depth interviews explored the telehealth experiences of specialists, based at tertiary hospital in the Hunter Region of Australia, and General Practitioners (GP) including barriers, enablers and opportunities. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach with constant comparison.ResultsIndividual interviews were conducted with 10 specialist and 5 GPs. Key themes were identified: (1) Transition to telehealth has been valuable but challenging; (2) Persisting telehealth process barriers need addressing; (3) Establishing when face-to-face consults are essential; (4) Changes in workload pressures and potential for double up; (5) Essential modification of work practices and (6) Exploring what is needed going forwardDiscussionWhile there is a need to rationalise and optimise health access during a pandemic, we suggest that more needs to be done improve telehealth going forward. Our results have important policy implications. Specifically, there is a specific need to effectively train clinicians to competently utilize and be confident using this telehealth and to educate patients on necessary skills and etiquette.

A Scoping Review of Telehealth-Assisted Case Management for Chronic Illnesses

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110089
Author(s):  
Jee Young Joo ◽  
Megan F. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Future Research

This scoping review aimed to examine telehealth-assisted case management for chronic illnesses and assess its overall impact on health care delivery. Guided by the PRISMA statement, this review included 36 empirical studies published between 2011 and 2020. This study identified three weaknesses and four strengths of telehealth-assisted case management. While the weaknesses were negative feelings about telehealth, challenges faced by patients in learning and using telehealth devices, and increased workload for case managers, the strengths included efficient and timely care, increased access to health care services, support for patients’ satisfaction, and cost savings. Future research can be designed and conducted for overcoming the weaknesses of telehealth-assisted case management. Additionally, the strengths identified by this review need to be translated from research into case management practice for chronic illness care. This review not only describes the value of such care strategy, but also provides implications for future nursing practice and research.

scholarly journals Analysis of Facilitators and Barriers to the Delivery of Routine Care during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 528
Author(s):  
Cristian Lieneck ◽  
Brooke Herzog ◽  
Raven Krips
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

The delivery of routine health care during the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to be challenged as public health guidelines and other local/regional/state and other policies are enforced to help prevent the spread of the virus. The objective of this systematic review is to identify the facilitators and barriers affecting the delivery of routine health care services during the pandemic to provide a framework for future research. In total, 32 articles were identified for common themes surrounding facilitators of routine care during COVID-19. Identified constructed in the literature include enhanced education initiatives for parents/patients regarding routine vaccinations, an importance of routine vaccinations as compared to the risk of COVID-19 infection, an enhanced use of telehealth resources (including diagnostic imagery) and identified patient throughput/PPE initiatives. Reviewers identified the following barriers to the delivery of routine care: conservation of medical providers and PPE for non-routine (acute) care delivery needs, specific routine care services incongruent the telehealth care delivery methods, and job-loss/food insecurity. Review results can assist healthcare organizations with process-related challenges related to current and/or future delivery of routine care and support future research initiatives as the global pandemic continues.

Revising the ERDs for the 21st Century

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
John F. Brehany ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Moral Tradition ◽  
Modern Health Care ◽  
Catholic Health Care

Since their inception in 1948, The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs) have guided Catholic health care ministries in the United States, aiding in the application of Catholic moral tradition to modern health care delivery. The ERDs have undergone two major revisions in that time, with about twenty years separating each revision. The first came in 1971 and the second came twenty-six years ago, in 1995. As such, a third major revision is due and will likely be undertaken soon.

scholarly journals Assessment of the English literacy level of patients in primary health care services in Tshwane, Gauteng province: Part 2

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelda Wasserman ◽  
Susanna C.D. Wright ◽  
Todd M. Maja
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Adult Literacy ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
English Literacy

Low literacy can be described as the inability to read, write or use numbers effectively. The limited ability to read and understand health care instructions directly translates into poor health outcomes.The aim of this study was to assess the English literacy levels of primary health care patients using the Learning Ability Battery (LAB) and the adapted Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy, Revised(REALM-R) and to determine how the results of the adapted REALM-R correlate with those of the LAB. Data were collected by means of a self-report whereby the participants had to answer the questions that were posed in the LAB and read the words out loud for the adapted REALM-R.The data analysis was performed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics, including the chi-square test and Spearman’s rho.The result of the study indicated that in South Africa, school grades achieved and the reading levels of primary health care patients differ with four grades.In terms of the correlation between the results of the adapted REALM-R and those of the LAB, a correlation of r = 0.43 (p < 0.001) could be established. Depending on the cut-off point used for the adapted REALM-R, 67% of the participants had low literacy levels. The study provides evidence of the importance of a validated, quick and easy-to-administer literacy screening tool. The effective assessment of patients’ literacy levels will assist registered professional nurses to provide health education on an appropriate level to improve patients’ health literacy. OpsommingLae geletterdheidsvlakke kan beskryf word as ’n persoon se onvermoë om doeltreffend te lees, te skryf of syfers te gebruik. Die beperkte vermoë om te lees en gesondheidsorgvoorskrifte te verstaan,gee direk tot swak gesondheidsuitkomste aanleiding. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die Engelse geletterdheidsvlakke van primêregesondheidsorg-pasiënte deur middel van twee instrumente,naamlik die Learning Ability Battery (LAB) en die aangepasde Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy, Revised(REALM-R) te assesseer. Daar is voorts ook bepaal hoe die resultate van die aangepaste REALM-R met die LAB korreleer. Data is deur self-rapportering ingesamel, waar die deelnemers vrae uit die LAB-instrument moes beantwoord en spesifieke woorde vir die aangepaste REALM-R hardop te lees. Die data is ontleed deur gebruik te maak van beskrywende en inferensiële statistiek, met inbegrip van ’n chikwadraat-toets en Spearman se rho. Die resultate dui daarop dat die skoolgraad bereik en die leesgeletterdheid van die deelnemers in Suid-Afrika met vier grade verskil. Die korrelasie tussen die resultate van die LAB en die aangepaste REALM-R was r = 0.43 (p < 0.001).Na gelang van die afsnypunt wat vir die aangepaste REALM-R gebruik word, dui die resultate daarop dat 67% van die deelnemers lae geletterdheidsvlakke het. Die studie toon die belang van ’n geldige, vinnige instrument vir geletterdheidsifting. Die doeltreffende assessering van pasiënte se geletterdheidsvlakke kan geregistreerde verpleegkundiges help om gesondheidsonderrig op ’n toepaslike vlak aan te bied ten einde pasiënte se gesondheidsgeletterdheid te verbeter.

Perceptions of Health Education of Selected Health and Social Service Providers in the Bahamas

1982 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-290
Author(s):  
Audrey Marie Deveaux ◽  
William A. Darity
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Social Service Providers ◽  
Education And Health

Health education is a new component of the health care delivery system in the Bahamas. In the past, confusion and uncertainty was expressed regarding the contribution of health education to the health care services. The intention of this study was to investigate the perceptions of selected health and social service providers to health problems, their most likely solutions, and to health education and health education related issues in the Bahamas. A questionnaire was either mailed or hand delivered to 412 selected health and social service providers in New Providence and the Family Islands in the Bahamas. Of these 127 (31%) usable questionnaires were returned. A discussion of the study findings, study limitations, implications for health education and suggestions for future research are presented. The survey results showed that a majority of respondents indicated consistent support for health education and health education related issues. This support was evident even when responses were crosstabulated with such variables as age, profession, and years of experience in present occupation.

scholarly journals The Impact of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) on Sustainable Development Projects in Katsina Metropolis

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Naseer Babangida Muazu ◽  
Abubakar Abdullahi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Skills Acquisition ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Grass Root Level ◽  
The Government ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Nigeria is facing profound social, economic and environmental impact of population growth, development and environmental constraints. It is apparent that government alone has limited capacity to deal with all these problems. NGOs being one of the most effective partners have been playing supportive roles with the government, in some cases, they are considered more effective to get attached with the grass root level developmental initiatives. However, despite the role NGOs played, their presence and impact is not fully evaluated, recognized and appreciated by many governments and community members. It is for this reason this article attempts to examine whether projects executed by NGOs have any impact on sustainable development in Katsina Metropolis, given special emphasis on projects that dealt with environmental protection, poverty alleviation and health care services. The study further look at whether efficiency of NGOs officials has any impact on success of sustainable development projects execution.  A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 NGOs beneficiaries in five (5) selected political wards of twelve (12) in Katsina metropolis. Interviews was used to collect relevant data using a structured questionnaire from NGOs officials which include; development officers and facilitators in five (5) selected NGO offices operating in Katsina Metropolis namely; Save the Children, Service to Humanity Foundation, Murna Foundation, Katsina Friends of Environment and Makudawa Skills Acquisition. Frequency and chi-square analysis was used to present the results. The findings revealed that NGOs are complementing government efforts towards achieving sustainable development through their projects, and efficiency of NGOs officials has significant impact on success of sustainable development projects executed in the area. The findings of the study can benefit government and NGOs in creating more areas of collaboration in order to achieve sustainable development.

scholarly journals Satisfaction of clients with disabilities with services offered at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mlenzana ◽  
R. Mwansa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health

To establish satisfaction level of persons with disabilitiesregarding health services at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia.Key stakeholders views on satisfaction of services is an important componentof service rendering thus obtaining information is important in assistingwith the evaluation of health care service delivery. This will assist in improvingeffectiveness and availability of health care services to persons with physicaldisabilities.All persons with disabilities attending both rehabilitation centres andprimary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia, were targeted for this study. Willing participants were convenientlyselected to take part in the study.A cross sectional, descriptive study design using quantitative methods of data collection was used. The GeneralPractice Assessment Questionnaire was adjusted, piloted for Ndola population and used in this study to establishsatisfaction of participants. The study was ethically cleared at the University of the Western Cape and Zambia.Information and consent forms were signed by participants.Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and was reported in percentages.In the current study there were 191 participants of whom 56% were male and 44% were female with age rangefrom 18-65 years. Fifty-two percent of the participants presented with learning disabilities and 38% of persons withphysical disabilities. Majority of clients (54%) were dissatisfied with availability of services and health care servicesat the health care centres. Areas that clients were dissatisfied with were accessibility, consultation with health professionals,waiting times and opening hours of the health care centres.Clients with disabilities who accessed health care services from selected health centres in Ndola were dissatisfiedwith aspects of health services. Accessibility, consultation with health professionals, waiting times and opening hoursof the health care centres were the origin of client dissatisfaction. Other clients were satisfied with thoroughness ofhealth care providers regarding symptoms, feelings, reception and treatment received at the primary health care centre.Understanding the views of the clients is essential in improving health delivery services and could impact on thecompliance of people attending primary health care services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document