scholarly journals Challenges of Using Instant Communication Technology in the Emergency Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study

Author(s):  
Yuh-Shin Kuo ◽  
Chien-Hsin Lu ◽  
Po-Wei Chiu ◽  
Hung-Chieh Chang ◽  
Yu-Yuan Lin ◽  
...  

A record outbreak of community-spread COVID-19 started on 10 May 2021, in Taiwan. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, care facilities have adopted various protocols using instant communication technology (ICT) to provide remote yet timely healthcare while ensuring staff safety. The challenges of patient evaluation in the emergency department (ED) using ICT are seldom discussed in the literature. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the utility of ICT for patient assessment in emergency settings during the pandemic. The patient flow protocol and the ED layout were modified and regionalized into different areas according to the patient’s risk of COVID-19 infection. Nine iPads were stationed in different zones to aid in virtual patient assessment and communication between medical personnel. A focus group study was performed to assess and analyze the utility of the ICT module in the ED. Eight emergency physicians participated in the study. Of them, four (50%) had been directly involved in the development of the ICT module in the study hospital. Three main themes that influenced the application of the ICT module were identified: setting, hardware, and software. The setting theme included six factors: patient evaluation, subspecialty consultation, patient privacy and comfortableness, sanitation, cost, and patient acceptability. The hardware theme included six factors: internet connection, power, quality of image and voice, public or personal mode, portable or fixed mode, and maintenance. The software theme included six factors: platform choices, security, ICT accounts, interview modes, video/voice recording, and time limitation. Future studies should focus on quantifying module feasibility, user satisfaction, and protocol adjustment for different settings.

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1273-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bérastégui ◽  
Mathieu Jaspar ◽  
Alexandre Ghuysen ◽  
Anne-Sophie Nyssen

Author(s):  
Saskia J. Baltrusch ◽  
Han Houdijk ◽  
Jaap H. van Dieën ◽  
Coen A. M. van Bennekom ◽  
Anja J. T. C. M. de Kruif

Objective The objective of this study was to identify criteria to be considered when developing an exoskeleton for low-back pain patients by exploring the perceptions and expectations of potential end users. Background Psychosocial, psychological, physical load, and personality influence incidence of low-back pain. Body-worn assistive devices that passively support the user’s trunk, that is exoskeletons, can decrease mechanical loading and potentially reduce low-back pain. A user-centered approach improves patient safety and health outcomes, increases user satisfaction, and ensures usability. Still, previous studies have not taken psychological factors and the early involvement of end users into account. Method We conducted focus group studies with low-back pain patients ( n = 4) and health care professionals ( n = 8). Focus group sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed, using the general inductive approach. The focus group discussions included trying out an available exoskeleton. Questions were designed to elicit opinions about exoskeletons, desired design specifications, and usability. Results Important design characteristics were comfort, individual adjustability, independency in taking it on and off, and gradual adjustment of support. Patients raised concerns over loss of muscle strength. Health care professionals mentioned the risk of confirming disability of the user and increasing guarded movement in patients. Conclusion The focus groups showed that implementation of a trunk exoskeleton to reduce low-back pain requires an adequate implementation strategy, including supervision and behavioral coaching. Application For health care professionals, the optimal field of application, prevention or rehabilitation, is still under debate. Patients see potential in an exoskeleton to overcome their limitations and expect it to improve their quality of life.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen H. McWhirter ◽  
Marina Valdez ◽  
Alisia R. Caban ◽  
Christina L. Aranda

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-17
Author(s):  
I Castroviejo Fernández ◽  
S Jourdain ◽  
N Kacenelenbogen ◽  
PR Smeesters

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crawford Moodie ◽  
Rachel O’Donnell ◽  
Joy Fleming ◽  
Richard Purves ◽  
Jennifer McKell ◽  
...  

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