Predicted Impact of the Lockdown Measure in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Greater Bangkok, Thailand, 2021

In mid-2021, Thailand faced a fourth wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly fueled by the Delta and Alpha variants. The number of cases and deaths rose exponentially, alongside a sharp increase in hospitalizations and intubated patients. The Thai Government then implemented a lockdown to mitigate the outbreak magnitude and prevent cases from overwhelming the healthcare system. This study aimed to model the severity of the outbreak over the following months by different levels of lockdown effectiveness. Secondary analysis was performed on data primarily obtained from the Ministry of Health; the data were analyzed using both the deterministic compartmental model and the system dynamics model. The model was calibrated against the number of daily cases in Greater Bangkok during June–July 2021. We then assessed the outcomes (daily cases, daily deaths, and intubated patients) according to hypothetical lockdowns of varying effectiveness and duration. The findings revealed that lockdown measures could reduce and delay the peak of COVID-19 cases and deaths. A two-month lockdown with 60% effectiveness in the reduction in reproduction number caused the lowest number of cases, deaths, and intubated patients, with a peak about one-fifth of the size of a no-lockdown peak. The two-month lockdown policy also delayed the peak until after December, while in the context of a one-month lockdown, cases peaked during the end of September to early December (depending on the varying degrees of lockdown effectiveness in the reduction in reproduction number). In other words, the implementation of a lockdown policy did not mean the end of the outbreak, but it helped delay the peak. In this sense, implementing a lockdown helped to buy time for the healthcare system to recover and better prepare for any future outbreaks. We recommend further studies that explore the impact of lockdown measures at a sub-provincial level, and examine the impact of lockdowns on parameters not directly related to the spread of disease, such as quality of life and economic implications for individuals and society.

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Parental incarceration affects children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes: A longitudinal cohort study of children aged 9 to 13 years

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/0165025421995918 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016502542199591

Author(s):

Daragh Bradshaw ◽

Ann-Marie Creaven ◽

Orla T. Muldoon

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Child Outcomes ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Parental Incarceration ◽

Child Relationship ◽

Children And Parents ◽

The Impact

Parental incarceration (PI) is negatively associated with emotional, educational, and psychological child outcomes. However, few studies explore potential mechanisms through which these outcomes are transmitted or the means by which prosocial outcomes might develop. This study used data from two waves of a population cohort study of children aged 9 years and followed up aged 13 years living in Ireland. Children and parents ( N = 8,568) completed measures of PI, primary caregiver (PCG) depression, PCG-child relationship quality, and child behavioral adjustment. We then conducted a secondary analysis on this national longitudinal study of children in Ireland. Using sequential mediation models, we observed a mediated indirect effect of PI on prosocial outcomes via PCG depression and PCG-child relationship quality. PI at age 9 was associated with increased difficulties and reduced prosocial behavior at age 13. Additionally, PI at age 9 affected PCG depression and the PCG-child relationship quality. Additionally, child prosocial outcomes, and emotional and behavioral difficulties were less apparent where PI had a weaker effect on PCG depression and the quality of PCG-child relationship. Supports that can mitigate the impact of PI for vulnerable caregivers and children are discussed.

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NOTEWORTHY: THE IMPACT OF A CHOIR FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA ON THE WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF CAREGIVERS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2759 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S752-S752

Author(s):

Debra J Sheets ◽

Stuart W MacDonald ◽

Andre Smith ◽

Mary Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Caregiver Support ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Health Quality ◽

The Impact

Abstract Informal caregivers provide 80% of the care needed to support community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Over time caregivers often face adverse effects on their health, quality of life and well-being; particularly those caring for someone with dementia. This study examines the impact of participation in the Voices in Motion (ViM) choir on caregiver burden, mood and quality of life. A measurement burst approach was used to investigate intraindividual variability on key psychosocial and health indicators. Results indicate that choir participation significantly improves caregiver well-being (e.g. mood, burden) and quality of life. Findings suggest that choirs offer significant caregiver support and respite. The discussion focuses the public policy and on the potential economic implications which suggests a shift is needed in the services available to older adults with dementia and their caregivers.

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Informal caregivers’ views on the quality of healthcare services provided to older patients aged 80 or more in the hospital and 30 days after discharge

10.21203/rs.2.17065/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ingvild Lilleheie ◽

Jonas Debesay ◽

Asta Bye ◽

Astrid Bergland

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Social Services ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Older Patients ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

The European Union ◽

Professional Care ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: In the European Union (EU), informal caregivers provide 60% of all care. Informal caregiving ranges from assistance with daily activities and provision of direct care to helping care recipients to navigate within complex healthcare and social services systems. While recent caregiver surveys document the impact of informal caregivers, systematic reviews show that they have unmet needs. Because of the political desire to reduce the length of hospital stays, older patients are discharged from the hospital ‘quicker and sicker’ than before. The transition between different levels of the healthcare system and the period after hospital discharge is critical for elderly patients.Caregivers’ perspectives on the quality of older patients’ care journeys between levels of the healthcare system may provide valuable information for healthcare providers and policymakers. This study aims to explore older patient’s informal caregivers’ views on healthcare quality in the hospital and in the first 30 days after hospitalisation. Method: We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 participants to explore and describe informal caregivers’ subjective experiences of providing care to older relatives. The interviews were then transcribed and analysed thematically.Results: The analysis yielded the overarching theme ‘Informal caregivers – a health service alliance – quality contributor’, which was divided into four main themes: ‘Fast in, fast out’, ‘Scant information’, ‘Disclaimer of responsibility’ and ‘A struggle to secure professional care’. The healthcare system seemed to pay little attention to ensuring mutual understandings between those involved in discharge, treatment and coordination. The participants experienced that the healthcare providers’ main focus was on the patients’ diseases, although the health services are supposed to view patients holistically.Conclusion: Based on the information given by informal caregivers, health services must take into account each person’s needs and preferences. To deliver quality healthcare, better coordination between inter-professional care teams and the persons they serve is necessary. Health professionals must strengthen the involvement of caregivers in transitions between care and healthcare. Future work should evaluate targeted strategies for formal caregivers to cooperate, support and empower family members as informal caregivers.

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Evaluation of vehicle parameters depending on technical vehicle inspection

Tehnika ◽

10.5937/tehnika2103352d ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 76 (3) ◽

pp. 352-357

Author(s):

Vlastimir Dedović ◽

Vojislav Božanić ◽

Milan Božović

Keyword(s):

Road Safety ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Measured Data ◽

Safety System ◽

Resistance Measurement ◽

Safety Improvement ◽

Vehicle Inspection ◽

The Impact ◽

Different Levels

In a strategic document of EU for Road safety improvement, up to 2030, "safe vehicle" is recognized as one of the pillars of a stable Road safety system. The part of the "safe vehicle" pillar is technical vehicle ispection, where parameters important for road safety are periodically checked. The aim of this work is to determine the quality of the measurement data and the ability to repeat measurements of some parameters during technical vehicle inspection, or more precisely, to determine whether measured data of turning wheel resistance and brakes ovality differ depending on the inspection place. The research is done by inspecting ten vehicles at five inspection places with different levels of resources use. The results show that the spread of measured data of turning wheel resistance is statistically significant and that it depends on the inspection place, as well as that measured data of turning wheels resistance significantly vary between inspection places. The measured percentage of brakes ovality is different from one inspection place to another, but the differences are statistically significant only for right wheels. The impact of inspection place, although less than in turning wheel resistance measurement, is still significant.

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Patient and Clinician experiences and opinions of the use of a novel home use medical device in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease - a qualitative study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-290345/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Charlotte E Sedgwick ◽

Charlotte Growcott ◽

Shehnaz Akhtar ◽

Daniel Parker ◽

Erik Mulder Pettersen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Medical Device ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

Design Modification ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Clinician Experiences ◽

The Impact ◽

Insight Into

Abstract BackgroundPeripheral vascular diseases have a significant impact on functional quality of life (QoL). Previous research has demonstrated the complex, limiting and costly economic implications of these conditions such as lower limb ulceration chronicity and ischaemic amputation. These complex, limb and life threatening conditions demand the development of novel interventions with objective research as part of that development. Hence, a novel intermittent negative pressure medical device in the form of a wearable boot (FlowOx™) was developed. As part of the development process, this study aimed to explore patient and clinician opinions of the boot.MethodsA qualitative approach was used to collect patient and clinician experiences in Norway. An advisory group informed the semi-structured questions used in seven patient interviews and one clinician focus group (n = 5). The data were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Patient and clinician data were analysed as distinct groups using a thematic process.ResultsData analysis resulted in five themes from the patients which gave insight into; the impact of the disease process; practicalities of using the boot, positive experiences of use; perceived outcomes; reflecting on use. Six themes were created from the clinicians. These gave insight into; ideal outcomes and how to measure them; ways to potentially use the boot; using research in healthcare; positives of the device; observed effects and next steps; potential improvements to the device.ConclusionThis study provides insight into the experiences and opinions of FlowOx™. Patients and clinicians were positive about the device due to its ease of use. Those patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) experienced significantly more benefit, especially for ischaemic ulceration than those with a chronic venous condition. Clinicians placed value on the patient reported outcomes in the treatment decision-making process. This preliminary study into experiences of FlowOx™ use provides valuable feedback that will inform design modification and ongoing research into implementation points and prospective user groups. FlowOx™ demonstrates potential as a conservative therapy offering users a convenient, home use, self-care management solution for improving symptomatic PAD and quality of life (QoL).

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Fiscal Expenditure Incentives, Spatial Correlation and Quality of Economic Growth: Evidence from a Chinese Province

International Journal of Business and Management ◽

10.5539/ijbm.v11n7p191 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 191 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jiangyi Qi

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Spatial Correlation ◽

Spillover Effect ◽

Agglomeration Effect ◽

Chinese Province ◽

Fiscal Expenditure ◽

Growth Quality ◽

The Impact ◽

Different Levels

<p>This paper constructs an index system to evaluate economic growth quality. After taking into account the spatial correlation, the impact of public expenditure on economic growth quality is investigates by using panel data from a Chinese province during 2007 and 2014. In this analysis, different levels of economic growth quality and fiscal expenditure are considered. The results reveal that (1) Economic growth quality should be measured not only from scale but also from structure, performance and coordination. (2) There is agglomeration effect because local government fiscal expenditure greatly promotes local region economic growth, and this rule not only embodies in scale, but also in performance and coordination. (3) The spatial spillover effect of neighbouring government fiscal expenditure on local economic growth quality cannot be ignored, and different fiscal expenditure represents different results. There is complex spatial correlation among governments and corporation relationship among regions is very important. Finally, some policies about fiscal exnpenditure and economic development are proposed.</p>

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THE USE AND IMPACT OF RAPID HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462300101205 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 651-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

David Hailey ◽

Paula Corabian ◽

Christa Harstall ◽

Wendy Schneider

Keyword(s):

Health Technology Assessment ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Technology Assessment ◽

Rapid Assessment ◽

Health Technology ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Assessment Program ◽

Detailed Evaluation ◽

The Impact

Objectives: To consider the impact of rapid health technology assessments undertaken as part of a program in a provincial healthcare system in response to urgent requests for advice.Methods: Review of the development and preparation of 20 rapid assessment reports, communication with decision makers within the healthcare system, and appraisal of data subsequent to preparation of the reports.Results: Fourteen of the assessments were judged to have had an influence on policy and other decisions, as judged by responses from those who had requested advice. Another four were considered to have provided guidance, while having less immediate influence on decisions, and two others had no apparent impact. Quality of the assessments was considered acceptable, on the basis of literature that subsequently became available and from comments received.Conclusions: These brief reports are considered to be a useful component of a health technology assessment program. However, they should be regarded as provisional appraisals and followed up with more detailed evaluation where possible.

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Informal caregivers’ views on the quality of health care services provided to older patients aged 80 or more in the hospital and 30 days after discharge

10.21203/rs.2.17065/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ingvild Lilleheie ◽

Jonas Debesay ◽

Asta Bye ◽

Astrid Bergland

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Social Services ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Older Patients ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

The European Union ◽

Professional Care ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background In the European Union (EU), informal caregivers provide 60% of all care. Informal caregiving ranges from assistance with daily activities and provision of direct care to helping care recipients to navigate within complex healthcare and social services systems. While recent caregiver surveys document the impact of informal caregivers, systematic reviews show that they have unmet needs. Because of the political desire to reduce the length of hospital stays, older patients are discharged from the hospital ‘quicker and sicker’ than before. The transition between different levels of the healthcare system and the period after hospital discharge is critical for elderly patients. Caregivers’ perspectives on the quality of older patients’ care journeys between levels of the healthcare system may provide valuable information for healthcare providers and policymakers. This study aims to explore older patient’s informal caregivers’ views on healthcare quality in the hospital and in the first 30 days after hospitalisation. Method We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 participants to explore and describe informal caregivers’ subjective experiences of providing care to older relatives. The interviews were then transcribed and analysed thematically. Results The analysis yielded the overarching theme ‘Informal caregivers – a health service alliance – quality contributor’, which was divided into four main themes: ‘Fast in, fast out’, ‘Scant information’, ‘Disclaimer of responsibility’ and ‘A struggle to secure professional care’. The healthcare system seemed to pay little attention to ensuring mutual understandings between those involved in discharge, treatment and coordination. The participants experienced that the healthcare providers’ main focus was on the patients’ diseases, although the health services are supposed to view patients holistically. Conclusion Based on the information given by informal caregivers, health services must take into account each person’s needs and preferences. To deliver quality healthcare, better coordination between inter-professional care teams and the persons they serve is necessary. Health professionals must strengthen the involvement of caregivers in transitions between care and healthcare. Future work should evaluate targeted strategies for formal caregivers to cooperate, support and empower family members as informal caregivers.

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The Processes of Bureaucratization and Debureaucratization of Teachers’ Work and Their Influence on the Quality of Teachers’ Professional Activity: Sociological Project Results

Integration of Education ◽

10.15507/1991-9468.098.024.202001.075-097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 75-97

Author(s):

Sergey V. Polutin ◽

Yulia V. Manannikova

Keyword(s):

Secondary Analysis ◽

International Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Educational Process ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Professional Activity ◽

Professional Activities ◽

The Social ◽

The Impact

Introduction. The article for the first time structures the types of additional responsibilities of teachers, not underpinned by local regulations. The proposals for debureaucratization of the educational process in secondary schools are generalized. The aim of the study is to reveal the impact of bureaucratic burden on the social feeling of teachers of general secondary education facilities, the quality of their professional activities and to develop proposals for debureaucratization of teachers’ work. Materials and Methods. A survey of managers and teachers of educational institutions covered more than 3,000 respondents. As additional sources for the interpretation of the data, we used the methods of group interviews (two focus groups conducted among rural teachers), as well as a secondary analysis of data from the international study of the educational environment and working conditions of secondary school teachers (TALIS), conducted in 48 countries, including Russia. Results. The study broadened the idea of the impact of bureaucratization of the education system on the quality of professional activity and the social well-being of teachers. Intensification of bureaucratization of teacher work is attributed, on the one hand, to the extensive growth of additional types of work, and on the other, to the low legal awareness of teachers of educational institutions. Working with reporting documentation takes up to 90 % of the working time free from paid teaching ho urs, which practically does not leave time for the implementation of part of the pedagogical load associated with methodological, organizational and consulting activities. The study identifies activities that, according to respondents, contribute to the debureaucratization of teachers’ work. Discussion and Conclusion. The article is of interest to teachers and heads of educational organizations, regional educational authorities, and scientists, researching i nto educational problems.

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Tracking aspects of healthcare activity during the first nine months of COVID-19 in Ireland: a secondary analysis of publicly available data

HRB Open Research ◽

10.12688/hrbopenres.13372.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 98

Author(s):

Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne ◽

Sarah Parker ◽

Sara Burke

Keyword(s):

Healthcare System ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Public Healthcare ◽

Language Therapy ◽

Care Community ◽

Universal Healthcare ◽

Allied Healthcare ◽

The Impact

Background: Sláintecare aims to introduce universal healthcare in Ireland. The COVID-19 pandemic poses both challenges and opportunities to this process. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on aspects of Irish healthcare during the first nine months of the pandemic and considers the implications for Sláintecare implementation. Methods: Secondary analysis was undertaken on publicly available data on three key domains of the Irish healthcare system: primary care, community-based allied healthcare, and hospitals. Descriptive statistics were computed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Up to March 2021, 3.76 million COVID-19 tests were performed by Ireland’s public healthcare system, 2.48 million (66.0%) of which were referred from the community. General practitioners delivered 2.31 million telephone triages of COVID-19 symptoms, peaking in December 2020 when 416,607 consultations occurred. Patient numbers across eight allied healthcare specialties fell by 35.1% versus previous years, with the greatest reductions seen in speech and language therapy (49.0%) and audiology (46.1%). Hospital waiting lists increased from 729,937 to 869,676 (or by 19.1%) from January 2019 to January 2021. In January 2021, 629,919 patients awaited a first outpatient clinic appointment, with 170,983 (27.1%) waiting longer than 18 months. The largest outpatient lists were observed in orthopaedic surgery (n=77,257); ear, nose and throat surgery (n=68,073); and ophthalmology (n=47,075). The proportion of patients waiting more than 12 months for a day-case gastrointestinal endoscopy rose from 6.0% in January 2020 to 19.0% in January 2021. Conclusions: Healthcare activity has been significantly disrupted by COVID-19, leading to increased wait times and greater barriers to healthcare access during the pandemic. Yet, Ireland’s health system responses also revealed strong willingness and ability to adapt and to implement novel solutions for healthcare delivery, rapidly and at scale. This has demonstrated what is achievable under Sláintecare and provides a unique opportunity to ‘build back better’ towards sustainable recovery.

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