scholarly journals Factors Affecting the Promotion of Yazd Brand as a Health Tourism Destination with a Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Zahmatkesh saredorahi ◽  
Fatemeh Mohammadpour Shirazi ◽  
Aram Ardian ◽  
Mohammad Siadatan ◽  
Seyede Noshin Hashemi
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Brand Performance ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Health Tourism ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Factors Affecting

Abstract Background and Objectives: Nowadays, multi-national hospitals, competitive prices, quality of international standards and the level of specialized technologies are among the examples of globalization of health so that countries compete with each other in attracting medical tourists. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting the promotion of Yazd brand as a health tourism destination. Material and Methods: This is a mixed method research, in terms of purpose is applied and in terms of data collection is a descriptive study. The factors affecting the promotion of Yazd brand were identified through literature review. Then Expert Panel of 15 health tourism experts with at least 5 years of experience were appraised and approved the criteria. A matrix questionnaire was prepared and presented to 123 tourists who had traveled to Yazd province for taking health services for the second appraise of the identified criteria. Finally, the data obtained from health tourists by using fuzzy cognitive mapping tools and techniques were analyzed, and the final model of the research was drawn by social networks analysis (SNA). Results: The findings of analysis of experts' opinions data indicate that the factors of validity, brand performance and health tourism marketing are more central than other factors, because the total impact and effectiveness of these factors is more than other factors, so more attention should be paid to these factors. Conclusion: Destination image has a significant role in the decision-making and destination selection process, which with the increase in the number of new tourist destinations around the world, has led to the growing importance of health services in promoting health tourism and attention to the brand of tourism destination. In order to promote the health tourism brand, paying attention to the three factors of credibility, brand performance and marketing are in the priority of this research.

A Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Approach to the Conference Selection Problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 1451-1484
Author(s):  
Cigdem Kadaifci ◽  
Umut Asan ◽  
Y. Ilker Topcu
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Mathematical Formulation ◽  
Threshold Function ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Threshold Functions ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Academic Conferences

Academic conferences are popular platforms for academicians to share their research with colleagues, get feedback, and stay up to date on recent academic studies. Conferences also provide opportunities for the participants to express themselves, expand their network, and become socialized. However, academicians are forced to choose a limited number of conferences to participate due to several different factors such as time required for preparing a research, traveling and lodging expenses, and conference fees. At this multi-criteria decision problem, relevant factors can be used to evaluate the alternatives (i.e., academic conferences to participate) and prioritization of these factors would be necessary in advance. To address this issue, this study suggests an improved fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) approach to analyze factors affecting the choice of academic conferences to participate. The classical FCM allows to observe the dynamic behavior of complex systems during time. While the approach is widely used in different areas, it has considerable drawbacks: (i) producing same steady state values under different initial conditions and (ii) yielding completely different steady state values when different threshold functions are used. The new approach provides a mathematical formulation that produces steady state values sensitive to initial conditions. Since the selection of the threshold function in classical FCM is a highly subjective choice, the proposed approach offers an alternative way to obtain comparable values.

Multi-level Barriers for Utilization of Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Services (YFRHS) among Youths

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
Shanti Prasad Khanal
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
System Level ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Youth Friendly

 The present study aims to examine the multi-level barriers to utilize by the youth-friendly reproductive health services (YFRHS) among the school-going youths of the Surkhet valley of Nepal. This study is based on the sequential explanatory research design under mixed-method research. The quantitative data were collected using the self- administered questionnaire from the 249 youths, aged between the 15-24 years, those selected by using random sampling. The qualitative data were collected using the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) from the 12 participants who were selected purposively. The study confirmed that school-going youths do not have appropriate utilization of YFHS due to multi-layered barriers. However, the utilization of the service was higher among females, those the older age group, studying in the upper classes, the upper castes, and married youths. The key findings and themes are recognized as multi-layered barriers including personal-level, health system-level, community-level, and policy-level on the entire socio-ecological field. Among them, the existing health system is the foremost barrier. Multi-level interventions are, therefore, required to increase the YFRHS utilization and improve concerns for school-going-youths.  

About some of the factors for public administration effectiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
ALIKHAN М. BAIMENOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
The State ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
State Apparatus

The article emphasizes that modern governments, working in unique socio-economic, historical and cultural conditions, must take into account global trends, as well as the growth of citizens’ expectations associated with the rapid development of information technologies and other factors. In such circumstances, special attention is paid to the effectiveness of public administration. The article discusses some of the significant factors impacting the effectiveness of public administration, such as the professionalization of the state apparatus, the legibility of the institutional framework, the optimization of information flows and corporate culture. In accordance with this, on the basis of work experience in the public administration system and analysis of civil service reforms in the countries of the region, the main challenges and possible solutions are shown. In the professionalization of the state apparatus, the importance of the merit principles in the selection and promotion stages of personnel through the empowerment of human resource (HR) management services, the integrity of tools and approaches at all stages of selection process, and the responsibility of the selection board are noted. The author focuses on the need to ensure a balance of powers, responsibility and resources, delimitation of powers between political and administrative civil servants, optimization of information flows. Particular importance is paid to corporate culture, which is one of the main factors affecting the efficiency of the state apparatus. It is noted that central values of corporate culture and leadership in state bodies of the countries of our region, along with generally accepted in the modern leadership theory, should be respect for the dignity, work and time of employees.

Unveiling the dynamics of social credit determinants using fuzzy cognitive mapping and system dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro F. Pereira ◽  
Ricardo J. C. Correia ◽  
Fernando A. F. Ferreira ◽  
Pedro F. Falcão ◽  
Renato L. Costa
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Social Credit

scholarly journals Variation in LOD Across SARS-CoV-2 Assay Systems: Need for Standardization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youvraj Sohni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Testing ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Technology Platforms

Abstract Multiple SARS-CoV-2 emergency use authorization (EUA) tests are being used for clinical testing across various clinical testing laboratories for meeting the diagnostic challenges of the ongoing pandemic. However, cross-assay variations in performance characteristics need to be recognized. A better understanding is needed of the clinical implications of cross-assay variation in performance characteristics, particularly in the limit of detection (LOD) of the SARS-CoV-2 assays used for clinical testing. Herein, a snapshot of the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 EUA analytical assay systems including methodologies, assay designs, and technology platforms is presented. Factors affecting the variations in LOD are discussed. Potential measures that may standardize across the various assay systems are suggested. Development of international standards and reference materials for the establishment of performance characteristics may substantially alleviate potential clinical decision-making challenges. Finally, cross-assay variation in LODs among the diverse SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assays impacts clinical decision-making with multiple assay systems in use and lack of standardization across platforms. International standards in parallel with continued cross-platform studies and collaborative efforts across pertinent healthcare entities will help mitigate some of the clinical decision-making challenges.

What is access to radiation therapy? A conceptual framework and review of influencing factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puma Sundaresan ◽  
Martin R. Stockler ◽  
Christopher G. Milross
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
International Literature ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Access Methods ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Factors Influencing

Objectives Optimal radiation therapy (RT) utilisation rates (RURs) have been defined for various cancer indications through extensive work in Australia and overseas. These benchmarks remain unrealised. The gap between optimal RUR and actual RUR has been attributed to inadequacies in ‘RT access’. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ by examining the literature for existing constructs and translating it to the context of RT services. We further aimed to use this framework to identify and examine factors influencing ‘RT access’. Methods Existing models of health care access were reviewed and used to develop a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for ‘RT access’. A review of the literature was then conducted to identify factors reported to affect RT access and utilisation. The electronic databases searched, the host platform and date range of the databases searched were Ovid MEDLINE, 1946 to October 2014 and PsycINFOvia OvidSP,1806 to October 2014. Results The framework developed demonstrates that ‘RT access’ encompasses opportunity for RT as well as the translation of this opportunity to RT utilisation. Opportunity for RT includes availability, affordability, adequacy (quality) and acceptability of RT services. Several factors at the consumer, referrer and RT service levels affect the translation of this opportunity for RT to actual RT utilisation. Conclusion ‘Access’ is a term that is widely used in the context of health service related research, planning and political discussions. It is a multi-faceted concept with many descriptions. We propose a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ so that factors affecting RT access and utilisation may be identified and examined. Understanding these factors, and quantifying them where possible, will allow objective evaluation of their impact on RT utilisation and guide implementation of strategies to modify their effects. What is known about the topic? It is well documented that the use of RT in Australia is well below evidence-based benchmarks. The shortfall in the use of RT has been attributed to problems with access to treatment services. Although considerable attention has been directed (rightly) towards addressing infrastructure needs, access to RT is more than just supply of services. There is currently no specific framework for RT access to comprehensively consider and examine other factors influencing the use of RT. The existing international literature addresses some of the influencing factors. However, there is a need for a detailed review of all actual and potential influencers of RT utilisation. What does this paper add? This paper presents a conceptual framework for the specific consideration of access to RT. A detailed review of various factors affecting access and utilisation of RT has been performed using the aforementioned conceptual framework. To our knowledge this is the first such review and hence we are confident that it adds to the existing international literature on this subject. What are the implications for practitioners? The topic of improving consumers’ access to RT is of relevance locally, in Australia, as well as internationally. We feel that the RT access framework proposed herein will be of interest and use to those involved in health services research, delivery and policy, especially those involved with the planning and delivering of cancer services. In addition to compiling evidence on the subject, the review of factors influencing RT utilisation highlights and proposes areas for future translational and implementation research in the areas of health services and treatment-related decision making.

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