An ANT Analysis of Healthcare Services for the Nomadic Patients of Namibia

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Suama Hamunyela
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Nomadic People ◽  
Geographical Locations

Patients seek attention and treatments to various types of diseases and symptoms. Diseases infection and symptoms are often not predictive. Normally, there is a spread and movement of people across the geographical locations, of both the rural and urban communities, in countries including Namibia. As such, healthcare could be needed at any location, and at any time. There is significant mobility of individuals and groups within a country. Unfortunately, the healthcare services are not always as mobile at the level and speed that individuals and groups does in Namibia. Hence, there is need for the mobility of healthcare services at both primary and secondary healthcare levels, particularly in the developing countries, such as Namibia. The population of Namibia is scantly spread among its towns and cities. The major towns and cities are situated, in the average of 175km far apart from each other, in the country's 825, 418km square landscape. The spread necessitates movements of individuals and groups, particularly the old, poor, and nomadic people. Unfortunately, healthcare records in the country are not centralised and virtualised, making accessibility into patients' records difficult or impossible, from any location. As a result, healthcare service delivering is challenged. This study therefore explored and examined the possibility of mobility of healthcare services to those who live in the country. The study employed the qualitative research method, within which data was gathered from primary healthcare service providers, using open-ended questionnaires. The Moments of Translation from the perspective of actor-network theory (ANT) was used as a lens in the analysis of the data, to examine and understand the power and factors, which influences mobility of healthcare service in Namibia. Categorisation of Patients, Response Time, Understanding the Actors, Actors' participatory to service delivery, and Actors' Alliance were found to be the influencing factors in the provision of mobility of healthcare services.

An ANT Analysis of Healthcare Services for the Nomadic Patients of Namibia

2017 ◽  
pp. 775-790
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Suama Hamunyela
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Nomadic People ◽  
Geographical Locations

Patients seek attention and treatments to various types of diseases and symptoms. Diseases infection and symptoms are often not predictive. Normally, there is a spread and movement of people across the geographical locations, of both the rural and urban communities, in countries including Namibia. As such, healthcare could be needed at any location, and at any time. There is significant mobility of individuals and groups within a country. Unfortunately, the healthcare services are not always as mobile at the level and speed that individuals and groups does in Namibia. Hence, there is need for the mobility of healthcare services at both primary and secondary healthcare levels, particularly in the developing countries, such as Namibia. The population of Namibia is scantly spread among its towns and cities. The major towns and cities are situated, in the average of 175km far apart from each other, in the country's 825, 418km square landscape. The spread necessitates movements of individuals and groups, particularly the old, poor, and nomadic people. Unfortunately, healthcare records in the country are not centralised and virtualised, making accessibility into patients' records difficult or impossible, from any location. As a result, healthcare service delivering is challenged. This study therefore explored and examined the possibility of mobility of healthcare services to those who live in the country. The study employed the qualitative research method, within which data was gathered from primary healthcare service providers, using open-ended questionnaires. The Moments of Translation from the perspective of actor-network theory (ANT) was used as a lens in the analysis of the data, to examine and understand the power and factors, which influences mobility of healthcare service in Namibia. Categorisation of Patients, Response Time, Understanding the Actors, Actors' participatory to service delivery, and Actors' Alliance were found to be the influencing factors in the provision of mobility of healthcare services.

Healthcare Services for Nomadics through a Mobile Framework

2016 ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suama Hamunyela ◽  
Tiko Iyamu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nomadic People ◽  
Geographical Locations

Many patients are often associated with various types of health related records, needing care and attentions. Healthcare system is intended for all that live in the country. Normally, there is spread of people across the geographical locations, of both the rural and urban communities. Even though the healthcare service is intended to spread across the country, the services are not always available as individuals require it. Hence, there is need for Mobility of healthcare services at both primary and secondary healthcare levels, particularly in the developing countries such as Namibia. In Namibia, the population is scantly spread far apart in the average of about 175 kilometres between major towns, necessitating movements of individuals and groups, particularly the old, poor, and nomadic people. The challenge is, healthcare records in the country are not centralised or virtualised, making accessibility into patients' records difficult or impossible. As a result, healthcare service delivering is challenged. This chapter explored the possibility healthcare services through virtualisation or centralisation as empowered by different translation of activities. The objectives of the study were to identify and discuss actors in the mobility of healthcare services. Mobility in this paper refers to the availability of services to the nomadic patients. The study employed the qualitative approach, within which data was gathered from primary healthcare services providers using open-ended questionnaires. The moments of Translation from the perspective of ANT was used a lens to analyse the data to examine and understand the power and factors which could influences mobility of healthcare service in Namibia.

Healthcare Services for Nomadics Through a Mobile Framework

2017 ◽  
pp. 303-314
Author(s):  
Suama Hamunyela ◽  
Tiko Iyamu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nomadic People ◽  
Geographical Locations

Many patients are often associated with various types of health related records, needing care and attentions. Healthcare system is intended for all that live in the country. Normally, there is spread of people across the geographical locations, of both the rural and urban communities. Even though the healthcare service is intended to spread across the country, the services are not always available as individuals require it. Hence, there is need for Mobility of healthcare services at both primary and secondary healthcare levels, particularly in the developing countries such as Namibia. In Namibia, the population is scantly spread far apart in the average of about 175 kilometres between major towns, necessitating movements of individuals and groups, particularly the old, poor, and nomadic people. The challenge is, healthcare records in the country are not centralised or virtualised, making accessibility into patients' records difficult or impossible. As a result, healthcare service delivering is challenged. This chapter explored the possibility healthcare services through virtualisation or centralisation as empowered by different translation of activities. The objectives of the study were to identify and discuss actors in the mobility of healthcare services. Mobility in this paper refers to the availability of services to the nomadic patients. The study employed the qualitative approach, within which data was gathered from primary healthcare services providers using open-ended questionnaires. The moments of Translation from the perspective of ANT was used a lens to analyse the data to examine and understand the power and factors which could influences mobility of healthcare service in Namibia.

Health Care Services and EU Competition Law

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okeoghene Odudu
Keyword(s):  
Market Power ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Competition Law ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
System Matrix ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Care Services

This chapter investigates how, within a number of European Union (EU) Member States, competition law has been used to address problems of market power in the healthcare services sector. It summarizes the relevant EU and national competition laws and considers the experience of applying those laws to providers of healthcare services. The chapter is chiefly concerned with healthcare services in England, although examples are drawn for other EU Member States. Examination of the English experience provides a view of the use of competition law to address market power problems in most elements of the health system matrix. The chapter then considers three challenges that emerge from that experience of using competition law to address problems of market power in healthcare service markets. The first challenges the applicability of competition law to healthcare service providers operating in each or every element of the healthcare system matrix. The second, accepting applicability, questions the appropriateness of the substantive rules to healthcare services. The third, a battle of authority and autonomy, considers whether decisions made by healthcare service providers should be subject to external review and the type of review that competition law offers.

Customer Value Dimensions in E-Healthcare Services

2018 ◽  
pp. 42-55
Author(s):  
Kirsti Lindberg-Repo ◽  
Apramey Dube
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Temporal Aspect ◽  
Narrative Techniques

Healthcare services have been extensively researched for customer value creation activities. There has been, however, limited attention on the dimensions of customer value, as reported by customers themselves, in e-healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate customer value dimensions in which customers experience e-healthcare services. Narrative techniques were used to investigate customer experiences of e-healthcare services offered by eight private Finnish providers. The findings show that customers evaluate e-healthcare services in four value dimensions: 1) The outcome of e-healthcare service (‘What'), 2) The process of e-healthcare service (‘How'), 3) The responsiveness and temporal aspect of e-healthcare service (‘When'), and, 4) The location of e-healthcare service provision (‘Where'). The value dimensions reflect customer expectations that service providers can fulfill for improved customer value creation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first researches to investigate customer value dimensions in e-healthcare services in Finland.

scholarly journals An empirical study of knowledge sharing: A case of South African healthcare system

2019 ◽  
pp. 114-128
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
South African ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Factors Influencing

The importance of knowledge sharing in healthcare organisations cannot be overemphasised. This is mainly due to the dynamic and sensitive nature of knowledge within the healthcare sector that can assist in caring for the patients and other administrative operations. The absence of knowledge sharing and retention practice in healthcare organisations may result in negative repercussions. Hence, using Actor-Network Theory, the study will investigate and identify the factors influencing the current knowledge sharing taking place within the South African healthcare system. One of the top healthcare organisations was selected for data collection, and a qualitative research method was adopted in this study. The findings revealed the different actors involved in the sharing of knowledge and the networks that enable knowledge sharing and retention. The study also highlights the factors that triggered knowledge sharing.

Enemies, Parasites, and Noise

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kockelman
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Internet Service Providers ◽  
Reported Speech ◽  
Internet Service ◽  
Intellectual Traditions ◽  
Roman Jakobson

This chapter begins by outlining some common properties of channels, infrastructure, and institutions. It connects and critiques the assumptions and interventions of three influential intellectual traditions: cybernetics (via Claude Shannon), linguistics and anthropology (via Roman Jakobson), and actor-network theory (via Michel Serres). By developing the relation between Serres’s notion of the parasite and Peirce’s notion of thirdness, it theorizes the role of those creatures who live in and off infrastructure: not just enemies, parasites, and noise, but also pirates, trolls, and internet service providers. And by extending Jakobson’s account of duplex categories (shifters, proper names, meta-language, reported speech) from codes to channels, it theorizes four reflexive modes of circulation any network may involve: self-channeling channels, source-dependent channels, signer-directed signers, and channel-directed signers. The conclusion returns to the notion of enclosure, showing the ways that networks are simultaneously a condition for, and a target of, knowledge, power, and profit.

Medical records preservation strategies in improving healthcare service providers’ access to patients’ medical histories in the Limpopo hospitals, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 026666692090177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoako Marutha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Observation System ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Medical Histories

Preservation of medical histories records is very crucial to patients’ healthcare quality since when preservation is not being discharged properly; medical histories records are either inaccessible or difficult to access, which has a detrimental effect on the healthcare services provided to patients. The purpose of the study was to investigate strategies for the preservation of medical records and to recommend a framework that healthcare institutions may use to ensure that they have their patients’ medical records/histories at their fingertips (readily available). Stratified random sampling was used in the study to collect questionnaire data from records management officials and heads of clinical, nursing and records management units at 40 state hospitals in the province of Limpopo in South Africa. The data was augmented with observation, system analysis and document analysis. The study revealed that the preservation of medical records in public healthcare institutions in Limpopo was very chaotic, to the extent that access to patients’ medical histories was not always a possibility. Healthcare institutions need a framework for medical records preservation throughout the process of healthcare service delivery, to avoid chaotic healthcare service that eventually hamper health of the patients. The study provided a generic framework that may be localised as a centre of benchmark for healthcare institutions to suit their own environmental needs.

scholarly journals Design of Elderly Behaviour Analytics Model in the Healthcare Industry in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
Vol 255 ◽  
pp. 04005
Author(s):  
Paul K.Y. Siu ◽  
K.L. Choy ◽  
H.Y. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
The Government

Due to the advancement of living standard and medical technologies, the life expectancy of people is further extended which brings tremendous impact to the society in the near future. The ageing population not only increases the pressure to public healthcare services, but also brings urgent needs in long term healthcare resources allocation planning in the society. This paper presents an Elderly Behaviour Analytics Model (EBAM) to identify the hospital healthcare service preferences of elderly for the future planning of healthcare industry. By conducting an elderly-targeted survey, the collected data is analysed to understand the factors affecting the decision of elderly to acquire healthcare services in hospitals. The model applies the genetic algorithm-guided clustering-based association rule mining approach for the segmentation of hospital service preferences of the elderly, and, the identification of relationship between personal characteristics within each cluster. This research study contributes to the understanding the actual healthcare needs of elderly which allows the government and healthcare service providers to adjust or modify the elderly policies and service content.

Developing effective working relationships with external healthcare services

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Adrian Ashurst
Keyword(s):  
Health Professional ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Working Relationships

Now, more than ever, establishing a good partnership between a home and healthcare service providers is incredibly important. Adrian Ashurst discusses relationship-building strategies and what to do should a health professional need to visit residents during the pandemic

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document