Data Entry Form Designing Tools and Software Usability in DHIS2

The advent of configurable software has shifted the implementation of software solutions from total reliance on software developers to towards increased participation of end-users. End-users are now able to create software solutions without the need for writing code but through configuration and customisation. Despite the increasing use of configurable software challenges on designing the software platform architecture, process of testing and usability exists in configurable software. The research aimed at evaluating how available interface elements influence usability in DHIS2. Empirical data was collected by studying the design of custom data collection forms for routine health data collection with two groups of users. 80% and 90% were recorded as completion rates of the designed task and overall efficiency of 86.23% and 89.94% was achieved between the two groups. Lack of relevant editing features, increased distance between related objects, lack of conformity to Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS) and minimalistic design principle were found to be the major challenges affecting the usability.

A Literature Review of the Poly Herbo-Mineral Formulation (Vellai Venkaiyah Kulikai) that Is Commonly Used in Siddha Medical System of the Sri Lanka

A poly herbo-mineral preparation (Pill) (Vellai Venkaya Kulikai) which is used for treating painful menstruation, gastrointestinal disorders and abdominal pain in Siddha Medicine which is one of the traditional medical systems in Sri Lanka. Based on references, the preparation method of Vellai Venkaya Kulikai (VVK), which is mentioned in the Siddha Book of Pararajasekaram (Karppa roga nithanam) is commonly practiced in the health services of the Siddha medical system in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this preliminary step was taken to provide documentary evidence for the therapeutic effects of the ingredients which are used to the preparation of VVK. Data for the review of 28 ingredients were collected from relevant research sources from September 2020 to April 2021. Data entry form was prepared based on the characteristics of the ingredients such as families; morphology; parts used; siddha properties; pharmacological actions and phytochemical contents. Among these ingredients, all were identified as 25(89%) herbal, 2(7%) minerals and 1(4%) metal. These herbal ingredients are belonging to 15 families and 5(20%) of the species were found in the family of Umbelliferae. Based on the growth habit, these plant materials were classified as 17(68%) herbs and 9 (36%) species were used as seeds. Among 28 ingredients, siddha properties such as 15(48%) pungent taste, 21(81%) hot potency and 15(80%) pungent efficacy; carminative 17(11%) and stimulant 16(10%) actions and phytochemicals as volatile oil 20(15.87%) were found. Although this study provides the clear information for the therapeutic effects, further scientific studies for VVK and each medicinal ingredient should be performed in future.

A methodical approach to analyze the effect of river morphology and hydrology on fish fauna in the inner-Alpine space

<p>River ecosystems are diverse and dynamic habitats which are strongly influenced by direct and indirect consequences of human interventions. Several initiatives have been started all over Europe to fulfill the European guidelines for the protection of the local water bodies, but a standardized procedure fulfilling all relevant aspects and parameters of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) does not exists. To evaluate water quality, the WFD predefines biotic and abiotic parameters, such as morphology, hydrology, water chemistry as well as biological quality components, including fish fauna. In this context, we propose a new methodological approach based on salmonid fish populations to assess river quality. Our approach is based on European standardization of the Austrian and Italian methods and it has been tested in the context of an international fish project in 81 stream sections in the European Alps, having homogeneous morphological characteristics. The assessment procedure is composed of a set of 11 indicators, which were selected to evaluate longitudinal and lateral morphological and hydrological conditions: stream passability, reproduction sites, riverine dynamic, shoreline, shoreline vegetation, structure, substrate and degree of hydrological disturbance, a descent speed indicator as well as discharge conditions of hydropeaking. The indicators were then combined to 3 indices, namely: morphology index (<em>I<sub>M</sub></em>), hydrology index (<em>I<sub>H</sub></em>) and hydromorphology index (<em>I<sub>HM</sub></em>), to create a holistic picture of the total stream conditions. The indicator and index definition, the compilation and practical testing of the data entry form in the field, as well as the calculation of the values, were carried out jointly by a team of experts. The combination of that created a new hydromorphology index (<em>I<sub>HM</sub></em>) for Alpine streams. The application of the proposed method was shown in 31 river streams in South Tyrol (Italy) and Tyrol (Austria) covering a wide range of different anthropogenic changes and pressure degree, which enabled the trial of the methodology and the refinement of the indicators and indices. The outcomes of our study lead to interesting insights regarding applicability, strengths and weaknesses of the proposed approach.</p>

Ambulatory Use of Handheld Point-of-Care Ultrasound (HH-POCUS) in Rural Brandenburg – A Pilot Study

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the use of handheld ultrasound devices (HHUS) for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to improve outpatient care in rural Brandenburg. Materials and Methods A group of general practitioners (n = 9), palliative care physicians (n = 6), emergency physicians (n = 4), and nurses from palliative care services (n = 5) participated in this study. Following a 3-hour workshop and 2 weeks of individual training, participants performed POCUS using HHUS (HH-POCUS). Indications, examination results, and resulting treatment changes (e. g., acute interventions, new medication) were documented in a standardized data entry form. Results 19 physicians with different ultrasound experience and 5 palliative care nurses attended the workshop program and took part in the study. Three of the participating physicians were out of training in ultrasound and received prolonged supervision. Among 427 HH-POCUS examinations, the FAST scan and kidney scan were performed most often. Pain and dyspnea were the most common indications for HH-POCUS. Among the examinations performed by physicians (n = 311), ascites was the most common pathology (27 % of cases). Using a simplified examination protocol, palliative care nurses diagnosed fluid collections, hydronephrosis and transurethral catheter position or urinary retention. In 80.4 % of physician-performed cases, HH-POCUS made a valuable impact on patient management. HH-POCUS contributed to treatment decisions in 49.5 % of cases, including a change of medication in 29.6 % and performance of therapeutic interventions in 19.9 %. Hospital admission or referral to an ambulatory specialist was initiated due to HH-POCUS findings in 17.7 % of patients. Conclusion HH-POCUS helped doctors in rural areas to optimize patient care through rapid on-site collection of therapeutically relevant findings. In addition, it was shown that specialized and motivated nurses can independently detect simple ultrasound findings and thus provide clinically relevant information to doctors.

Network for Therapy in Rare Epilepsies (NETRE): Lessons From the Past 15 Years

Background: In 2005, Network for Therapy in Rare Epilepsies (NETRE)—was initiated in order to share treatment experiences among clinicians in patients with rare epilepsies. Here we describe the structure of the rapidly growing NETRE and summarize some of the findings of the last 15 years.Methodology/Structure of NETRE: NETRE is organized in distinct groups (currently >270). Starting point is always a patient with a rare epilepsy/ epileptic disorder. This creates a new group, and next, a medical coordinator is appointed. The exchange of experiences is established using a data entry form, which the coordinator sends to colleagues. The primary aim is to exchange experiences (retrospectively, anonymously, MRI results also non-anonymously) of the epilepsy treatment as well as on clinical presentation and comorbidities NETRE is neither financed nor sponsored.Results: Some of the relevant results: (1) first description of FIRES as a new epilepsy syndrome and its further investigation, (2) in SCN2A, the assignment to gain- vs. loss-of-function mutations has a major impact on clinical decisions to use or avoid treatment with sodium channel blockers, (3) the important aspect of avoiding overtreatment in CDKL5 patients, due to loss of effects of anticonvulsants after 12 months, (4) pathognomonic MRI findings in FOXG1 patients, (5) the first description of pathognomonic chewing-induced seizures in SYNGAP1 patients, and the therapeutic effect of statins as anticonvulsant in these patients, (6) the phenomenon of another reflex epilepsy—bathing epilepsy associated with a SYN1 mutation. Of special interest is also a NETRE group following twins with genetic and/or structural epilepsies [including vanishing-twin-syndrome and twin-twin-transfusion syndrome) [= “Early Neuroimpaired Twin Entity” (ENITE)].Discussion and Perspective: NETRE enables clinicians to quickly exchange information on therapeutic experiences in rare diseases with colleagues at an international level. For both parents and clinicians/scientist this international exchange is both reassuring and helpful. In collaboration with other groups, personalized therapeutic approaches are sought, but the present limitations of currently available therapies are also highlighted. Presently, the PATRE Project (PATient based phenotyping and evaluation of therapy for Rare Epilepsies) is commencing, in which information on therapies will be obtained directly from patients and their caregivers.

Improving Specimen Labelling and Data Collection in Bio-science Research using Mobile and Web Applications

Researchers in bio-sciences are increasingly harnessing technology to improve processes that were traditionally pegged on pen-and-paper and highly manual. The pen-and-paper approach is used mainly to record and capture data from experiment sites. This method is typically slow and prone to errors. Also, bio-science research activities are often undertaken in remote and distributed locations. Timeliness and quality of data collected are essential. The manual method is slow to collect quality data and relay it in a timely manner. Capturing data manually and relaying it in real time is a daunting task. The data collected has to be associated to respective specimens (objects or plants). In this paper, we seek to improve specimen labelling and data collection guided by the following questions; (1) How can data collection in bio-science research be improved? (2) How can specimen labelling be improved in bio-science research activities? We present WebLog, an application that we prototyped to aid researchers generate specimen labels and collect data from experiment sites. We use the application to convert the object (specimen) identifiers into quick response (QR) codes and use them to label the specimens. Once a specimen label is successfully scanned, the application automatically invokes the data entry form. The collected data is immediately sent to the server in electronic form for analysis.

Application of Decision Support Technology for Conceptual Cost Estimation

Conceptual cost estimates are often made at the beginning of the project when project scope is not yet well defined. Hence, predicting the conceptual costs on time, with high accuracy, presents a considerable challenge. One potential solution is to more effectively utilize historical data via integration with predictive analytical models. In this project, a decision support system was developed which predicts conceptual costs of construction projects and supports decision-making for long-term capital planning in public universities. The prototype system was developed based on historical data for roofing projects at the University of Alabama. We collected this historical data via a web-based data entry form subsystem. The developed system uses ridge regression models to train historical data. This system has a user-friendly interface and supports what-if analysis, allowing the user to see multiple scenarios of the estimation. The system also encompasses capabilities to forecast the effects of inflation on multi-year projects. Subsequent validation has demonstrated improvement in the resulting accuracy of the conceptual estimates.

Practice patterns and outcomes with the use of regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer: Results from the Regorafenib in Metastatic colorectal cancer - An Indian exploratory analysis study

Background: Regorafenib is considered a standard of care as third-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs). Materials and Methods: The study was based on a computerized clinical data form sent to oncologists across the country for entry of anonymized patient data. The data entry form was conceived and generated by the coordinating center's (Tata Memorial Hospital) gastrointestinal medical oncologists and disseminated through personal contacts at academic conferences as well as through E-mail to various oncologists across India. Results: A total of 19 physicians contributed data resulting in 80 patients receiving regorafenib who were available for the evaluation of practice patterns. The median age was 55 years (range: 24–75). Majority had received oxaliplatin-based (97.5%), irinotecan-based (87.5%), and targeted therapy (65%), previously. Patients were primarily started on reduced doses of regorafenib upfront (160 mg – 28.8%, 120 mg – 58.8%, and 80 mg – 12.5%). The median duration of treatment (treatment duration) with regorafenib was 3.1 months (range: 0.5–18), while the median progression free survival was 3.48 months (range: 2.6–4.3). Forty-five percent of patients required dose modifications due to toxicities, and the most common were (all grades) hand-foot syndrome (68.8%), fatigue (46.3%), mucositis (37.6%), and diarrhea (31.3%). Conclusions: Majority of physicians in this collaborative study from India used a lower dose of regorafenib at the outset in patients with mCRC. Despite a lower dose, there was a significant requirement for dose reduction. Duration of treatment with regorafenib as an efficacy end point in this study is similar to available data from other regions as it is the side effect profile.

The quality of life assessment of chronic schizophrenia and diabetic patients with WHO-QOL in Indian population: a comparative study

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent non-psychiatric chronic illnesses. Both the diseases have common features of their chronicity, economic burden and dysfunction of occupation. QOL becomes more important health outcome tool in disorders that are chronic or where treatment continues over a long period. Methodology: In this study, descriptive survey was used to collect the data. Demographics details, laboratory results, given drugs, medical and medication history were documented into the data entry form and were asked to fill the BREF WHOQOL questionnaires (Malayalam version). Results: The BREF WHOQOL score was high in the Diabetic group in all the four domains as compared with the Schizophrenia group. Since P value is less than .05 in all cases, the difference is statistically significant. Discussion: The schizophrenia patients may have problems in maintaining relationships, frustration in working place, social isolation and stigma which again make their QoL scores lower especially when compared to a chronic physical illness like diabetes. The low score in schizophrenia indicates that mental illness influence above components of this domain. Conclusion: Mental health care is an integral part of healthcare. psychiatric illnesses is associated with lower QoL.

The development by the German Transactional Analysis Association of a scientifically-based online evaluation system of transactional analysis training

The authors present the development and statistical analysis, conducted under the auspices of the German Transactional Analysis Association (DGTA), of an online evaluation system of transactional analysis training. The understanding of evaluation research is clarified, and the data-entry form and its grounding in the theory of transactional analysis are presented. Emphasis is placed on the development of the competence concept, the definition of competence categories, and the representation of the foundations of a transactional-analytic educational theory. The scientific examination of the validity and reliability of the scales, the research process with pre-test and re-test, and the evaluation of the data in the system of online evaluation are extensively documented. In conclusion, it is claimed that this online-based DGTA evaluation is one of the few result-oriented teaching evaluation instruments in the German-speaking countries which meets scientific control criteria and is published.Citation - APA format: Nagel, N., König, J., Ottmann, S., & Hahnle, A. (2017). The development by the German Transactional Analysis Association of a scientifically-based online evaluation system of transactional analysis training. International Journal of Transactional Analysis Research & Practice, 8(2), 3-23.