Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality as Promoters of Better Health Literacy

The present study aims to give insights on how to support patient literacy using AR/VR online solutions and effective communication. The future of healthcare is previewed to be human-centric and use a personalised approach to patient treatment. The study confirms AR/VR patient usage is an emerging topic, when compared with other AR/VR health applications. The analysed solutions which had online information were overall mature and accomplished communication to public. The AR/VR solutions intrinsically help in having a clearer communication; they support assertiveness and positivity and can be a literacy promoter. It is recommended to increase AR/VR patient usage and communication, to promote public/patient knowledge and adoption, with advantages to the patient literacy and healthcare system. The solution usage is relevant to educate public/patients and empower self-care. With correct adoption and scale, it can be an enabler to help reduce pressure in healthcare systems.

Factors influencing the improvement of self-management behavior in hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients encounter several challenges. They require strong attention to behavioral and lifestyle changes. Objectives: The purpose of this study was identifying factors that influence the improvement of self-management behavior in a group of HD patients. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted with participation of 420 patients in HD centers in Urmia University of Medical Sciences in 2017. For data collection, a self-designed questionnaire was designed. Results: The most important factors which are effective to improve self-management behavior were related to psychosocial support (4.66), patient education and empowerment programs (4.58), religious beliefs (4.50), active participation of family members (4.43), expanding role providers for self-management patient (4.36), and patient literacy and readiness (4.30) respectively. Conclusion: For the promotion of self-management behavior, healthcare providers should increase the abilities of patients for disease management. Therefore, it seems that selfmanagement training for HD patients is a crucial element of the care process.

Health Literacy of Diabetic Patients and its Impact on Disease Outcome

Background: Diabetes is one of the common and costly chronic health issues and a major cause of morbidity and mortality among other non-communicable diseases. Diabetes patients’ literacy about their diseases is to be addressed as an active factor of the disease outcome. Objectives: The objectives of the current study were to determine the overall health literacy level among diabetic patients attending the PHC centers and to test the association between the measured health literacy and their glycemic control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of randomly selected diabetic patients attending primary health care centers in Baghdad during the period from 15th July 2016 to 15th April 2017. Relevant demographic data were recorded and a specially designed tool was used to measure health literacy among diabetic patients, it consists of 15 question covering all aspects of health literacy (Scores 1 to 5 each question). The presence of diabetic complications were recorded and glycemic control of patients was documented by HbA1c. Results: With a total literacy score ranging from 15-75, the mean score of the patients in the current study was (mean = 43.34 ± 11.1 SD), and their recent HBA1c found to be ranging from 6.4 to 13.4 (mean = 10.25 ± 1 SD). A statistically significant association was found between patient literacy score and glycemic control (P<0.001), and the presence of complications (P=0.026). Conclusion: The glycemic control of diabetic patients (measured by HBA1c) and the presence of the diabetic complication might be affected by the patient literacy about his disease. المعرفه الصحيه لدى مرضى السكري وتأثيرها على تقدم المرض د.احمد علي عبد الحسن د. بتول علي غالب الخلاصة: الخلفية:- يعتبر داء السكري من اكثر الامراض شيوعا ومسبب رئيسي للمضاعفات من بين باقي الامراض غير الانتنقالية ويعتبر من اسباب ارتفاع كلفه العلاج خصوصا والنظام الصحي عموما. وتم التركيز بالخصوص على ثقافة المريض بمرضه بصوره خاصه كونها عامل محدد في تقدم المرض لديه. الاهداف:- تهدف الدراسة الى قياس وتقييم الثقافة الصحية لمرضى السكري من مراجعي مراكز الرعاية الصحية الاولية في بغداد وتقييم مستوى السكر في الدم و كفائة النظام العلاجي المتبع للمريض. واختبار وجود ترابط بين كفائة العلاج والثقافة الصحية للمريض. طرق البحث:- اجريت دراسة مقطعية على عينة عشوائية من مرضى السكري المراجعين لمراكز الرعاية الصحية الاولية ( 26 مركز رعاية صحية اولية) للفترة من 15-7-2016 ولغاية 15-4-2017 وتم تسجيل البيانات الديموغرافية لكل مريض وتم قياس مستوى الثقافة الصحية بحسب استمارة خاصة لهذا الغرض حيث تحتوي الستمارة على 15 سؤال يغطي جميع النواحي الخاصة بالمرض وتسجيل من 1 نقطة الى 15 نقطه لكل سؤال ببمجموع 15-75 نقطة. وتم تسجيل مستوى السكر التراكمي HbA1c لكل مريض ووجود او عدم وجود مضاعفات السكر لديه. النتائج:- معدل الوعي الصحي لكل مريض يتحدد ب 15-75 نقطة و تم الحصول على معدل 43.34 وانحراف معياري 11.1 نقطة. اما قيمة السكر التراكمي للعينة فيتراوح من 6.4 ملي مول \مول ولغاية 13.4 وبمعدل 10,25 وانحراف معياري 1 نقطة. وتم ايجاد ارتباط احصائي سلبي بين المتغيرين. الاستنتاجات:- معدل السكر التراكمي (وبالنتيجة كفائة النظام العلاجي) ووجود المضاعفات لداء السكري او عدمها قد تكون متأثرة بمستوى وعي المريض الصحي وثثقافته الصحية. مفتاح الكلمات:- السكر التراكمي, الثقافة الصحية, داء السكري, العراق.