scholarly journals Text messaging between clinicians and patients – Hve we got thngs unda cntrl?

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Muller ◽  
Simon A. Moyes ◽  
Mark L. Fulcher

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Patients are interested in receiving text messages (texts) related to their health care. However, anecdotes are emerging of associated problems and it is possible that many of the potential pitfalls are not recognised. AIM To assess clinicians’ attitudes and behaviours towards text messaging (texting) with patients. METHODS A voluntary, anonymous, online survey was created and distributed to general practitioners and physiotherapists in New Zealand and to Sports Medicine Fellows and Sports Medicine Registrars in New Zealand and Australia. RESULTS In total, 322 clinicians completed the survey. Texting behaviours relating to accuracy, privacy and security were identified. A range of sensitive and important medical information was frequently conveyed and at times forwarded to third parties. The clinicians generally felt uneasy communicating this way and some felt pressured into it. Most thought that guidelines are insufficient and that they had not received sufficient education on the issues. Most were interested in further education. CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated frequent texting between clinicians and patients. It has highlighted potential risks to the privacy, accuracy and security of medical information. Current guidelines and education may be insufficient. Clinicians were interested in receiving readily available best practice guidelines and education regarding texting.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Carroll ◽  
Hannah Jepson ◽  
Prue Molyneux ◽  
Angela Brenton-Rule

Abstract Background This is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey which New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate. Methods Survey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis were deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner. Results In 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of podiatrists who work in New Zealand are in private practice, with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 h per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019. Conclusion The New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana J. Mitchell ◽  
Lesley MacDonald-Wicks ◽  
Sandra Capra

General practice is an ideal setting to be providing nutrition advice; however, it is important that the role of general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses in providing nutrition advice is acknowledged and defined. This article aims to discuss the role of GPs and practice nurses in the delivery of nutrition advice. Ten general practitioners and 12 practice nurses from a NSW urban Division of General Practice participated in questionnaires and a Lifescripts© implementation study, as well as their consenting patients receiving Lifescripts© (n = 13). An online survey was conducted with 90 Australian private practice dietitians. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 52 Australian private practice dietitians. The provision of basic nutrition advice is acknowledged to be part of the role of GPs and practice nurses, as they are the first point of contact for patients, allowing them to raise nutrition awareness. However, it is important that this advice is evidence based and able to be delivered in a time-efficient manner. Increased nutrition education and the availability of appropriate resources and nutrition-related best practice guidelines will assist in this process.


Author(s):  
Tracey Varker ◽  
Kari McGregor ◽  
David J. Pedder ◽  
Ros Lethbridge ◽  
Genevieve Grant ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Intentional vehicular assaults on civilians have become more frequent worldwide, with some resulting in mass casualties, injuries, and traumatized witnesses. Health care costs associated with these vehicular assaults usually fall to compensation agencies. There is, however, little guidance around how compensation agencies should respond to mental and physical injury claims arising from large-scale transport incidents. Methods: A Delphi review methodology was used to establish expert consensus recommendations on the major components of “no fault” injury claim processes for mental and physical injury. Results: Thirty-three international experts participated in a 3-round online survey to rate their agreement on key statements generated from the literature. Consensus was achieved for 45 of 60 (75%) statements, which were synthesized into 36 recommendations falling within the domains of (1) facilitating claims, (2) eligibility rules, (3) payments and benefits for clients, (4) claims management procedures, (5) making and explaining decisions, (6) support and information resources for clients, (7) managing scheme staff and organizational response, (8) clients with special circumstances, and (9) scheme values and integrity. Conclusions: The recommendations present an opportunity for agencies to review their existing claims management systems and procedures. They also provide the basis for the development of best practice guidelines, which may be adapted for application to compensation schemes in different contexts worldwide.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Seng ◽  
Aaron Drovandi ◽  
Malindu E Fernando ◽  
Jonathan Golledge

Abstract Background: There is a lack of high quality evidence to guide the optimal management of diabetes-related foot infection, particularly in severe cases of diabetes-related foot infection and diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis. This study examined the opinions of surgeons about the best management of severe diabetes-related foot infection. Methods: Vascular and orthopaedic surgeons in Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey via email. The survey included multi-choice and open-ended questions on clinical management of diabetes-related foot infection. Responses of vascular surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons were compared using non-parametric statistical tests. Open-text responses were examined using inductive content analysis. Results: 29 vascular and 20 orthopaedic surgeons completed the survey. One-third (28.6%) used best-practice guidelines to assist in decisions about foot infection management. Areas for guideline improvement identified included more specific advice regarding the indications for available treatments, more information about the overall non-surgical patient management and advice on how management can be varied in regions with limited health service resource. The probe-to-bone test and magnetic resonance imaging were the preferred methods of diagnosing osteomyelitis. Approximately half (51.2%) of respondents indicated piperacillin combined with Tazobactam as the preferred antibiotic choice for empirical treatment of severe diabetes-related foot infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was the most common way of managing a wound following debridement. All vascular surgeons (100%) made revascularisation decisions based the severity of ischemia while most orthopaedic surgeons (66.7%) were likely to refer to vascular surgeons to make revascularisation decisions. Vascular surgeons preferred using wound swabs while orthopaedic surgeons favoured tissue or bone biopsies to determine the choice of antibiotic. Respondents perceived a moderate variation in management decisions between specialists and supported the need for further trials to test different management pathways. Conclusions: Most vascular and orthopaedic surgeons do not use best-practice guidelines to assist in decisions about management of diabetes-related foot infection. Vascular and orthopaedic surgeons appear to have different preferences for wound sampling to determine choice of antibiotic. There is a need to advance available evidence supporting different treatments and the related guidelines for the surgical managing of diabetes-related foot infection.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Carroll ◽  
Hannah Jepson ◽  
Prue Molyneux ◽  
Angela Brenton-Rule

Abstract Background This is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey which New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate.Methods Survey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis were deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner.Results In 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of podiatrists who work in New Zealand are in private practice, with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 hours per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019.Conclusion The New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Paula O'Connor

<p>A common practice among forensic interviewers in New Zealand involves asking children to draw a sketchplan of the location of the incident to help them recall and report more information about their experiences (Wolfman, Brown & Jose, 2016). There is no evidence to suggest, however, that this technique is useful when used alongside an exhaustive verbal interview. So, the purpose of the current study was to examine whether sketchplans, when used in conjunction with a forensically relevant interview protocol, help young adolescents recall more information about an event. Sixty-eight 11-13 year-old children viewed a staged magic show and, one month later, were interviewed using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Investigative Interview Protocol. Following the interview, children were asked to either: draw a sketchplan, draw generally, or have a break and think about the event, and were then asked to report anything else they could remember. The visual aids (i.e. sketchplans and drawings) did not increase the amount of new information reported relative to the talk-only condition, but did help children maintain accuracy. Sketchplans did, however, help young adolescents recall location-based information about the event. The findings do not support the use of sketchplans as a tool for helping young adolescents recall more information about their experiences when best practice guidelines are followed. Sketchplans may be useful, however, when location details about the incident are required for the investigation.</p>


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1111
Author(s):  
Lindsay J. Skyner ◽  
Kristie E. Cameron ◽  
Arnja Dale ◽  
Jessica K. Walker

Companion animals are at risk of psychological (and physical) harm if outdated, incorrect or aversive methods of training or equipment are used during training and behavioural modification. Companion animal guardians often engage professional animal behaviour and training services, yet this industry is not regulated in New Zealand. A voluntary national accreditation and registration programme could act to protect the welfare of animals by robustly evaluating the experience, qualifications and training methods of industry professionals. To investigate industry readiness for a national accreditation programme, we conducted an online survey and analysed the responses of 262 animal trainers, behavioural consultants, dog safety educators, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. A national accreditation programme, promoting the use of reward-based training and behavioural modification techniques, was generally supported, especially by individuals holding qualifications and membership of professional organisations. The implementation of such a programme would ensure that those seeking these services are able to source professionals that use best practice when it comes to training and behavioural modification, with lasting benefits to animal welfare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 844-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Glowacki ◽  
Susan Kirtz ◽  
Jessica Hughes Wagner ◽  
Jessica Duncan Cance ◽  
Denise Barrera ◽  
...  

Objective: Text-messaging interventions positively affect health behaviors, but their use on college campuses has been limited. Text messaging serves as a relatively affordable way to communicate with large audiences and is one of the preferred modes of communication for young adults. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a campus-wide, health text–messaging program. Participants: The subscriber pool consisted of approximately 6,000 undergraduate students from a large, southern university. From that pool, 1,095 participants (64% female; 41% White) completed a posttest survey. Method: Text messages covered a range of health topics and information about campus resources. Research was conducted from August through December 2015. Process data were collected throughout the semester; participants’ attitudes were assessed via an online survey at the program’s conclusion. Results: Students demonstrated engagement with the messages throughout the semester as evidenced by replies to text-back keywords and clicks on website links embedded within messages. Messages about sleep, stress management, and hydration were considered most relevant. The majority of participants (61%) reported increased awareness regarding their health. Conclusions: Text-messaging interventions are a feasible strategy to improve college student health.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Uhler ◽  
Vickie Thomson ◽  
Nicole Cyr ◽  
Sandra Abbott Gabbard ◽  
Christine Yoshinaga-Itano

Purpose The purpose of this study was to define the information currently collected by state and territory Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) coordinators and to determine whether best practice guidelines are used. Method A multiple-choice electronic survey querying areas of diagnostic assessment, amplification, early intervention (EI) and medical information regarding hearing loss was sent to all state and territory EHDI coordinators. Results Seventy percent of surveys were completed. Diagnostic, amplification, and Part C services were tracked by the majority of respondents. Additionally, medical prenatal and postnatal risks were collected. Conclusion Data collected on audiologic screening and diagnostic evaluations has increased. On the basis of these results, it is difficult to discern whether best practices are being used for each child. A delay in reporting a confirmed hearing loss was observed. Amplification results suggest that systems are not in place to ensure consistency and accountability for fitting amplification in infants. The results of this survey identified audiologic and EI information tracked by states to help provide a framework to monitor quality care in the future.


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