scholarly journals Quality of Medical Advice Provided Between Members of a Web-Based Message Board for Patients With Implantable Defibrillators: Mixed-Methods Study

JMIR Cardio ◽  
10.2196/11358 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e11358
Author(s):  
Christopher E Knoepke ◽  
D Hogan Slack ◽  
M Pilar Ingle ◽  
Daniel D Matlock ◽  
Lucas N Marzec
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E Knoepke ◽  
D Hogan Slack ◽  
M Pilar Ingle ◽  
Daniel D Matlock ◽  
Lucas N Marzec

BACKGROUND Patients use Web-based medical information to understand medical conditions and treatments. A number of efforts have been made to understand the quality of professionally created content; however, none have described the quality of advice being provided between anonymous members of Web-based message boards. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to characterize the quality of medical information provided between members of an anonymous internet message board addressing treatment with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). METHODS We quantitatively analyzed 2 years of discussions using a mixed inductive-deductive framework, first, for instances in which members provided medical advice and, then, for the quality of the advice. RESULTS We identified 82 instances of medical advice within 127 discussions. Advice covered 6 topical areas: (1) Device information, (2) Programming, (3) Cardiovascular disease, (4) Lead management, (5) Activity restriction, and (6) Management of other conditions. Across all advice, 50% (41/82) was deemed generally appropriate, 24% (20/82) inappropriate for most patients, 6% (5/82) controversial, and 20% (16/82) without sufficient context. Proportions of quality categories varied between topical areas. We have included representative examples. CONCLUSIONS The quality of advice shared between anonymous members of a message board regarding ICDs varied considerably according to topical area and the specificity of advice. This report provides a model to describe the quality of the available Web-based patient-generated material.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Millien ◽  
Anatole Manzi ◽  
Arlene M. Katz ◽  
Hannah Gilbert ◽  
Mary C. Smith Fawzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Uterine fibroids, the most common cause of gynecologic surgery, have a reported cumulative incidence of 59% among Black women in the U.S. Uterine fibroids negatively impact the quality of women’s lives. No study has been found in the literature about fibroids in Haiti. We conducted a mixed methods study to assess the burden and risk factors of uterine fibroids, as well as their effects on women’s quality of life. Methods A convergent mixed methods study was conducted between October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020 at MUH’s (Mirebalais University Hospital) OB-GYN outpatient department. Quantitatively, in a cross-sectional study 211 women completed consecutively a structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews with 17 women with fibroids and 7 family members were implemented for the qualitative component. Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical and social demographic variables. Logistic regression was performed to examine associations between fibroids and related risk factors. An inductive thematic process was used to analyze the qualitative data. A joint display technique was used to integrate the results. Results Of 193 women analyzed 116 had fibroids (60.1%). The mean age was 41.3. Anemia was the most frequent complication— 61 (52.6%). Compared to women without uterine fibroids, factors associated with uterine fibroids included income decline (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.1–10.9, p = < 0.001), excessive expenses for transport (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.6–12.4, p = 0.005), and family history with uterine fibroids (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.6–13.6, p = 0.005). In contrast, higher level of education and micro polycystic ovarian syndrome were associated with lower prevalence (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9, p = 0.021) and (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.97, p = 0.044), respectively. The qualitative findings delineate how contextual factors such as health system failures, long wait times, gender inequality and poverty negatively affect the quality of women’s lives. The poverty cycle of uterine fibroids emerged. Conclusions A vicious cycle of poverty negatively impacts access to care for uterine fibroids in Haiti. Health insurance, social support, and income generating activities may be keys to promote social justice through access to adequate care for women with uterine fibroids in Haiti.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e013726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjo J M Maas ◽  
Maria W G Nijhuis-van der Sanden ◽  
Femke Driehuis ◽  
Yvonne F Heerkens ◽  
Cees P M van der Vleuten ◽  
...  

10.2196/33506 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e33506
Author(s):  
Anna Hatzioannou ◽  
Andreas Chatzittofis ◽  
Virginia Sunday Koutroubas ◽  
Evridiki Papastavrou ◽  
Maria Karanikola


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512505140p1-7512505140p1
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Henton ◽  
Acacia Gambrel ◽  
Jerome Klah ◽  
Catherine Rink ◽  
Caroline Targonski ◽  
...  

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The exploratory mixed-methods study of 490 OT graduate students revealed that high levels of reported stress along with limited coping strategies impacted students’ perceived occupational engagement and quality of life. Students identified mindfulness as an effective coping mechanism; however, its reported use did not appear to alter quality of life. The study supported a link between mindfulness and occupational engagement and has broad implications for the field of OT. Primary Author and Speaker: Patricia A. Henton Additional Authors and Speakers: Acacia Gambrel, Jerome Klah, Catherine Rink, Caroline Targonski, and Sarah Wirtz


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin E Michalak ◽  
Steven J Barnes ◽  
Emma Morton ◽  
Heather O'Brien ◽  
Greg Murray ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly recognised as a key outcome of self-management interventions for bipolar disorder (BD). Mobile phone applications (apps) can increase access to evidence-based self-management strategies and provide real-time support. However, while individuals with lived experience desire support with monitoring and improving broader health domains, existing BD apps largely target mood symptoms only. Further, evidence from the broader mHealth literature has shown that the desires and goals of end-users are not adequately taken into account during app development, and as a result engagement with mental health apps is suboptimal. To capitalise on the potential of apps to optimise wellness in BD, there is a need for interventions developed in consultation with real-world users that are designed to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management. Objective: This mixed methods pilot study is designed to evaluate the beta version of the newly developed PolarUs app, which aims to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management in people with BD. Developed using a community-based participatory research framework, the PolarUs app builds on the web-based adaptation of a BD-specific QoL self-assessment measure, and integrates material from a web-based portal providing information on evidence-informed self-management strategies in BD. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this project are to: (1) evaluate PolarUs app feasibility (via behavioral usage metrics); (2) evaluate PolarUs impact (via the Brief Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorders, QoL.BD scale, our primary outcomes measure); and (3) explore engagement with the PolarUs app (via both quantitative and qualitative methods). METHODS Study participants will be North American residents (N=150) aged 18-65 years with a DSM-5 diagnosis of BD-I, BD-II or BD not otherwise specified (NOS) as assessed by a structured diagnostic interview. An embedded mixed-methods research design will be adopted; qualitative interviews with a purposefully selected sub-sample (~n=30) of participants will be conducted to explore in more depth feasibility, impact and engagement with the PolarUs app over the 12-week study period. RESULTS At the time of publication of this protocol, the development of the beta version of the PolarUs app is complete. Participant enrollment is expected to begin in February 2022. Data collection is expected to be completed by December 2022. CONCLUSIONS Beyond contributing knowledge on the feasibility and impacts of a novel app to support QoL and self-management in BD, this study is also expected to provide new knowledge on engagement with mHealth apps. Furthermore, it is expected to function as a case study of successful co-design between individuals living with BD, clinicians who specialise in the treatment of BD, and BD researchers, providing a template for future use of community-based participatory research frameworks in mHealth intervention development. Results will be used to further refine the PolarUs app and inform the design of a larger clinical trial.


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