scholarly journals Risks and Benefits of Web-Based Patient Narratives: Systematic Review

10.2196/15772 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. e15772
Author(s):  
Daniel Drewniak ◽  
Andrea Glässel ◽  
Martina Hodel ◽  
Nikola Biller-Andorno
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Patient Narratives ◽  
The Impact

Background Patient narratives are illustrative, individual accounts of patients’ experiences with certain health conditions. Web-based patient narratives have become widely available on the internet and in social media, as part of electronically available patient decision aids or Web-based databases. In recent years, the role of patient narratives as a source of information, insight, and support for both health care users and providers has increasingly been emphasized. Although the potential impact of patient stories has high immediate plausibility, it is of interest to know if this impact can be captured in quantitative studies. Objective This review aimed to evaluate whether research-generated Web-based patient narratives have quantifiable risks or benefits for (potential) patients, relatives, or health care professionals. Methods We searched the following databases from August 2017 to March 2019: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies were reviewed and assessed for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers were included if they studied the following: (1) (potential) patients, relatives, or health care professionals; (2) the effects of Web-based patient narratives that were generated scientifically (eg, through qualitative research methods); and (3) were quantitative studies. Furthermore, 2 authors independently performed an assessment of the quality of the included studies using a validated checklist. Results Of 4226 documents, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies investigated 10 different sources of Web-based patient narratives. Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 2458. The mean score of the quality assessment was 82.6 (range 61-100). Effects regarding five different purposes were identified as follows: provide information, engage, model behavior, persuade, and comfort. We found positive effects in every category and negative effects in one category (persuade). Several of the reported effects are rather small or were identified under specific experimental conditions. Conclusions Patient narratives seem to be a promising means to support users in improving their understanding of certain health conditions and possibly to provide emotional support and have an impact on behavioral changes. There is limited evidence for beneficial effects on some outcomes. However, narratives are characterized by considerable heterogeneity and the investigated outcomes are hardly comparable with each other, which makes the overall judgment difficult. As there are numerous possible measures and purposes of narratives, quantifying the impact of Web-based patient narratives remains a challenge. Future research is needed to define the optimal standards for quantitative approaches to narrative-based interventions.

scholarly journals Experiences of Using Web-Based and Mobile Technologies to Support Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kelly ◽  
Crispin Jenkinson ◽  
David Morley
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Coordinated Care ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising, placing increasing strain on health care services. Web-based and mobile technologies can be an important source of information and support for people with type 2 diabetes and may prove beneficial with respect to reducing complications due to mismanagement. To date, little research has been performed to gain an insight into people’s perspectives of using such technologies in their daily management. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of using Web-based and mobile technologies to support the management of type 2 diabetes. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 people with type 2 diabetes to explore experiences of using Web-based and mobile technologies to manage their diabetes. Transcripts were analyzed using the framework method. RESULTS Technology supported the users to maintain individualized and tailored goals when managing their health. A total of 7 themes were identified as important to participants when using technology to support self-management: (1) information, (2) understanding individual health and personal data, (3) reaching and sustaining goals, (4) minimizing disruption to daily life, (5) reassurance, (6) communicating with health care professionals, and (7) coordinated care. CONCLUSIONS Patients need to be supported to manage their condition to improve well-being and prevent diabetes-related complications from arising. Technologies enabled the users to get an in-depth sense of how their body reacted to both lifestyle and medication factors—something that was much more difficult with the use of traditional standardized information alone. It is intended that the results of this study will inform a new questionnaire designed to assess self-management in people using Web-based and mobile technology to manage their health.

scholarly journals 128 Getting Healthcare Students to be More Empathatic for Geriatric Patients: The Impact of Simulation Suit on Pharmacy Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv28-iv33
Author(s):  
Shaun Lee ◽  
Pei-Lee Teh
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction The world’s population worldwide is greying, and it is important that health care professionals such as pharmacists are able to gain proficiency in working with older adults who may be suffering from both physical and mental illnesses. One of the challenges for many schools that offer healthcare related courses is the need to support continued empathy towards this ageing population so that they can offer better healthcare services. Recently, ageing suits which are an immersive simulation suit designed to simulate the effects of ageing have been introduced to enable nursing students to experience what older adults face in health care situation. Method In this randomised controlled study, all year 1 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy course (n=120) at our institution were assigned to either a polypharmacy only workshop or use an ageing suit together with polypharmacy workshop (intervention). The intervention group was tasked to perform a series of exercises, including walking a flight of stairs, picking up a coin as well as filling up a form. All participants completed the Jefferson Empathy Scale and semi-structured questionnaire. Results At the end of exercise, intervention group participants had a marginal improvement in their self-reported empathy levels, with an improvement of 1.7 +14.5 points compared to 1.2 + 9.4 points in control (p=0.81). Participants in the intervention reported changes in physical performance consistent with the expected changes associated with ageing. They also reported a change in attitude and were able to empathize better with older adults especially on issues related to patient communication. Conclusion As such, future research should also include and involve a wider range of students to ensure that they become health advocates for the health care needs of older adults. This will enable them to deliver better healthcare services to meet the needs of the older adults.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Web-Based Course Concerning Patient Education for Mental Health Care Professionals: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Maritta Välimäki ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
Virve Pekurinen ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Team Climate ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND Continuing education has an important role in supporting the competence of health care professionals. Although Web-based education is a growing business in various health sectors, few studies have been conducted in psychiatric settings to show its suitability in demanding work environments. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the impact of a Web-based educational course to increase self-efficacy, self-esteem, and team climate of health care professionals. Possible advantages and disadvantages of the Web-based course are also described. METHODS The study used nonrandomized, pre-post intervention design in 1 psychiatric hospital (3 wards). Health care professionals (n=33) were recruited. Self-efficacy, self-esteem, and team climate were measured at 3 assessment points (baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months). Possible advantages and disadvantages were gathered with open-ended questions at the end of the course. RESULTS Our results of this nonrandomized, pre-post intervention study showed that health care professionals (n=33) had higher self-efficacy after the course, and the difference was statistically significant (mean 30.16, SD 3.31 vs mean 31.77, SD 3.35; P=.02). On the other hand, no differences were found in the self-esteem or team climate of the health care professionals before and after the course. Health care professionals found the Web-based course useful in supporting their work and relationships with patients. The tight schedule of the Web-based course and challenges in recruiting patients to use the patient education program with health care professionals were found to be the disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS Web-based education might be a useful tool to improve the self-efficacy of health care professionals even in demanding work environments such as psychiatric hospitals. However, more studies with robust and sufficiently powered data are still needed.

Telehealth Interventions and Outcomes Across Rural Communities in the United States: Narrative Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Butzner ◽  
Yendelela Cuffee
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND In rural communities, there are gaps in describing the design and effectiveness of technology interventions for treating diseases and addressing determinants of health. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate literature on current applications, therapeutic areas, and outcomes of telehealth interventions in rural communities in the United States. METHODS A narrative review of studies published on PubMed from January 2017 to December 2020 was conducted. Key search terms included telehealth, telemedicine, rural, and outcomes. RESULTS Among 15 included studies, 9 studies analyzed telehealth interventions in patients, 3 in health care professionals, and 3 in both patients and health care professionals. The included studies reported positive outcomes and experiences of telehealth use in rural populations including acceptability and increased satisfaction; they also noted that technology is convenient and efficient. Other notable benefits included decreased direct and indirect costs to the patient (travel cost and time) and health care service provider (staffing), lower onsite health care resource utilization, improved physician recruitment and retention, improved access to care, and increased education and training of patients and health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth models were associated with positive outcomes for patients and health care professionals, suggesting these models are feasible and can be effective. Future telehealth interventions and studies examining these programs are warranted, especially in rural communities, and future research should evaluate the impact of increased telehealth use as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telehealth Interventions and Outcomes Across Rural Communities in the United States: Narrative Review

10.2196/29575 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. e29575
Author(s):  
Michael Butzner ◽  
Yendelela Cuffee
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Background In rural communities, there are gaps in describing the design and effectiveness of technology interventions for treating diseases and addressing determinants of health. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate literature on current applications, therapeutic areas, and outcomes of telehealth interventions in rural communities in the United States. Methods A narrative review of studies published on PubMed from January 2017 to December 2020 was conducted. Key search terms included telehealth, telemedicine, rural, and outcomes. Results Among 15 included studies, 9 studies analyzed telehealth interventions in patients, 3 in health care professionals, and 3 in both patients and health care professionals. The included studies reported positive outcomes and experiences of telehealth use in rural populations including acceptability and increased satisfaction; they also noted that technology is convenient and efficient. Other notable benefits included decreased direct and indirect costs to the patient (travel cost and time) and health care service provider (staffing), lower onsite health care resource utilization, improved physician recruitment and retention, improved access to care, and increased education and training of patients and health care professionals. Conclusions Telehealth models were associated with positive outcomes for patients and health care professionals, suggesting these models are feasible and can be effective. Future telehealth interventions and studies examining these programs are warranted, especially in rural communities, and future research should evaluate the impact of increased telehealth use as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Web-Based Course Concerning Patient Education for Mental Health Care Professionals: Quasi-Experimental Study

10.2196/11198 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. e11198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Laine ◽  
Maritta Välimäki ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
Virve Pekurinen ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

The Impact of Professional Language Interpreting in Midwifery Care: A Review of the Evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Eleanor Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Midwifery Care ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Patients’ limited proficiency in the language of health care providers is known to be associated with health care disparities. Reluctance to use professional interpreting is documented across a wide range of health care professionals. Most of the literature on the effect of interpreting practices has focused on non-midwifery contexts.OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence regarding how using professional interpreters impacts the midwifery care of women with limited dominant language proficiency (LDLP).METHODS: Eligible studies were identified using searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Maternity and Infant Care, then analyzed and assessed for applicability to midwifery.RESULTS: 40 eligible papers, and two systematic reviews containing 48 additional papers, were included. The use of professional interpreters was found to support all aspects of the midwife’s direct role, with some complex findings on woman-centered communication during interpreted encounters. The use of ad hoc interpreters, or no interpreting, undermines all aspects of midwifery care for women with LDLP.IMPLICATIONS: Midwifery care should be enhanced by increasing midwives’ use of professional interpreters; future research should consider how best to achieve this or investigate the comparative efficacy of more complex interventions, such as interpreter-doulas.

The Effects of Technology Supports on Community Grocery Shopping Skills for Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 016264342198997
Author(s):  
Sojung Jung ◽  
Ciara Ousley ◽  
David McNaughton ◽  
Pamela Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

In this meta-analytic review, we investigated the effects of technology supports on the acquisition of shopping skills for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) between the ages of 5 and 24. Nineteen single-case experimental research studies, presented in 15 research articles, met the current study’s inclusion criteria and the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards. An analysis of potential moderators was conducted, and we calculated effect sizes using Tau-U to examine the impact of age, diagnosis, and type of technology on the reported outcomes for the 56 participants. The results from the included studies provide evidence that a wide range of technology interventions had a positive impact on shopping performance. These positive effects were seen for individuals across a wide range of ages and disability types, and for a wide variety of shopping skills. The strongest effect sizes were observed for technologies that provided visual supports rather than just auditory support. We provide an interpretation of the findings, implications of the results, and recommended areas for future research.

scholarly journals Building capacity for implementation—the KT Challenge

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes T. Black ◽  
Marla Steinberg ◽  
Amanda E. Chisholm ◽  
Kristi Coldwell ◽  
Alison M. Hoens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The KT Challenge program supports health care professionals to effectively implement evidence-based practices. Unlike other knowledge translation (KT) programs, this program is grounded in capacity building, focuses on health care professionals (HCPs), and uses a multi-component intervention. This study presents the evaluation of the KT Challenge program to assess the impact on uptake, KT capacity, and practice change. Methods The evaluation used a mixed-methods retrospective pre-post design involving surveys and review of documents such as teams’ final reports. Online surveys collecting both quantitative and qualitative data were deployed at four time points (after both workshops, 6 months into implementation, and at the end of the 2-year funded projects) to measure KT capacity (knowledge, skills, and confidence) and impact on practice change. Qualitative data was analyzed using a general inductive approach and quantitative data was analyzed using non-parametric statistics. Results Participants reported statistically significant increases in knowledge and confidence across both workshops, at the 6-month mark of their projects, and at the end of their projects. In addition, at the 6-month check-in, practitioners reported statistically significant improvements in their ability to implement practice changes. In the first cohort of the program, of the teams who were able to complete their projects, half were able to show demonstrable practice changes. Conclusions The KT Challenge was successful in improving the capacity of HCPs to implement evidence-based practice changes and has begun to show demonstrable improvements in a number of practice areas. The program is relevant to a variety of HCPs working in diverse practice settings and is relatively inexpensive to implement. Like all practice improvement programs in health care settings, a number of challenges emerged stemming from the high turnover of staff and the limited capacity of some practitioners to take on anything beyond direct patient care. Efforts to address these challenges have been added to subsequent cohorts of the program and ongoing evaluation will examine if they are successful. The KT Challenge program has continued to garner great interest among practitioners, even in the midst of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and shows promise for organizations looking for better ways to mobilize knowledge to improve patient care and empower staff. This study contributes to the implementation science literature by providing a description and evaluation of a new model for embedding KT practice skills in health care settings.

Effectiveness of the IBCLC: Have we Made an Impact on the Care of Breastfeeding Families Over the Past Decade?

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Haase ◽  
Emily Brennan ◽  
Carol L. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Physician Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Lactation Consultants ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
Breastfeeding Problems ◽  
The Impact

Background: International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) have been in existence for over 3 decades, are currently represented in 110 countries, and have the only internationally recognized certification to provide safe and evidenced-based care for breastfeeding women and their infants. Research aim: To review the literature about the efficacy of IBCLCs on breastfeeding outcomes as well as studies that have examined the effectiveness of the IBCLC’s role. Methods: The design was a scoping review of the literature and critical analysis using PRISMA guidelines of existing studies published from 2008–2019. Qualitative and quantitative studies were reviewed. Results: Twelve ( N =12) studies met inclusion criteria. Seven themes emerged in the analysis including studies of the role of IBCLCs in resident physician education; IBCLC’s role in breastfeeding interventions and the management of breastfeeding problems; the impact of IBCLCs in inpatient and outpatient settings; and the impact of geographic access to IBCLCs on breastfeeding rates. Certification of and ongoing professional development of IBCLCs are also discussed. Conclusion: In this scoping review of existing literature assessing the effectiveness of IBCLCs in promoting and supporting breastfeeding, it is clear that IBCLCs play a positive role in supporting breastfeeding throughout the world. However, there are certain limitations that must be addressed. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice are discussed in the context of present limitations to breastfeeding expertise and support.

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