scholarly journals eHealth Patient Portal – Becoming an Indispensable Public Health Tool in the Time of Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalibor Stanimirovic
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Medical Documentation ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Secure Access ◽  
Policies And Measures ◽  
Focus Group Methodology ◽  
Number Of Visits

Patient Portal represents a connecting service for the Slovenian eHealth solutions and enables patients with effective and secure access to their medical documentation. Ever since its national roll-out in 2017 the number of visits of the Patient Portal has been constantly growing, however, during the time of Covid-19, the number of visits has increased dramatically to reach almost 1.9 million visits in 2020. This article initially presents the functionalities of the Patient Portal and the dynamics of the visits to the Patient Portal in the time of Covid-19. In the second part, the article outlines the most significant benefits to healthcare stakeholders provided by the Patient Portal in the period of Covid-19. The study applies a focus group methodology. Structured focus group discussions were carried out with prominent experts, who are in charge of the Patient Portal and other national eHealth solutions in Slovenia. Research results indicate that the Patient Portal has attracted enormous interest and has become one of the essential public health tools empowering patients and supporting the enactment of public health policies and measures during the Covid-19 crisis.

scholarly journals Persepsi Ibu Terhadap Iklan Vaksin Measles Rubella (MR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Muslimah Muslimah ◽  
Dian Ayubi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Electronic Media ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Depth Interviews

Measles and Rubella (MR) is a disease that is highly contagious and usually occurs in children aged 9 months until the age of 15 years. One effort that can be done to reduce the incidence of the disease is through health promotion about the importance of immunization. Purpose the promotion was packaged in the form of advertisements on electronic media with the aim of building perceptions that the importance of immunization for public health. Methods this research was a qualitative study with a method of collecting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The number of informants in this study was 19 mothers who had children aged 0.9 to 15 years in one of the Puskesmas work areas in Merangin District, Jambi Province. Before the data collection process, all informants were asked to see two MR immunization advertisements. Results that immunization advertisements are interesting and contain humor. Meanwhile, informants who did not give MR immunization to their children tended to be negative towards MR immunization advertisements and tended to ignore the effects that arose if they did not give immunizations to their children. The recommendation that MR immunization advertisements should avoid using the fear arousal method and use the pay off idea method in those ads

scholarly journals Building the hospital event-based surveillance system in Viet Nam: a qualitative study to identify potential facilitators and barriers for event reporting

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-20
Author(s):  
Hien Do ◽  
Hien T Ho ◽  
Phu D Tran ◽  
Dang B Nguyen ◽  
Satoko Otsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Preventive Medicine ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Viet Nam ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Event Reporting ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Introduction: Hospitals are a key source of information for the early identification of emerging disease outbreaks and acute public health events for risk assessment, decision-making and public health response. The objective of this study was to identify potential facilitators and barriers for event reporting from the curative sector to the preventive medicine sector in Viet Nam. Methods: In 2016, we conducted 18 semi-structured, in-depth interviews, as well as nine focus group discussions, with representatives from the curative and preventive medicine sectors in four provinces. We transcribed the interviews and focus group discussions and used thematic analysis to identify the factors that appeared to affect public health event reporting. Results: We identified five major themes. First, the lack of a legal framework to guide reporting meant hospital staff relied on internal procedures that varied from hospital to hospital, which sometimes delayed reporting. Second, participants stated the importance of an enabling environment, such as leadership support and having focal points for reporting, to facilitate reporting. Third, participants described the potential benefits of reporting, such as support provided during outbreaks and information received about local outbreaks. Fourth, some challenges prohibited timely reporting such as not perceiving reporting to be the task of the curative sector and hesitancy to report without laboratory confirmation. Finally, limited resources and specialist capacities in remote areas hindered timely detection and reporting of unusual events. Discussion: This study identified potential opportunities to promote the detection and reporting of unusual events from health-care workers to the public health sector, and thus to improve the overall health security system in Viet Nam.

scholarly journals Management, Communication, Partnership, and Innovation Factors in Posbindu PTM Implementation Process in Gunung Batu Bogor City

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Siti Khodijah Parinduri ◽  
Pujiyanto Pujiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Management Communication ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Number Of Visits ◽  
Document Review ◽  
Depth Interviews

By 2015 the deaths due to PTM are 68% and projected in 2030 to increase to 74%. Indonesia in 2013 based on Riskesdas data shows that 69.6% of diabetes mellitus and 63.2% of hypertension are still undiagnosed. The government's proactive efforts are through the implementation of Posbindu PTM which shows a very different number of visits in the target area of the Pasir Mulya Public Health Center. The purpose of this study is to know more in the description of management, communication, partnership and innovation in the implementation of Posbindu PTM and the factors that determine the results of the evaluation of the implementation of Posbindu PTM. This study is a qualitative study with in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), document review and observation at two Posbindu PTM with the highest and lowest visits to people with similar characteristics. The results of this study indicate that human resource management is a contributing factor in the implementation of Posbindu PTM,  communication and innovation need to be supported by partnership. The implementation of Posbindu PTM is supported by the optimization of management, communication, partnership and innovation factors that are interrelated in improving the successful implementation.

scholarly journals Issues raised by nurses and midwives in a post-disaster Bantul community

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mire Sugino ◽  
Elsi Dwi Hapsari ◽  
Ema Madyaningrum ◽  
Fitri Haryant ◽  
Sri Warsini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nurses And Midwives ◽  
Post Disaster

Purpose – Bantul in Central Java was the most severely damaged area by a devastating earthquake in May 2006. Even after being victims themselves, nurses and midwives at public health centers worked devotedly. The purpose of this paper is to identify the nurses’ and midwives’ perceptions and understanding of their roles, as well as the needs of training in disaster preparedness and management. Design/methodology/approach – Focus group discussions and questionnaire survey were conducted with 11 nurses and 11 midwives of public health centers in Bantul. Content analysis was applied to analyze transcripts of the focus group discussions and the responses to questionnaire. Findings – Health care for survivors and community were provided by highly committed health professionals supported in strong community resilience. Donors driven relief programs tended to be unorganized and insensitive for local health providers. Besides, organized disaster management trainings are strongly needed to develop disaster nursing and preparedness. Research limitations/implications – Embedded problems of local health system and current nursing practice were highlighted. Originality/value – Focus group discussions provided vital information that can and must be used to improve disaster response capabilities. Moreover, it was equally it is crucial to examine carefully what unfolded during post-disaster intervention.

scholarly journals Ethical challenges experienced by public health nurses related to adolescents’ use of visual technologies

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1822-1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Laholt ◽  
Kim McLeod ◽  
Marilys Guillemin ◽  
Ellinor Beddari ◽  
Geir Lorem
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Child Neglect ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Public Health Nurses ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Ethical Concerns ◽  
Visual Technologies

Background: Visual technologies are central to youth culture and are often the preferred communication means of adolescents. Although these tools can be beneficial in fostering relations, adolescents’ use of visual technologies and social media also raises ethical concerns. Aims: We explored how school public health nurses identify and resolve the ethical challenges involved in the use of visual technologies in health dialogues with adolescents. Research design: This is a qualitative study utilizing data from focus group discussions. Participants and research context: We conducted focus group discussions using two semi-structured discussion guides with seven groups of public health nurses (n = 40) working in Norwegian school health services. The data were collected during January and October 2016. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes and subthemes using systematic text condensation. Ethical considerations: The leader of the public health nursing service who agreed to provide access for the study and the Norwegian Center for Research Data that reviewed and approved the study. All participants gave informed consent. Findings: In adolescents’ use of visual materials with public health nurses, ethical concerns were raised regarding suicide ideations, socially unacceptable content, violation of privacy, and presentations of possible child neglect. The nurses utilized their professional knowledge and experience when identifying and navigating these ethical dilemmas; they resolved ethical uncertainties through peer discussion and collaboration with fellow nurses and other professionals. Discussion: We discussed the findings in light of Annemarie Mol’s interpretation of the ethics of care. Mol expands the notion of ethical care to include the action of technologies. Conclusion: Although the increasing use of visual technologies offered benefits, school nurses faced ethical challenges in health dialogues with adolescents. To address and navigate these ethical issues, they relied on their experience and caring practices based on their professional ethics. Uncertainties were resolved through peer dialogue and guidance.

scholarly journals Identifying Local Realities and Anticipating Challenges in Building Capacity of Ontario Municipal Wastewater Systems in Tracking for SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Zobia Jawed ◽  
Gail Krantzberg ◽  
Sasha Voinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Untreated Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Systems

One of the biggest challenges that public health experts have ever faced is detecting and mitigating the community spread of COVID-19. Current clinical testing of COVID-19 patients is limited in terms of testing kits available, cost logistics, and detecting individuals that are mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic. False positives and false negatives also cloud the true picture of the pandemic. Ontario municipalities’ wastewater systems can provide new testing opportunities for a non-invasive approach in tracking and monitoring the community spread of COVID-19 through sampling raw sludge or untreated wastewater to test for SAR-CoV-2 RNA fragments. Current global and domestic research confirms the effectiveness of wastewater epidemiology surveillance of SAR-CoV-2 and can be detected even before individuals experience symptoms providing a real-time indicator for appropriate public health interventions. In collaboration with the COVID-19 Wastewater Consortium of Ontario (CWCO), an initiative of McMaster University, the objective of this research is to determine the means to optimize the current infrastructure capacity of municipal wastewater systems as an opportunity to monitor and track COVID-19 spread in the community by identifying local realities and risks. To identify local challenges, we distributed a survey amongst Ontario municipalities regarding wastewater treatment plants’ characteristics, held focus group discussions, and implemented an eight-week sampling program with CWCO’s partners. This report focuses on municipal wastewater treatment plants with in-house laboratory facilities to analyze the current capacity and limitations associated with their sampling and analysis programs. Drawing from survey responses and focus group discussions, we revealed gaps for municipalities to move forward with sample testing and data processing as well as governance challenges.

scholarly journals Uganda’s response to sexual harassment in the public health sector: from “Dying Silently” to gender-transformational HRH policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance Newman ◽  
Alice Nayebare ◽  
Stella Neema ◽  
Allan Agaba ◽  
Lilian Perry Akello
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Public Health Sector ◽  
Key Informant

Abstract Introduction Sexual harassment is a ubiquitous problem that prevents women’s integration and retention in the workforce. Its prevalence had been documented in previous health sector studies in Uganda, indicating that it affected staffing shortages and absenteeism but was largely unreported. To respond, the Ministry of Health needed in-depth information on its employees’ experiences of sexual harassment and non-reporting. Methods Original descriptive research was conducted in 2017 to identify the nature, contributors, dynamics and consequences of sexual harassment in public health sector workplaces and assess these in relation to available theories. Multiple qualitative techniques were employed to describe experiences of workplace sexual harassment in health employees’ own voices. Initial data collection involved document reviews to understand the policy environment, same-sex focus group discussions, key informant interviews and baseline documentation. A second phase included mixed-sex focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and follow up key informant interviews to deepen and confirm understandings. Results A pattern emerged of men in higher-status positions abusing power to coerce sex from female employees throughout the employment cycle. Rewards and sanctions were levied through informal management/ supervision practices requiring compliance with sexual demands or work-related reprisals for refusal. Abuse of organizational power reinforced vertical segregation, impeded women’s productive work and abridged their professional opportunities. Unwanted sexual attention including non-consensual touching, bullying and objectification added to distress. Gender harassment which included verbal abuse, insults and intimidation, with real or threatened retaliation, victim-blaming and gaslighting in the absence of organizational regulatory mechanisms all suppressed reporting. Sexual harassment and abuse of patients by employees emerged inadvertently. Discussion/conclusions Sex-based harassment was pervasive in Ugandan public health workplaces, corrupted management practices, silenced reporting and undermined the achievement of human resources goals, possibilities overlooked in technical discussions of support supervision and performance management. Harassment of both health system patients and employees appeared normative and similar to “sextortion.” The mutually reinforcing intersections of sex-based harassment and vertical occupational segregation are related obstacles experienced by women seeking leadership positions. Health systems leaders should seek organizational and sectoral solutions to end sex-based harassment and make gender equality a human resource for health policy priority.

scholarly journals Capacity to reduce inequities in health in Norwegian municipalities

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marit Kristine Helgesen ◽  
Elisabeth Fosse ◽  
Susanne Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Policies And Measures ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Public Health Act

Aims: One of the goals of the Norwegian Public Health Act is to reduce health inequities. The act mandates the implementation of policies and measures with municipalities and county municipalities to accomplish this goal. The article explores the prerequisites for municipal capacity to reduce health inequities and how the capacity is built and sustained. Methods: The paper is a literature study of articles and reports using data from two surveys on the implementation of public health policies sent to all Norwegian municipalities: the first, a few months before the implementation of the Public Health Act in 2012; the second in 2014. Results: Six dimensions are included in the capacity concept. Leadership and governance refers to the regulating tool of laws that frame the local implementation of public health policies. Municipalities implement inter-sectoral working groups and public health coordinators to coordinate their public health policies and measures. Financing of public health is fragmented. Possibilities for municipalities to enter into partnerships with county municipalities are not equally distributed. Owing to the organisational structures, municipalities largely define public health as health policy. Workforce and competence refers to the employment of public health coordinators, and knowledge development refers to the mandated production of health overviews in municipalities. Conclusions: The capacity to reduce health inequities varies among municipalities. However, if municipalities build on the prerequisites they control, establishing inter-sectoral working groups and employing public health coordinators in authoritative positions, national governance instruments and regional resources may sustain their capacity.

scholarly journals The Role of Tailored Public Health Messaging to Young Adults during COVID-19: “There’s a lot of ambiguity around what it means to be safe”

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258121
Author(s):  
Tina Cheng ◽  
Braxtyn Horbay ◽  
Rochelle Nocos ◽  
Lesley Lutes ◽  
Scott A. Lear
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Health Messaging

The COVID-19 global incidence rate among young adults (age 19–40) drastically increased since summer 2020, and young adults were often portrayed by popular media as the "main spreader" of the pandemic. However, young adults faced unique challenges during the pandemic due to working in high-risk, low-paying essential service occupations, as well as having higher levels of financial insecurity and mental burden. This qualitative study aims to examine the attitudes and perceptions of health orders of young adults to better inform public health messaging to reach this demographic and increase compliance to public health orders. A total of 50 young adults residing in British Columbia, Canada, were recruited to participate in focus group in groups of four to six. Focus group discussions were conducted via teleconferencing. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: 1) risks of contracting the disease, 2) the perceived impact of COVID-19, 3) responsibility of institutions, 4) and effective public health messaging. Contrary to existing literature, our findings suggest young adults feel highly responsible for protecting themselves and others. They face a higher risk of depression and anxiety compared to other age groups, especially when they take on multiple social roles such as caregivers and parents. Our findings suggest young adults face confusion due to inconsistent messaging and are not reached due to the ineffectiveness of existing strategies. We recommend using evidence-based strategies proven to promote behaviour change to address the barriers identified by young adults through tailoring public health messages, specifically by using positive messaging, messaging that considers the context of the intended audiences, and utilizing digital platforms to facilitate two-way communication.

scholarly journals Gender Issue in COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-158
Author(s):  
Santoshi Giri ◽  
Sitaram Khadka ◽  
Sushma Ranabhat ◽  
Mariam Agha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Gender Issue ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Policies And Measures ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Socio Economic Impact ◽  
Bounce Back

Since the first outbreak, COVID-19 has manifested itself as a serious public health threat with severe social and economic implications. Gender is an essential component that requires special attention and action in such crisis. This review is aimed at finding the gender-related issues amid COVID-19 pandemic that need to be considered and help stimulate related stakeholders to devise effective policies and actions. Health, socio-economical and education, all domains of gender are viciously affected by this pandemic. Though men and women have the same prevalence, men with COVID-19 are more at risk of worse outcomes and death. Even though the direct impact of disease is observed significantly high in men, the secondary socio-economic impact is catastrophic in women and girls considering their status in society as they are systemically oppressed and vulnerable group of population. The pandemic will have a prolong effect on socioeconomic dynamics. Hardly achieved milestones on gender equality reached low, which will take long to bounce back. From this crisis, government and policy makers should take a lesson and formulate public health policies and measures to contain the epidemic that takes account of gender and its interactions with all areas of inequality.  

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