scholarly journals Availability and Use of Mobile Health Technology for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Support by Health Workers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1233
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Kwasi Agyei ◽  
Boikhutso Tlou ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Mobile Wireless ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Treatment Support

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been identified as promising strategies for improving access to healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. However, the extent of availability and use of mHealth among healthcare professionals in Ghana is not known. The study’s main objective was to examine the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by healthcare professionals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 285 healthcare professionals across 100 primary healthcare clinics in the Ashanti Region with an adopted survey tool. We obtained data on the participants’ background, available health infrastructure, healthcare workforce competency, ownership of a mobile wireless device, usefulness of mHealth, ease of use of mHealth, user satisfaction, and behavioural intention to use mHealth. Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterise healthcare professionals’ demographics and clinical features. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of the demographic factors on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support. STATA version 15 was used to complete all the statistical analyses. Out of the 285 healthcare professionals, 64.91% indicated that mHealth is available to them, while 35.08% have no access to mHealth. Of the 185 healthcare professionals who have access to mHealth, 98.4% are currently using mHealth to support healthcare delivery. Logistic regression model analysis significantly (p < 0.05) identified that factors such as the availability of mobile wireless devices, phone calls, text messages, and mobile apps are associated with HIV, TB, medication adherence, clinic appointments, and others. There is a significant association between the availability of mobile wireless devices, text messages, phone calls, mobile apps, and their use for disease diagnosis and treatment compliance from the chi-square test analysis. The findings demonstrate a low level of mHealth use for disease diagnosis and treatment support by healthcare professionals at rural clinics. We encourage policymakers to promote the implementation of mHealth in rural clinics.

scholarly journals Availability and Use of Mobile Health Technology for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Support by Health Workers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: A Cross-sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Kwasi Agyei ◽  
Boikhutso Tlou ◽  
Tivani P Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
Treatment Support ◽  
Primary Healthcare Clinics

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been identified as promising strategies for improving access to healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. However, the extent of availability and use of mHealth among healthcare professionals in Ghana is not known. The main objective of this study is to determine the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health professionals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 285 healthcare professionals across 100 primary healthcare clinics in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. We obtained data on the participants' background, available health infrastructure, healthcare workforce competency, ownership of a mobile wireless device, usefulness of mHealth, ease of use of mHealth, user satisfaction, and behavioural intention to use mHealth. Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterize healthcare professionals' demographics and clinical features. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of the demographic factors on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support. STATA version 15 was used to compute all the statistical analyses. Findings: Out of the 285 healthcare professionals, 62.8% indicated that mHealth applications are available to them, while 37.2% had no access to mHealth. Of the 185 healthcare professionals who had access to mHealth, 98.4% are currently using mHealth to support healthcare delivery. Logistic regression model analysis significantly (p< 0.05) identified factors associated with the availability and use of mHealth applications for disease diagnosis and treatment support. There was a significant association between the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support from the chi-square test analysis. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a low-level use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by healthcare professionals at the rural primary healthcare clinics. We encourage policymakers to promote the implementation of mHealth in rural primary health clinics. 

scholarly journals Burnout of Healthcare Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Japanese Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Yoshito Nishimura ◽  
Tomoko Miyoshi ◽  
Hideharu Hagiya ◽  
Yoshinori Kosaki ◽  
Fumio Otsuka
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has drastically changed how we live and work. Amid the prolonged pandemic, burnout of the frontline healthcare professionals has become a significant concern. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study to provide data about the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals in Japan. Healthcare workers in a single Japanese national university hospital participated in the survey, including basic demographics, whether a participant engaged in care of COVID-19 patients in the past 2 weeks and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Of those, 25.4% fully answered the survey; 33.3% were doctors and 63.6% were nurses, and 36.3% engaged in care of COVID-19 patients in the past 2 weeks. Compared to those belonging to General Medicine, those in Emergency Intensive Care Unit were at higher risk of burnout (odds ratio (OR), 6.7; 95% CI, 1.1–42.1; p = 0.031). Of those who engaged in care of COVID-19 patients, 50% reported burnout while 6.1% did not (OR 8.5, 95% CI; 1.3–54.1; p = 0.014). The burnout of healthcare workers is a significant concern amid the pandemic, which needs to be addressed for sustainable healthcare delivery.

scholarly journals Mapping Evidence of Mobile Health Technologies for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Support by Health Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Portia Nelisiwe Vezi ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Treatment Support ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: The rapid growth of mobile technology has given rise to the development of mobile health programmes aimed at treating and preventing a wide range of health conditions. However, evidence on the use of mHealth in high disease burdened settings such as SSA is not clear. We systematically mapped evidence on mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA. Methods: We conducted a scoping review study guided by the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, Levac et al recommendations, and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We thoroughly searched the following databases: MEDLINE and CINAHL with full-text via EBSCOhost; PubMed; Science Direct and Google Scholar for relevant articles from inception to July 2019. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full-text articles using the eligibility criteria as reference. This study employed the mixed methods appraisal tool version 2018 to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results: Out of the 572 articles identified , only 10 published articles presented evidence on mHealth for treatment support by health workers in SSA since 2010. No studies reported evidence on mHealth for disease diagnosis by health workers in SSA. Of the 10 studies, four studies were conducted in Kenya; one in South Africa; one in Malawi; one in Zimbabwe; one in Mozambique; one in Nigeria and one in Lesotho. Of the 10 studies: three reported the use of mHealth to manage HIV; two on the management of HIV/TB; two on treatment of malaria; one each on the management of hypertension; cervical cancer; and one was not specific on any disease condition. All the 10 included studies underwent methodological quality appraisal with a scored between 70 and 100%. Conclusions: The study shows that there is limited research on the availability and use of mHealth by health workers for treatment support in SSA. This study also shows there is no literature on the availability and use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis in SSA. We, therefore, recommend primary studies focusing on the use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis in SSA. Keywords: Mobile Health; Disease diagnosis; Treatment support; sub-Saharan Africa

scholarly journals Mapping evidence of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Portia Nelisiwe Vezi ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Treatment Support ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background The rapid growth of mobile technology has given rise to the development of mobile health (mHealth) applications aimed at treating and preventing a wide range of health conditions. However, evidence on the use of mHealth in high disease burdened settings such as sub-Sharan Africa is not clear. Given this, we systematically mapped evidence on mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We conducted a scoping review study guided by the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, Levac et al. recommendations, and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We thoroughly searched the following databases: MEDLINE and CINAHL with full text via EBSCOhost; PubMed; Science Direct and Google Scholar for relevant articles from the inception of mHealth technology to April 2020. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles using the eligibility criteria as reference. This study employed the mixed methods appraisal tool version 2018 to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results Out of the 798 articles identified, only 12 published articles presented evidence on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA since 2010. Of the 12 studies, four studies were conducted in Kenya; two in Malawi; two in Nigeria; one in South Africa; one in Zimbabwe; one in Mozambique, and one in Lesotho. Out of the 12 studies, one reported the use of mHealth for diseases diagnosis; three reported the use of mHealth to manage HIV; two on the management of HIV/TB; two on the treatment of malaria; one each on the management of hypertension; cervical cancer; and three were not specific on any disease condition. All the 12 included studies underwent methodological quality appraisal with a scored between 70 and 100%. Conclusions The study shows that there is limited research on the availability and use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis and treatment support in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, recommend primary studies focusing on the use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis and treatment support in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e036641
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Tivani Phosa Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Treatment Support ◽  
Sub Saharan

IntroductionImproving healthcare for all is one of the global health priorities, particularly in disease burdened settings such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Considering the high penetration rate of mobile phones in SSA, mobile health (mHealth) could be used to achieve universal health coverage. The proposed study will map evidence on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA.Methods and analysisThis review will be guided by Arksey and O'Malley’s scoping review framework and Levac et al’s recommendations and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. A scoping review will be conducted to explore what is known about mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA and to identify areas for future research. In addition to searching the grey literature, the following databases will be explored from PubMed, MEDLINE and CINAHL with full text via EBSCOhost and ScienceDirect databases. A search in Google Scholar will be considered as an additional information source. The literature search will involve published studies from 2000 to 2020 in any language. This review will cover mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA. The primary investigator will conduct the title screening, and subsequently, two reviewers will independently conduct abstract and full article screening and data extraction. The results of this proposed review will be presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis: Extension for Scoping Review guidelines.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for the scoping review, which is the first stage in a PhD study in public health on accessing mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in Ghana. The final review will be submitted for publications to a scientific journal, and our results will be presented at appropriate conferences.

Oscillation between identities and Subjective psychological health objectives among an informed audience in therapeutic patient education

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 10202
Author(s):  
Sandrine Roussel ◽  
Alain Deccache ◽  
Mariane Frenay
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutic Patient Education ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
Health Objectives ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Introduction: The implementation of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) remains a challenge. An exploratory study highlighted two tendencies among practitioners of TPE, which could hamper this implementation: an oscillation between identities (as caregivers versus as educators) and an inclination towards subjective psychological health objectives. Objectives: To verify whether these tendencies can be observed among an informed audience in TPE. Next, to explore the variables associated with one or other of these tendencies. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional survey by a self-administered questionnaire was carried out among 90 French-speaking healthcare professionals. Statistical analyses (chi-square, logistic regression) were then conducted. Results: Sixty percent of respondents displayed identity oscillation, which was found to be linked to task oscillation, patient curability, scepticism towards medicine and practising in France. Fifty-six percent pursued subjective psychological health objectives, which was found to be associated with health behaviour objectives and a locus of power in the healthcare relationship distinct from those seen in the pre-existing health models (biomedical, global). This tendency seems to constitute an alternative model of TPE. Discussion & conclusion: Identity oscillation and subjective psychological health objectives can be both observed. This study stresses the need to deliberate on the form(s) of TPE that is/are desired.

Síndrome da Anca de Ressalto

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Bernardo Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Hip Joint ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Snapping Hip ◽  
Predominant Symptom ◽  
Snapping Hip Syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome is a condition in which the predominant symptom is the snapping feelingaround the hip joint caused by a dynamic impingement between muscles or tendons and boneprominences. The etiology of the snapping hip types and consequently the therapeutic targets havebeen subjects of discussion and controversy along the years. A careful clinical history and physicalexamination is frequently enough for this disease diagnosis. Treatment is typically conservative,however when it is not successful surgical treatment is indicated, consisting on the snapping muscleor tendons lengthening. The authors review in this paper the current scientific literature about functionalanatomy, physiopathology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of snapping hip.

Knowledge and Communication of the National Core Standards Tool

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie Thembisile Maphumulo ◽  
Busisiwe Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Nurses

The National Department of Health in South Africa has introduced the National Core Standards (NCS) tool to improve the quality of healthcare delivery in all public healthcare institutions. Knowledge of the NCS tool is essential among healthcare providers. This study investigated the level of knowledge on NCS and how the NCS tool was communicated among professional nurses. This was a cross-sectional survey study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select hospitals that only offered tertiary services in KwaZulu-Natal. Six strata of departments were selected using simple stratified sampling. The population of professional nurses in the selected hospitals was 3 050. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit 543 participants. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 25. The study showed that only 16 (3.7%) respondents had knowledge about NCS, using McDonald’s standard of learning outcome measured criteria regarding the NCS tool. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the communication and knowledge was r = 0.055. The results revealed that although the communication scores for the respondents were high their knowledge scores remained low. This study concluded that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the NCS tool and therefore healthcare institutions need to commit themselves to the training of professional nurses regarding the NCS tool. The findings suggest that healthcare institutions implement the allocation of incentives for nurses that attend the workshops for NCS.

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