scholarly journals An evaluation of tick and Lyme disease information on health unit websites in Ontario

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Irving ◽  
Lindsay Galway
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Visual Content ◽  
The Public ◽  
Disease Information ◽  
Incorrect Information

Climate change has allowed for the expansion and intensification of blacklegged ticks; the vector of Lyme disease. Projections estimate that by the year 2049 all health units in Ontario will have suitable environmental conditions for the establishment of this vector. A review of website content from health units in Ontario was performed to assess the quality of tick and Lyme disease information provided to the public and health care providers. Websites were evaluated based on criteria such as the provision of Lyme disease information (i.e., transmission, symptoms, treatment, etc.), the inclusion of misleading or incorrect information, and visuals provided. The quality of textual and visual information varied substantially across the 35 health units analyzed. Eleven health units were found to provide misleading or incorrect information. Disparities were found between areas with current Lyme disease risk and those without. The majority of health units did not include satisfactory visual content pertaining to ticks. Given the expected expansion and intensification of blacklegged tick populations across the province, all health units must ensure the information communicated to the public about ticks and Lyme disease is of high-quality and consistent. We conclude with specific recommendations to improve the textual and visual content of websites.

scholarly journals TickPhone App: A Smartphone Application for Rapid Tick Identification Using Deep Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7355
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Xu ◽  
Xiong Ding ◽  
Kun Yin ◽  
Ziyue Li ◽  
Joan A. Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Deep Learning Model

Tick species are considered the second leading vector of human diseases. Different ticks can transmit a variety of pathogens that cause various tick-borne diseases (TBD), such as Lyme disease. Currently, it remains a challenge to diagnose Lyme disease because of its non-specific symptoms. Rapid and accurate identification of tick species plays an important role in predicting potential disease risk for tick-bitten patients, and ensuring timely and effective treatment. Here, we developed, optimized, and tested a smartphone-based deep learning algorithm (termed “TickPhone app”) for tick identification. The deep learning model was trained by more than 2000 tick images and optimized by different parameters, including normal sizes of images, deep learning architectures, image styles, and training–testing dataset distributions. The optimized deep learning model achieved a training accuracy of ~90% and a validation accuracy of ~85%. The TickPhone app was used to identify 31 independent tick species and achieved an accuracy of 95.69%. Such a simple and easy-to-use TickPhone app showed great potential to estimate epidemiology and risk of tick-borne disease, help health care providers better predict potential disease risk for tick-bitten patients, and ultimately enable timely and effective medical treatment for patients.

scholarly journals Development of a framework for increasing asthma awareness in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pisirai Ndarukwa ◽  
Moses J. Chimbari ◽  
Elopy N. Sibanda
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Care Costs

Abstract Background Asthma accounts for significant global morbidity and health-care costs. It is still poorly understood among health professionals and the general population. Consequently, there are significant morbidity and mortality rates throughout the globe. The aim of this study was to develop a framework to increase asthma awareness at Chitungwiza Hospital, Zimbabwe. Methods A modified Delphi model was used to collect data to develop a framework for increasing asthma awareness. At baseline (round 1) in-depth interviews with 44 medical doctors were carried out to understand the level of asthma awareness. Round 2 data collection was in the form of a workshop involving a total of 15 doctors, 30 nurses, four public relations officers, and two health education and promotion officers. The same participants who were engaged in round 2 were also involved in the third round where consensus was achieved by the health professionals. Results Our study showed that awareness to asthma among health care providers was affected by mimicry of symptoms and lack of continuous education on asthma. Our study showed lack of Information Education and Communication (IEC) material and lack of use of bulk messages affected asthma awareness. Our study showed that clinical meetings on asthma, having asthma training manuals, (IEC) materials and guidelines for asthma diagnosis and management could improve health care providers’ awareness of asthma. Bulk messages on asthma through network providers, social media and bill boards, commemorating world asthma day, edutainment, asthma ambassadors and multimedia were suggested as means of improving awareness of asthma among the public. Conclusion We concluded that awareness of asthma can be improved using a framework. Such a framework ultimately improves the quality of asthma care.

Client characteristics and satisfaction with the quality of primary health-care services in Calabar, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
H. C. Okeke ◽  
P. Bassey ◽  
O. A. Oduwole ◽  
A. Adindu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Client Satisfaction ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Client Characteristics ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Primary Health

Different mix of clients visit primary health care (PHC) facilities, and the quality of services is critical even in rural communities. The study objective was to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and client satisfaction with the quality of PHC services in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically to describe aspects of the health facilities that affect client satisfaction; determine the health-care providers’ attitude that influences client satisfaction; and determine the socio-demographic characteristics that influence client satisfaction with PHC services. A cross-sectional survey was adopted. Ten PHCs and 500 clients utilizing services in PHC centers in Calabar Municipality were randomly selected. Clients overall satisfaction with PHC services was high (80.8%). Divorced clients were less (75.0%) satisfied than the singles and the married counterparts (81%), respectively. Clients that were more literate as well as those with higher income were less satisfied, 68.0% and 50.0%, respectively, compared to the less educated and lower-income clients, 92.0% and 85.0% respectively. These differences in satisfaction were statistically significant (P = 0.001). Hence, it was shown that client characteristics such as income and literacy level show a significant negative relationship with the clients satisfaction with the quality of PHC services in Calabar Municipality.

Medical Informatics and the Quality of Health: New Approaches to Support Patient Care

2003 ◽  
Vol 42 (02) ◽  
pp. 185-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux ◽  
C. Kulikowski ◽  
A. Bohne ◽  
R. Brandner ◽  
B. Brigl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Future Challenges

Summary Objectives: The Yearbook of Medical Informatics is published annually by the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) and contains a selection of excellent papers on medical informatics research which have been recently published (www.yearbook.uni-hd.de). The 2003 Yearbook of Medical Informatics took as its theme the role of medical informatics for the quality of health care. In this paper, we will discuss challenges for health care, and the lessons learned from editing IMIA Yearbook 2003. Results and Conclusions: Modern information processing methodology and information and communication technology have strongly influenced our societies and health care. As a consequence of this, medical informatics as a discipline has taken a leading role in the further development of health care. This involves developing information systems that enhance opportunities for global access to health services and medical knowledge. Informatics methodology and technology will facilitate high quality of care in aging societies, and will decrease the possibilities of health care errors. It will also enable the dissemination of the latest medical and health information on the web to consumers and health care providers alike. The selected papers of the IMIA Yearbook 2003 present clear examples and future challenges, and they highlight how various sub-disciplines of medical informatics can contribute to this.

scholarly journals Psychological risk factors that characterize the trajectories of quality of life after a physical trauma: a longitudinal study using latent class analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Visser ◽  
Brenda Leontine Den Oudsten ◽  
Taco Gosens ◽  
Paul Lodder ◽  
Jolanda De Vries
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical Trauma

Abstract Background The course and corresponding characteristics of quality of life (QOL) domains in trauma population are unclear. Our aim was to identify longitudinal QOL trajectories and determine and predict the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics of trajectory membership in physical trauma patients using a biopsychosocial approach. Methods Patients completed a questionnaire set after inclusion, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Trajectories were identified using repeated-measures latent class analysis. The trajectory characteristics were ranked using Cohen’s d effect size or phi coefficient. Results Altogether, 267 patients were included. The mean age was 54.1 (SD = 16.1), 62% were male, and the median injury severity score was 5.0 [2.0—9.0]. Four latent trajectories were found for psychological health and environment, five for physical health and social relationships, and seven trajectories were found for overall QOL and general health. The trajectories seemed to remain stable over time. For each QOL domain, the identified trajectories differed significantly in terms of anxiety, depressive symptoms, acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, Neuroticism, trait anxiety, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness. Discussion Psychological factors characterized the trajectories during 12 months after trauma. Health care providers can use these findings to identify patients at risk for impaired QOL and offer patient-centered care to improve QOL.

scholarly journals Providers’ View on the First Kidney Transplantation Center in Ethiopia: Experience From Past to Present

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233339282110183
Author(s):  
Tariku Shimels ◽  
Abrham Getachew ◽  
Mekdim Tadesse ◽  
Alison Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Transplantation ◽  
Renal Transplant ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Transplant Center ◽  
Transplantation Center ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Introduction: Transplantation is the optimal management for patients with end-stage renal disease. In Ethiopia, the first national kidney transplantation center was opened at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in September 2015. The aim of this study was to explore providers’ views and experiences of the past to present at this center. Methods: A qualitative study design was employed from 1st November to 15th December, 2019. To ensure that appropriate informants would provide rich study data, 8 health care providers and top management members were purposefully chosen for in-depth interviews. A maximum variation sampling method was considered to include a representative sample of informants. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed data was coded and analyzed using Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Minor Lite software and Microsoft-Excel. Result: The participants (5 males and 3 females) approached were from different departments of the renal transplant center, and the main hospital. Eight main themes and 18 sub-themes were generated initially from all interviews totaling to 109 index codes. Further evaluation and recoding retained 5 main themes, and 14 sub-themes. The main themes are; challenges experienced during and after launching the center, commitment, sympathy and satisfaction, outcomes of renal transplant, actions to improve the quality of service, and how the transplant center should operate. Providers claim that they discharge their responsibilities through proper commitment and compassion, paying no attention to incentive packages. They also explained that renal transplantation would have all the outcomes related to economic, humanistic and clinical facets. Conclusion and Recommendation: A multitude of challenges were faced during and after the establishment of the first renal transplant center in Ethiopia. Providers discharge their responsibility through a proper compassion for patients. Concerned stakeholders should actively collaborate to improve the quality of renal transplant services in the center.

scholarly journals What methods and challenges for taking account of context when transferring complex interventions?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Villadsen ◽  
S Dias
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Reproductive Health Care

Abstract For complex public health interventions to be effective their implementation needs to adapt to the situation of those implementing and those receiving the intervention. While context matter for intervention implementation and effect, we still insist on learning from cross-country comparison of implementation. Next methodological challenges include how to increase learning from implementation of complex public health interventions from various context. The interventions presented in this workshop all aims to improve quality of reproductive health care for immigrants, however with different focus: contraceptive care in Sweden, group based antenatal care in France, and management of pregnancy complications in Denmark. What does these interventions have in common and are there cross cutting themes that help us to identify the larger challenges of reproductive health care for immigrant women in Europe? Issues shared across the interventions relate to improved interactional dynamics between women and the health care system, and theory around a woman-centered approach and cultural competence of health care providers and systems might enlighten shared learnings across the different interventions and context. Could the mechanisms of change be understood using theoretical underpinnings that allow us to better generalize the finding across context? What adaption would for example be needed, if the Swedish contraceptive intervention should work in a different European setting? Should we distinguish between adaption of function and form, where the latter might be less important for intervention fidelity? These issues will shortly be introduced during this presentation using insights from the three intervention presentations and thereafter we will open up for discussion with the audience.

scholarly journals Care-seeking and managing diabetes in rural Bangladesh: a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Maria Jennings ◽  
Joanna Morrison ◽  
Kohenour Akter ◽  
Hassan Haghparast-Bidgoli ◽  
Carina King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Rural Bangladesh

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus poses a major health challenge worldwide and in low-income countries such as Bangladesh, however little is known about the care-seeking of people with diabetes. We sought to understand the factors that affect care-seeking and diabetes management in rural Bangladesh in order to make recommendations as to how care could be better delivered. Methods Survey data from a community-based random sample of 12,047 adults aged 30 years and above identified 292 individuals with a self-reported prior diagnosis of diabetes. Data on health seeking practices regarding testing, medical advice, medication and use of non-allopathic medicine were gathered from these 292 individuals. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with people with diabetes and semi-structured interviews with health workers explored care-seeking behaviour, management of diabetes and perceptions on quality of care. We explore quality of care using the WHO model with the following domains: safe, effective, patient-centred, timely, equitable and efficient. Results People with diabetes who are aware of their diabetic status do seek care but access, particularly to specialist diabetes services, is hindered by costs, time, crowded conditions and distance. Locally available services, while more accessible, lack infrastructure and expertise. Women are less likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and attend specialist services. Furthermore costs of care and dissatisfaction with health care providers affect medication adherence. Conclusion People with diabetes often make a trade-off between seeking locally available accessible care and specialised care which is more difficult to access. It is vital that health services respond to the needs of patients by building the capacity of local health providers and consider practical ways of supporting diabetes care. Trial registration ISRCTN41083256. Registered on 30/03/2016.

scholarly journals Families' perception, knowledge, and psychological stressors associated with transition of care from the intensive care unit

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Gustavo Ferrer ◽  
Chi Chan Lee ◽  
Monica Egozcue ◽  
Hector Vazquez ◽  
Melissa Elizee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Expected Improvement ◽  
Transition Of Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Icu Discharge ◽  
Family Perceptions

Background: During the process of transition of care from the intensive care setting, clarity, and understanding are vital to a patient's outcome. A successful transition of care requires collaboration between health-care providers and the patient's family. The objective of this project was to assess the quality of continuity of care with regard to family perceptions, education provided, and psychological stress during the process. Methods: A prospective study conducted in a long-term acute care (LTAC) facility. On admission, family members of individuals admitted to the LTAC were asked to fill out a 15-item questionnaire with regard to their experiences from preceding intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. The setting was an LTAC facility. Patients were admitted to an LTAC after ICU admission. Results: Seventy-six participants completed the questionnaire: 38% expected a complete recovery, 61% expected improvement with disabilities, and 1.3% expected no recovery. With regard to the length of stay in the LTAC, 11% expected < 1 week, 26% expected 1 to 2 weeks, 21% expected 3 to 4 weeks, and 42% were not sure. Before ICU discharge, 33% of the participants expected the transfer to the LTAC. Also, 72% did not report a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding their family's clinical condition or medical services required; 21% did not receive help from family members; and 50% reported anxiety, 20% reported depression, and 29% reported insomnia. Conclusion: Families' perception of patients' prognosis and disposition can be different from what was communicated by the physician. Families' anxiety and emotional stress may precipitate this discrepancy. The establishment of optimal projects to eliminate communication barriers and educate family members will undoubtedly improve the quality of transition of care from the ICU.

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