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Kukka AJ, Bhattarai P, Sundelin HEK, Gurung R, Brown NJW, Litorp H, Axelin A, Kc A. 'We did everything by phone': a qualitative study of mothers' experience of smartphone-aided screening of cerebral palsy in Kathmandu, Nepal. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:357. [PMID: 38778316 PMCID: PMC11110401 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04829-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International guidelines recommend early intervention to all children at risk of cerebral palsy, but targeted screening programs are often lacking in low- and middle-income settings with the highest burden of disease. Smartphone applications have the potential to improve access to early diagnostics by empowering parents to film their children at home followed by centralized evaluation of videos with General Movements Assessment. We explored mothers' perceptions about participating in a smartphone aided cerebral palsy screening program in Kathmandu, Nepal. METHODS This is an explorative qualitative study that used focus group discussions (n = 2) and individual interviews (n = 4) with mothers of term-born infants surviving birth asphyxia or neonatal seizures. Parents used the NeuroMotion™ smartphone app to film their children at home and the videos were analysed using Precthl's General Movements Assessment. Sekhon et al.'s framework on the acceptability of health care interventions guided the design of the group discussions and interviews, and the deductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Mothers were interested in engaging with the programme and expressed hope it would benefit their children. Most felt using the app was intuitive. They were, however, unclear about the way the analysis was performed. Support from the research team was often needed to overcome an initial lack of self-confidence in using the technology, and to reduce anxiety related to the follow-up. The intervention was overall perceived as recommendable but should be supplemented by a face-to-face consultation. CONCLUSION Smartphone aided remote screening of cerebral palsy is acceptable in a lower middle-income population but requires additional technical support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti J Kukka
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden.
- Department of Pediatrics, Gävle Regional Hospital, Gävle, Region Gävleborg, Sweden.
| | | | - Heléne E K Sundelin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Children's and Women´S Health, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Neuropediatric Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, KarolinskaInstitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rejina Gurung
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
- Golden Community, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Nick J W Brown
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Gävle Regional Hospital, Gävle, Region Gävleborg, Sweden
| | - Helena Litorp
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Axelin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ashish Kc
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Noya FC, Carr SE, Thompson SC. Expert consensus on the attributes and competencies required for rural and remote junior physicians to work effectively in isolated indonesian communities. ADVANCES IN HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION : THEORY AND PRACTICE 2024; 29:587-609. [PMID: 37556029 PMCID: PMC11078787 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-023-10275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Indonesian physicians working in rural and remote areas must be equipped not only with generic competencies but also with the attributes and skills necessary to provide health care services without compromising quality. This study sought to reach a consensus on the attributes and competencies that are viewed as essential and important for working effectively as an early career doctor in rural and remote practice in Indonesia. A two-round Delphi study was conducted by reference to 27 consenting physicians working in rural and remote Indonesia. Forty-three items covering 9 attributes and 34 competencies were sent to these physicians to be rated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 in terms of their importance for effective rural and remote practice. Nine attributes and 29 competencies progressed to Round 2. All nine attributes and 29 competencies were identified as essential or important for junior physicians' ability to be effective in their practice. The essential attributes included professional quality related to prioritising the rural community. The essential competencies included medical skills, professional behaviour, interprofessional skills, health promotion and connection to the rural community. The consensus thus reached on these essential and important attributes and competencies can inform curriculum development for the undergraduate and postgraduate training of junior rural and remote physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah C Noya
- Division of Health Professions Education, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
- Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon, Indonesia.
| | - Sandra E Carr
- Division of Health Professions Education, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Sandra C Thompson
- Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, The University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Australia
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Kissi J, Annobil C, Mensah NK, Owusu-Marfo J, Osei E, Asmah ZW. Telehealth services for global emergencies: implications for COVID-19: a scoping review based on current evidence. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:567. [PMID: 37264401 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09584-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The availability of low-cost computing and digital telecommunication in the 1980s made telehealth practicable. Telehealth has the capacity to improve healthcare access and outcomes for patients while reducing healthcare costs across a wide range of health conditions and situations. OBJECTIVE This study compares the adoption, advantages, and challenges of telehealth services between high-income (HICs) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The key search terms were: "Telehealth", "Telehealth in HICs", "Telehealth in LMICs", "Telehealth before COVID-19", "Telehealth during COVID-19". We searched exhaustively ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases from 2012. Booleans OR/AND were combined with key search terms to increase relevant search results. The literature search and selection process followed the Sample, Phenomena of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research (SPIDER) question format. RESULTS The adoption of telehealth before COVID-19 was generally low in both HICs and LMICs. The impact of COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of telehealth at the facility level but not nationwide in both high-income countries and LMICs. The rapid adoption of telehealth at the facility level in both high-income and LMICs introduced several challenges that are unique to each country and need to be addressed. CONCLUSION The lack of national policies and regulations is making the adoption of telehealth at the national level challenging in both high and low-middle-income countries. Governments and Stakeholders of healthcare must consider telehealth as a healthcare procedure that should be deployed in clinical working procedures. Primary quantitative and qualitative studies must be conducted to address challenges encountered during the pilot implementation of telehealth services in both high-income countries and LMICs before and during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Kissi
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Health Information Management. University Post Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Caleb Annobil
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Health Information Management. University Post Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Nathan Kumasenu Mensah
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Health Information Management. University Post Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Joseph Owusu-Marfo
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Disease Control, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Ernest Osei
- Faculty of Health and Allied Health, Department of Public Health, Catholic University College of Ghana, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Zenobia Wooduwa Asmah
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Health Information Management. University Post Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Parajuli R, Bohara D, KC M, Shanmuganathan S, Mistry SK, Yadav UN. Challenges and opportunities for implementing digital health interventions in Nepal: A rapid review. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:861019. [PMID: 36120714 PMCID: PMC9480345 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.861019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent times, digital technologies in health care have been well recognized in Nepal. It is crucial to understand what is works well and areas that need improvements in the digital health ecosystem. This rapid review was carried out to provide an overview of Nepal's challenges and opportunities for implementing digital health interventions. Methods This study is reported according to PRISMA guidelines and used telehealth, telemedicine, e-health, mobile health, digital health, implementation, opportunities, challenges and Nepal as key search terms to identify primary studies published between 1 January 2010 and 30 December 2021 in four databases, namely PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and CINAHL. Initially, identified studies were screened against predetermined selection criteria, and data were extracted, and the findings were narratively synthesized. Result The review identified various challenges, opportunities, and benefits of implementing digital health initiatives in Nepal. The most expressed challenge was inadequate technical facilities (lack of electricity and internet) and rugged geographical distribution, which makes transportation difficult in hilly and mountain areas. Shortage of skilled workforce and supportive policies were also notable challenges documented. Meanwhile, major opportunities identified were education and training of the students and health practitioners and increasing awareness among the general population. Conclusion This review identified various factors associated with the successful implementation of digital health initiatives in Nepal. Our findings may guide the formulation of digital health policy and interventions to improve mass health outcomes using digital health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rojina Parajuli
- Department of Public Health, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dipak Bohara
- Department of Public Health, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Malati KC
- Department of Public Health, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Selvanaayagam Shanmuganathan
- Department of Public Health, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sabuj Kanti Mistry
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Faculty of Medicine,, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Uday Narayan Yadav
- Department of Public Health, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Faculty of Medicine,, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, ACT, Canberra, Australia
- Correspondence: Uday N Yadav
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Alkouri O, Hendriks JM, Magarey J, Schultz T. Identifying Feasible Heart Failure Interventions Suitable for the Jordan Healthcare system: A Delphi Study. Clin Nurs Res 2022; 31:1263-1275. [PMID: 35466727 DOI: 10.1177/10547738221091875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Interventions and strategies should align with the context and capacity of the health system. Identifying the most feasible and appropriate heart failure interventions in Jordan will improve heart failure management and clinical outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to derive consensus from clinicians (using the Delphi method) regarding the most feasible and appropriate heart failure interventions in Jordan. A two-round Delphi study involving seven clinicians and policy makers were conducted. The Delphi results found consensus for the feasibility of the educational materials, follow up phone call, cardiac rehabilitation, group session, and training courses for staff. The components that were not feasible were: multidisciplinary team, individual session, and telemonitoring devices. The present study demonstrates the importance of utilizing interventions tailored to patients' characteristics and aligned with the capacity of healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tim Schultz
- Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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John O, Sarbadhikari SN, Prabhu T, Goel A, Thomas A, Shroff S, Allaudin F, Weerabaddana C, Alhuwail D, Koirala U, Johnrose J, Codyre P, Bleaden A, Singh S, Bajaj S. Implementation and Experiences of Telehealth: Balancing Policies With Practice in Countries of South Asia, Kuwait, and the European Union. Interact J Med Res 2022; 11:e30755. [PMID: 35133279 PMCID: PMC8864525 DOI: 10.2196/30755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This viewpoint summarizes the discussion that occurred during the “Translating Policy to Practice in Telehealth–Lessons from Global Implementation Experiences” panel that was held virtually at Telemedicon2020, December 18-20, 2020. This panel brought together policy and implementation experts from some countries of South Asia, Kuwait, and the European Union to share their experiences in the development and implementation of telehealth standards and of the scale up of telehealth interventions within health systems. Several common themes arose from the discussion, including the significant role of people; encouragement by respective government policymakers; addressing concerns, particularly related to privacy, confidentiality, and security; and capacity building of human resources. These are discussed in turn, along with the future directions identified by the panelists, which emphasized the need for active encouragement toward the adoption and diffusion of digital health in general and of telehealth in particular. All stakeholders, ranging from governmental policymakers to common citizens, need to come together to build trusting partnerships to realize the advantages offered by telehealth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oommen John
- George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, New Delhi, India
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal, India
| | | | - Thanga Prabhu
- St Johns Health Innovation Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dari Alhuwail
- Information Science Department, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Health Informatics Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | | | | | - Patricia Codyre
- Digital Health and Innovation, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Andy Bleaden
- European Connected Health Alliance, Padfield, High Peak, United Kingdom
| | - Shubnum Singh
- National Healthcare Council, Confederation of Indian Industry, New Delhi, India
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Suleman A, Vijenthira A, Berlin A, Prica A, Rodin D. The Use of Virtual Care in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Scoping Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:892-900. [PMID: 35200575 PMCID: PMC8871074 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest from cancer patients and their healthcare providers in the use of virtual care in routine clinical practice. In the setting of hematologic malignancy, where patients often undergo complex and immunodepleting treatments, understanding how to use virtual care safely and effectively is critically important. We aimed to describe the use of virtual care in patients with hematologic malignancies and to examine physician- and patient-reported outcomes in the form of a systematic scoping review. An electronic search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, Scopus, and EBSCO CINAHL was conducted from January 2000 to April 2021. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify relevant articles, and data were extracted to assess the study design, population, setting, patient characteristics, virtual care platform, and study results. Studies were included if they described the use of virtual care for patients with hematologic malignancies; commentaries were excluded. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria after abstract and full-text review. Three studies found that app-based tools were effective in monitoring patient symptoms and triggering alerts for more urgent follow-up. Four studies described the use of phone-based interventions. Five studies found that videoconferencing, with both physicians and oncology nurses, was highly rated by patients. Emerging themes included high levels of patient satisfaction across all domains of virtual care. Provider satisfaction scores were rated lower than patient scores, with concerns about technical issues leading to challenges with virtual care. Four studies found that virtual care allowed providers to promptly respond to patient concerns, especially when patients were experiencing side-effects or had questions about their treatment. Overall, the use of virtual care in patients with hematologic malignancies appears feasible, and resulted in high patient satisfaction. Further research is needed in order to evaluate the optimal method of integrating virtual care into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Suleman
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Abi Vijenthira
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; (A.V.); (A.P.)
| | - Alejandro Berlin
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; (A.B.); (D.R.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Anca Prica
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; (A.V.); (A.P.)
| | - Danielle Rodin
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada; (A.B.); (D.R.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
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High Resistance of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in Blood and Stool Cultures from the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2015-2019. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020059. [PMID: 33922404 PMCID: PMC8167633 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global concern, particularly in Southeast Asian countries like Nepal. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. among culture-positive bacterial isolates in blood and stool samples from 2015 to 2019 and their AMR pattern. Routinely collected data were abstracted from medical records and laboratory electronic databases of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH), Kathmandu, Nepal. All culture-positive bacterial isolates from blood and stool samples were included in the study. Among 390 blood cultures positive for bacterial isolates, Salmonella spp. were isolated in 44%, with S. Typhi being the most frequent (34%). Antibiotic resistance was demonstrated among Salmonella spp. to ciprofloxacin (68%), ofloxacin (16%), amoxicillin (13%) and cotrimoxazole (5%). Of the 357 stool cultures positive for bacterial isolates, the proportion of Shigella spp. isolated was 31%. Antibiotic resistance among Shigella spp. was demonstrated to cotrimoxazole (59%), tetracycline (40%), amoxicillin (38%) and ciprofloxacin (25%). Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were the most predominant organisms among all the bacterial isolates in blood and stool cultures, respectively. Nalidixic acid was the antibiotic to which both Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were most resistant.
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