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Wallis JA, Shepperd S, Makela P, Han JX, Tripp EM, Gearon E, Disher G, Buchbinder R, O'Connor D. Factors influencing the implementation of early discharge hospital at home and admission avoidance hospital at home: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 3:CD014765. [PMID: 38438114 PMCID: PMC10911892 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014765.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide there is an increasing demand for Hospital at Home as an alternative to hospital admission. Although there is a growing evidence base on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Hospital at Home, health service managers, health professionals and policy makers require evidence on how to implement and sustain these services on a wider scale. OBJECTIVES (1) To identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research evidence on the factors that influence the implementation of Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home and Early Discharge Hospital at Home, from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, including policy makers, health service managers, health professionals, patients and patients' caregivers. (2) To explore how our synthesis findings relate to, and help to explain, the findings of the Cochrane intervention reviews of Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home and Early Discharge Hospital at Home services. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus and Scopus until 17 November 2022. We also applied reference checking and citation searching to identify additional studies. We searched for studies in any language. SELECTION CRITERIA We included qualitative studies and mixed-methods studies with qualitative data collection and analysis methods examining the implementation of new or existing Hospital at Home services from the perspective of different stakeholders. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently selected the studies, extracted study characteristics and intervention components, assessed the methodological limitations using the Critical Appraisal Skills Checklist (CASP) and assessed the confidence in the findings using GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research). We applied thematic synthesis to synthesise the data across studies and identify factors that may influence the implementation of Hospital at Home. MAIN RESULTS From 7535 records identified from database searches and one identified from citation tracking, we included 52 qualitative studies exploring the implementation of Hospital at Home services (31 Early Discharge, 16 Admission Avoidance, 5 combined services), across 13 countries and from the perspectives of 662 service-level staff (clinicians, managers), eight systems-level staff (commissioners, insurers), 900 patients and 417 caregivers. Overall, we judged 40 studies as having minor methodological concerns and we judged 12 studies as having major concerns. Main concerns included data collection methods (e.g. not reporting a topic guide), data analysis methods (e.g. insufficient data to support findings) and not reporting ethical approval. Following synthesis, we identified 12 findings graded as high (n = 10) and moderate (n = 2) confidence and classified them into four themes: (1) development of stakeholder relationships and systems prior to implementation, (2) processes, resources and skills required for safe and effective implementation, (3) acceptability and caregiver impacts, and (4) sustainability of services. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Implementing Admission Avoidance and Early Discharge Hospital at Home services requires early development of policies, stakeholder engagement, efficient admission processes, effective communication and a skilled workforce to safely and effectively implement person-centred Hospital at Home, achieve acceptance by staff who refer patients to these services and ensure sustainability. Future research should focus on lower-income country and rural settings, and the perspectives of systems-level stakeholders, and explore the potential negative impact on caregivers, especially for Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home, as this service may become increasingly utilised to manage rising visits to emergency departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Wallis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia
| | - Sasha Shepperd
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Petra Makela
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jia Xi Han
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Evie M Tripp
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma Gearon
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gary Disher
- New South Wales Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Rachelle Buchbinder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Denise O'Connor
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Sharrad KJ, Sanwo O, Cuevas-Asturias S, Kew KM, Carson-Chahhoud KV, Pike KC. Psychological interventions for asthma in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 1:CD013420. [PMID: 38205864 PMCID: PMC10782779 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013420.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of asthma are high in children and adolescents, and young people with asthma generally report poorer health outcomes than those without asthma. Young people with asthma experience a range of challenges that may contribute to psychological distress. This is compounded by the social, psychological, and developmental challenges experienced by all people during this life stage. Psychological interventions (such as behavioural therapies or cognitive therapies) have the potential to reduce psychological distress and thus improve behavioural outcomes such as self-efficacy and medication adherence. In turn, this may reduce medical contacts and asthma attacks. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of psychological interventions for modifying health and behavioural outcomes in children with asthma, compared with usual treatment, treatment with no psychological component, or no treatment. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register (including CENTRAL, CRS, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL EBSCO, AMED EBSCO), proceedings of major respiratory conferences, reference lists of included studies, and online clinical databases. The most recent search was conducted on 22 August 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychological interventions of any duration with usual care, active controls, or a waiting-list control in male and female children and adolescents (aged five to 18 years) with asthma. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. symptoms of anxiety and depression, 2. medical contacts, and 3. asthma attacks. Our secondary outcomes were 1. self-reported asthma symptoms, 2. medication use, 3. quality of life, and 4. adverse events/side effects. MAIN RESULTS We included 24 studies (1639 participants) published between 1978 and 2021. Eleven studies were set in the USA, five in China, two in Sweden, three in Iran, and one each in the Netherlands, UK, and Germany. Participants' asthma severity ranged from mild to severe. Three studies included primary school-aged participants (five to 12 years), two included secondary school-aged participants (13 to 18 years), and 18 included both age groups, while one study was unclear on the age ranges. Durations of interventions ranged from three days to eight months. One intervention was conducted online and the rest were face-to-face. Meta-analysis was not possible due to clinical heterogeneity (interventions, populations, outcome tools and definitions, and length of follow-up). We tabulated and summarised the results narratively with reference to direction, magnitude, and certainty of effects. The certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes. A lack of information about scale metrics and minimal clinically important differences for the scales used to measure anxiety, depression, asthma symptoms, medication use, and quality of life made it difficult to judge clinical significance. Primary outcomes Four studies (327 participants) reported beneficial or mixed effects of psychological interventions versus controls for symptoms of anxiety, and one found little to no difference between groups (104 participants). Two studies (166 participants) that evaluated symptoms of depression both reported benefits of psychological interventions compared to controls. Three small studies (92 participants) reported a reduction in medical contacts, but two larger studies (544 participants) found little or no difference between groups in this outcome. Two studies (107 participants) found that the intervention had an important beneficial effect on number of asthma attacks, and one small study (22 participants) found little or no effect of the intervention for this outcome. Secondary outcomes Eleven studies (720 participants) assessed asthma symptoms; four (322 participants) reported beneficial effects of the intervention compared to control, five (257 participants) reported mixed or unclear findings, and two (131 participants) found little or no difference between groups. Eight studies (822 participants) reported a variety of medication use measures; six of these studies (670 participants) found a positive effect of the intervention versus control, and the other two (152 participants) found little or no difference between the groups. Across six studies (653 participants) reporting measures of quality of life, the largest three (522 participants) found little or no difference between the groups. Where findings were positive or mixed, there was evidence of selective reporting (2 studies, 131 participants). No studies provided data related to adverse effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Most studies that reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, asthma attacks, asthma symptoms, and medication use found a positive effect of psychological interventions versus control on at least one measure. However, some findings were mixed, it was difficult to judge clinical significance, and the evidence for all outcomes is very uncertain due to clinical heterogeneity, small sample sizes, incomplete reporting, and risk of bias. There is limited evidence to suggest that psychological interventions can reduce the need for medical contact or improve quality of life, and no studies reported adverse events. It was not possible to identify components of effective interventions and distinguish these from interventions showing no evidence of an effect due to substantial heterogeneity. Future investigations of evidence-based psychological techniques should consider standardising outcomes to support cross-comparison and better inform patient and policymaker decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey J Sharrad
- Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Kage H, Oda K, Muto M, Tsuchihara K, Okita N, Okuma Y, Kikuchi J, Shirota H, Hayashi H, Kokuryo T, Sakai D, Hirasawa A, Kubo M, Kenmotsu H, Akiyama N, Shinozaki-Ushiku A, Tanabe M, Ushiku T, Miyagawa K, Seto Y. Human resources for administrative work to carry out a comprehensive genomic profiling test in Japan. Cancer Sci 2023. [PMID: 37165760 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) tests have been nationally reimbursed in Japan since June 2019 under strict restrictions, and over 46,000 patients have taken the test. Core Hospitals and Designated Hospitals host molecular tumor boards, which is more time-consuming than simply participating in them. We sent a questionnaire to government-designated Cancer Genomic Medicine Hospitals, including all 12 Core Hospitals, all 33 Designated Hospitals, and 117 of 188 Cooperative Hospitals. The questionnaire asked how much time physicians and nonphysicians spent on administrative work for cancer genomic medicine. For every CGP test, 7.6 h of administrative work was needed. Physicians spent 2.7 h/patient, while nonphysicians spent 4.9 h/patient. Time spent preparing for molecular tumor boards, called Expert Panels, was the longest, followed by time spent participating in Expert Panels. Assuming an hourly wage of ¥24,000/h for physicians and ¥2800/h for nonphysicians, mean labor cost was ¥78,071/patient. On a monthly basis, more time was spent on administrative work at Core Hospitals compared with Designated Hospitals and Cooperative Hospitals (385 vs. 166 vs. 51 h/month, respectively, p < 0.001). Consequently, labor cost per month was higher at Core Hospitals than at Designated Hospitals and Cooperative Hospitals (¥3,951,854 vs. ¥1,687,167 vs. ¥487,279/month, respectively, p < 0.001). Completing a CGP test for a cancer patient in Japan is associated with significant labor at each hospital, especially at Core Hospitals. Streamlining the exchange of information and simplifying Expert Panels will likely alleviate this burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Kage
- Department of Clinical Genomics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Next-Generation Precision Medicine Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Oda
- Department of Clinical Genomics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Integrative Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Muto
- Department of Therapeutic Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsuya Tsuchihara
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Services, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Natsuko Okita
- Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuma
- Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Kikuchi
- Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Shirota
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Hayashi
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Kokuryo
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sakai
- Center for Cancer Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Osaka University Hospital, Suita, Japan
| | - Akira Hirasawa
- Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan
| | - Makoto Kubo
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Nana Akiyama
- Department of Clinical Genomics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Shinozaki-Ushiku
- Department of Clinical Genomics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Integrative Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Tanabe
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Miyagawa
- Department of Clinical Genomics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Seto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Sá EC, Martinez MC, Silva-Junior JS, Fischer FM. Factors associated with visual function among computer-based administrative workers: a Brazilian cross-sectional study. Rev Bras Med Trab 2023; 21:e2022861. [PMID: 38313084 PMCID: PMC10835393 DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Several studies have shown that eye and vision problems are among the most significant issues reported by individuals who use computers at work. Objectives To investigate individual and occupational environmental factors associated with visual function among workers who perform computer-based administrative tasks. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2014-2015 with 303 workers of a public hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The participants answered a structured questionnaire, including the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. Statistical analyses used descriptive analysis, tests of association and multiple linear regression analysis. Results Most participants were female (61.1%); the mean age was 46.0 (standard deviation [SD]) ± 12.5, and approximately 91.7% of them reported wearing corrective lenses. Regarding visual function, the mean score at the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire was 78.0, SD ±7.1. A regression analysis showed that visual function declined with age (ß -0.218; 95%CI -0.276--0.16l) and effort at work (ß -0.656; 95%CI -0.928--0.383). Conclusions The mean quality of visual health in the studied group was good. The younger the age and the lower the effort at work, the better the visual function. Our results point to the relevance of establishing periodical and preventive health actions, including eye health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Costa Sá
- Departamento de Patologia da Universidade Federal de São
Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Frida Marina Fischer
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de São Paulo,
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
Adult day programs (ADPs) provide community-based supervised recreational services to older adults living with chronic conditions and their caregivers. Most ADPs continued operating during the pandemic, tasking directors with the responsibility of managing the complexities of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study explored how ADP directors managed and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 ADP directors from a large health care region in Ontario. Thematic analysis resulted in four themes that detailed how participants: 1) responded to the pandemic with adapted services; 2) navigated the pandemic responses within systems and organizations, and with each other, clients, and caregivers; 3) felt personally during the pandemic; and 4) gained new insights on their clients and the importance of ADPs in the health care system due to the pandemic. Findings highlight pre-existing and emerging gaps and opportunities within ADP service provision for clients and caregivers, as well as service providers and directors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Vervaecke
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rumia B Owaisi
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brad A Meisner
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Unanue-Arza S, Portillo I, Idígoras I, Arostegui I, Arana-Arri E. Facilitators and barriers to participation in population-based colorectal cancer screening programme from the perspective of healthcare professionals: Qualitative research study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13507. [PMID: 34462982 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High participation determines the success of colorectal cancer screening programmes in reducing incidence and mortality. The factors that determine participation must be studied from the perspective of professionals that implement the programme. The aim was to identify factors that facilitate or hinder the participation of the invited people in the bowel cancer screening programme of the Basque Country (Spain) from professional's perspective. METHODS Qualitative design based on individual interviews and focus groups. Thirty-eight primary care professionals who implement the programme participated (administrative staff, nurses and general practitioners). Thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS Professionals show high satisfaction with the programme, and they believe firmly in its benefits. Facilitators for participation include professionals' commitment to the programme, their previous positive experiences, their optimistic attitude towards the prognosis of cancer and their trust in the health system and accessibility. Barriers include invitees' lack of independence to make decisions, fear of a positive test result and patient vulnerability and labour mobility of the health professionals. CONCLUSIONS Professionals show a high degree of involvement and identify primary care is an appropriate place to carry out disease prevention. They identify the closeness to patients, the personal attitude and the characteristics of the health system as key factors that influence participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloa Unanue-Arza
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Isabel Portillo
- Basque Country Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain.,Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Isabel Idígoras
- Basque Country Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain.,Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Arostegui
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research. Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Basque Center for Applied Mathematics-BCAM, Bilbao, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios y Enfermedades Crónicas-REDISSEC, Madrid, Spain
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Ofei-Dodoo S, Irwin G, Kuhlmann Z, Kellerman R, Wright-Haviland S, Dreiling M. Assessing Work-Related Burnout and Job Satisfaction among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program Coordinators. Kans J Med 2019; 12:11-16. [PMID: 30854163 PMCID: PMC6396962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study explored the prevalence of and the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout among obstetrics and gynecology residency program coordinators. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved members of the American Program Managers of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Spector's Job Satisfaction Survey were used to measure the participants' burnout and job satisfaction rates respectively. Data were collected between August 2017 and December 2017. The authors used Fisher's exact tests, Spearman's r correlations, and multiple linear regression to analyze the data. RESULTS There was an 83% (171/207) response rate. Thirteen percent of the coordinators reported high, 70% moderate, and 17% low job satisfaction scores. Thirty-nine percent of the coordinators reported high, 25% moderate, and 36% slight work-related burnout rates. Correlation coefficient showed a significantly negative relationship between job satisfaction and work-rated burnout, (r s [169] = -0.402, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed co-workers (β = -0.47) and supervision (β = -0.16) domains of the job satisfaction scale were significant predictors of work-related burnout (R = 0.55; F[5, 195] = 11.05; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the importance of job satisfaction factors, such as support from coworkers and supervisors, in dealing with work-related burnout among residency coordinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ofei-Dodoo
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Family and Community Medicine
| | - Gretchen Irwin
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Family and Community Medicine,Wesley Family Medicine Residency
| | | | - Rick Kellerman
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Family and Community Medicine
| | | | - Michaela Dreiling
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Family and Community Medicine
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Luo
- From the Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Blijleven V, Koelemeijer K, Jaspers M. Exploring Workarounds Related to Electronic Health Record System Usage: A Study Protocol. JMIR Res Protoc 2017; 6:e72. [PMID: 28455273 PMCID: PMC5429437 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.6766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health care providers resort to informal temporary practices known as workarounds for handling exceptions to normal workflow that are unintentionally imposed by electronic health record (EHR) systems. Although workarounds may seem favorable at first sight, they are generally suboptimal and may jeopardize patient safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of care. Identifying workarounds and understanding their motivations, scope, and impact is pivotal to support the design of user-friendly EHRs and achieve closer alignment between EHRs and work contexts. Objective We propose a study protocol to identify EHR workarounds and subsequently determine their scope and impact on health care providers’ workflows, patient safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of care. First, knowing whether a workaround solely affects the health care provider who devised it, or whether its effects extends beyond the EHR user to the work context of other health care providers, is key to accurately assessing its degree of influence on the overall patient care workflow. Second, knowing whether the consequence of an EHR workaround is favorable or unfavorable provides insights into how to address EHR-related safety, effectiveness, and efficiency concerns. Knowledge of both perspectives can provide input on optimizing EHR designs. Methods In the study, a combination of direct observations, semistructured interviews, and qualitative coding techniques will be used to identify, analyze, and classify EHR workarounds. The research project will be conducted within three distinct pediatric care processes and settings at a large university hospital. Results Data was collected using the described approach from January 2016 to March 2017. Data analysis is underway and is expected to be completed in May 2017. We aim to report the results of this study in a follow-up publication. Conclusions This study protocol provides a grounded framework to explore EHR workarounds from a holistic and integral perspective. Insights from this study can inform the design and redesign of EHRs to further align with work contexts of healthcare professionals, and subsequently lead to better organization and safer provision of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Blijleven
- Center for Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Nyenrode Business University, Breukelen, Netherlands.,Academisch Medisch Centrum, Department of Medical Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kitty Koelemeijer
- Center for Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Nyenrode Business University, Breukelen, Netherlands
| | - Monique Jaspers
- Academisch Medisch Centrum, Department of Medical Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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