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Tomasella F, Morgan HM. "Sometimes I don't have a pulse … and I'm still alive!" Interviews with healthcare professionals to explore their experiences of and views on population-based digital health technologies. Digit Health 2021; 7:20552076211018366. [PMID: 34104464 PMCID: PMC8145583 DOI: 10.1177/20552076211018366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Digital technologies are increasingly becoming an integral part of our daily routine and professional lives, and the healthcare field is no exception. Commercially available digital health technologies (DHTs - e.g. smartphones, smartwatches and apps) may hold significant potential in healthcare upon successful and constructive implementation. Literature on the topic is split between enthusiasm associated with potential benefits and concerns around privacy, reliability and overall effectiveness. However, little is known about what healthcare professionals (HCPs) have experienced so far with patients and what they perceive as the main advantages and disadvantages of adoption. This study therefore aims to investigate current perceptions of HCPs towards self-tracked health-related outputs from devices and apps available to the public. Methods Nine HCPs volunteered to take part in semi-structured interviews. Related data were thematically analysed, following a deductive approach with the construction of a framework based on expected themes from the relevant literature, and themes identified from the first two interviews. Findings The following main themes in relation to DHTs were identified and explored in detail: HCPs' experience, knowledge and views; advantages and disadvantages; barriers towards healthcare implementation and potential solutions; future directions. While most participants were adopters of DHTs and held positive views about them, their overall experience with patients and the technology was limited. Potential reasons for this were explored, including factors such as time/resources; colleagues' mindset; lack of evidence of effectiveness for practice; data security concerns. Conclusions The potential advantages of DHTs' adoption in healthcare are substantial, e.g. patient autonomy, time/resources saving, health and behaviour change promotion, but are presently premature. Therefore, future research is warranted, focussing on addressing barriers, minimising disadvantages, and assessing the clinical value of commercially available DHTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Tomasella
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Heather May Morgan
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Mdege N, Fairhurst C, Ferdous T, Hewitt C, Huque R, Jackson C, Kellar I, Parrott S, Semple S, Sheikh A, Swami S, Siddiqi K. Muslim Communities Learning About Second-hand Smoke in Bangladesh (MCLASS II): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a community-based smoke-free homes intervention, with or without Indoor Air Quality feedback. Trials 2019; 20:11. [PMID: 30611292 PMCID: PMC6321715 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Second-hand smoke (SHS) is a serious health hazard costing 890,000 lives a year globally. Women and children in many economically developing countries are worst affected as smoke-free laws are only partially implemented and homes remain a major source of SHS exposure. There is limited evidence on interventions designed to reduce SHS exposure in homes, especially in community settings. Following a successful pilot, a community-based approach to promote smoke-free homes in Bangladesh, a country with a strong commitment to smoke-free environments but with high levels of SHS exposure, will be evaluated. The study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community-based intervention, Muslims for better Health (M4bH), with or without Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) feedback, in reducing non-smokers' exposure to SHS in the home. METHODS/DESIGN Based on behaviour-change theories, M4bH and IAQ feedback are designed to discourage people from smoking indoors. M4bH consists of a set of messages couched within mainstream Islamic discourse, delivered weekly by faith leaders (imams and khatibs) in mosques over 12 weeks (one message each week). The messages address key determinants of current smoking behaviours including lack of knowledge and misconceptions on specific harms associated with SHS exposure. IAQ feedback consists of personalised information on IAQ measured by a particulate matter (PM2.5) monitor within the home. Following adaptation of M4bH and IAQ feedback for the Bangladeshi context, a three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Dhaka. Forty-five mosques and 1800 households, with at least one smoker and one non-smoker, will be recruited. Mosques will be randomised to: M4bH and IAQ feedback; M4bH alone; or usual services only. The primary outcome is 24-h mean household concentration of indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 12 months post randomisation. Secondary outcomes are 24-h mean household PM2.5 at 3 months post randomisation, frequency and severity of respiratory symptoms, health care service use and quality of life. A cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation will also be conducted. DISCUSSION The MCLASS II trial will test the potential of a community-based intervention to reduce second-hand smoke exposure at home and improve lung health among non-smokers in Bangladesh and beyond. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ISRCTN49975452 . Registered on 11 January 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Mdege
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Caroline Fairhurst
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Tarana Ferdous
- ARK Foundation, Suite C-3, C-4, House number 06, Road 109, Dhaka, 1212 Bangladesh
| | - Catherine Hewitt
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Rumana Huque
- ARK Foundation, Suite C-3, C-4, House number 06, Road 109, Dhaka, 1212 Bangladesh
- Department of Economics, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cath Jackson
- Valid Research Ltd, Sandown House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby, LS22 7DN UK
| | - Ian Kellar
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Steve Parrott
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Sean Semple
- Institute for Social Marketing, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG UK
| | - Shilpi Swami
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Kamran Siddiqi
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
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Bai X, Chen JY, Fang Z, Zhang XY, Wang F, Pan ZQ, Fang PQ. Motivations, challenges and coping strategies for smoking cessation: Based on multi-ethnic pregnant couples in far western China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 37:439-445. [PMID: 28585135 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-017-1754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to clarify the smoking cessation motivations, challenges and coping strategies among pregnant couples. A qualitative design using a grounded theory approach was applied. Data were collected by individual semi-structured interviews with 39 married individuals (21 non-smoking pregnant women and 18 smoking or ever-smoking men with a pregnant wife) and 3 imams in an ethnically diverse region of far western China. The most common theme for smoking cessation motivation was "embryo quality" (i.e., a healthier baby), followed by family's health. Most interviewees reported that husband's withdrawal symptoms were the greatest challenge to smoking cessation, followed by the Chinese tobacco culture. Coping strategies given by the pregnant women typically involved combining emotional, behavioral and social interventions. Social interventions showed advantages in helping to quit smoking. Pregnancy appears to be a positive stimulus for pregnant couples' smoking cessation. Our results suggest that pregnancy, a highly important life event, may help to reduce barriers to smoking cessation at the social level (e.g., limiting access to cigarettes, avoiding temptation to smoke), but does little to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Professional guidance for smoking cessation is still necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- School of Health and Medicine Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiang-Yun Chen
- School of Health and Medicine Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zi Fang
- Department of Financial Management, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhang
- School of Policy and Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Medical Department, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Zheng-Qiong Pan
- School of Health and Medicine Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Peng-Qian Fang
- School of Health and Medicine Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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