A telehealth project for supporting an isolated physiotherapist in a rural community of Hokkaido

A path analysis study of retention of healthcare professionals in urban India using health information technology

BACKGROUND

Healthcare information technology (HIT) applications are being ubiquitously adopted globally and have been indicated to have effects on certain dimensions of recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals. Retention of healthcare professionals is affected by their job satisfaction (JS), commitment to the organization and intention to stay (ITS) that are interlinked with each other and influenced by many factors related to job, personal, organization, etc. The objectives of the current study were to determine if HIT was one among the factors and, if so, propose a probable retention model that incorporates implementation and use of HIT as a strategy.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey study covering 20 hospitals from urban areas of India. The sample (n = 586) consisted of doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital administrators. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Factors affecting job satisfaction were determined. Technology acceptance by the healthcare professionals was also determined. Interactions between the factors were predicted using a path analysis model.

RESULTS

The overall satisfaction rate of the respondents was 51 %. Based on factor analysis method, 10 factors were identified for JS and 9 factors for ITS. Availability and use of information technology was one factor that affected JS. The need for implementing technology influenced ITS through work environment and career growth. Also, the study indicated that nearly 70 % of the respondents had awareness of HIT, but only 40 % used them. The importance of providing training for HIT applications was stressed by many respondents.

CONCLUSION

The results are in agreement with literature studies exploring job satisfaction and retention among healthcare professionals. Our study documented a relatively medium level of job satisfaction among the healthcare professionals in the urban area. Information technology was found to be one among the factors that can plausibly influence their job satisfaction and intention to stay. Based on the results of the study, a retention strategy has been suggested that utilizes implementation of HIT and provision of training to influence the retention of healthcare workers.

Supporting health professionals through information and communication technologies: a systematic review of the effects of information and communication technologies on recruitment and retention

Healthcare personnel shortage is a growing concern in many countries, especially in remote areas, where it has major consequences on the accessibility of health services. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have often been proposed as having positive effects on certain dimensions of the recruitment and retention of professionals working in the healthcare sector.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the impact of interventions using ICTs on recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted, including the following steps: exploring scientific and gray literature through established criteria and data extraction of relevant information by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Of the 2,225 screened studies, 13 were included. Nine studies showed a positive, often indirect, influence that ICTs may have on recruitment and retention.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the conclusions of 9 of 13 studies reporting a possible positive influence of ICTs on the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, these results highlight the need of a deeper reflection on that topic. Therefore, more research is needed.

Education in cognitive-behavioural therapy for mental health professionals

Since 1998, videoconferencing has been used to provide training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for mental health practitioners in rural and remote Western Australia. A preliminary study of the outcomes found significant improvements in knowledge of the therapy among participants. In this study, data from 48 participants were collected over a seven-year period. Each participant completed the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Knowledge Questionnaire before and after training, as well as a questionnaire about satisfaction. The sample included different training groups, made up of different mental health practitioners with varying levels of motivation and experience in mental health. There was a significant improvement in the participants' knowledge of CBT from pre- to post-training ( P < 0.001) as well as high levels of satisfaction with the content and delivery of the programme. The majority of participants had used CBT principles learned in the course during their clinical practice. A range of patients had been treated, from those with anxiety disorders to those with bipolar disorder, i.e. the training was applicable to professionals working at the more severe end of the disease spectrum.

Telepediatrics in Canada: an overview

Telehealth in Canada is undergoing phenomenal growth owing to recent federal and provincial funding to implement the use of information and communication technologies to improve access to health care for all Canadians. This funding has been a significant factor in establishing telehealth networks in the 10 provinces and 3 territories, thus increasing access to specialty and subspecialty care from urban tertiary care centers. Every province and territory in Canada is now part of a functioning telehealth network. For tertiary pediatric centers, this offers new opportunities for providing support and outreach services to children in remote and northern communities. This article provides a broad overview of development of telepediatrics in Canada.