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Brill J, Heymann AD, Zacay G. An After-Hours Telemedicine Urgent Care Service May Not Improve Access to Care for Underserved Populations. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:2573-2582. [PMID: 38946672 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: After-hours telemedicine services for emergency care are thought to offer a solution for patients who live at a distance from traditional face-to-face emergency services. This study evaluates such a service in a Health Maintenance Organization, focusing on the differences between central and peripheral populations. Methods: In this cross-sectional database study, we collected data regarding the encounter and patient characteristics, including prescriptions, referrals for further evaluation in a traditional emergency department (ED), and the distance from a traditional ED. Other outcome measures included health care utilization after the encounter such as primary care physician (PCP) encounters, additional telemedicine encounters, ED visits, and hospitalization. Results: In total, 45,411 patient visits were analyzed. Medication was prescribed in 25% of the encounters, and a referral to an ED was given in 22%. In total, 17.7% of the patients visited an ED within 24 h of the index encounter. In total, 64.8% of patients visited a PCP in the following 30 days. No further care was needed in 32.4% of the encounters. In multivariable logistic regression, the odds of using the service were lower for low socio-economic status groups and inhabitants of the periphery than the central areas. A weak reverse correlation was observed in Jewish sectors regarding distance from traditional ED, whereas no correlation was found in the Arab sector. Conclusion: It is commonly believed that telemedicine overcomes geographical barriers. The results of this research do not support this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Brill
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anthony David Heymann
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galia Zacay
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Zigdon A, Zwilling M, Zigdon O, Reges O. Health Maintenance Organization-mHealth Versus Face-to-Face Interaction for Health Care in Israel: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Study. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e55350. [PMID: 39348674 DOI: 10.2196/55350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 10/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health maintenance organization-mobile health (HMO-mHealth) services have a direct impact on patients' daily lives, and HMOs regularly expand their range of mHealth services. HMO-mHealth apps are saving HMOs time and money, as services are becoming more accessible to patients. However, the willingness to use mHealth apps depends on user perception. Although mHealth apps can change the relationship dynamic between HMOs and patients, patients prefer to use them to facilitate face-to-face interactions rather than replace them. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the extent to which Israeli adults prefer adopting health care services using HMO-mHealth as a replacement for face-to-face interaction. METHODS Israeli adults aged ≥18 years completed an electronic questionnaire. Data were collected from December 2020 to February 2021. All services in the main HMO-mHealth apps of the 4 Israeli HMOs were mapped. The 29 health care services used in this study were identical in all 4 HMO-mHealth apps in Israel. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and health condition with preference for HMO-mHealth or face-to-face interaction was analyzed separately for each health service by using a logistic model. RESULTS A total of 6321 respondents completed the questionnaire (female: 4296/6321, 68%; male: 2025/6321, 32%). Approximately 80.9% (5115/6321) to 88.2% (5578/6321) of the respondents preferred using HMO-mHealth apps for administrative matters. However, 55.3% (3498/6321), 52.2% (3301/6321), and 46.9% (2969/6321) preferred face-to-face meetings for the initial medical diagnosis, medical treatment, and medical diagnosis results, respectively. Seven main variables were found to be associated with HMO-mHealth adoption, including gender, age, education, marital status, religious affiliation, and subjective health condition. Female respondents were more likely than male respondents to prefer HMO-mHealth apps for administrative matters and face-to-face interaction for personal medical diagnosis and treatment (odds ratio [OR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.67-0.83; P<.001 and OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.92; P<.001, respectively). Married individuals preferred using HMO-mHealth apps over face-to-face meetings for a new medical diagnosis (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.15-1.49; P<.001) or treatment (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18-1.52; P<.001). Improved health perception was associated with higher preference for HMO-mHealth apps across all health care services in this study (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.22; P<.02 to OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.53; P<.001). No significant association was found between the presence of a chronic disease and the preferred mode of interaction for most services. CONCLUSIONS HMO-mHealth is proving to be a robust and efficient tool for health care service delivery. However, there are barriers that affect vulnerable populations when adopting HMO-mHealth. Therefore, it is important to tailor HMO-mHealth apps for older adults, the chronically ill, and minorities in society, as these groups have a greater need for these services. Future studies should focus on identifying the barriers that affect the utilization of HMO-mHealth in these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avi Zigdon
- Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Moti Zwilling
- Department of Economics and Business Administration, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Ofek Zigdon
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Orna Reges
- Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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Zacay G, Adler L, Schonmann Y, Azuri J, Yehoshua I, Vinker S, Heymann AD, Afek S, Golan Cohen A, Green I, Hoffman R, Shani M. "A day in the life" - telemedicine in family medicine and its relationship with practicing physicians' satisfaction: a cross-sectional study. Isr J Health Policy Res 2024; 13:33. [PMID: 39075571 PMCID: PMC11287843 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-024-00624-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telemedicine has expanded rapidly in recent years, and many encounters that were conducted in person now take place remotely. This study aimed to assess primary care physicians' (PCPs) attitudes towards the different modalities of patient care. METHODS This is a cross-sectional nationwide descriptive study conducted in Israel. We asked PCPs to document an entire workday and answer a short questionnaire after each visit. The questions addressed the type of visit (face-to-face, remote synchronous [telephone/video], or remote asynchronous [online requests]), the perceived quality of the visit, and the physicians' feelings at the end of each visit. Before documenting their working day, we asked the participants to answer a questionnaire about their general attitudes toward different modalities of medical visits and how they affect their well-being and burnout. RESULTS Sixty physicians documented 2,025 visits, of which 39% took place in person, 36% stemmed from online patient requests, 18% were telephone meetings, < 1% were video meetings, and 6% consisted of other types of contact. Mixed effects logistic regressions were used to model the visits' evaluation. The odds ratios (ORs) for perceived medical quality of visits focused on medical tasks were lower for non-face-to-face visits: OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.25-0.59 for remote synchronous, and OR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.09-0.23 for remote asynchronous. The perceived medical quality of visits focused on administrative tasks was lower for remote asynchronous than for face-to-face visits (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.65). We found no association between medical quality and patients, physicians, or clinic characteristics. The inappropriateness of the visit modality was also associated with lower medical quality (OR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.09-0.18). We found a correlation between perception of medical quality and physicians' feelings at the end of the visits, Spearman's r = 0.82 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A substantial portion of the visits was dedicated to administrative tasks and remote medicine. In comparison, physicians rated face-to-face visits' quality higher than remote visits. Policymakers should intervene to minimize administrative work, reduce PCPs' administrative workload, and direct patients to the optimal visit modality for their complaints. These steps would increase medical quality, reduce burnout, and mitigate the shortage of PCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Zacay
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Healthcare Maintenance Organization, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Limor Adler
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yochai Schonmann
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Quality Measurements and Research, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Joseph Azuri
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Yehoshua
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shlomo Vinker
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Medical Division, Leumit Healthcare Services, Headquarters, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anthony D Heymann
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Healthcare Maintenance Organization, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shani Afek
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine Sharon-Shomron District, Clalit Health Services, Kfar- Sava, Israel
| | - Avivit Golan Cohen
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Medical Division, Leumit Healthcare Services, Headquarters, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Green
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Medical Division, Leumit Healthcare Services, Headquarters, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Robert Hoffman
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Healthcare Maintenance Organization, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Shani
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine Central District, Clalit Health Services, Rehovot, Israel
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Mosadeghrad AM, Afshari M, Isfahani P, Ezzati F, Abbasi M, Farahani SA, Zahmatkesh M, Eslambolchi L. Strategies to strengthen the resilience of primary health care in the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:841. [PMID: 39054502 PMCID: PMC11270795 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11278-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Health Care (PHC) systems are pivotal in delivering essential health services during crises, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. With varied global strategies to reinforce PHC systems, this scoping review consolidates these efforts, identifying and categorizing key resilience-building strategies. METHODS Adopting Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, this study synthesized literature across five databases and Google Scholar, encompassing studies up to December 31st, 2022. We focused on English and Persian studies that addressed interventions to strengthen PHC amidst COVID-19. Data were analyzed through thematic framework analysis employing MAXQDA 10 software. RESULTS Our review encapsulated 167 studies from 48 countries, revealing 194 interventions to strengthen PHC resilience, categorized into governance and leadership, financing, workforce, infrastructures, information systems, and service delivery. Notable strategies included telemedicine, workforce training, psychological support, and enhanced health information systems. The diversity of the interventions reflects a robust global response, emphasizing the adaptability of strategies across different health systems. CONCLUSIONS The study underscored the need for well-resourced, managed, and adaptable PHC systems, capable of maintaining continuity in health services during emergencies. The identified interventions suggested a roadmap for integrating resilience into PHC, essential for global health security. This collective knowledge offered a strategic framework to enhance PHC systems' readiness for future health challenges, contributing to the overall sustainability and effectiveness of global health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad
- Health policy and management, Health Economics and Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Afshari
- Health policy, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Isfahani
- Health management, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Farahnaz Ezzati
- Health services management, Health Economics and Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Abbasi
- Health services management, Health Economics and Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Akhavan Farahani
- Health services management, Health Economics and Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zahmatkesh
- Health Management, School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK
| | - Leila Eslambolchi
- Health services management, Health Economics and Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Reges O, Abu Ahmad W, Battat E, Saliba W, Wolff Sagy Y, Danon A, Lavie G. Trends in the Incidence of Cardiovascular Diagnoses and Procedures over the Years 2012-2021 in Israel: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2024; 13:476. [PMID: 38256610 PMCID: PMC10816154 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Prior studies found reduced incidences of cardiovascular diagnoses and treatments in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these studies included a limited number of outcomes and did not consider pre-pandemic trends. This study aimed to describe trends in the incidence of cardiovascular diagnoses and treatments over the years 2012-2021 in Israel and to compare the two years of the COVID-19 period with the preceding 8 years. In this retrospective, population-based study, carried out within Clalit Health Services, the incidence rates of cardiovascular outcomes were calculated for individuals aged ≥ 25 (~2.7 million adults per year) during the first (Y1, 3/2020-2/2021) and second (Y2, 3/2021-2/2022) years of COVID-19 and the 8 years prior (3/2012-2/2020). Declines were observed in Y1 compared to 2019 in all diagnoses and treatments: STEMI (-16.3%; 95% CI: -16.6, -16.1), non-STEMI (-16.4%; -16.6, -16.2), AF (-14.1%; -14.2, -14.0), CHF (-7.8%; -7.9, -7.7), CVA (-5.0%; -5.0, -4.9), catheterization (-64.7%; -65.2, -64.2), CABG (-77.7%; -79.2, -76.2), ablation (-21.2%; -22.0, -20.4), pacemaker implantation (-39.3%; -40.7, -37.9), and defibrillator insertion (-12.5%; -13.1, -12.0). Compared with expected rates based on pre-pandemic trends, observed rates were within expected ranges (CHF, CVA, and ablation), less than expected (STEMI, non-STEMI, AF, catheterization, CABG, and pacemaker insertion), or more than expected (defibrillator insertion). In Y2, STEMI, catheterization, and CABG returned to expected rates; non-STEMI and AF were lower than expected; and CHF, CVA, ablation, and pacemaker and defibrillator implantations were higher than expected. Several cardiovascular diagnoses and treatment trends were interrupted by COVID-19. The long-term consequences of these changes should be considered by health policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna Reges
- Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 4077625, Israel
- Branch of Planning and Strategy, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel; (W.A.A.); (E.B.); (Y.W.S.); (G.L.)
| | - Wiessam Abu Ahmad
- Branch of Planning and Strategy, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel; (W.A.A.); (E.B.); (Y.W.S.); (G.L.)
- Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Erez Battat
- Branch of Planning and Strategy, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel; (W.A.A.); (E.B.); (Y.W.S.); (G.L.)
| | - Walid Saliba
- Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa 3436212, Israel;
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
| | - Yael Wolff Sagy
- Branch of Planning and Strategy, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel; (W.A.A.); (E.B.); (Y.W.S.); (G.L.)
| | - Asaf Danon
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
- Department of Cardiology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa 3436212, Israel
| | - Gil Lavie
- Branch of Planning and Strategy, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel; (W.A.A.); (E.B.); (Y.W.S.); (G.L.)
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
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Truong D, Pham T, Hynan LS, Neaves S, Bell KR, Juengst SB, Zhang R, Driver S, Ding K. Age-related smartphone use patterns among individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj 2024; 38:7-11. [PMID: 38117178 PMCID: PMC10922167 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2295469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With mobile health technologies serving as an alternative means of providing healthcare, evaluating patients' abilities to navigate digital infrastructures is becoming increasingly relevant. The goal of this study is to investigate smartphone use patterns among individuals with history of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS An anonymous survey was delivered via e-mail or text message to eligible participants who had a history of moderate-to-severe TBI and were prospectively followed at one of the eight participating Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems centers for at least 1-year post-injury. The survey captured demographic data and included a questionnaire to evaluate smartphone use (calling, texting, web browsing, etc.). RESULTS A total of 2665 eligible individuals were contacted to complete the survey, 472 of which responded. 441 of them reported smartphone use. Individuals ages 45 and older were significantly less likely to use their phones for functions other than calling and texting when compared to individuals ages 18-44 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Most individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI in this cohort demonstrated intentional smartphone use, suggesting that mobile health technologies may be feasible as a cost-effective healthcare alternative. However, doing so will require additional interventions to provide further technological education especially in older individuals with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dat Truong
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Tri Pham
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Linda S Hynan
- Department of Population and Data Sciences & Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Stephanie Neaves
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kathleen R Bell
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shannon B Juengst
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Applied Clinical Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Simon Driver
- Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kan Ding
- Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
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