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Zhang C, Hu N, Li R, Zhu A, Yu Z. Factors Explaining the Use of Web-Based Consultations With Physicians by Young and Middle-Aged Individuals in China: Qualitative Comparative Analysis. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e50036. [PMID: 38551645 PMCID: PMC10987084 DOI: 10.2196/50036] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It was only upon the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic that the demand for web-based consultations with physicians grew at unprecedented rates. To meet the demand, the service environment developed rapidly during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the current status of the use of web-based consultations with physicians among young and middle-aged Chinese individuals and explore users' perspectives on key factors that influence its use in terms of optimizing benefits and compensating for disadvantages. METHODS We conducted semistructured interviews with 65 individuals (aged 18 to 60 years) across China between September and October 2022. The interviewees were selected through snowball sampling. They described their experiences of using web-based physician consultations and the reasons for using or not using the service. Based on the Andersen Behavioral Model, a qualitative comparative analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with the use of web-based physician consultations and explore the combinations of these factors. RESULTS In all, 31 (48%) of the 65 interviewees used web-based consultation services. The singular necessary condition analysis revealed that the complementary role of the service and perceived convenience are necessary conditions for the use of web-based consultation services, and user's confidence in the service was a sufficient condition. Based on the Andersen Behavioral Model, the configuration analysis uncovered 2 interpretation models: an enabling-oriented model and a need-oriented model. The basic combination of the enabling-oriented model included income and perceived convenience. The basic combination of the need-oriented model included complementary role and user's confidence. CONCLUSIONS Among the factors associated with the use of web-based consultations, perceived convenience, complementary role, and user's confidence were essential factors. Clear instructions on the conduct of the service, cost regulations, provider qualifications guarantee, privacy and safety supervision, the consultations' application in chronic disease management settings, and subsequent visits can promote the positive development of web-based consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Zhang
- Department of Human Resources, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Hu
- School of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Li
- Respiratory Centre, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Aiping Zhu
- Hospital Office, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongguang Yu
- Respiratory Centre, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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Chery MJ, Baral A, Rolle LD, Abdshah A, Bernard MJ, Poudel L, Francois L, Jones DL, Jean-Louis G, Blanc J. Depression, Sleep Health & Sociodemographic Correlates in a Nationwide Survey: Implications for Depression Treatment During the COVID-19. Nat Sci Sleep 2024; 16:17-31. [PMID: 38235481 PMCID: PMC10793117 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s434148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health worldwide, with depression and sleep problems among the most common issues experienced by many individuals. Depression can lead to sleep problems, which can increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms. However, it is unclear which United States (US) sub-population was most affected by depression and sleep problems during the pandemic. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis using self-reported data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), focusing on adults aged 18 years and above (n=29,763). We utilized self-reported responses to questions about prescription medication and frequency of depressive feelings to determine participants' depression status. Appropriate weights were applied to account for the sampling design of the surveys. Our analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests to compare sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral, and sleep-related characteristics between US adults with and without depression. Additionally, logistic regression was used to examine the associations between sleep duration, sleep quality and depression. Results The overall prevalence of depression in our sample was 44.4%. It were higher in certain demographic groups, including younger adults (18-39 years, 47.7%), non-Hispanic whites (47.9%), females (50.1%), those at the lower income bracket (52.2%), those with no college or degree (48.7%) uninsured individuals (45.2%), and those reporting poor general health (71.9%). Individuals with depression had a 12% increased odds of experiencing short sleep (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI:1.04-1.20, p<0.001), 34% increased odds of experiencing long sleep (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20-1.50, p < 0.001) and more than 2.5 fold increased odds of reporting poor sleep quality (aOR:2.57, 95% CI: 2.40-2.78; p<0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, all variables (sex, race/ethnicity, education, health insurance coverage, marital status, general health status and use of sleep medications, smoking and alcohol use status) were significantly predictors of poor sleep quality, with the exceptions of age and family income. Conclusion The findings emphasize the need to address sleep health in treating depression, especially during times of public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Junior Chery
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amrit Baral
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - LaShae D Rolle
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alireza Abdshah
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Maritza J Bernard
- Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laxmi Poudel
- South Florida Integrative Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laura Francois
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Deborah L Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Girardin Jean-Louis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Judite Blanc
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Assaye BT, Belachew M, Worku A, Birhanu S, Sisay A, Kassaw M, Mekonen H. Perception towards the implementation of telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:967. [PMID: 37679700 PMCID: PMC10486038 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09927-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the use of telemedicine as a means of delivering healthcare services remotely. Healthcare providers play a key role in the adoption and implementation of telemedicine for its effectiveness. Despite its benefits, there have been unclear concerns about its effectiveness and acceptance in the process of implementing telemedicine. The objective of the study was to assess health professionals' perceptions towards the implementation of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was conducted among eight hundred forty-five study participants from December 2020 to February 2021. A pre-test was performed on 5% of the total sample size, and the quality of the data was ensured by checking its completeness and consistency. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used. The Variables with a P-value equal to or less than 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression, and model fitness was assessed. RESULT The study revealed that 60.9% of professionals had a good perception toward telemedicine implementation, with an 87.2% response rate. Health professionals with IT support staff, ICT training, who use social media platforms regularly, and availability of computer or smartphone within/outside their health facility were 4.7, 3.3, 3.7, and 13.2 times more likely to have a positive association towards telemedicine implementation respectively. CONCLUSION More than half of the health professionals had a good perception of telemedicine. Social media use, ICT training, computer accessibility, and the presence of IT support staff were all found to have positive associations with the telemedicine perception. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government should take the initiative to strengthen opportunities for health professionals to learn and apply telemedicine in their medical practice by providing ICT training, IT infrastructure and support staff, improving computer access, and recommending health professionals' positive use of social media in the health facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayou Tilahun Assaye
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
| | - Muluken Belachew
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Aynadis Worku
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Sefefe Birhanu
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Ayenew Sisay
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Mitiku Kassaw
- Department of Health Informatics, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Mekonen
- Department of Human Nutrition, College Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Bazrafshan A, Sadeghi A, Bazrafshan MS, Mirzaie H, Shafiee M, Geerts J, Sharifi H. Health risk communication and infodemic management in Iran: development and validation of a conceptual framework. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072326. [PMID: 37518081 PMCID: PMC10387647 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in Iran's and other health systems' risk communication. The accompanying infodemic undermined policy responses, amplified distrust in government and reduced adherence to public health recommendations among the Iranian population. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework for health risk communication and infodemic management (RCIM) during epidemics and health emergencies in Iran that could have potential applications in other contexts. DESIGN This study was designed in two phases. Phase 1 involved semistructured qualitative interviews with key informants to explore effective RCIM strategies across public health settings in Iran and to develop a conceptual framework. Phase 2 involved revising the framework based on feedback from an online expert panel regarding its comprehensiveness and validity. SETTING Provincial/national public health settings in Iran. PARTICIPANTS Twenty key informants from provincial and national public health authorities who contributed to COVID-19 response programmes participated in interviews. Nine experts from diverse academic disciplines, provincial and national settings, and geographical locations participated in an online expert panel. RESULTS The conceptual model was created based on qualitative interviews and expert panel discussions and was structured according to six pillars of the WHO health system framework: leadership and governance, information, health workforce and financial resources, along with media and community. Leadership and governance, including trustworthy leaders, were recommended as the foundation for developing RCIM in Iran. Developing an official strategy with information infrastructures, including high-quality surveillance systems, identified personnel and training for specialists among the health workforce, financial resources, communication channels and community engagement were recognised as other dimensions for developing health risk communication in Iran. CONCLUSION The proposed framework represents a step toward establishing a national RCIM strategy in Iran. Further validation of the conceptual framework and experiments on how it could potentially influence policy and practice is recommended. This model has the potential to be applied in other contexts in its current form or as the foundation for customised local versions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Bazrafshan
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Azadeh Sadeghi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
- Deputy of Health, Department of Communicable Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Maliheh Sadat Bazrafshan
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Hossein Mirzaie
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Mehdi Shafiee
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
- Deputy of Health, Department of Communicable Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Jaason Geerts
- Research and Leadership Development, Canadian College of Health Leaders, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bayes Business School, University of London, London, UK
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborative Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
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Phillips MM, Weldon RH, Maniar A, Patil U, Kostareva U, Agner J, Finn J, Sentell T. Social Networks, Health Information Sharing, and Pandemic Perceptions among Young Adults in Hawai'i during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16833. [PMID: 36554713 PMCID: PMC9779529 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Limited information exists about social network variation and health information sharing during COVID-19, especially for Native Hawaiians (NH), Other Pacific Islanders (OPI), and Filipinos, who experienced COVID-19 inequities. Hawai'i residents aged 18-35 completed an online survey regarding social media sources of COVID-19 information and social network health information measured by how many people participants: (1) talked to and (2) listened to about health. Regression models were fit with age, gender, race/ethnicity, chronic disease status, pandemic perceptions, and health literacy as predictors of information sources (logistic) and social network size (Poisson). Respondents were 68% female; 41% NH, OPI, or Filipino; and 73% conducted a recent COVID-19 digital search for themselves or others. Respondents listened to others or discussed their own health with ~2-3 people. Respondents who talked with more people about their health were more likely to have larger networks for listening to others. In regression models, those who perceived greater risk of acquiring COVID-19 discussed their health with more people; in discussing others' health, women and those with chronic diseases listened to a greater number. Understanding young adults' social networks and information sources is important for health literacy and designing effective health communications, especially to reach populations experiencing health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M. Phillips
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Rosana Hernandez Weldon
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Anam Maniar
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Uday Patil
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Uliana Kostareva
- Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joy Agner
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Julia Finn
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Tetine Sentell
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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