[Information- and communication technology in the public health sector].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Humans↗
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Results for “Informal Sector”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
The economics of informal care. Labor market effects in the National Hospice Study.
This article analyzes the labor market-related effects of informal care provision in the National Hospice Study on the individual providing this care. The results indicate that voluntary providers of patient care who were employed at the onset of the care-giving episode experienced considerable loss of earnings. These losses were partly caused by the fact that over one-fourth of initially employed caregivers left the labor force because of care obligations. This exit probability increased with the caregiver's age and female gender, and decreased with the caregiver's reported annual family income. Of the caregivers who continued in paid employment during the informal care episode, 60% reported losses of income because of care-related increased absenteeism from work. These two types of income loss are quantified using an indirect valuation method. This quantification indicates that some of the cost savings which have been attributed to the home-centered hospice modality in the National Hospice Study may have resulted from the shifting of costs from the formal health care sector to the informal care sector.
Absenteeism↗
RESEARCH: Ecological Information System: Analyzing the Communication and Utilization of Scientific Information in Mexico.
/ This study is concerned with the role that communication can play in facilitating the utilization of ecological information by different sectors of society involved in environmental decision-making. The ecological information system is used as a conceptual framework. This system is a model for the analysis of interactions between three sectors involved in the management of natural resources: researchers in ecology, change agents, and rural producers. Two case studies of organizations carrying out scientific research aimed at finding and implementing sustainable strategies of resource management were carried out. The purpose was to examine how real situations function in terms of communication strategies and to analyze such situations in relation to the model proposed. The analysis revealed the importance of promoting the feedback of information from change agents and rural producers to the research sector and the incorporation of this information into the research process. It also emphasized the relevance of having "active utilizer constituencies" within the rural producers who make demands upon the entire system in order to satisfy information needs. The creation of linkage systems facilitating the connection between the generation and utilization of information was supported. In particular, the establishment of special teams within research institutions is proposed, which could promote the links between the sectors through the use of communication as an instrument of work.
Journal Article↗
Toward standardising nursing language in New Zealand.
Historically nursing in New Zealand has not used any standardised means to classify practice. In a rapidly developing health information technology (IT) sector this raises serious questions about documentation processes, information management and knowledge development nursing. Recently the Nursing Council of New Zealand has redefined nursing practice, included documentation skills and information management as core competencies within the Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Scopes of Practice (2004) and included information technology as core curricula content within pre-registration nursing programmes. This opinion paper will argue that continued lack of description and analysis of nursing practice in this country will enhance nursing vulnerability. It will background the extent of this issue and outline a project that aims to explore the contextual issues, test a language embedded with a clinical information system and develop a procedural framework to guide the implementation of automated means to describe, compare, examine and analyse nursing practices and processes within New Zealand. The framework will take into account the uniqueness of New Zealand nursing located within international positions and will be a first step toward using a standardised professional language embedded in clinical information systems.
New Zealand↗
The role of the health sector in addressing poverty.
PURPOSE: To explore Canadian health sector initiatives addressing poverty. METHODS: Information about 224 health sector initiatives addressing poverty was collected from Health Canada, provincial/territorial health ministries, and health regions. RESULTS: Health Canada, 12 provincial/territorial health ministries, and at least one third of health regions have been undertaking poverty-related initiatives. Almost two thirds (64.7%) of initiatives focused on the consequences of poverty. Much less frequent were initiatives that aim to: raise awareness about poverty; prevent people from becoming poor; enhance skills and education of people in poverty; and alter social and economic conditions contributing to poverty. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While strategies that focus on the consequences of poverty likely enhance the health of Canadians in poverty, these strategies do little to reduce poverty rates. Efforts to improve the health of both individual Canadians in poverty and society as a whole will be limited until the health sector uses more strategies that challenge fundamental structural conditions contributing to poverty.
Canada↗
[Role of information system for the health care delivery in community].
Sophisticated information technologies have been applied in hospitals as well as in clinics. However, almost no information system has been developed which links hospitals and clinics. Medical care and welfare services are still separated activities and there are no information systems which exchange the data between the two sectors. Emergency medical information systems have been developed in the past, but they are usually used only for the exchange of bed occupancy information. Doctors started using the Internet, but there have been few medical books in Japanese in cyber space. Initiatives of medical personnel who are engaged in the daily health care delivery are necessary to solve the above stated problems. Some promising systems are emerging by the efforts of pioneers. Administrative agencies should assist the efforts of these initiatives to improve the community health care delivery. In the near future, the information systems will have some influence on the shape of medical care. Patient's medical data will be disclosed to patients. Specialty of hospitals will be also disclosed to the public. As a result, doctors will start to seek for more objective evidence for their medical care to patients. Clinical practice guidelines will be produced for common diseases in Japan as in Europe. Hospitals will cooperate with each other in the delivery of care, because it will be impossible for one hospital to give all types of care to patients. Hospitals in a community will function as if a virtually single hospital even though they are different in management.
Community Health Services↗
A review of data on the U.S. health sector: March 2004.
This report presents information on the U.S. health sector in early 2004. It provides data on the insured and uninsured and their access to health care; the increasing costs of care; the increasing social and economic inequalities in health and health care; and the role of corporate money in health care. The author then presents data on the recently passed Medicare prescription drug bill and some updates on Medicare HMOs. The article also includes updates on state legislative action, recent opinion polls on health care conducted among physicians and the general public, and health plans proposed by the presidential candidates (as of early 2004).
Delivery of Health Care↗
[Intervention methodology for training and information for workers of the building sector].
Regarding the seriousness of work-accident in Gorizia district, various organizations as ASL 2 "Isontina" (local health agency), INAIL of Friuli Venezia Giulia (National Institute for occupational accident insurance), trade unions and trade associations created a organization called "Observatory for Working-accidents and Professional Illness Prevention". The aim of this association is the promotion of safety in working environment. Diffusing importance of safety in building trade was the first projects of Observatory. So, Observatory carried an initiative to make more aware the workers. Than, it organized training courses for building workers. Moreover, the construction of an informative pamphlet on risks in building trade was made. For some experimental investigation, Observatory works with Department of Psychology, University of Trieste.
Humans↗
Brazilian National Standard for Electronic Form Interchange among Private Health Plan and Healthcare Providers.
Since 1988 the Federal Constitution of Brazil declared health care as a public right to be provided as a duty of the state(1). Thus the Unique Public System ("Sistema Unico de Saúde-SUS"), Ministry of Health, a comprehensive health care system with full coverage, was created since then. But the private sector has nevertheless also been operating since 1960s but without any government regulation at all. It serves approximately twenty-five per cent of the Brazilian population (estimated at 180 million of people).The National Supplementary Health Agency - NSHA ("Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar- ANS") was created in 2000 and is in charge of regulating and assisting the private health plan organizations. The public sector has been structuring its information systems for almost 15 years, defining standard schemes, such as the National Health Card Project, in order to institute a national unique identifier health care and to construct a national repository of health records.The lack of widely common information standards in the private sector, however, and the difficulties involved in the complex information interchange among private health plan organizations and health providers have caused NSHA to work out a proposal for a national standard for electronic form interchange proposal, based on XML technology, known as the supplementary health information interchange (TISS - "Troca de Informação em Saúde Suplementar"). The TISS project aims integrating healthcare information nationwide; therefore it was developed in accordance with the National Health Card Project, using the same unique identifiers and others standard sets proposed by the Ministry of Health, such as unique identifiers of providers.NSHA has presented the TISS project successfully to all stakeholders and is going to introduce legislation to enforce the standards. There are more than two thousands private health plan organizations in the whole country and more than ten thousands hospitals and clinics. Private health practioners, including dentists, will also have to adopt the standard. As a matter of fact, the TISS project not only focuses on the patient billing but also on epidemiological information. And the TISS project is not only for health provider claims, but also to all kinds of events such as consultation and exams.
Brazil↗
A fast algorithm for evaluating an approximation to the information enclosed within coronas and their sectors in square matrices.
From numerical data distributed in an even square matrix A, we wish to determine the proportion of the data belonging to a selected area (S). We restrict the problem to any field of the initial data square enclosed within the part of a corona (characterized by the real values of its two limiting radii) limited by a circular sector (defined by its two limiting angles), both corona and sector being centred at the centre of the square. A fast and accurate approximation algorithm is presented, which collects the contribution of all the pixels of A by exploration of the first quadrant. For each pixel of it and, at the same time, for its three symmetrical ones in the other quadrants, the program evaluates the part belonging to (S), using radial and angular factors. Finally, the weighted contributions are summed up. Compared to the classical methods (exact determination, testing the position of the pixel centres or others), this algorithm offers a better time/accuracy ratio. Suitable accuracy at the border makes it possible to choose larger pixel size, hence to spend shorter CPU time (even and especially in the case of thin rings with large radii).
Algorithms↗
Medical informatics education: basic assumption for successful implementation of information technology in the health care sector.
In the paper we mention the trends in medical informatics education and we present the development of medical informatics education in the Czech Republic. The actual situation at Czech faculties giving pregraduate courses covering medical informatics topics is described. The enhanced development of medical informatics education via European cooperation is shown. Finally, new approaches to medical informatics education using Internet and special educational software are mentioned.
Czech Republic↗
Brazil's info systems need a lift. Public health system reform and other changes are creating opportunities for new marketplace.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Brazil↗
Are there differences in information given to private and public prenatal patients?
OBJECTIVES: In 1989 the United States Public Health Service Expert Panel on the Content of Prenatal Care reported that health education should become a more integral part of prenatal care. Key questions about providing this education have not been examined. Our study compared the type of information provided to women who sought prenatal care in a public clinic and to those who were seen in a private practice and the degree to which the patients were satisfied with the information they received. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred fifty-nine pregnant women (80 seen in a public clinic, 79 seen in a private practice) completed two questionnaires about 38 topics commonly cited as important during pregnancy. At the first prenatal visit, the women reported their level of interest in each of the topics. At 36 to 40 weeks' gestation the women completed a second questionnaire to assess whether information was provided for each topic and whether they had learned as much as desired. RESULTS: Overall, the women in the public sector received more information than did the women who were cared for privately. This was statistically significant at the p < 0.05 level for 25 of the 38 topics. Satisfaction with information learned was highly correlated with information received during prenatal care, but, surprisingly, it was not shown to be associated with the patient's interest level at the first visit. Fewer than 50% of private patients reported having received information about such important topics as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, preterm birth prevention, family planning, and family violence. CONCLUSIONS: The one-on-one approach to health education in pregnancy usually used in the private setting may not facilitate addressing many topics believed to be important components of contemporary prenatal care. Providers of private prenatal care should initiate discussion of prenatal health education topics rather than relying on patient interest in requesting information. Just as public prenatal care programs have devoted significant resources to more comprehensive prenatal education, the providers in the private sector must assure that pregnant women receive the same comprehensive information. In so doing, these providers can help promote an optimal outcome for their patients, their patients' unborn children, and the family unit.
Adolescent↗
Informal payments in transitional economies: implications for health sector reform.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union increasing evidence is emerging of informal payments by patients for health care services that are officially free. There is little information, however, on the characteristics of these payments and the effect that they have on health care reform initiatives. This paper examines these issues and concludes that the endemic and complex nature of such payments suggests that a range of policy tools are necessary to address the negative features of informal payments in those countries undergoing transition.
Cost Sharing↗
[Maternal conceptions of infantile diarrhea]
OBJECTIVE: To understand maternal conceptions of infantile diarrhea, encouraging reflection on the importance of communication between mothers and health services. METHODS: Survey carried out in selected areas of six towns in the state of Pernambuco, all of which participated in the diarrhea control project coordinated by the State Health Secretariat. The information was obtained through interviews with 770 mothers, producing a representative sample of 1,026 children younger than five years. RESULTS: In general, mothers associated the occurrence of diarrhea with some kinds of food (fatty or undercooked). Better educated mothers, regardless of their place of residence, attributed it to improper hygiene and sanitation, whereas illiterate and poorly educated mothers, from the metropolitan region of Recife, blamed it on hot weather, and those living in the countryside believe the occurrence of diarrhea is related to teething. Circa 24.2% (63.4% living in the countryside) do not know how to prevent the disease. The two preventive measures most frequently adopted consist in drinking treated water and cooking food thoroughly. Only 0.5% mentioned breast-feeding. The number of children still alive and their ages influence maternal conceptions. The main sources of information about the prevention of diarrhea are the support network (45.5%), the health sector (35.9%) and the media (33.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The insufficient participation of the health sector in the information network about diarrhea, misinformation, and sharp disagreement over maternal conceptions and technical knowledge, which are the cornerstone of institutional measures, show that it is necessary to value the communicative dimension of the educational approach in child care.
Journal Article↗
Canadian community health centres and the Internet: exploring the challenges and solutions.
Community Health Centres (CHCs) across Canada are providing essential health and social services to many communities, and this function is becoming more vital as provinces concentrate on cutting costs and developing more economic and efficient solutions to the current healthcare system. More than 300 of these community-based organizations currently serve upwards to 13% of the Canadian population, providing a wide range of services in an attempt to promote total wellness in their communities. Over one half of all CHCs are located in rural or remote areas. However, despite the apparent need for, and success of, CHCs, they are among the most underserved health provision groups in the country. Many CHCs lack critical funding and resources, particularly in the area of technology. In this Information Age, the health sector is realizing the importance of using information technologies to increase efficiency, improve services, and maintain viability. Community Health Centres, however, often do not have money for even the most basic technologies such as fax machines, let alone computers and Internet access. Community Health Centres in Canada need to be given the tools they need in order to continue providing quality health care to their communities. This article provides an overview of the current situation of CHCs in Canada vis(-)à-vis the Internet and other information technologies. Some of the practical and organizational challenges facing CHCs in this area will be discussed, as well as potential solutions that could and are being developed to overcome these barriers. It is an objective of this article to facilitate information and resource-sharing and the creation of links between CHCs across Canada. Community Health Centres may benefit from better understanding of the implications of these new technologies, discovering ways in which their peers are using the Internet, and communicating with one another in order to begin basic planning and needs assessments. As part of this overview, a brief update on the status of the HealthNet Community Access Pilot will be provided. The HealthNet Community Access Pilot is a collaborative project aimed at educating and providing CHCs across Canada with the tools to help them begin implementing Internet systems and policies within their own context. Part of this grassroots effort involves developing appropriate technical solutions, software, training materials, and support resources to help demystify and simplify the technology. Some of these tools and recommendations will be available at ITCH '96 for use by other CHCs.
Canada↗
[Opportunities and challenges for both national and international public health area--the public health sector in government--].
To inform choices about the future of people who study public health and preventive medicine, the current status of public health is examined in terms of the public health sector in government. After tracing the major achievements of public health in the modern era, this paper explores the potential of public health and its core functions, which is realized by public health professionals working in the government sector. Finally, this article highlights the international dimension of public health, which is becoming increasingly important and therefore attracting many people who would like to take part.
Humans↗
Information technology adoption in health care: when organisations and technology collide.
The implementation of advanced information systems is enabling great social and organisational changes. However, health care has been one of the slowest sectors to adopt and implement information technology (IT). This paper investigates why this is so, reviewing innovation diffusion theory and its application to both health organisations and information technology. Innovation diffusion theory identifies variables that influence the 'innovativeness' of organisations and the rate at which a technology diffuses. When analysed, these variables show why IT implementation has progressed at a slower rate in health compared with other industry sectors. The complexity of health organisations and their fragmented internal structure constrain their ability to adopt organisation wide IT. This is further impacted upon by the relative immaturity of strategic health IT which is complicated and unable to show quantifiable benefits. Both organisational and technological factors lead to the slow adoption of strategic IT. On the other hand, localised IT solutions and those providing measurable cost reductions have diffused well.
Diffusion of Innovation↗