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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

"It's a 24-hour thing ... a living-for-each-other concept": identity, networks, and community in an urban village health worker project.

Social networks are webs of relationships between individuals, and they play an important role in the complex social processes through which individuals seek information, obtain social support, and mobilize for collective action to modify social, economic, and environmental conditions associated with health and illness. Studies have described and evaluated lay health advisor (LHA) programs that use social networks to improve individual and community health. The experience and perceptions of community members involved with LHA programs have been explored less often and offer essential information to health educators about the design, implementation, evaluation, and support of such programs. This article examines the perspective of LHAs in Detroit, Michigan. Their understanding and experience of their work, the relationships between their activities and a sense of self and community, and personal and programmatic rewards and challenges are examined. The authors discuss implications for health educators related to LHAs' roles, relationship to supporting organizations, recruitment, training, and ongoing support.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Single community research networks. The HARNET experience. Harrisburg Area Research Network.

Clinical research performed in family physicians' offices is critical for building an expanded knowledge base for modern health care. Practitioners do not usually have the time, funds, or research expertise to conduct clinical studies. Organized networks can accomplish this goal. Large-area networks, composed of many separate practice sites from a wide geographic area, are valuable sources of information for describing the natural history of disease. These observational studies usually consist of data collection during clinical practice. Experimental trials include evaluations of new protocols, diagnostic tests, or therapies, often in a randomized and blinded fashion. Because of the difficulties in adhering to a standardized protocol, experimental trials are rarely undertaken in the busy clinician's office. Similarly, it may be difficult to standardize these studies in large-area networks. Smaller networks, often in a single community, can feasibly perform more complex studies. Important strategies are required to avoid loss of interest, lack of continuity, and conflict of interest.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1992

Organizing for cancer control. The diffusion of a dynamic innovation in a community cancer network.

This paper examines the diffusion of a "dynamic" innovation--research on the prevention and control of cancer--in a community cancer network. By analyzing the social structures and communication strategies of network members, as well as the attributes of the innovation, the authors explain why this innovation is diffusing more slowly than its "formed" counterpart--research on the treatment of cancer.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2005

Implementing the CanMEDS physician roles in rural specialist education: the multi-specialty community training network.

CONTEXT: Changing medical education to realign it with societal needs has become a renewed priority in many countries. Advanced training in rural settings to prepare physicians to better serve rural areas has received particular attention around the world. Such initiatives are usually targeted at primary care practitioners. Few initiatives have been designed to enhance specialist training in a rural setting, let alone adapt specialist competency frameworks such as the CanMEDS roles of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to non-urban medical education. ISSUE: We describe an innovation in medical training for rural competence for specialist physicians using the CanMEDS framework near London, Ontario, Canada. Since 1997, the University of Western Ontario has established its Multi-Specialty Community Training Network (MSCTN) to provide rural and regional training opportunities for specialty residents in anaesthesia, general surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and psychiatry. It became the first program in Canada to fully adapt the new CanMEDS roles into learning objectives and evaluations. LESSONS LEARNED: Competency-based frameworks like CanMEDS are important because they provide a comprehensive tool to organize outcome-based curricula. The CanMEDS roles framework has been very useful in developing educational goals for rural/regional specialty resident rotations as well as forming a constructive basis for resident, preceptor, and program evaluations. Our experiences with this program may provide lessons for others planning training for specialists in rural settings, and those adopting the CanMEDS competency framework.

Community Networks↗
PubMed2005

Health perceptions of local community works: network women describe how flows of energy and space of action generate health and ill health.

This paper presents a theoretical model on how flows of energy and space of action generate health and ill health in a local community work. Local community work was assessed through a case study of women's networks in a peripheral region of northern Sweden. The aim of the study was to analyse what participation in women's networks can mean for the members health perceptions. A purposeful selection of women's networks was made for the purpose of carrying out a qualitative follow-up study. Grounded theory was used to analyse the data and to generate a theoretical model. The meaning of participation in networks proved to be plural, as both health-deteriorating and health-promotive mechanisms were found. Two core categories "flows of energy" and "a space of action" as well as the four ancillary categories: social relations within the network; increased awareness of gender and power; becoming visible; and material prerequisites for networking were grounded in the data. We suggest that under certain circumstances local community work can be of crucial importance for health promotion.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Will the Internet supplant community health networks?

As issues of security, accountability and access are resolved, the Internet will act as the central infrastructure for a global as well as a community health information network. It will help nurses extend their services to the community and to educate specific patient populations.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed2001

Evaluating psychosocial nursing interventions for cardiac clients and their caregivers: a case study of the community rehabilitation network in Hong Kong.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe the type and nature of psychosocial nursing interventions provided for cardiac clients in Hong Kong's Community Rehabilitation Centres (CRNs). DESIGN/METHODS: Using a two-phase case study design data were collected from nurses, cardiac clients and their caregivers. The initial phase focused on identifying the types of psychosocial interventions provided. These data were obtained by observing nursing activities and the keeping of daily journals by the nurses. The second phase acquired data from structured telephone interviews, that reviewed clients' perceptions of the psychosocial interventions provided by the nurses and face-to-face interviews with clients and their caregivers. FINDINGS: These findings revealed that the nurses' interpersonal skills of information giving, social support and counselling were highly valued by cardiac clients and their caregivers. Both clients and caregivers outlined a concern about the lack of individual care and this was reflected in the focus of the CRN on group processes. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for psychosocial cardiac care are made for public health nurses and nurses working in community settings.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Implementation of a radiology electronic imaging network: the community teaching hospital experience.

Because of their typically small in-house computer and network staff, non-university hospitals often hesitate to consider picture archiving and communication system (PACS) as a solution to the very demanding financial, clinical, and technological needs of today's Radiology Department. This article presents the experiences of the 3-year process for the design and implementation of the Radiology Electronic Imaging Network (REIN) in the Department of Radiology at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital (WPH). WPH embarked on this project in late 1994 to find a solution to the very pressing demands to reduce operating costs and improve service to primary care clinicians, both on-site and at WPH-affiliated clinics. A five-member committee consisting of in-house medical, administrative, information services, and medical physics staff was formed to design a network that would satisfy specific needs of WPH by using a phased mini-PACS approach and to select the various vendors to implement it. Suppliers for individual mini-PACS were selected to provide modality-specific solutions. For the backbone network, vendors were evaluated based on their technological progress, competence and resources, the commitment of the company to the imaging network business, and their willingness to embark on a mid-sized PACS project such as this. Based on patient volume, workflow patterns, and image quality requirements, the committee produced proposals detailing number and location of workstations, short- and long-term memory requirements, and so on. Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, computer radiography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, digital fluoroscopy, and angiography mini-PACS have been implemented over the past 2 years, and most of these are already integrated into the main REIN. This article presents detailed information concerning the design, selection and implementation processes, including storage requirement calculations. This indicates that PACS implementation is achievable for community hospitals with small computer, networking, and physics departments. Also presented are recommendations concerning design and vendor selection, that may be helpful for similar institutions.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Healthcare access in Benin: poverty and community aid networks].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of poor and non-poor households to pay for health care and to show how existing community assistance (or solidarity) networks (CAN) may compensate for this inability. Sixteen (16) study sites were randomly selected after stratification of Benin into four groups. All 1,312 households in our sample (668 poor and 664 non-poor) were interviewed, and 48 focus group were held with opinion leaders, women, healthcare workers, social workers, and persons responsible for these networks. The survey showed that only 27% of the heads of households have permanent financial access to health care and health services. This financial access is lower for the poor (9%) than for others (46%). However, the capacity of heads of households to pay reached 84% (87% for the non-poor and 81% for the poor, with P<0.01). Capacity to pay differs between strata (P<0.001) and is higher in the urban strata. For 25% of the families, intervention of the CAN made payment possible, preferentially for the poor. In 90% of cases, this community support came from the family network. Health centre management committees contributed in only 0.8% of cases. In general, help covered only a small percentage of those in need. The health policy of African countries must ensure that health care is accessible to the population, especially the poor.

Benin↗
PubMed2005

The Yeast Systems Biology Network: mating communities.

Systems biology requires model organisms that allow detailed studies to be performed rapidly, accurately and reproducibly. Such model systems are important driving forces for elucidating the principle properties of biomolecules, for developing general concepts for the quantitative description of living cells, and for generating the computational tools for systems analyses. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as an excellent model system. To coordinate efforts and to bring the yeast research and systems biology communities together, the Yeast Systems Biology Network has recently been started.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Community care networks: cornerstone of health care reform.

Calls to reform the American health care delivery system include proposals to expand access to insurance and to impose expenditure controls. That approach is flawed and could only lead to an increase in costs. To truly reform the system, the U.S. must fundamentally alter its health care delivery system. One proposal is to create community care networks to coordinate the care of patients. Such a system could operate under a capitated payment system that is publicly accountable.

American Hospital Association↗
PubMed2005

International community health networking project: two year follow-up of graduates.

AIM: This paper presents the perceptions of graduates 2 years post-exchange in a USA-European Union funded programme. The primary goal of this 8-week exchange programme was to increase cultural knowledge and sensitivity by teaching a common module of community health assessment and planning to multi-national groups of undergraduate students in four countries. BACKGROUND: Cultural diversity and globalization are among the factors that encourage faculty in nursing to develop programmes of international exchange for students. The challenge is to combine the exchange with the teaching of other courses required by the home institution during the same semester. METHODS: Twenty-one graduates of participating USA schools responded to an open-ended interview by telephone or email 2 years after graduation. Bennett's continuum (1993) of intercultural sensitivity was used to assess cultural development. FINDINGS: Graduates overwhelmingly supported international education and described its continued impact personally and professionally. Gains in cultural sensitivity were perceived as the greatest benefit and influence on their practice. The majority of graduates were believed to be in Bennett's ethnorelative categories of acceptance and adaptation. The depth and breadth of previous cultural experiences, specific host and home schools, and previous travel were found to be related to development on the intercultural sensitivity continuum. DISCUSSION: Most important are the findings from this evaluation that provide insight into the factors enhancing growth of intercultural sensitivity. Previous travel, characteristics of the home and host institutions, and the opportunity and willingness to be a cultural outsider were important influences.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) project, phases 1-8--cannabis and Mandrax.

OBJECTIVE: To provide community-level public health surveillance information on cannabis and Mandrax (methaqualone) use and associated health and social consequences. DESIGN: A descriptive, epidemiological study of cannabis and Mandrax supply and demand indicators based on data gathered from multiple sources, including specialist treatment centres, trauma units, police records, and quantitative and qualitative studies of school students, sex workers, persons attending rave clubs, and arrestees. Networks were established at five sentinel sites to facilitate the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of data. RESULTS: Supply and demand indicators point to the widespread use of cannabis and Mandrax and significant increases in white pipe-related health and social problems. There has been an increase in the demand for treatment related to cannabis/Mandrax use, a high proportion of patients in trauma units who test positive for cannabis and/or Mandrax, and a high proportion of cannabis and Mandrax-positive arrestees. Although the use of cannabis is predominantly a male phenomenon and is widespread among young people, it occurs in all sectors of South African society. Mandrax users tend to be young, male, and coloured. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis and Mandrax use has a number of implications for health and social policy, including the need to develop protocols for the identification and management of cannabis/Mandrax-positive trauma patients and arrestees. The study points to the need for further monitoring of cannabis and Mandrax use and the negative consequences associated with their use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Alcohol use in South Africa: findings from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug use (SACENDU) Project.

OBJECTIVE: To provide community-level public health surveillance on alcohol misuse in South Africa and the associated negative consequences. METHOD: A descriptive, epidemiological study of alcohol use based on data gathered biannually from multiple sources over 4 years, including specialist treatment centers, trauma units, mortuaries, psychiatric facilities, and surveys of school students and arrestees. Networks were set up in five sentinel sites to facilitate the collection, interpretation and dissemination of data. RESULTS: Indicators point to the widespread misuse of alcohol. Alcohol consistently dominates the demand for substance use disorders treatment services. In the second half of 2000, 51.1% (Cape Town) to 77.0% (Mpumalanga) of patients reported alcohol as their primary substance of abuse. A high proportion of patients in trauma units tested positive for alcohol in 2000, ranging from 40.3% (Durban) to 91.8% (Port Elizabeth). Similarly, a high proportion of mortality cases tested positive for alcohol, ranging from 40.3% (Durban) to 67.2% (Port Elizabeth). Although treatment demand is dominated by men and older persons, alcohol misuse occurs among all sectors. School surveys reflect harmful drinking patterns among students, with 53.3% and 36.5% of male students in Durban and Cape Town, respectively, reporting heavy-drinking episodes by Grade 11. DISCUSSION: Alcohol misuse has a number of implications for public health policy, such as the need to develop protocols for the management of alcohol-positive patients in trauma units and to target prevention programs at heavy drinking by young people. Further monitoring of alcohol misuse and its associated negative consequences is required.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A new community-oriented network in Italy for the collection and processing of clinical and epidemiological information.

This study illustrates a project to implement a clinical information system based on a general practitioner's network covering the national territory. The project is important because there are no other such systems in operation in Italy. Moreover, as is well known, both the quality and the quantity of health information made available by the National Health Service are far from optimal. This community-oriented network enables end-users to share software for the management of outpatient clinics that is produced by Informedica Janssen and distributed throughout Italy to over 16,000 physicians. The features of potential participants in the network as well as the software they have adopted are described.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗