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Health Information (health + information)
Kinds of Health Information Terms modified by Health Information Selected AbstractsWORKING WITH PUBLIC LIBRARIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO QUALITY-ASSURED HEALTH INFORMATION FOR THE LAY PUBLICJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 2 2004Sara F. L. Kirk PhD RD [source] Key words and their role in information retrievalHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Maria J. Grant As any good library or information worker knows the accurate and consistent application of keywords can serve to enhance the content representation and retrieval of literature. Research has demonstrated that this aspect of the library and information science evidence base is particularly well represented. Drawing on the thesauri of the Library & Science Abstracts, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts and medline databases, the Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) has recently updated and expanded the HILJ keyword list. Based on the content of reviews and original articles published in HILJ over the past 4 years, the keyword list will be used by submitting authors to represent the content of the manuscripts and enable more accurate matching of manuscript to HILJ referees. [source] EditorialKeeping information centre stage amid changing sceneryHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Maria J Grant With conference season upon us, consideration is given to the importance of subject-specific and library association conferences. The biennial Health Libraries Group (HLG) conference meets both these criteria and takes place in Greater Manchester in July. The conference provides an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, identifying new trends and professional rejuvenation. An open invitation is given to attend the Health Information and Libraries Journal,Writing for Publication' workshop at the HLG conference. An overview of three bursaries available from the Health Libraries Group and Library and Information Research, both groups of the UK Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is provided. The bursaries offer opportunities to cover the costs of registration and travel expenses to national and international conference. [source] Launch of the HILJ Strategic Plan 2010,2014HEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Maria J. Grant The 2010-2014 strategic plan builds on the reputation of Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) as a dynamic internationally inclusive journal and will ensure that the journal remains relevant to the day-to-day practices of its readership. The plan seeks to maintain the high quality of the journal, build on the already strong relationship with the Health Libraries Group (HLG), and find new ways to engage with the HILJ readers and writers. [source] The level of Internet access and ICT training for health information professionals in sub-Saharan AfricaHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008Grace Ada Ajuwon Background:,, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are important tools for development. Despite its significant growth on a global scale, Internet access is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Few studies have explored Internet access, use of electronic resources and ICT training among health information professionals in Africa. Objective:, The study assessed Internet access, use of electronic resources and ICT training among health information professionals in SSA. Methods:, A 26-item self-administered questionnaire in English and French was used for data collection. The questionnaire was completed by health information professionals from five Listservs and delegates at the 10th biannual Congress of the Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA). Results:, A total of 121 respondents participated in the study and, of those, 68% lived in their countries' capital. The majority (85.1%) had Internet access at work and 40.8% used cybercafes as alternative access points. Slightly less than two-thirds (61.2%) first learned to use ICT through self-teaching, whilst 70.2% had not received any formal training in the previous year. Eighty-eight per cent of respondents required further ICT training. Conclusions and recommendations:, In SSA, freely available digital information resources are underutilized by health information professionals. ICT training is recommended to optimize use of digital resources. To harness these resources, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations must play a key role. [source] Health Information and Libraries Journal embarks on having and Impact FactorHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 1 2006Article first published online: 8 FEB 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Negotiation in health libraries: a case study of Health Information and Libraries Journal and open access publishingHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 3 2005Graham Walton No abstract is available for this article. [source] Role of influenza and other respiratory viruses in admissions of adults to Canadian hospitalsINFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, Issue 1 2008Dena L. Schanzer Objective, We sought to estimate age-specific hospitalization rates attributed to influenza and other virus for adults. Methods, Admissions from Canada's national hospitalization database (Canadian Institute of Health Information), from 1994/95 to 1999/2000, were modeled as a function of proxy variables for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viral activity, seasonality and trend using a Poisson regression model and stratified by age group. Results, The average annual influenza-attributed hospitalization rate for all adults, 20 years of age or older, over the study period, which included three severe seasons, was an estimated 65/100 000 population (95% CI 63,67). Among persons aged 65 and over, 270,340 admissions per 100 000 population per year were attributed to influenza, while 30,110, 60,90 and 130,350 per 100 000 were attributed to RSV, parainfluenza (PIV) and other respiratory viruses, respectively. Although marked season-to-season variation in age-specific hospitalization rates attributable to influenza was observed in persons 50 years of age and older, increasing risk with age was preserved at all time periods. Conclusions, Influenza, RSV, PIV and other respiratory viruses were all associated with morbidity requiring hospitalization, while influenza was responsible for peak respiratory admissions. The burden of health care utilization associated with respiratory viruses is appreciable beginning in the sixth decade and increases significantly with age. [source] Effect of Gender on Communication of Health Information to Older AdultsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Jennifer L. Dearborn BA OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of gender on three key elements of communication with elderly individuals: effectiveness of the communication, perceived relevance to the individual, and effect of gender-stereotyped content. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University of Connecticut Health Center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three subjects (17 female); aged 69 to 91 (mean±standard deviation 82±5.4). MEASUREMENTS: Older adults listened to 16 brief narratives randomized in order and by the sex of the speaker (Narrator Voice). Effectiveness was measured according to ability to identify key features (Risks), and subjects were asked to rate the relevance (Plausibility). Number of Risks detected and determinations of plausibility were analyzed according to Subject Gender and Narrator Voice. Narratives were written for either sex or included male or female bias (Neutral or Stereotyped). RESULTS: Female subjects identified a significantly higher number of Risks across all narratives (P=.01). Subjects perceived a significantly higher number of Risks with a female Narrator Voice (P=.03). A significant Voice-by-Stereotype interaction was present for female-stereotyped narratives (P=.009). In narratives rated as Plausible, subjects detected more Risks (P=.02). CONCLUSION: Subject Gender influenced communication effectiveness. A female speaker resulted in identification of more Risks for subjects of both sexes, particularly for Stereotyped narratives. There was no significant effect of matching Subject Gender and Narrator Voice. This study suggests that the sex of the speaker influences the effectiveness of communication with older adults. These findings should motivate future research into the means by which medical providers can improve communication with their patients. [source] Credibility Assessments of Online Health Information: The Effects of Source Expertise and Knowledge of ContentJOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 4 2001Matthew S. Eastin Millions of Americans use the Internet as a resource for information, with a large proportion seeking health information. Research indicates that medical professionals do not author an extensive amount of health information available on the Internet. This creates a possibility for false information, thereby potentially leading ill people away from proper care. One way to begin addressing this problem is to assess perceptions of credibility about information found online. A between-groups, 2 (message type) × 3 (source type) factorial design was tested by manipulating source expertise (high, medium, low) and content knowledge (known and unknown). While findings did not indicate a significant interaction between source and content type, they did indicate an overall tendency to rate all information as relatively credible. In addition, results indicate that both knowledge of content and source expertise affect perceptions of online health information. [source] Adequacy of Oral Health Information for Patients with DiabetesJOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 2 2009Hon K. Yuen PhD, OTR/L Abstract Objective: We investigated the perception of dental hygienists regarding their adequacy of providing diabetics with diabetes-related oral health preventive education. Methods: A one-page questionnaire printed on both sides was mailed to 2,237 licensed registered dental hygienists with a South Carolina (SC) mailing address. In addition to the dental hygienists' background and practice characteristics, their perception of adequacy for educating patients with diabetes on various diabetes-related oral health topics and reasons for inadequate coverage of materials were queried in the survey. Results: After two follow-up mailings, 995 completed and usable surveys were returned. An average of 93.6 percent of respondents indicated that they adequately covered topics of oral hygiene and general oral health issues. However, about 60 percent of respondents reported not covering all essential materials related to oral health when educating diabetic patients. The three most common reasons were: a) insufficient time (60.1 percent); b) patient disinterest (41.2 percent); and c) insufficient information on oral care and diabetes (39.7 percent). Respondents reporting insufficient information were less likely to adequately address the effect of periodontal disease on diabetes (P < 0.001), effect of uncontrolled diabetes on periodontal disease (P < 0.001), and dry mouth management (P = 0.03). Conclusion: This study indicates that SC dental hygienists do not routinely provide patient education on diabetes-related oral health and healthy lifestyle topics. Lack of time, patient disinterest, and insufficient information were the three main reasons for respondents not covering these essentials. A practical method for improving dental hygienists' comprehensive service to patients with diabetes is to offer them more continuing education on diabetes and oral health to supplement their knowledge, skills, and confidence to educate this growing population. [source] Health On the Net Foundation: Advocating for Quality Health InformationJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 2 2002Steve M. Dorman No abstract is available for this article. [source] Testing Health Information of Students and AdultsJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 8 2001H.F. Kilander No abstract is available for this article. [source] Completeness of state administrative databases for surveillance of congenital heart diseaseBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 9 2003Christine E. Cronk Abstract BACKGROUND Tracking birth prevalence of cardiac defects is essential to determining time and space clusters, and identifying potential associated factors. Resource limitations on state birth defects surveillance programs sometimes require that databases already available be used for ascertaining such defects. This study evaluated the data quality of state administrative databases for ascertaining congenital heart defects (CHD) and specific diagnoses of CHD. METHODS Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) medical records for infants born 1997,1999 and treated for CHD (n = 373) were abstracted and each case assigned CHD diagnoses based on definitive diagnostic reports (echocardiograms, catheterizations, surgical or autopsy reports). These data were linked to state birth and death records, and birth and postnatal (<1 year of age) hospital discharge summaries at the Wisconsin Bureau of Health Information (WBHI). Presence of any code/checkbox indicating CHD (generic CHD) and exact matches to abstracted diagnoses were evaluated. RESULTS Fifty-eight percent of cases with generic CHD were identified by state databases. Postnatal hospital discharge summaries identified 48%, birth hospital discharge summaries 27%, birth certificates 9% and death records 4% of these cases. Exact matches were found for 52% of 633 specific diagnoses. Postnatal hospital discharge summaries provided most matches. CONCLUSION State databases identified 60% of generic CHD and exactly matched about half of specific CHD diagnoses. The postnatal hospital discharge summaries performed best in both in identifying generic CHD and matching specific CHD diagnoses. Vital records had limited value in ascertaining CHD. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:597,603, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The recurrence risk of severe de novo pre-eclampsia in singleton pregnancies: a population-based cohortBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 12 2009SD McDonald Objective, Previous studies have found recurrence risks of severe pre-eclampsia as high as 40%. Our objective was to determine both the recurrence risk of severe de novo pre-eclampsia and risk factors associated with it in a contemporaneous population. Study design, Population-based retrospective cohort study. Population, Women who had two or more singleton liveborn or stillborn hospital deliveries in Ontario, Canada between April 1994 and March 2002 and without a history of chronic hypertension Methods, International Classification of Disease codes were used to identify patients in the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database. Main outcome measures, The absolute and adjusted risks of recurrent severe de novo pre-eclampsia were determined. Results, Between 1 April 1994 and 30 March 2002, there were 185 098 women with two or more singleton deliveries >20 weeks in the province of Ontario, Canada. There were 1954 women who had severe de novo pre-eclampsia in the index pregnancy, 133 of whom had recurrent severe pre-eclampsia, for a risk of recurrent severe pre-eclampsia of 6.8% (95% CI 5.7,7.9%). The risk of recurrent severe de novo pre-eclampsia was increased in women with pre-existing renal disease (adjusted OR 17.98, 95% CI 3.50,92.52) and those >35 years of age (adjusted OR 3.79, 95% CI 2.04,7.04, reference 20,25 years). Conclusions, The recurrence risk of severe de novo pre-eclampsia in our population-based cohort study (6.8%) is lower than previously published reports in selected populations. [source] Health information and libraries journal and the HLG newsletter: past, present and futureHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Maria J Grant No abstract is available for this article. [source] Experience of Hong Kong patients awaiting kidney transplantation in mainland ChinaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11c 2007Sylvie SH Leung MN Aim., This paper describes the experience of Hong Kong Chinese patients awaiting kidney transplantation in mainland China. Background., While travelling to mainland China for kidney transplantation is a controversial issue, there is an increasing trend of Hong Kong Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease seeking this treatment choice, which outnumbers that performed in Hong Kong. Although these patients seek pre- and post-transplantation care from Hong Kong public healthcare system, little is known about their experience during the waiting period. Methods., This experience is examined in an exploratory qualitative study. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from a purposive sample of 12 kidney recipients. Results., Three major findings are identified: (i) transplant waiting patients may travel to mainland China for transplantation in search of normal life, (ii) they need informational support from their continuing healthcare providers in Hong Kong to make the informed decision and (iii) they perceive a variation of attitudes of nurses and doctors in Hong Kong towards transplantation in mainland China. Conclusions., This study contributes to the literature by researching patients' perspective. The findings highlight the importance and controversy of addressing these patients' informational needs. While the authors have no inclination for or against travelling to mainland China for transplantation, the findings reveal a tenacious clinical dilemma, which deserves debate in international transplant community and further research to inform the debate. Nurse and doctors in Hong Kong may contribute to the debate by articulating their experience of caring for these patients. Relevance to clinical practice., Health information that is readily available for patients scheduled for kidney transplantation in Hong Kong should be made accessible to the whole community of patients with chronic kidney disease. To address the complexity of patients travelling to elsewhere for transplantation and the needs of these patients, provider reticence may be counterproductive. [source] Use of Malaria Prevention Measures by North American and European Travelers to East AfricaJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2001Hans O. Lobel Background: The use of preventive measures, including effective chemoprophylaxis, is essential for protection against malaria among travelers. However, data have shown that travelers and medical advisors are confused by the lack of uniform recommendations and numerous prophylactic regimens of varying effectiveness that are used. Methods: To assess the use and type of preventive measures against malaria, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 1997 among travelers departing from the Nairobi and Mombasa airports in Kenya with European destinations. Results: Seventy-five percent of the travelers studied were residents of Europe and 25% were residents of North America; all stayed less than 1 year, and visited malarious areas. Most travelers, 97.1%, were aware of the risk and 91.3% sought pretravel medical advice. Although 95.4% used chemoprophylaxis and/or antimosquito measures, only 61.7% used both regular chemoprophylaxis and two or more antimosquito measures. Compliance with chemoprophylaxis was lowest amongst those who used a drug with a daily, as opposed to, a weekly dosing schedule, stayed more than 1 month, attributed an adverse health event to the chemoprophylaxis, and were less than 40 years of age. Among US travelers, 94.6% of those taking chemoprophylaxis were taking an effective regimen, that is, mefloquine or doxycycline. Only 1.9% used a suboptimal drug regimen, such as chloroquine/proguanil. Among European travelers, 69% used mefloquine or doxycycline, and 25% used chloroquine/proguanil. Notably, 45.3% of travelers from the UK used chloroquine/proguanil. Adverse events were noted by 19.7% of mefloquine users and 16.4% of travelers taking chloroquine/proguanil. Neuropsychologic adverse events were reported by 7.8% of users of mefloquine and 1.9% of those taking chloroquine/proguanil. The adverse events, however, had a lesser impact on compliance than frequent dosing schedule. Conclusions: Health information should be targeted to travelers who are likely to use suboptimal chemoprophylaxis or may be noncompliant with prophylaxis. Uniform recommendations for effective chemoprophylaxis with simple dosing schedules are necessary to reduce rates of malaria among travelers to Africa. [source] A systematic review of the effectiveness of brief interventions with substance using adolescents by type of drugDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2003Dr ROBERT J. TAIT Abstract The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of brief interventions (BI) with adolescents (mean age < 20) in reducing alcohol, tobacco or other drug (ATOD) use by means of a systematic review of BI for adolescent substance use in the English language literature up to 2002. We identified 11 studies involving 3734 adolescents. Follow-up ranged from 6 weeks to 24 months. Motivational interviewing was the predominant approach, underpinning eight studies: the remaining three provided personalized health information. Seven papers reported outcomes for alcohol interventions and four involved other substances (including one with separate alcohol outcomes). The overall effect size was d= 0.126 with borderline homogeneity (Q = 14.9, df = 9, p = 0.09). The effect size from the eight alcohol interventions (n = 1075) was classified as significant but "small" (d = 0.275). The remaining non-alcohol studies were considered separately as interventions involving tobacco or multiple substance use. The two interventions with tobacco involved a substantial sample (n = 2626) but had a very small effect (d = 0.037), while the two interventions addressing multiple substances involved few participants (n = 110) but had a medium , large effect (d = 0.78). Across a diverse range of settings (dental clinic, schools, universities, substance treatment centres) and, therefore, probably diverse clients, BI conferred benefits to adolescent substance users. BI had a small effect on alcohol consumption and related measures. The data for tobacco interventions suggested a very small reduction, particularly with general community interventions. The effect of BI with multiple substances appears substantial but the small sample cautions against expansive generalization. [source] A Survey of the Emergency Department Population and Their Interest in Preventive Health EducationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003Ingrid Llovera MD Abstract Objective: To determine which preventive health information the emergency department (ED) population (patients and visitors) would be most interested in having available to them while they spend time in the waiting area. Methods: This was a prospective survey of consecutive adults seated in the ED waiting area during a representative week on predetermined shifts. The survey asked them to indicate whether they would be interested in obtaining information about the following preventive health issues: breast cancer, prostate cancer, smoking, obesity, stress reduction, exercise programs, alcohol/drugs, HIV, blood pressure screening, immunizations, referrals to primary care physicians, Pap smears, car safety, smoke detectors, domestic and youth violence, depression, gun safety, and safe sex. Results: Of the 1,284 subjects approached, 878 (68%) made up the study group (56% female, mean age = 44 years, 60% white); 406 refused. The information people were most interested in obtaining was the following: 52% of the respondents were interested in referral to stress reduction programs, 51% in information about exercise programs, 42% in blood pressure screening, 40% in information about breast cancer screening, 33% in depression information/screening, 33% in prostate cancer screening, 26% in immunization against pneumococcus, 24% in immunization against tetanus, 26% in smoking cessation programs, and 26% in safe driving information. Women were most interested in breast cancer screening (64%); and men, in prostate cancer screening (55%). Conclusions: Of the 878 subjects in the study group, 96% were interested in obtaining information about one or more preventive health issues. An opportunity exists to respond to this interest by providing material for public health education in the waiting area of EDs. [source] Tooth loss and associated factors in long-term institutionalised elderly patientsGERODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Paul Tramini Objective:, To compare partial and total tooth loss in dependent institutionalised elderly patients and identify any associated factors. Background:, A poor oral health status, together with a reduction of autonomy can seriously affect the general health and increase the risk of death in elderly people. Those with total tooth loss and in need of assistance are the most at risk. Materials and methods:, In 2004, a cross-sectional study of 321 elderly patients was conducted in long-term hospital services provided in Montpellier, France. Socio-demographic, behavioural, medical and oral health information was recorded for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to test the relationship between those covariates and partial or total tooth loss. Pearson chi-squared tests were used for bivariate analyses. Results:, The proportion of edentulousness was 26.9%; among these12.6% had no dentures. The factors significantly associated with edentulism were: an age ,older than 87 years' [odds ratio (OR) = 9.4], the presence of a nephropathy (OR = 6.8), and inadequate oral hygiene (OR = 0.1). The factors most significantly associated with partial tooth loss (at least 21 missing teeth) were ,cancerous disease' (OR = 9.9), the presence of a nephropathy (OR = 5.6) and the presence of a neurological disease (OR = 4.1). The factors significantly related to dentate status (20 or more natural teeth retained) were ,hypertension treatment' (OR = 2.4), and ,cortisone treatment' (OR = 0.2). Conclusion:, General health problems as well as a poor oral condition were significant risk indicators for tooth loss among the long-term institutionalised elderly. This suggests that the number of remaining teeth has a strong effect on oral health-related quality of life. [source] Development and Construct Validation of the Pharmacists' Care of Migraineurs ScaleHEADACHE, Issue 1 2009Monica L. Skomo PharmD Objectives., To develop the pharmacists' care of migraineurs scale (PCMS) and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Background., Migraine is often managed suboptimally in primary care. Migraineurs frequently come into contact with community pharmacists, who have the opportunity to make a positive impact on migraineur treatment outcomes. A valid and reliable tool that measures and documents the care provided by pharmacists to migraineurs is critical to the development and evaluation of educational programs and interventions. Methods., Relevant domains of pharmacist care and their respective composite items (behaviors) were identified through an extensive literature search and the use of 2 pharmacist and 2 migraineur focus groups sessions. The resultant 45 PCMS items composed a survey questionnaire mailed to a nationwide random sample of 6000 pharmacists. Data were subjected to an exploratory principal axis factoring procedure to discern the factor structure, and as such describe the latent domains composing the pharmacist caring behaviors constructs. Results., A total of 580 usable responses were returned, with an additional 60 returned as undeliverable, thus yielding a response rate of 9.7%. Exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring yielded 9 factors. However, upon examining the scree plot, communalities, and factor loadings, a reanalysis forcing a 7-factor solution yielded a more interpretable and plausible factor structure. The 7-factor solution included the following domains: (1) empathy; (2) prospective drug utilization review for newly diagnosed migraineurs; (3) medication counseling; (4) nonpharmacologic treatment plan; (5) headache sufferer triage; (6) dissemination of public health information; (7) maintenance of knowledge on migraine. Following the application of scale purification procedures, the final instrument is composed of 41 items and demonstrated a Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.947. Cronbach's alpha reliabilities for the 7 domains ranged from 0.67 to 0.91, indicative of good to excellent internal consistency reliabilities for all the domains. Conclusions., The PCMS demonstrated very good construct validity and reliability. While additional validity testing is warranted, the PCMS should allow for benchmarking in the evaluation of interventions designed to improve pharmacists' care to migraineurs and for identifying correlates to effective community pharmacist migraineur care. [source] Using human rights-based approaches to conceptualise lesbian and bisexual women's health inequalitiesHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 4 2010Julie Fish PhD, Social Sciences Abstract This article makes a contribution to current debates in human rights-based approaches to lesbian and bisexual (LB) women's health. With reference to concepts embodied in the Yogyakarta Principles, it is proposed that the right to health includes access to health information, participation, equity, equality and non-discrimination. Specifically, the article examines how LB women's health can be considered as a health inequality and discusses international developments to reduce disparities. Drawing on qualitative data collected in an online survey, the article reports on sexual minority women's experiences of health-care. Participants were recruited via a purposive sampling strategy; questionnaires were completed by 6490 respondents of whom 5909 met the study criteria of residence in the UK, sexual orientation and completing the survey once. Analysis revealed four broad themes: heteronormativity in health-care; improving attitudes among healthcare professionals; equality in access; raising awareness and informed communities. The accounts highlight the centrality of human rights principles: fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy. The implications for healthcare policy and practice are discussed including ways to empower staff and service users with knowledge and skills and ensuring non-discrimination in health service delivery. [source] More than technology and access: primary care patients' views on the use and non-use of health information in the Internet ageHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 2 2004Anne Rogers MSc(Econ) PhD Abstract Over the past decade, there has been considerable interest in the transmission of health information made available though the Internet with increasing confidence being placed in the potential power of the Internet to transform communication, clinical practice and relationships with patients. Subsequent to the failure of a primary-care-based initiative designed to provide free assistance and access to health information via the Internet, a survey was conducted. Findings from this survey suggested that facilitating access to e-information is necessary, but not in itself sufficient, to encourage current non-users to start exploring the Internet. The qualitative study reported here was aimed at exploring the way in which people use and perceive the utility of Internet information for managing health and illness and engaging with the health service system. Data was gathered from two sources. Interviews and observations of a sample who had used a free primary-care-based Internet service (n = 5) and interviews with a sample drawn from a survey of patient attitudes to using the Internet for health information (n = 12). The less-considered aspects of access and the use of e-information for health matters related to the varied existing relationships respondents had to computers, health information and health professionals. One of the main reasons why some respondents do not use the Internet to access health information is related to a lack of perceived utility and pertinence of such information for managing their healthcare. The optimal and equitable use of the Internet as a means of complimenting health-service utilisation will not emerge merely from increasing access to e-information. The potential for narrowing or increasing inequality between the information rich and poor needs to be viewed in a broader psychosocial context. The latter includes the nature of existing relationships which people have with the health service and the value that people place on their own capacity to make use of information in managing their healthcare. [source] Improving the quality of health information: the contribution of C-H-i-QHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 3 2002Tom Hain MSc RGN RSCN FAETC The quality of information should be the key driver in communicating health messages to the public. Staff at The Centre for Health Information Quality (C-H-i-Q) have worked with an extensive list of partner organizations from a range of disciplines. These stakeholders express a desire to see improvement in the standards of patient information, and display a willingness to embrace new approaches in order to achieve change. The result is an increasingly significant contribution in the development of the information-exchange model of health-care, where the aim is to maximize public confidence in health information. Key activities include defining principles of quality assurance, engaging with stakeholders, and developing tools and training for producers and providers of health information. [source] The state of consumer health information: an overviewHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Sarah Smith Background:, Consumer health information is becoming increasingly important and health policy in the UK is beginning to reflect this. This has implications for information producers, providers and users, with the move towards a more patient-centred health service. Objectives:, This review aims to provide a broad overview of the current state of consumer health information in the UK. It examines the changing roles of information producers, providers and users, exploring the impact of health literacy and new technologies. It features some of the current library and consumer health information projects taking place in the UK and discusses the role that libraries may play in the future. Methods:, The article focuses on consumer health information in a policy context. It is based on the experiences of the authors' work for the Patient Information Forum and knowledge of consumer health information. A number of library and information professionals were consulted regarding the library and information projects. Conclusions:, Communication between health professionals and patients, and between health educators and the public, is key in order for consumer health information to have the ability to improve health outcomes. Further, especially local, investment into the production, distribution and delivery of consumer health information is recommended. [source] A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologiesHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Maria J. Grant Background and objectives:, The expansion of evidence-based practice across sectors has lead to an increasing variety of review types. However, the diversity of terminology used means that the full potential of these review types may be lost amongst a confusion of indistinct and misapplied terms. The objective of this study is to provide descriptive insight into the most common types of reviews, with illustrative examples from health and health information domains. Methods:, Following scoping searches, an examination was made of the vocabulary associated with the literature of review and synthesis (literary warrant). A simple analytical framework,Search, AppraisaL, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA),was used to examine the main review types. Results:, Fourteen review types and associated methodologies were analysed against the SALSA framework, illustrating the inputs and processes of each review type. A description of the key characteristics is given, together with perceived strengths and weaknesses. A limited number of review types are currently utilized within the health information domain. Conclusions:, Few review types possess prescribed and explicit methodologies and many fall short of being mutually exclusive. Notwithstanding such limitations, this typology provides a valuable reference point for those commissioning, conducting, supporting or interpreting reviews, both within health information and the wider health care domain. [source] A review of health and access to health information in BhutanHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006Steven William Glover First page of article [source] The role of the information specialist in the systematic review process: a health information case studyHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003C. A. Beverley There is an increasing body of literature on the information specialist's role in supporting evidence-based health care. In particular, the information component in systematic reviews has received considerable attention in recent years. Information professionals have evolved from simply acting as ,evidence locators' and ,resource providers' to being quality literature filterers, critical appraisers, educators, disseminators, and even change managers. This paper describes ten possible roles for information professionals in the systematic review process, using a case study of a review of the health information needs of visually impaired people carried out by the Centre for Health Information Management Research (CHIMR) at the University of Sheffield. This health information review was undertaken entirely by a team of information professionals. The ten roles identified are: project leader, project manager, literature searcher, reference manager, document supplier, critical appraiser, data extractor, data synthesiser, report writer and disseminator. This review has also identified an eleventh possible role for information professionals; that of primary researcher. Finally, the implications for evidence-based health care and evidence-based health informatics are discussed. [source] Data Governance and Stewardship: Designing Data Stewardship Entities and Advancing Data AccessHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5p2 2010Sara Rosenbaum U.S. health policy is engaged in a struggle over access to health information, in particular, the conditions under which information should be accessible for research when appropriate privacy protections and security safeguards are in place. The expanded use of health information,an inevitable step in an information age,is widely considered be essential to health system reform. Models exist for the creation of data-sharing arrangements that promote proper use of information in a safe and secure environment and with attention to ethical standards. Data stewardship is a concept with deep roots in the science and practice of data collection, sharing, and analysis. Reflecting the values of fair information practice, data stewardship denotes an approach to the management of data, particularly data that can identify individuals. The concept of a data steward is intended to convey a fiduciary (or trust) level of responsibility toward the data. Data governance is the process by which responsibilities of stewardship are conceptualized and carried out. As the concept of health information data stewardship advances in a technology-enabled environment, the question is whether legal barriers to data access and use will begin to give way. One possible answer may lie in defining the public interest in certain data uses, tying provider participation in federal health programs to the release of all-payer data to recognized data stewardship entities for aggregation and management, and enabling such entities to foster and enable the creation of knowledge through research. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||