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Healthcare Management (healthcare + management)

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Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Internet use by end-stage renal disease patients

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007
Emily SETO
Abstract Information on the prevalence and predictors of use of the Internet by patients can be applied to the design and promotion of healthcare Internet technologies. To our knowledge, few studies on Internet use by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have been reported. The objectives of this study are to ascertain the prevalence and predictors of Internet use by ESRD patients among different dialysis modalities. A questionnaire surveying Internet use was delivered in person to 199 conventional hemodialysis patients (57 returned), and mailed to 170 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (42 returned), and 65 nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHD) patients (43 returned). Of the respondents, most (58%) have used the Internet to find information on their health condition. The strong majority (76%) of these patients have easy access to the Internet. A higher proportion of NHD patients (86%) used the Internet compared with the PD patients (60%) (p=0.02). Internet use was found to be more prevalent with younger (p<0.001), more educated (p=0.001), and Canadian-born patients (p=0.005). The high prevalence of Internet use and easy access to the Internet by ESRD patients suggest that future Internet information and communication systems for healthcare management in ESRD will likely be well adopted by this patient population. [source]

Modern nursing and modern physics: does quantum theory contain useful insights for nursing practice and healthcare management?

NURSING PHILOSOPHY, Issue 3 2002
John Hastings MBA BSc (Physics) RGN RNT DMS
Abstract In recent years, a number of articles have appeared in the nursing literature proposing that the branch of modern physics known as quantum theory offers insights that may be useful in nursing practice and healthcare management. This paper critiques this literature in the light of key concepts in quantum theory. The conclusion is that quantum theory has been misunderstood and misapplied within the nursing journals. Quantum theory is essentially mathematical and is based on quantitative experimentation. To successfully apply this theory to nursing practice, nurses will have to equip themselves with the necessary mathematical and experimental skills. [source]

CT15 RISK STRATIFICATION MODELS FOR HEART VALVE SURGERY

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 2007
C. H. Yap
Purpose Risk stratification models may be useful in aiding surgical decision-making, preoperative informed consent, quality assurance and healthcare management. While several overseas models exist, no model has been well-validated for use in Australia. We aimed to assess the performance of two valve surgery risk stratification models in an Australian patient cohort. Method The Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) and Northern New England (NNE) models were applied to all patients undergoing valvular heart surgery at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and The Geelong Hospital between June 2001 and November 2006. Observed and predicted early mortalities were compared using the chi-square test. Model discrimination was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Model calibration was tested by applying the chi-square test to risk tertiles. Results SCTS model (n = 1095) performed well. Observed mortality was 4.84%, expected mortality 6.64% (chi-square p = 0.20). Model discrimination (area under ROC curve 0.835) and calibration was good (chi-square p = 0.9). the NNE model (n = 1015) over-predicted mortality. Observed mortality 4.83% and expected 7.54% (chi-square p < 0.02). Model discrimination (area under ROC curve 0.835) and calibration was good (chi-square p = 0.9). Conclusion Both models showed good model discrimination and calibration. The NNE model over-predicted early mortality whilst the SCTS model performed well in our cohort of patients. The SCTS model may be useful for use in Australia for risk stratification. [source]