Perspectives Of Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

"Working Together": Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals in Providing Virtual Care to Youth with Chronic Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The onset of the coronavirus disease in 2019 necessitated a rapid transition to virtual care for chronic pain treatment. A mixed methods design was implemented using qualitative interviews and quantitative satisfaction surveys. Interviews were conducted in February 2021 with a sample of healthcare professionals (HCPs; n = 6) who had provided multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) through an outpatient hospital pediatric chronic pain program. Satisfaction surveys were distributed to all MDT professionals employed by the clinic in April 2021 (n = 13 of 20 eligible; 65% response rate). Participants represented medicine, rehabilitation, and mental health professionals. Analysis of interviews generated five themes: (1) adaptation to virtual care, (2) benefits of virtual care, (3) limitations of virtual care, (4) shifting stance on virtual care over time, and (5) considerations for implementing virtual care. The satisfaction survey data revealed that respondents were able to effectively provide appropriate diagnoses, recommendations, and/or care plans for pediatric chronic pain via virtual care (n = 12, 92.3%). Detailed survey responses are presented by discipline. This study provides a rich exploration of HCPs' experiences in providing MDT for pediatric chronic pain within a virtual care model. The current results may contribute to the future development of guidelines for virtual care delivery with pediatric chronic pain populations.

Nursing Image From the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals During the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Cross-Sectional Study

In this study, the goal was achieved to examine the nursing image from the perspective of healthcare professionals in the post-COVID-19 period. This descriptive study was conducted with the participation of n = 264 healthcare professionals working in a training and research hospital. A personal Information Form and Nursing Image Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive methods, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test were used in data analysis. Sixty-three point three percent of the healthcare professionals were women and 76.9% were nurses. Sixty-three point six percent of healthcare professionals had COVID-19 and 84.8% had worked without leave during the pandemic. In the post-COVID-19 period, 39% of the healthcare professionals were in partial anxiety and 36.7% were in constant anxiety. Personal characteristics of healthcare professionals did not have a statistical impact on nursing image scale scores. From the perspective of healthcare professionals, the total score of the nursing image scale was moderate. The lack of a strong nursing image may trigger poor care practices.

Impact of COVID-19 on care at the end of life during the first months of the pandemic from the perspective of healthcare professionals from different settings: a qualitative interview study (the CO-LIVE study)

ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to better understand how the COVID-19 outbreak impacted the different domains of the palliative care approach to end-of-life care from the perspective of healthcare...

Quality of care in the course of subcutaneous versus intravenous trastuzumab administration in patients with breast cancer: an integrated time–motion study with mixed-methods research

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the time required and concerns raised by various perspectives of participants regarding administering subcutaneous and intravenous trastuzumab for patients with breast cancer (BC).DesignThis observational time–motion...

Introducing assisted reproductive technologies in The Gambia, a survey on the perspectives of Gambian healthcare professionals and medical students

BackgroundInfertility remains a global reproductive health burden with the highest prevalence in low and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, the ability to procreate holds great societal importance. Couples, and particularly women, with infertility can face devastating challenges, leading to social stigma, isolation and/or divorce. However, attention to addressing infertility is lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. In The Gambia, where this study is based, little is known about the potential for introduction of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the public health sector.MethodsA quantitative survey was conducted using detailed questionnaires on infertility services available, staff knowledge, perceived barriers, and personal motivation to support assisted reproductive technologies. Data was collected electronically between April and June 2021 from healthcare providers (n = 70) in eleven health facilities throughout the country, as well as from medical students (n = 55) enrolled at The University of The Gambia.ResultsBasic infertility services were found to be lacking in the rural areas. Furthermore, 39% of staff (n = 27) providing fertility care had not receive any formal training on the topic. However, 91% of staff (n = 64) showed interest in acquiring additional knowledge and had a positive attitude towards supporting the introduction of ART. Perceived challenges of doing so included: (i) the competing importance of other health priorities; and (ii) religious and cultural barriers.ConclusionThis survey highlights that expansion of infertility services is needed, especially in rural areas. Staff perceived the introduction of ART as important, but this should be coupled with specialized training, as most medical staff had not received any formal infertility training. Future care providers (current medical students) showed both interest in ART and reported having received some basic training in infertility management. Given the reported lack of infrastructure and services, additional targeted investment in infertility care, including ART, will be needed to improve reproductive health for all, countrywide.

Perspectives on Antibiotic Stewardship Programs among Health Care Providers at Two University Hospitals in Egypt

The perspectives of healthcare professionals on antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) should be explored. Any antibiotic stewardship strategy must be individualized based on patient needs, prescription habits, and local resources. The current study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers on antibiotics stewardship and their awareness of these perspectives. Furthermore, potential barriers to the application of ASPs should be identified and addressed. This exploratory cross-sectional study utilized a qualitative method to evaluate critical care physicians, pediatricians, and clinical pharmacists (n = 43). The mean age of the physicians was 32 ± 1.5 years. Among them, approximately two-thirds (66%) were women. A thematic content analysis was performed to examine the responses of the participants and to prioritize the recommendations for and barriers to the implementation of ASPs from the perspective of healthcare providers. According to the interviewees, the primary obstacles include lack of time in implementation and monitoring and lack of awareness of the need for ASPs. All respondents recommended the implementation of supervised and continuous trainings. In conclusion, the abovementioned barriers must be adequately addressed to facilitate the implementation of ASPs.

Health care professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward telemedicine.

The utilization of modern communication technology in the healthcare field is known as telemedicine, and it represents an advancement in the healthcare industry. For effective implementation of these technologies, healthcare professionals must possess the appropriate knowledge and hold a positive perspective toward the implementation of telemedicine. The current study aims to evaluate the knowledge and perspective of healthcare professionals in King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia toward telemedicine. This study was carried out in a diverse hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia and it was a cross-sectional study. The study took place from June 2019 until February 2020, during which 370 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals participated. The data was gathered by using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the healthcare professionals who participated in the study, 237 (63.7%), had limited knowledge of telemedicine. About 41 (11%) participants had a good understanding of the technology, and 94 participants (25.3%) had extensive knowledge. The overall attitude of the participants toward telemedicine was positive, with a mean score of 3.26. The mean attitude scores varied significantly (P < 0.001) among the different professions, with physicians scoring 3.69, allied healthcare professionals scoring 3.31, and nurses scoring 3.07. The coefficient of determination (R2) was used to evaluate the variation in attitude toward telemedicine and it was found that education (12.4%) and nationality (4.7%) had the least impact on the attitude toward telemedicine. Healthcare professionals are crucial to the successful implementation and continuity of telemedicine. However, despite their positive attitude toward telemedicine, most of the healthcare professionals who participated in the study had limited knowledge of it. There were differences in attitude among different groups of healthcare professionals. As a result, it is necessary to create specialized educational programs for healthcare professionals to guarantee the proper implementation and continuation of telemedicine.

Spirituality in Critical Care: An Observational Study of the Perceptions of Professionals, Patients and Families, in Spain and Latin America.

This research aims to describe the perspectives of health care professionals, patients, and family members regarding spiritual care options in intensive care units (ICUs). Participants were recruited consecutively from January to August 2019, during which time data collection was conducted. A total of 1211 Spanish-language questionnaires were collected from 41 ICUs in Spain and Latin America. Approximately 655 participants worked as ICU professionals (74.5% of these participants were women, and 47.5% were nurses). Additionally, 340 questionnaires were sent to patients' families, and patients completed 216 questionnaires; 59.7% of these participants were men, and their mean age was 59.4years. Most (69.7%) of the critical care professionals considered this type of care to be a part of their profession, 50.1% did not feel competent to provide this type of care, and 83.4% felt that training in this area was necessary. Most families (71.7%) and patients (60.2%) felt that spiritual suffering occurred during their stay in the ICU. The results of this study suggest a perceived deficit in spiritual care in ICUs.

Patient and Health Care Professional Perspectives on Stigma in Integrated Behavioral Health: Barriers and Recommendations.

Stigma related to mental health is well documented and a major barrier to using mental and physical health care. Integrated behavioral health (IBH) in primary care, in which behavioral/mental health care services are located within a primary care setting, may reduce the experience of stigma. The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of patients and health care professionals about mental illness stigma as a barrier to engagement with IBH and to gain insight into strategies to reduce stigma, encourage discussion of mental health, and increase uptake of IBH care. We conducted semistructured interviews with 16 patients referred to IBH in a prior year and 15 health care professionals (12 primary care physicians and 3 psychologists). Interviews were transcribed and inductively coded separately by 2 coders for common themes and subthemes under the topic headings of barriers, facilitators, and recommendations. We identified 10 converging themes from interviews with patients and the health care professionals, representing important complementary perspectives, with respect to barriers, facilitators, and recommendations. Barriers included professionals, families, and the public as sources of stigma, as well as self-stigma or avoidance, or internalizing negative stereotypes. Facilitators and recommendations included normalizing discussion of mental health and mental health care-seeking action, using patient-centered and empathetic communication strategies, sharing by health care professionals of their own experiences, and tailoring the discussion of mental health to patients' preferred understanding. Health care professionals can help reduce perceptions of stigma by having conversations with patients that normalize mental health discussion, use patient-centered communication, promote professional self-disclosure, and are tailored to patients' preferred understanding.

Affectivity and Sexuality in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Perspective of Education and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present several different characteristics that predispose them to greater difficulties with intimate emotional and sexual relationships. This qualitative study uncovers the perspective of education and healthcare professionals on the affective and sexual needs of young people with ASD by analysing their narratives in semi-structured focus group sessions. Professionals highlight the inadequate training they receive in this aspect of health. They consider it should be commonplace for professionals working with autistic people as it would aid their collaborative efforts when treating children and adolescents with ASD. They show that, by working together with the families to establish joint objectives, these professionals can appropriately address sex and affective education, preventing risky behaviours among young people with ASD, and improving the interactions these individuals have with others. Sex and affective education is described as an indispensable tool at this stage of development and should be specially adapted for those with ASD.

Facilitating Factors and Barriers in the Return to Work of Working Women Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

Several studies have identified the main barriers and facilitators that breast cancer survivors experience in the return to work (RTW). The authors conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions with a group of female non-metastatic breast cancer survivors (n = 6), a group of health professionals from different medical specialties (n = 8), and a third group of company managers mainly composed of human resources managers (n = 7). The study was carried out between March and December 2021 in Zaragoza (Spain). Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify work-related barriers and facilitators and coded by the research team. Barriers identified included physical and cognitive symptoms, psychosocial problems, lack of knowledge and coordination (health professional, patients, and managers), legal vacuum, physical change, time constraints, work characteristics (lower skilled jobs), unsupportive supervisors and coworkers, family problems and self-demand. Facilitators included family and work support, physical activity and rehabilitation, personalized attention, interdisciplinary collaboration, legal advice for workers, knowledge about breast cancer in companies, positive aspects of work, elaboration of protocols for RTW in women with breast cancer. RTW in working women with breast cancer requires a personalized and holistic view that includes the perspectives of patients, healthcare professionals and company managers.

Interprofessional Collaboration in Complex Patient Care Transition: A Qualitative Multi-Perspective Analysis.

Healthcare professionals often feel challenged by complex patients and the associated care needs during care transition. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is considered an effective approach in such situations. However, a fragmented healthcare system can limit IPC. This study explored experiences of Swiss healthcare professionals regarding complex patient care transition and the potential of IPC. Professionals from nursing, medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, dietetics and nutrition, social service, occupational therapy, and speech therapy were included. A qualitative between-method triangulation design was applied, with two focus group discussions and ten individual interviews. The combination of different data-collection methods allowed us to explore complex patient care transition and to systematically add perspectives of healthcare professionals from different care settings. Three main themes were identified: (1) Participants described their vision of an ideal complex patient care transition, i.e., the status they would like to see implemented; (2) participants reported challenges in complex patient care transition as experienced today; and (3) participants suggested ways to improve complex patient care transition by IPC. This study highlighted that healthcare professionals regarded IPC as an effective intervention to improve complex patient care transition. It emerged that sustainable implementation of IPC across care organizations is currently limited in Switzerland. In the absence of strong and direct promotion of IPC by the healthcare system, professionals in clinical practice can further promote IPC by finding hands-on solutions to overcome organizational boundaries.

Integration of art and technology in personalized radiation oncology care: Experiences, evidence, and perspectives.

Cancer diagnoses expose patients to traumatic stress, sudden changes in daily life, changes in the body and autonomy, with even long-term consequences, and in some cases, to come to terms with the end-of-life. Furthermore, rising survival rates underline that the need for interventions for emotional wellbeing is in growing demand by patients and survivors. Cancer patients frequently have compliance problems, difficulties during treatment, stress, or challenges in implementing healthy behaviors. This scenario was highlighted during the COVID-19 emergency. These issues often do not reach the clinical attention of dedicated professionals and could also become a source of stress or burnout for professionals. So, these consequences are evident on individual, interpersonal, and health system levels. Oncology services have increasingly sought to provide value-based health care, considering resources invested, with implications for service delivery and related financing mechanisms. Value-based health care can improve patient outcomes, often revealed by patient outcome measures while seeking balance with economical budgets. The paper aims to show the Gemelli Advanced Radiation Therapy (ART) experience of personalizing the patients' care pathway through interventions based on technologies and art, the personalized approach to cancer patients and their role as "co-stars" in treatment care. The paper describes the vision, experiences, and evidence that have guided clinical choices involving patients and professionals in a co-constructed therapeutic pathway. We will explore this approach by describing: the various initiatives already implemented and prospects, with particular attention to the economic sustainability of the paths proposed to patients; the several pathways of personalized care, both from the patient's and healthcare professional perspective, that put the person's experience at the Gemelli ART Center. The patient's satisfaction with the treatment and economic outcomes have been considered. The experiences and future perspectives described in the manuscript will focus on the value of people's experiences and patient satisfaction indicators, patients, staff, and the healthcare organization.

Perspectives on Promoting Physical Activity Using eHealth in Primary Care by Health Care Professionals and Individuals With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

The trend of an exponential increase in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is projected to continue rising worldwide. Physical activity could help prevent T2D and the progression and complications of the disease. Therefore, we need to create opportunities for individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to self-manage their chronic condition through physical activity. eHealth is a potential resource that could facilitate self-management and thus improve population health. However, there is limited research on users' perception of eHealth in promoting physical activity in primary care settings. This study aims to explore the perspectives of health care professionals and individuals with prediabetes and T2D on eHealth to promote physical activity in primary care. A qualitative approach was applied using focus group discussions among individuals with prediabetes or T2D (14 participants in four groups) and health care professionals (10 participants in two groups). The discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used inductively to code the data. Three main categories emerged: utility, adoption process, and accountability. The utility of eHealth was described as a motivational, entertaining, and stimulating tool. Registration of daily medical measurements and lifestyle parameters in a cohesive digital platform was recognized as a potential resource for strengthening self-management skills. The adoption process includes eHealth to increase the accessibility of care and personalize the support of physical activity. However, participants stated that digital technology might only suit some and could increase health care providers' administrative burden. Accountability refers to the knowledge and skills to optimize eHealth and ensure data integrity and security. People with prediabetes and T2D and health care professionals positively viewed an integration of eHealth technology in primary care to promote physical activity. A cohesive platform using personal metrics, goal-setting, and social support to promote physical activity was suggested. This study identified eHealth illiteracy, inequality, privacy, confidentiality, and an increased workload on health care professionals as factors of concern when integrating eHealth into primary care. Continuous development of eHealth competence was reported as necessary to optimize the implementation of eHealth technology in primary care.

Perspectives of registered dietitians and factors associated with their personal accomplishment in the management of cancer cachexia.

Registered dietitians (RDs) have the potential in cancer cachexia management. We investigated RDs' knowledge on cancer cachexia and assessed the effects of factors on RDs' perception of playing an important role in cancer cachexia management. This is a secondary analysis of a survey examining the perspectives of health care professionals on cancer cachexia management. We sent the questionnaire to 451 RDs. RDs were divided into two groups: RDs with and without the perception. Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. To examine the effects of factors on the perception, estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the logistic regression model were calculated. A total of 237 RDs were analyzed. Significant differences were observed in the number of cancer patients/month, the primary area of practice, the number of clinical guidelines used, the number of items used, the number of symptoms used, and training for cancer cachexia management (p values all < 0.05). After adjustments, the factors of cancer care experience ≥ 20years (OR 8.32, 95% CI 1.22-56.70; p = 0.030), the number of patients/month ≥ 50 (OR 27.35, 95% CI 3.99-187.24; p = 0.001), using the clinical guidelines (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.29-5.61; p = 0.008), the number of items ≥ 5 (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.47-8.40; p = 0.005), and receiving training (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.77-8.67; p = 0.001) significantly associated with the perception. Specific knowledge and training as well as abundant experience were associated with the perception.

Best Practices in Maternal and Child Health from the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals

Objective: To understand healthcare professionals’ perception of best practices in maternal and child health. Materials and methods: This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study was conducted between December 2020 and March 2021. The study corpus consisted of 23 healthcare professionals from southern Brazil. Data were collected using a semi-structured script and coded based on Minayo’s thematic content analysis proposed. Results: Data analysis enabled the delimitation of two thematic categories: “best practices in maternal and child health: from idealization to accomplishment” and “strategies to qualify the maternal and child healthcare network.” Conclusions: Healthcare professionals recognize the relevance of best practices in maternal and child health, although this process must be expanded and consolidated. Continuing education, hospitality, ambiance, improved access, and the professional-user connection stand out among the qualifying strategies.

What is important to adults after lower limb reconstruction surgery: a conceptual framework

PurposePatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to understand the impact of lower limb reconstruction on patient’s Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). Existing measures have not involved this group of patients and their experiences during development. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework to reflect what is important to patients requiring, undergoing or after undergoing reconstructive surgery.MethodsOur population of interest was people requiring, undergoing or after undergoing reconstructive surgery due to trauma, malunion, nonunion, infection or congenital issues treated by internal or external fixation. We undertook semi-structured interviews with patients and orthopaedic healthcare professionals (surgeons, methodologists and patient contributors) in England.ResultsThirty-two patients and 22 orthopaedic healthcare professionals (surgeons, methodologists and patient contributors) were interviewed between November 2020 and June 2021. Eight domains from a previously developed preliminary conceptual framework were used as a framework around which to code the interviews using thematic analysis. Six domains important to patients (from the perspective of patients and orthopaedic healthcare professionals) were included in the final conceptual framework: pain, perception-of-self, work and finances, daily lifestyle and functioning, emotional well-being, and support. These findings, plus meetings with our advisory panel led to the refinement of the conceptual framework.ConclusionThe first five domains relate to important outcomes for patients; they are all inter-related and their importance to patients changed throughout recovery. The final domain—support (from work, the hospital, physiotherapists and family/friends)—was vital to patients and lessened the negative impact of the other domains on their HRQL. These new data strengthen our original findings and our understanding of the domains we identified in the QES. The next step in this research is to ascertain whether current PROMs used with this group of patients adequately capture these areas of importance.

Hearing the client voice

British Journal of Community NursingVol. 28, No. 1 While’s WordsHearing the client voiceAlison WhileAlison WhileEmeritus Professor of Community Nursing, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, King’s College London and Midwifery and Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing InstituteSearch for more papers by this authorAlison WhilePublished Online:2 Jan 2023https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2023.28.1.8AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Care Quality Commission. 4000 voices: findings from a survey with people 65 years and over conducted on behalf of CQC by Ipsos. 2022. https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/transparency/external-reports-research/4000voices (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarFitzpatrick R, Hopkins A. Problems in the conceptual framework of patient satisfaction research: an empirical exploration. Sociol Health Illn. 1983;5(3):297-311. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.ep10491836 Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarFitzpatrick R. Surveys of patients satisfaction: I--Important general considerations. BMJ. 1991;302(6781):887-889. https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmj.302.6781.887 Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarGP Patient Survey. GP Patient Survey 2022. 2022. https://gp-patient.co.uk/downloads/2022/GPPS_2022_National_infographic_PUBLIC.pdf (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarIliffe S, Manthorpe J. Medical consumerism in the UK, from ‘citizen’s challenge’ to the ‘managed consumer’-A symbol without meaning? Health Expect. 2021; 24(2):182-187. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13197 Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarJenkinson C, Coulter A, Bruster S, Richards N, Chandola T. Patients’ experiences and satisfaction with health care: results of a questionnaire study of specific aspects of care. Qual Saf Health Care. 2002;11(4):335-339. https://doi.org/10.1136/qhc.11.4.335 Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Shared decision making. NG197. 2021. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng197 (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarNational Voices. Unlocking the digital front door: keys to inclusive healthcare. 2021. https://www.nationalvoices.org.uk/sites/default/files/public/publications/unlocking_the_digital_front_door_-_keys_to_inclusive_healthcare_report.pdf (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarNational Voices. Carers’ experiences of remote care and support models: learning from the pandemic. 2022. https://www.nationalvoices.org.uk/sites/default/files/public/publications/carers_experiences_of_remote_care_and_support_models_final_25.08.pdf (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarNHS England. Guidance: the NHS Constitution for England. 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarPatients Association. Why our NHS should listen and be human. 2015. https://joanna678s.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/why-our-nhs-should-listen-and-be-human.pdf (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarPatients Association. Shared decision making from the perspective of clinicians and healthcare professionals. 2022. https://www.patients-association.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=338a651c-a25c-4bdb-b220-7ec180e65e73 (accessed 16 November 2022) Google ScholarUK Government. Reading the signals. Maternity and neonatal services in East Kent – the Report of the Independent Investigation. 2022. https://tinyurl.com/yzraah6m (accessed 16 November 2022) Google Scholarvan Dael J, Reader TW, Gillespie AT, Freise L, Darzi A, Mayer EK. Do national policies for complaint handling in English hospitals support quality improvement? Lessons from a case study. J R Soc Med. 2022; 115(10):390-398. https://doi.org/10.1177/01410768221098247 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 January 2023Volume 28Issue 1ISSN (print): 1462-4753ISSN (online): 2052-2215 Metrics History Published online 2 January 2023 Published in print 2 January 2023 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: Egyptian healthcare professionals’ views

Abstract Introduction: Despite its suggested positive outcomes, telemedicine will only be a helpful health service when people begin to utilize it. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) represent the principal users of telemedicine services, and their willingness to adopt them has a remarkable impact on their successful implementation. Aim: Identify the acceptability of telemedicine services and the relations between the key facilitators and inhibitors of telemedicine services from the perspective of HCPs in Egypt. Methodology: An observational, analytical cross-sectional study employing the internet platforms of social media among HCPs all over Egypt, via a web-based survey over six months, from August 2020 to January 2021. Results: 262 HCPs participated in the study; 32.8% of the studied HCPs stated they had a high knowledge of telemedicine technology, 41.6% stated that telemedicine was easy to implement and 41.3% believed telemedicine was necessary for patient care. Conclusion: While the use of telemedicine is every day in many countries, the results of the current study showed that the knowledge of telemedicine technology was quite limited, which influenced their attitude toward that technology. Therefore, increasing users' knowledge and demonstrating its capabilities and benefits is essential before deployment.

Diversity awareness, diversity competency and access to healthcare for minority groups: perspectives of healthcare professionals in Croatia, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia.

Due to cultural, language, or legal barriers, members of social minority groups face challenges in access to healthcare. Equality of healthcare provision can be achieved through raised diversity awareness and diversity competency of healthcare professionals. The aim of this research was to explore the experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals toward the issue of social diversity and equal access to healthcare in Croatia, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia. The data reported come from semi-structured interviews with n = 39 healthcare professionals. The interviews were analyzed using the methods of content analysis and thematic analysis. Respondents in all four countries acknowledged that socioeconomic factors and membership in a minority group have an impact on access to healthcare services, but its scope varies depending on the country. Underfunding of healthcare, language barriers, inadequate cultural training or lack of interpersonal competencies, and lack of institutional support were presented as major challenges in the provision of diversity-responsive healthcare. The majority of interviewees did not perceive direct systemic exclusion of minority groups; however, they reported cases of individual discrimination through the presence of homophobia or racism. To improve the situation, systemic interventions are needed that encompass all levels of healthcare systems - from policies to addressing existing challenges at the healthcare facility level to improving the attitudes and skills of individual healthcare providers.