Medication Management Services Research Articles

A developmental evaluation of an intraprofessional Pharmacy Communication Partnership (PROMPT) to improve transitions in care from hospital to community: A mixed-methods study

BackgroundPeople transitioning from hospital- to community-based care are at increased risk of experiencing medication problems that can lead to adverse drug events and poor health outcomes. Community pharmacists provide medication expertise and support during care transitions yet are not routinely included in communications between hospitals and other primary health care providers. The PhaRmacy COMmunication ParTnership (PROMPT) intervention facilitates medication management by optimizing information sharing between pharmacists across care settings. This developmental evaluation sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the PROMPT intervention, and to explore how contextual factors influenced its implementation.MethodsPROMPT was implemented for 14 weeks (January–April, 2018) in the general internal medicine units at two teaching hospitals in Toronto, Canada. PROMPT featured two contact points between hospital and community pharmacists around patient discharge: (1) faxing an enhanced discharge prescription and discharge summary to a patient’s community pharmacy and (2) a follow-up phone call from the hospital pharmacist to the community pharmacist. Our mixed-method evaluation involved electronic patient records, process measures using tracking forms, telephone surveys and semi-structured interviews with participating community and hospital pharmacists.ResultsThe intervention involved 45 patients with communication between 12 hospital and 45 community pharmacists. Overall, the intervention had challenges with feasibility. Issues with fidelity included challenges with the medical discharge summary being available at the time of faxing and hospital pharmacists’ difficulties with incorporating novel elements of the program into their existing practices. However, both community and hospital pharmacists recognized the potential benefits to patient care that PROMPT offered, and both groups proposed recommendations for further improvements. Suggestions included enhancing hospital staffing and resources.ConclusionImproving intraprofessional collaboration, through interventions such as PROMPT, positions pharmacists as leaders of medication management services across care settings and has the potential to improve patient care; however, more co-design work is needed to enhance the intervention and its fidelity.

Variation in Prehospital Protocols for Pediatric Seizure Within the United States.

The objective of this study was to compare statewide prehospital protocols for the management of pediatric seizures. We performed a descriptive analysis comparing statewide protocols for emergency medical services management of pediatric seizures within the United States, excluding states for which no statewide protocol/model was available. We compared antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), routes and doses of administration, and differences in febrile seizure management. Of 50 states, 34 had either statewide protocols or models and were included. All had a protocol for the management of seizures and provided specific recommendations for the management of pediatric seizures. Twelve states (35%) preferentially recommended midazolam over other benzodiazepines. Thirty-two (94%) of 34 allowed for use of midazolam, with variable use of other AEDs. All allowed for use of intramuscular AED. Twenty-six (77%) allowed for intranasal AED. Nine (27%) allowed emergency medical services to administer a patient's own abortive AED, and 6 (18%) allowed for use of a patient's vagal nerve stimulator, when present. There was a wide variability with respect to dosing ranges for medications. Thirty-two (94%) of 34 included blood glucose measurement within the protocol. Twenty-one protocols (62%) provided recommendations for febrile seizures, including recommending active/passive cooling (8/34, 24%) and antipyretic administration (9/34, 26%). All statewide protocols carried specific guidelines for the prehospital management of pediatric seizures; however, there was wide variability with respect to specific AEDs, routes of administration, and drug dosages. In addition to broader availability of statewide guidance, areas of potential protocol improvement and research include AED dose optimization, reprioritization of blood glucose, and greater emphasis on intranasal or intramuscular medication dosing.

Analysis of Financial Management in public Emergency Medical Services sector: Case study of the Department of Emergency Medical Services, Uganda.

IntroductionThe purpose of the study was to critically analyse financial management of the public Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector with specific focus on the financing methods for public EMS.MethodsThe study is a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey. It was conducted in the Department of EMS at the Ministry of Health, Uganda. A census was conducted for all twenty-one members of the Department of EMS. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe prominent sources of funding towards EMS in Uganda included government, development partners and charity organizations. The most highlighted factors constraining financial management of EMS included reduced government funding, bureaucracies within government agencies and increasing costs of running EMS. The major strategies to improve on the financial constraints included formation of a national insurance scheme, increasing government's contribution and forming Public-Private Partnerships.ConclusionThe department seemed to be taking on the trend of the developed world in form of strategies to combat financial management constraints which is a step in the right direction but should be cognizant of the challenges this could bring on due to adaptation of these practices. The department of EMS still had a narrow scope of funding sources mainly circling around government and development partner support and was utilizing less of the more contemporary sources mainly exercised by the developed world.

Impact evaluation of a four-year academic-community partnership in provision of medication management and tertiary prevention services for rural patients with diabetes and/or hypertension.

Medication therapy management (MTM) services, including targeted, pharmacist-delivered, tertiary prevention interventions, were provided to rural patients with chronic diseases via an academic-community partnership. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the overall program and pre/post patient outcomes from this four-year, multi-site collaboration. Five community health sites collaborated with a university-based MTM provider to deliver services in Arizona (2012–16). Eligible patients: were 18 or older (median 65 years); had a diagnosis of diabetes and/or hypertension; and resided in a rural community. Participants received an initial telephone consultation with the MTM pharmacist; follow-up consultations were conducted after 30 or 90 days for high- and low-risk patients, respectively. Community partner staff collected clinical data and addressed pharmacists’ recommendations. Descriptive analysis and bivariate analyses of pre- and post-intervention results were conducted. Most (n = 410, 70%) of the 577 participants receiving an initial and follow-up consultation with the MTM pharmacist had both diabetes and hypertension. These individuals showed statistically significant improvements in fasting blood glucose (p < 0.0001), hemoglobin A1C (p = 0.0082) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.009) while those with only one condition did not demonstrate significant changes. While the pre/post changes in chronic disease control indicators were statistically significant, the clinical significance was low to moderate. Patients with both comorbid diabetes and hypertension experienced benefit from collaborative, targeted MTM pharmacist-delivered, tertiary prevention interventions in tandem with community-based pharmacy resources. This multi-site MTM program showed promise in increasing patients’ use of these services, yet effective strategies are needed to expand recruitment of eligible patients in the future.

Leveraging quality improvement principles in comprehensive medication management pharmacy practice: A case example

ObjectiveTo maximize the time pharmacists providing comprehensive medication management (CMM) services spend providing direct patient care by tracking their time spent on various activities. SettingFifteen primary care clinics within an integrated health care system in Minnesota. Practice descriptionEleven pharmacists provide comprehensive medication management services in 15 clinic sites; 12 primary care clinics, 1 family medicine residency training clinic, and 2 specialty clinics. Practice innovationA team of pharmacists providing CMM developed and completed a self-reported workload sheet to document how much time they spent on various activities. These sheets were completed at 4 different points over 6 years to guide efficiency efforts to increase pharmacists’ time spent in value-added activities such as direct patient care. EvaluationBeginning in 2014, each CMM pharmacist was asked to complete the workload tally sheet to track the time they spent on all their daily activities for a 5-day period. The workload sheets were collected in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019 and represent a snapshot of activity at 1 point during each year. Workload sheets from each pharmacist were compiled and analyzed each year to assess time spent in direct patient care and other value-added activities. ResultsFrom 2014 to 2019, CMM pharmacists increased their time providing value-added services from 47.1% to 72% and increased time in direct patient care from 26.7% to 52.5%. This was achieved through a number of workflow optimization strategies, including appropriation of staff to schedule and recruit CMM patients, developing expanded collaborative practice agreements, and creating documentation efficiencies. ConclusionCollecting CMM pharmacist workload data across the years demonstrated the amount of time pharmacists were spending on various clinic-related activities and served to identify areas where workflow and processes could be improved to increase the time pharmacists spend in value-added services. As CMM practices continue to develop and expand, tracking and optimizing pharmacists’ time is essential to leverage efficiency and value of pharmacy services.

Analysis on the Construction and Operation Mode of Internet Hospitals

Internet + medical health have become a national key strategy, and the industries of medical information have ushered in new development. Internet hospitals have broken through the limitations of diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis, doctor’s education, family doctors, and post-hospital tracking have been introduced to the Internet hospital system, the whole process of medical management service including ‘health management, diagnosis, in-hospital, rehabilitation’ has been gradually established, and coordinating to the medical resources, family doctors and channels of medicine, to realize the real circulation of medical resources. The authors screened six Internet hospitals and comprehensively analyzed their construction and operation modes, with a view to providing reference for the construction of Internet hospitals.

Data Safety and Ethical Challenges in Teaching Institution: The AMDI Experience

The development of the internet and expansion of digital technology has played massive role in the innovation and utilization of Health Information System (HIS) which refers to a system designed to manage healthcare data. This includes systems that collect, store, manage and transmit a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR), hospital management or medical support services and healthcare policies. The rapidly evolving digital technology and internet speed might also increase the risk of cybersecurity threats, genuine risk of patient’s data breach, confidentiality related issues and numerous technical challenges. Both users and managers of the system must be aware and properly trained to minimize the risks. Teaching and training institutions have added risk of having multiple batches of students with full or limited access to HIS as part of teaching and training requirements. Rapid turnover of students and clinic a l trainees pose a significant challenge to the IT managers in controlling and monitoring access to HIS. Additionally, the access to database has become easier for research and audits but may subconsciously led to confidentiality breach and ethical misconduct. There are 4 main components of data safety in HIS namely, data management, data integration, responsibilit y and accessibility. The potential risks, solutions and future challenges related to data safety and ethical issues are discussed in this presentation as well as review of the Islamic medical ethics concept as true guidance in dealing with ethical misconduct.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 17

The roles of case managers and problems encountered in implementing patient centered care in hospitals

Background and purpose: Patient centered care in hospitals has yet to be well implemented. The role of case managers is very important in the implementation of patient centered care in hospitals. Research publications on the role of case managers in patient centered care in Indonesia remain limited. This study aims to explore the roles of case managers and problems encountered in the implementation of patient centered care in hospitals.Methods: This study used a qualitative design with a case study approach conducted at Bangli District Hospital in Bali in April 2019. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with seventeen purposively selected informants consisting of ten case managers, one deputy director of medical services, two patient's family members, two specialist doctors and two implementing nurses at Bangli District Hospital. This study uses the Patient Centered Care Framework from Greene which consists of three dimensions in patient centered care namely interpersonal, clinical and structural dimensions. Data was analyzed thematically using deductive and inductive techniques. Data validation was conducted through triangulation of data based on different sources, member checking and peer debriefing.Results: In this study, five main themes were found regarding the role of case managers in the implementation of patient centered care in hospitals, namely interpersonal, clinical and structural dimensions, support and expectations of case managers. The identified role of the case manager in the interpersonal dimension consisted of listening to patients and families actively, coordination and collaboration in problem solving, providing accurate and easy to understand information about care. Problems encountered included lack of communication between the service provider components and between the service provider with patients and their families. Roles of case manager in the clinical dimension are to hold meetings with a professional team of care givers and continuous monitoring of services to patients, while the issue encountered is the mismatch of time of service provision by specialist doctors. Roles of case managers in the structural dimension is coordination with policy holders, use of information technology and patient reporting. Problems encountered were inappropriate recruitment of case managers, lack of training of case managers, incomplete facilities, inconvenience of services and inadequate incentives. Supports from hospitals for case managers were support of facilities and legality as case managers. Expectations of case managers include case manager training, rewarding, and career development opportunities.Conclusion: The roles of case managers in implementing patient centered care in Bangli District Hospital are not optimal. Efforts to address issues in the interpersonal, clinical and structural dimensions need to be carried out by the hospital management to enhance the role of case managers in the implementation of patient centered care.

Efficacy of a medication management service in improving adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia: a randomised controlled trial.

Suboptimal adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) contributes to poor clinical outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the impact of a medication management service (MMS) on adherence to TKIs and clinical outcomes. A parallel RCT was conducted in two hospitals in Malaysia, where 129 CML patients were randomised to MMS or control (usual care) groups using a stratified 1:1 block randomisation method. The 6-month MMS included three face-to-face medication use reviews, CML and TKI-related education, two follow-up telephone conversations, a printed information booklet and two adherence aids. Medication adherence (primary outcome), molecular responses and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores were assessed at baseline, 6th and 12th month. Medication adherence and HRQoL were assessed using medication possession ratio and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment in Cancer questionnaire (EORTC_QLQ30_CML24) respectively. The MMS group (n = 65) showed significantly higher adherence to TKIs than the control group (n = 64) at 6th month (81.5% vs 56.3%; p = 0.002), but not at 12th month (72.6% vs 60.3%; p = 0.147). In addition, a significantly higher proportion of participants in the MMS group achieved major molecular response at 6th month (58.5% vs 35.9%; p = 0.010), but not at 12th month (66.2% vs 51.6%; p = 0.092). Significant deep molecular response was also obtained at 12th month (24.6% vs 10.9%; p = 0.042). Six out of 20 subscales of EORTC-QLQ30-CML24 were significantly better in the MMS group. The MMS improved CML patients' adherence to TKI as well as achieved better clinical outcomes. Clinicaltrial.gov (ID: NCT03090477).

EMERGING MODELS OF CARE: THE IMPACT OF PHARMACIST-LED MEDICATION MANAGEMENT IN A TRANSITIONAL CARE PROGRAM

Transitional care programs have emerged as successful models of care in which to reduce cost and improve health outcomes. However, few transitional care models have directly incorporated the expertise of the pharmacist as an integral member of the care coordination team. Therein lies an inherent limitation of many community-based transitional care programs, the underutilization of pharmacist during all stages of the care transition process. In 2013, the Hampton Roads Care Transitions Project (HRCTP), a partnership between Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia Area Agency on Aging in Norfolk, VA and Hampton University School of Pharmacy, was established. The goal of the HRCTP is to provide medication management services to reduce preventable hospital readmissions for adults 60 years of age and older with targeted diagnoses. Pharmacists work in collaboration with social workers who act as HRCTP care transition coaches. Between May 2017- October 2018, 678 patients were enrolled in the HRCTP. The hospital readmission rate among patients with targeted diagnoses was reduced by 55.3% with an absolute percentage point reduction of 9.9% and estimated savings amount per avoided readmission of $14,400. Patients who participated in the HRCTP showed a 14% increase in the Patient Activation Assessment indicating an improvement in self-managing efficacy. 93% of patients/caregivers indicated they felt more confident in their ability to manage their health, and 91% expressed satisfaction with the program. The program has proven effective in assisting seniors to remain in their home, reducing hospitalizations, promoting health, increasing patient satisfaction, and reducing healthcare cost.

Implementation of medication management services at the primary healthcare level - a pilot study.

This study employed a mixed-method approach to enable the implementation of comprehensive medication management (CMM) services in Croatia's primary care setting. Drug therapy problems (DTPs) and factors associated with their occurrence were determined in patients with chronic diseases from January 2018 to April 2019. The pre-implementation stage established the foundations for the early implementation stage, in which the practice was set up, the patients' recruitment initiated and various challenges identified. During the study period, 86 patients were recruited for CMM provision. Overall, 2.8 DTPs (± 1.6) per patient were identified and the majority (96.2 %) presented with at least one DTP. Multiple regression analysis showed that type 2 diabetic patients (p = 0.025) and patients using five or more medications (p = 0.011) should be prioritized to receive CMM services as potentially they have a higher number of DTPs, and could, therefore, obtain a greater benefit from the service.

Patient Satisfaction with Rural Medical Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey in 11 Western Provinces in China.

Rural medical services play an important role in protecting and promoting the health of the rural population; however, patient satisfaction with rural medical services has been understudied in China. A better understanding of the actual situation and the determinants involved will provide evidence for health-related policy makers and hospital managers to further improve rural medical services. A total of 9811 patients (5208 outpatients and 4603 inpatients) were included in this study from a cross-sectional survey conducted in rural hospitals from 11 western provinces in China. Three in five patients (including outpatients and inpatients) were satisfied with rural medical services. The mean overall satisfaction scores were 3.61 ± 0.857 and 3.80 ± 0.829 (out of a maximum of 5) for rural outpatients and inpatients, respectively. The most satisfying domains for outpatients and inpatients were medical service attitude and illness explanation, and waiting time and medical expenses were the domains that outpatients and inpatients were least satisfied with. Satisfaction with medical technology (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.57–1.92) and satisfaction with trust in physicians (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.85–2.28) were identified as the strongest predictors of outpatients’ and inpatients’ overall satisfaction with rural medical services, respectively. This study might shed light on rural medical services management in China.

Fruit and vegetable import duty reduction in Fiji to prevent obesity and non-communicable diseases: a case study.

To describe the development of Fiji's fruit and vegetable fiscal policies between 2010 and 2014 and explore the impact they have had on import volumes. Qualitative case study and in-depth analysis of policy process. Policy impact was assessed using publicly available import volume data and prices of food products. Fiji. Senior government policy makers, non-communicable disease officers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) and supermarket managers. In 2011, the Fijian Government introduced an import excise of 10 % on vegetables and reduced the import fiscal duty on fruit that was also grown in Fiji by 10 %. The import tax on vegetables was removed in 2012 in response to a MoHMS request. Policy makers from several sectors supported the MoHMS request, recognized their leadership and acknowledged the importance of collaboration in achieving the removal of the excise. Tariff reductions appear to have contributed to increases in the volume of vegetables (varieties not grown in Fiji) and fruit (varieties grown in Fiji) imported, but it is not clear if this increased population consumption. Reductions in import duties appear to have contributed to increases in volumes of vegetables and fruit imported into Fiji. This case study has demonstrated that governments can use fiscal policy to meet the needs of a range of sectors including health, agriculture and tourism.

The Partnerships for Care Project in Massachusetts: Developing Partnerships and Data Systems to Increase Linkage and Engagement in Care for Individuals Living With HIV.

Before implementation of the Massachusetts Partnerships for Care (MA P4C) project, Massachusetts did not routinely provide HIV partner services to newly diagnosed individuals. Identification of individuals disengaged from HIV care and assistance for re-engagement relied on community- and clinic-based HIV medical case management services. Processes to identify individuals out of HIV care used either surveillance or clinic data, but did not combine both. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health collaborated with 6 community health centers to implement HIV partner services and out-of-care re-engagement services. Implementation of these services required development of both health department and community health center capacity. Capacity development strategies included the following: development and implementation of operational protocols, establishment of communication strategies and processes, training and education for health department and health center staff, and enhancement of disease surveillance systems. Development of operational protocols supported implementation of public health services and collaboration with health centers. Health department-facilitated meetings, training, and technical assistance enhanced communication with health centers and promoted buy-in for collaboration. A strategy for combining clinic and surveillance data to identify individuals out of HIV care was implemented. Surveillance data system enhancements improved efficiency of out-of-care identification, assignment of cases for public health follow-up, and provided quality improvement tools. Collaboration between health departments and community health centers to identify and support patient engagement in HIV medical care is feasible and supports improved continuity of care. Use of surveillance and clinic data to identify out-of-care patients promotes efficiency in Data to Care activities.

Using a multisite and multi–health system pharmacy resident program model for care documentation quality improvement

ObjectivesTo implement and evaluate a pharmacy resident documentation peer review process. SettingThe University of Minnesota Postgraduate Year One Pharmacy Residency Program is a multisite program with 25 residents across 16 different health care organizations. Practice descriptionSites within the program provide comprehensive medication management (CMM) services to patients in ambulatory care settings, including participation in the full patient care process of assessment, care plan development, follow-up, and appropriate documentation. Practice innovationIn this innovative peer review process model, residents undergo a deidentified CMM documentation review process with residents from other practice sites, exposing them to different documentation templates and perspectives. EvaluationA workgroup of residency preceptors led by a research team developed a peer review process, which evolved through 3 phases over 2 years in response to resident, preceptor, and administration team feedback. Resident feedback was compiled and analyzed. ResultsForty-two residents responded to the survey (67% response rate); 71% found the review process to be helpful. Residents reported that the process improved their understanding of how to improve patient care documentation (74%), how to provide peer feedback (90%), and the importance of effective interprofessional communication in clinical decision making (81%). DiscussionThe core perceived benefit of the peer review process was exposure to how other health systems and practitioners document CMM. Some residents participate in a peer review process at their home institutions, which may explain some of the lack of perceived benefit. Generalizability of this study is limited by being within a single residency program with a relatively small number of participants. ConclusionPharmacy residents found a peer review process of documentation to be helpful during their residency education. The process exposed residents to different documentation practices at various health care systems, which led to ideas of how to improve documentation and provided a foundation for how to provide peer feedback in practice.

Drug interactions among older adults followed up in a comprehensive medication management service at Primary Care.

ABSTRACTObjective:To estimate the prevalence of drug interactions and associated factors among older adults followed up in a Comprehensive Medication Management Service at Primary Care.Methods:Firstly, the Beers criteria 2015 was used to define drug interactions; later, drug interactions proposed by Dumbreck for patients with diabetes, depression, and heart failure were evaluated. The associated factors were assessed by univariate (Pearson's χ2) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression). The significance level of 5% was set for all analyses.Results:The mean age of the studied population was 70.2±7.8 years; 52.2% were between 60 and 69 years, and 61.3% were female. Among the older adults, 94.5% used two or more drugs (condition for the occurrence of drug-drug interaction). The prevalence of drug interaction according to the Beers criteria was 4.9%. After multivariate analysis, diseases of the central nervous system, arrhythmia, number of medications, and female sex were positively associated with drug interaction. The prevalence of drug interaction according to Dumbreck was 27.2%. After multivariate analysis, the number of medications, the presence of heart failure, and Charlson comorbidity index greater than 1 were conditions positively associated with drug interactions.Conclusion:The holistic and individualized approach used in comprehensive medication management services for older patients is important, considering the prevalence of drug interactions and the need to minimize adverse events.

Clinical Impact of a Comprehensive Medication Management Service in Primary Health Care

Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of a comprehensive medication management (CMM) service in a Brazilian primary health-care setting. Methods: A quasi-experimental study has been carried out between July 2014 and November 2016 with patients who received the service in the primary care setting of a Brazilian city (n = 1057). Factors associated with drug therapy problems (DTP) detection in the initial assessment were evaluated by performing univariate and multivariate analyzes. To evaluate the impact of the CMM service, a linear regression model was constructed from the difference between the initial and final values of the clinical and laboratory parameters adjusted by multiple variables. Results: A total of 1642 DTPs was identified, the most prevalent one being “nonadherence” (31.9%) and the “need for additional drug therapy” (22.9%). The use of 5 or more medications and the presence of 3 or more diseases were positively associated with the identification of 3 or more DTPs during the initial assessment. Even after multiple adjustments, a statistically significant reduction has been observed in the values of glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, low-density cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Conclusion: The CMM service contributed to the resolution of DTP and showed positive clinical impact in primary health care in the studied setting.

Identifying Medication Management Confidence and Gaps in Training Among Community Health Workers in the United States.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a group of trained health professionals who advocate for members within their communities on social and health care issues. CHWs are increasingly utilized due to their affordability, accessibility, and ability to relate to patients. Evaluating CHW medication management practices, confidence, and training gaps may provide a better understanding of medication management training needs. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to assess CHW confidence in medication management, describe medication management services, and identify areas of focus to improve CHW medication management training. A 32-item survey was administered to CHWs in Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, and Oregon through their state's CHW email listservs. The survey content covered four domains: (1) demographic information, (2) work history, (3) experience with medication management and (4) CHW training including specific questions regarding medication management training. Two free-response questions assessed whether medication management training was beneficial and gathered suggestions for medication management-specific training. A total of 77 CHWs completed the survey of which, 90.9% were female, 38.9% worked as CHWs between 1 and 3 years, and 89.6% received instate CHW training. Over three-fourths of respondents (79.2%) provide medication management-related services and 57.1% rate their confidence in medication management as 'poor' or 'fair.' CHWs reported a need for additional medication management training within CHW certificate and continuing education programs. CHWs provide medication management services but have low confidence in their ability to provide such services. A greater emphasis on medication management training should be included in CHW certificate and continuing education programs.

An intelligent gastric cancer screening method based on convolutional neural network and support vector machine

The continuous development of modern information technologies such as Internet and cloud computing leads to unprecedented explosive growth of global data volume. The rapid convergence of massive multi-source heterogeneous data provides a driving force for the continuous development of artificial intelligence. The application of big data and artificial intelligence in the medical health field can not only greatly improve efficiency of medical health management services but also effectively promote the renewal and development of medical knowledge and technology. However, intelligent screening of gastric cancer is less concerned in this study. In view of this, this paper proposes an intelligent gastric cancer screening method based on convolutional neural network and support vector machine, and makes empirical analysis of gastroscopy data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, further conforming good diagnosis accuracy of this method.

William Charles Donald Lovett

William Charles Donald Lovett (“Donald”) was born in Ystradowen in the Vale of Glamorgan, the eldest son of two school teachers. He was educated at Caerleon, where his father was...