Perceptions Of Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Australian Dental Practitioners’ Perceptions of Teledentistry

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increased use of teledentistry by dental practitioners in Australia as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies conducted analysing the opinions of dental practitioners were performed prior to the pandemic, and therefore it is important to determine if perceptions regarding teledentistry have changed following the outbreak. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of oral healthcare professionals regarding teledentistry in a clinical setting. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved an anonymous electronic questionnaire with a sample of 152 dental practitioners. The questionnaire contained 28 questions utilizing a 5-point Likert-scale to assess the perceptions of general dentists on teledentistry regarding diagnosis, accessibility, patient care, technology and finances. Chi-squared test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the results and percentages of agreement and disagreement were calculated. RESULTS: The participants of the questionnaire believed that teledentistry was effective for consultations and in the diagnosis of simple cases. They indicated large benefits of teledentistry in improving access, delivering post-operative care, and triaging patients, and found it particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the participants felt that teledentistry was ineffective in diagnosing complex cases such as pathology. Concerns were also raised regarding the interventional capacity of teledentistry, the quality of the technology, data security and medicolegal issues. In general, participants preferred in-person care in comparison with teledentistry. They were neutral regarding finance. CONCLUSION: The study provided an insight into the perceptions of Australian dental practitioners regarding teledentistry post-COVID-19. Opinions have changed slightly, but there are large hurdles still to overcome before teledentistry is more widely accepted. Research should be continued to further improve teledentistry in the future.

Evaluating the impact of social media marketing from the perspective of orthodontists

ObjectiveIn developed countries, orthodontists utilize social media platforms as a pivotal component of their marketing strategies. However, there exists a gap in understanding the broader perspective of healthcare professionals on the utilization of social media in healthcare service delivery. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the perceptions of healthcare professionals in Turkey regarding the integration of social media within healthcare service delivery.Materials & methodsThis cross-sectional study, conducted between January and February 2023, surveyed 378 members of the Turkish Orthodontic Society. The survey consisted of two parts: a demographic questionnaire with 28 items and a 21-item “Social Media Marketing Activities Scale,” developed with input from three experts. Data analysis will include an explanatory factor analysis. This study provides a snapshot of orthodontists’ perspectives on social media marketing practices.ResultsWhen participants’ views of patient communication through social media were examined, 19.8% said they “thought it was right” and 80.2% said they “thought it was wrong”. The treatment and treatment alternatives shared with patients through social media were implemented in 16.5% of cases and not implemented in 83.5% of cases. When examining the social media accounts used by participants to communicate with patients, 56.8% used personal accounts, 43.2% used professional accounts, and when analyzing the social media accounts they used for promotional purposes, 15.8% had personal accounts, 84.2% of them used professional accounts. More than half (59.8%) of orthodontists believed that communicating with patients on social media could cause legal problems. The majority of orthodontists (88.7%) followed their competitors.ConclusionThe prevalence of participants’ use of social media posts for advertising purposes was low, and it was determined that the main reason for this was the prohibition of advertising in the provision of health services.

Optimizing Implementation of the Neonatal Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline

IntroductionEnhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) protocols require multidisciplinary team engagement from healthcare professionals (HCPs), where limited studies exist on neonatal ERAS® protocols. Therefore, we aimed to capture perceptions of HCPs on facilitation and implementation of the neonatal ERAS® guideline. Methods10 neonates were recruited. 13 HCPs involved in these patient’s care were interviewed and 8 surveyed consisting of pediatric anesthesiologists, neonatologists, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) registered nurses (RNs), and pediatric surgeons. Using a multi-methods design, recruitment, semi-structured interviews and surveys were conducted from May 17, 2021 to November 1, 2022. Data was coded using The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Studies and then thematically analyzed. ResultsInterviews were conducted with 4 pediatric anesthesiologists, 4 neonatologists, 2 NICU RNs, and 3 pediatric surgeons and surveys with 1 pediatric anesthesiologist, 2 neonatologists, 3 NICU RNs, and 2 pediatric surgeons. From interviews, the top 3 facilitation strategies were utilization of: (1) multidisciplinary guideline champions, (2) reminders and education, and (3) results to facilitate adherence. Incorporation of these strategies resulted in perceived: (1) stronger buy-in and engagement and (2) improved team communication, job satisfaction, care quality, and parental involvement. ConclusionHCPs stressed the importance of guideline champions, reminders and education, and results distribution. Given implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness and education were mixed. Nonetheless, HCPs perceived improved buy-in and engagement, communication, job satisfaction, quality of care, and parental involvement. Incorporation of these strategies can promote successful ERAS® guideline facilitation and implementation and should be considered for future ERAS® projects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCEIV

Comparison of the perception of palliative care by healthcare professionals in some countries around the world: a systematic review.

The global need for palliative care (PC) is increasing, especially as the population ages. The diagnosis of a life-threatening illness triggers numerous decisions by healthcare professionals (HCPs). How these professionals understand and deal with PC influences the quantity and quality of care provided to patients. This systematic review aimed to compare perceptions of PC among HCPs around the world. The databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and EBSCO) were searched systematically. Articles reporting on the perception of HCPs, published between January 2012 and December 2022, were included. Texts that reported the perceptions of family members and patients were excluded to avoid the risk of bias. Those included were organized by country/region and continent for later analysis. Of the 2,063 articles initially retrieved 32 were included and provided relevant information from four continents (America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania). Most of this was done through interviews and questionnaires. All HCPs consulted in the studies recognized the importance of PC. The perception of these professionals was influenced by cultural factors (such as religion), difficulties perceived in each country/region (such as inadequate knowledge, conceptual confusion, etc.), diseases, and the age range of patients served. The acceptance and preparation of professionals to deal with this topic in their routine also influenced their perceptions of HCPs. The limitation of this research is the lack of eligible studies from Africa and the small number of participants in some studies. It can be concluded that HCPs' perceptions of PC are similar, regardless of their country of origin.

Automation in Healthcare: Advantages, Prospects, Perceptual Barriers

Introduction. In healthcare, automation refers to the use of technology to replace manual labor with mechanized processes. It offers solutions to some of the biggest challenges in this field by increasing work efficiency and improving the quality of medical care. The aim of the study was to explore the potential impact of automation on healthcare practices and to investigate the perceptions of healthcare professionals towards these innovations. Materials and methods. The study utilized general scientific research methodologies, including analysis and synthesis. Through the examination of secondary data,, the findings of a sociological survey conducted by Google Cloud commissioned by Harris Poll were analyzed and presented in the context of the studied topic. The questionnaire was filled in by 300 doctors across the United States. Results. Over the next years, global automation in healthcare is expected to see a significant growth due to various growth factors including the continuous improvement of healthcare automation technologies, growing public investment, as well as recognition of the benefits of automation in medical logistics processes, laboratory research and other types of medical and related activities. Automation, such as information technology and control systems, reduces individual efforts in multiple procedures.

Healthcare professionals' perspectives on use of PCSK9 inhibitors in cardiovascular disease: an in-depth qualitative study.

Injectable medicines such as PCSK-9 inhibitors are increasingly used to manage risk factors for cardiovascular events with little information around the perceptions of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the administrative and clinical practicalities. The aim was to identify the facilitators and barriers on the use of injectable therapies with CV benefits through interviews with HCPs. Qualitative interviews were conducted in the United Kingdom (London and Leeds) and Italy (Rome and Milan) in 2021. Coding was undertaken using NVivo and thematic analysis performed. A total of 38 HCPs were interviewed, 19 in each country composing of physicians (n = 18), pharmacists (n = 10), nurses (n = 9) and pharmacy technician (n = 1). Four themes emerged: (i) Clinicians' previous experiences with injectable therapies (ii) Challenges with patients' behaviours and beliefs (iii) Clinicians' knowledge of injectable therapies and therapeutic inertia and (iv) Organisational and governance issues. The behaviour and beliefs from healthcare professionals focused on facilitating behaviour change as well as the poor interdisciplinary working and collaboration. Therapeutic inertia was raised where physicians either lacked awareness of injectable therapies or were unwilling to prescribe them. The importance of facilitating patient education on injection techniques was highlighted while organisational and governance issues identified the lack of guidance to inform practice. Clear pathways are required to identify those who were eligible for injectable therapies as well as on how injectables should be prescribed. If medicine optimisation is to be achieved, there needs to be structured processes in place to identify eligible patients and the development of educational material.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors as treatment for erectile dysfunction: a webinar-based poll unveiling perceptions of healthcare professionals.

Aim: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is marked by a recurring incapacity to achieve or uphold a satisfactory erection during sexual activities. The study aims to increase awareness about male reproductive health, dispel misconceptions about ED and encourage physician-patient discussions. Materials & methods: A live online poll was conducted during a 3-day webinar titled "Turning the Tide of Men's Health" organized by Viatris™ in collaboration with the Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine and attended by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from diverse specialties. The attendees voluntarily responded to nine poll questions on adherence to ED medication, use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) as cure versus management of ED and patients' challenges. The responses to the poll questions were recorded and assessed to understand the perceptions of HCPs. Results: The poll garnered 10,423 responses from 5831 attendees on the second day of the webinar. The key findings included HCPs' perceptions that PDE5is contribute to ED management not complete cure. The respondents acknowledged that adherence to ED medications might decline on days without planned sexual activity, and long-term adherence on a daily PDE5i is exhibited by a relatively modest percentage of ED patients. The consensus among respondents was that PDE5is do not enhance or generate sexual desire, and the daily schedule of ED treatment may be burdensome for some patients. Conclusion: The findings from this poll offer insights into the perspectives of HCPs regarding the usage of PDE5is to treat ED. Responders of the poll generally agreed that PDE5is can help manage ED without affecting desire, though adherence may be lower on days without planned sexual activity. Furthermore, most respondents acknowledged that adhering to a daily pill regimen posed a greater burden than waiting for the medication to take effect.

Challenges faced by older people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic as perceived by professionals: a qualitative study with interviews.

Previous studies have highlighted a decline in the mental health of older adults over the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Few studies have determined the possible causes of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia during COVID-19 in a comprehensive manner. We aimed to identify the challenges faced by older adults with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study adopted a qualitative approach to understanding the perceptions of healthcare professionals, such as regarding the negative effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of people with dementia. Between January and March 2022, the authors conducted individual in-depth interviews on how COVID-19 affected the stress levels, care, and self-determination of people with dementia. Qualitative data from the individual interviews were data cleansed to ensure the clarity and readability of the transcripts. The qualitative data were then analyzed by inductive manual coding using a qualitative content analysis approach. The grouping process involved reading and comparing individual labels to cluster similar labels into categories and inductively formulate themes. Qualitative analysis extracted 61 different semantic units that were duplicated. Seven categories were inductively extracted using a grouping process. These were further integrated to extract the following four themes: fear of personal protective equipment (PPE), loneliness, dissatisfaction with behavioural restrictions and limitations of video calls, and family interference with service use. People with dementia often faced mental distress during the pandemic owing to preventive measures against COVID-19, and a lack of awareness and understanding of such preventive measures worsened their distress. They experienced a severe sense of social isolation and loneliness. Findings also indicated that families tended to ignore the needs of people with dementia and their decisions and opinions regarding healthcare service use.

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare students and professionals on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Pakistan.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has emerged as a promising solution to enhance healthcare efficiency and improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study is to analyse the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare professionals in Pakistan about AI in healthcare. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. This was distributed to healthcare professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, medical students, and allied healthcare workers) working or studying in Pakistan. Consent was taken from all participants before initiating the questionnaire. The questions were related to participant demographics, basic understanding of AI, AI in education and practice, AI applications in healthcare systems, AI's impact on healthcare professions and the socio-ethical consequences of the use of AI. We analyzed the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software, version 26.0. Overall, 616 individuals responded to the survey while n = 610 (99.0%) of respondents consented to participate. The mean age of participants was 32.2 ± 12.5 years. Most of the participants (78.7%, n = 480) had never received any formal sessions or training in AI during their studies/employment. A majority of participants, 70.3% (n = 429), believed that AI would raise more ethical challenges in healthcare. In all, 66.4% (n = 405) of participants believed that AI should be taught at the undergraduate level. The survey suggests that there is insufficient training about AI in healthcare in Pakistan despite the interest of many in this area. Future work in developing a tailored curriculum regarding AI in healthcare will help bridge the gap between the interest in use of AI and training.

Maternal health care for women with disabilities: perspectives of health professionals in Ghana

In many developing countries, like Ghana, persons with disability face a lot of marginalisation and discrimination. Despite WHO’s assertion that disabled persons deserve equal access to healthcare, disparities remain. Health professionals play a pivotal role in reducing maternal mortality. Yet few studies engage professionals to understand these perceptions and how they shape service provision. This highlights the need for research investigating health professionals’ perceptions of delivering maternal healthcare to women with disabilities in Ghana. With the aid of a qualitative approach, this study explored the perceptions of healthcare professionals on disabled women who sought maternal healthcare in Ghana. Data was gathered from 25 healthcare workers, consisting of midwives and doctors. The thematic analysis uncovered two contrasting themes—positive perceptions highlighting the determination and strength of disabled women and negative perceptions shaped by cultural biases questioning the need for disabled women to become pregnant. Bridging this gap necessitates comprehensive training, patient-centred collaborative approaches, and anti-discrimination policies to establish an equitable Ghanaian healthcare system that safeguards the reproductive rights and options of pregnant and disabled women. Dedication from all stakeholders is imperative to ensure inclusiveness and fair treatment.

Patient and Health Care Professional Perceptions of the Experience and Impact of Symptoms of Moderate-to-Severe Crohn's Disease in US and Europe: Results from the Cross-Sectional CONFIDE Study.

Crohn's disease (CD) significantly affects patients' health-related quality of life and well-being. Communicating Needs and Features of IBD Experiences (CONFIDE) survey explores the experience and impact of moderate-to-severe CD symptoms on patients' lives and identifies communication gaps between patients and health care professionals (HCPs). Online, quantitative, cross-sectional surveys of patients, and HCPs were conducted in the United States (US), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom), and Japan. Criteria based on previous treatment, steroid use, and/or hospitalization defined moderate-to-severe CD. US and Europe data are presented as descriptive statistics. Surveys were completed by 215 US and 547 European patients and 200 US and 503 European HCPs. In both patient groups, top three symptoms currently (past month) experienced were diarrhea, bowel urgency, and increased stool frequency, with more than one-third patients wearing diaper/pad/protection at least once a week in past 3 months due to fear of bowel urgency-related accidents. HCPs ranked diarrhea, blood in stool, and increased stool frequency as the most common symptoms. Although 34.0% US and 27.2% European HCPs ranked bowel urgency among the top five symptoms affecting patient lives, only 12.0% US and 10.9% European HCPs ranked it among top three most impactful symptoms on treatment decisions. Bowel urgency is common and impactful among patients with CD in the US and Europe. Differences in patient and HCP perceptions of experiences and impacts of bowel urgency exist, with HCPs underestimating its burden. Proactive communication between HCPs and patients in clinical settings is crucial for improving health outcomes in patients with CD.

Health professional attitudes and perceptions of prehabilitation and nutrition before haematopoietic cell transplantation.

Nutritional prehabilitation may improve haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes, although little evidence exists. The present study aimed to understand healthcare professional (HCP) perceptions of prehabilitation and nutritional care pre-HCT in UK centres. An anonymous online survey (developed and refined via content experts and piloting) was administered via email to multidisciplinary HCPs in 39 UK adult centres, between July 2021 and June 2022. Data are presented as proportions of responses. Routine provision denotes that care was provided >70% of time. Seventy-seven percent (n = 66) of HCPs, representing 61.5% (n = 24) of UK adult HCT centres, responded. All HCPs supported prehabilitation, proposing feasible implementation between induction chemotherapy (60.4%; n = 40) and first HCT clinic (83.3%; n = 55). Only 12.5% (n = 3) of centres had a dedicated prehabilitation service. Nutrition (87.9%; n = 58), emotional wellbeing (92.4%; n = 61) and exercise (81.8%; n = 54) were considered very important constituents. HCPs within half of the HCT centres (n = 12 centres) reported routine use of nutrition screening pre-HCT with a validated tool; 66.7% of HCPs (n = 36) reported using the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST). Sixty-two percent (n = 41) of HCPs reported those at risk, received nutritional assessments, predominantly by dietitians (91.6%; n = 22) using the dietetic care process (58.3%; n = 14). Body mass index (BMI) was the most frequently reported body composition measure used by HCPs (70.2%, n = 33). Of 59 respondents, non-dietitians most routinely provided dietary advice pre-HCT (82.4%; n = 28 vs. 68%; n = 17, p = 0.2); including high-energy/protein/fat and neutropenic diet advice. Prophylactic enteral feeding pre-HCT was rare, indicated by low BMI and significant unintentional weight loss. Just under half (n = 25 of 59, 42.4%) HCPs reported exercise advice was given routinely pre-HCT. Nutrition and prehabilitation pre-HCT are considered important and deliverable by HCPs, but current provision in UK centres is limited and inconsistent.

Abstract PO4-04-03: Empowering Oncologists to Develop Individualized Management Strategies for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer: Findings from a Quality Improvement Initiative

Abstract Background: Rapidly evolving evidence in the treatment of metastatic HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC) can present challenges in aligning practice with the latest clinical data and guideline recommendations. In this ongoing quality improvement initiative, we identify and address real-world challenges healthcare professionals (HCPs) face in individualizing treatment plans, adverse event management, and patient-centered care for HER2+ MBC. Methods: From 9/2022 to 12/2022, 22 HCPs who treat patients with breast cancer (BC) along with 52 patients with HER2+ MBC from 2 large US community oncology clinics completed tethered surveys assessing practice patterns, challenges, and attitudes related to individualized and patient-centered care for HER2+MBC. Patient charts (n=100) were audited to assess current practice patterns and to track changes over time. Inclusion criteria included a confirmed HER2+ MBC diagnosis, prescription for two or more lines of HER2+ breast cancer treatment, and ≥ 1 visit in the one-year chart abstraction period. HCPs participated in audit-feedback sessions to assess site-specific challenges and gaps and developed action plans for improvement. Follow-up chart audits and HCP surveys will evaluate changes in practice patterns 6 months after the educational intervention. Results: The most frequently reported HCP challenges included coordination of care (41%) and individualizing treatment plans (32%). The most frequently reported patient challenges included feeling confident in treatment plan (30%) and being unable to meet work or home responsibilities (22%). In tethered surveys, there were discordant findings between patient and HCP perceptions related to goals for treatment, patient education, and patient-centered care. For example, 82% of HCPs reported often or always asking patients about treatment preferences, but only 8% of patients reported their doctor asked. While HCPs overwhelmingly thought surviving as long as possible was their patients’ top goal (82%), patients reported their top goals for treatment were improving quality of life (57%) and controlling symptoms (41%). Additionally, while HCPs thought patients had the most difficulty managing nausea/vomiting (68%) and diarrhea (59%), patients reported they have the most difficulty managing fatigue (46%) and hair loss (44%). Baseline chart audits highlighted several areas for improvement in guideline-aligned care, including treatment selection, sequencing, and supportive care. Based on identified gaps, providers developed and implemented action plans, such as increasing use of patient navigators, referring patients for palliative care at time of diagnosis, improving multidisciplinary team-based approaches, and implementing tools and resources to stay up-to-date on clinical evidence and guidelines. Full findings from baseline surveys and chart audits will be presented, along with follow-up surveys and chart audits to measure impact. Conclusions: Through this QI initiative, we identified gaps in individualized, guideline-aligned, patient-centered care for patients with HER2+ MBC, and HCPs developed and are implementing action plans for improvement. The methods and findings from this initiative demonstrate key opportunities to improve outcomes for patients with HER2+ MBC in community oncology clinics. Citation Format: Reshma Mahtani, Erika Hamilton, Ilona Dewald, Chelsie Anderson, Jeffrey Carter, Cherilyn Heggen, Kelly McKinnon. Empowering Oncologists to Develop Individualized Management Strategies for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer: Findings from a Quality Improvement Initiative [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-04-03.

Aggression and violence in the emergency department: A qualitative study exploring the perspectives of frontline healthcare professionals

BackgroundAggression and violence towards frontline healthcare professionals represents a rapidly increasing strain on hospitals, impacting clinician mental health and the provision of patient care. Little is known about the perceptions of healthcare professionals on current aggression management practices. AimThis study aimed to investigate the perceptions of frontline healthcare professionals on aggression and violence in hospital emergency departments. MethodsEight semi-structured focus groups consisting of 6–10 participants from five hospital emergency departments were held. Participants included medical doctors, nurses, and work health safety staff. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed prior to undergoing thematic analysis. FindingsFour main themes were identified: (1) workplace aggression and violence in healthcare is increasing in frequency and difficulty to manage, (2) local strategies in place to manage workplace aggression and violence are perceived to be insufficient, (3) systemic issues exacerbate the consequences of workplace aggression and violence, (4) staff feel inadequately equipped to manage the impact of workplace aggression and violence on their own wellbeing. DiscussionThere are substantial perceived barriers to the effective management of workplace aggressive and violent behaviour within Australian hospital emergency departments. Participants suggest perceived increases in the prevalence of aggressive incidents and systemic issues surrounding incident reporting and follow-up exacerbate existing deficiencies in workplace aggression and violence management. ConclusionFurther research into risk reduction strategies, investigation of targeted interventions to better prepare staff, and improved reporting processes and pathways are needed to mitigate fallout of workplace exposures to aggression and violence in the emergency department.

Chiropractors in Multidisciplinary Teams: Enablers of Colocation Integration in GP-Led Primary Healthcare.

The aim of this study was to explore and document the enablers and barriers of chiropractic care colocation in general practice at a large-scale private primary care centre in Australia. This study focused on the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding this integration. The research setting was a large integrated primary care centre located in an outer metro, low-socioeconomic area in the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Participant inclusion criteria included general medical practitioners, practice nurses, and medical managers who self-reported interactions with the physically collocated and integrated chiropractic practice. Data was collected from 22 participants using face-to-face, qualitative, semi-structured interviews with an average duration of 32 min. The data collected included perceptions of chiropractic treatment, enablers to patient referral pathways, and views of the integrated chiropractic care model. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on the data set. All participants reported that this was their first exposure to the colocation of a chiropractor within a general medical practice. Four key enablers of chiropractic care integration were identified: (1) the practitioner [chiropractor], (2) the organisation [general practice], (3) consumer flow, and (4) the environment [shared spaces and tenant ecosystem]. The chiropractic integration enhanced knowledge sharing and interprofessional trust among healthcare providers. The formal reporting of patient outcomes and understanding of the chiropractor's scope of practice further enabled referrals to the service. Shared administrative and business processes, including patient records, booking systems, and clinical meetings, facilitated relationship development between the chiropractor and referring health providers. Colocation as part of a larger primary care centre created proximity and convenience for health providers in terms of interprofessional communication, and for patients, in terms of access to chiropractic services. Existing governance structures supported communication, professional education, and shared values related to the delivery of patient-centred care. Identified barriers included limited public funding for chiropractic services resulting in reduced access for patients of low-socioeconomic status. Additionally, scepticism or negativity towards the discipline of chiropractic care was identified as an initial barrier to refer patients. In most cases, this view towards the chiropractor was overcome by regular patient reporting of positive treatment outcomes to their GP, the delivery of education sessions by the chiropractor for the health providers, and the development of interprofessional trust between the chiropractor and referring health providers. This study provides preliminary evidence and a conceptual framework of factors influencing the successful integration of chiropractic care within an Australian large primary care centre. The data collected indicated that integration of chiropractic care into a primary care centre serving a low-socioeconomic region can be achieved with a high degree of health provider satisfaction.

Investigating the Educational Challenges Related to Cultural Competence Faced by Iraqi Nursing College Students

English for specific purpose is becoming increasingly considerable in various sectors, including medical sectors. Although numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of such programs o n cultural competence behaviors and client outcomes, limited research has explored professionals' perceptions of cross-cultural educational representations (such as cultural consciousness and cultural competence) and the magnitude to which they and their administrations implement these values in preparation. In light of this gap, this study is directed to investigate the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding customarily competent care, their involvements with multicultural patients, their own levels of cultural competence, and the degree to which they believe their cultural competencies discourse multicultural encounters. Data for this study are collected from a sample of 56 healthcare professionals affiliated with a Baghdad university in Iraq, representing various healthcare systems. A 19-item questionnaire, consisting of open-ended inquiries and multiple-choice items, is used to gather participants' perspectives and experiences. The majority of participants seem to perceive cross-cultural education primarily from a "cultural awareness" perspective. They emphasize on the importance of possessing practical cultural knowledge, such as understanding norms and customs, and facilitating communication through the use of interpreters. The study participants pay little attention to the principles of systemic cross-cultural approaches, such as cultural competence, cultural safety, and addressing issues like racism, power imbalances, and biases ingrained in the majority culture. Additionally, the need for self-reflection and awareness of personal prejudices was rarely acknowledged.

Insights of Healthcare Professionals into Medical Writing Support at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The demand for medical writing is on the rise in academic and medical entities worldwide. However, a huge disparity in the perception of professional medical writing arises from inadequate education and regularity in service quality and potential ethical challenges. Hence, we aimed to examine the knowledge, attitude, and perception toward professional medical writing support (PMWS) of healthcare professionals at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire that was validated for its accuracy and clarity by an expert panel in academic integrity. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 200 healthcare professionals from a broad range of specialties throughout KFMC. The socio-demographic characteristics and healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions were recorded. The responses were quantitatively evaluated using a 5-point Likert Scale and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25 (IBM, New York, United States). 162 healthcare professionals in KFMC filled in the questionnaire completely. Most respondents agreed that it was acceptable for medical writers to help with writing publications and that they offered a valuable service. Concerning association with socio-demographic characteristics, the mean score of knowledge was found to be significantly related to those with age ≥45 years (p<0.001), PhD degree (p=0.044), >5 years of research experience (p<0.001), and being a faculty/consultant (p=0.005). No significant association was found with the mean total score of attitude. Participants having >5 years of research experience were found to have a higher significant level of perception (p=0.004). Our study highlights that PMWS is relatively well-utilized and perceived positively within KFMC. There is a need for further research and education of ethics regarding the use of PMWS.

Tailoring remote patient management in cardiovascular risk management for healthcare professionals using panel management: a qualitative study

BackgroundWhile remote patient management (RPM) has the potential to assist in achieving treatment targets for cardiovascular risk factors in primary care, its effectiveness may vary among different patient subgroups. Panel management, which involves proactive care for specific patient risk groups, could offer a promising approach to tailor RPM to these groups. This study aims to (i) assess the perception of healthcare professionals and other stakeholders regarding the adoption and (ii) identify the barriers and facilitators for successfully implementing such a panel management approach.MethodsIn total, nineteen semi-structured interviews and two focus groups were conducted in the Netherlands. Three authors reviewed the audited transcripts. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Strategies (CFIR) domains were used for the thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 24 participants (GPs, nurses, health insurers, project managers, and IT consultants) participated. Overall, a panel management approach to RPM in primary care was considered valuable by various stakeholders. Implementation barriers encompassed concerns about missing necessary risk factors for patient stratification, additional clinical and technical tasks for nurses, and reimbursement agreements. Facilitators included tailoring consultation frequency and early detection of at-risk patients, an implementation manager accountable for supervising project procedures and establishing agreements on assessing implementation metrics, and ambassador roles.ConclusionPanel management could enhance proactive care and accurately identify which patients could benefit most from RPM to mitigate CVD risk. For successful implementation, we recommend having clear agreements on technical support, financial infrastructure and the criteria for measuring evaluation outcomes.

Perception of Healthcare Professionals towards Electronic-Prescribing at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Electronic-prescribing (e-prescribing) is the most recent technological advancement in the medication use process. Its adoption and consequent realization of its potential benefits, however, mainly depend on the healthcare professionals' perception, willingness to accept, and engagement with the technology. This study is aimed at assessing the perception of healthcare professionals towards e-prescribing at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from June 1 to August 30, 2021. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a simple random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered into and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS® (IBM Corporation)) version 24. Both descriptive and inferential statistics like the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis. A statistical significance was declared at a p value < 0.05. From 401 participants, the majority of study participants had a neutral perception of e-prescribing. More than two-thirds (68.8%) of them had a neutral perception towards the perceived usefulness of e-prescribing with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) perceived usefulness of 43.0 (7.0) (maximum score = 60). The perceived ease of use of e-prescribing was also neutral in the case of more than three-fourths (79.8%) of participants with a median (IQR) perceived ease of use of 49.0 (6) (maximum score = 75). Similarly, more than half (56.6%) of the participants had a neutral perception towards the perceived fitness of e-prescribing with a median (IQR) perceived fitness of 15.0 (2.5) (maximum score = 15). The perception of the participants showed a significant difference based on their qualifications and work and computer use experience. Participants who heard about e-prescribing and e-prescribing software had a significantly higher mean rank score of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived fitness of e-prescribing. Participants who previously used e-prescribing had also a significantly higher mean rank score of perceived usefulness. Conclusion and Recommendation. The majority of healthcare professionals had a neutral perception of e-prescribing. The perception of healthcare professionals differs based on their qualifications, work and computer use experience, and their exposure to e-prescribing. The hospital should take all expectations and concerns of all HCPs into consideration and provide experience-sharing opportunities for all healthcare professionals who may potentially be involved in e-prescribing.

The effect of organizational culture in health services on employee flourishing.

Culture has an important role in maximizing the value of human capital, which is regarded as the main source of organizational effectiveness. The research was conducted to determine the effect of organizational culture perceptions of healthcare professionals working in a university hospital on employee flourishing. It is a descriptive study conducted with 299 healthcare professionals working in a university hospital. "Structured Personal Information Form", "Denison Organizational Culture Survey" and "New Flourishing Index" to collect the data. In the analysis descriptive statistical methods such as percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean and standard deviation as well as Pearson correlation, linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between variables. According to the results of linear regression analysis, it was determined that organizational culture and flourishing were related (F: 88.229; p < 0.05). The organizational culture alone explained 22.6% of flourishing. As a result of multiple regression analysis, it was determined that the relationship between organizational culture sub-dimensions and flourishing was significant (F = 25.975; p < 0.05). The sub-dimensions of organizational culture explained 25.1% of the flourishing. As a result of the study, it is observed that the perception of organizational culture of healthcare professionals has an impact on flourishing, and therefore the favorable development of organizational culture will contribute positively to employee flourishing. In present conditions, it has become a necessity for health organizations to provide the circumstances that will make all investments that will contribute positively to the flourishing of their employees a part of the organizational culture.