Participant Perceptions Research Articles

Exploring Older Adults' Perceptions of Using Digital Health Platforms for Self-Managing Musculoskeletal Health Conditions: Focus Group Study.

Digital technologies can assist and optimize health care processes. This is increasingly the case in the musculoskeletal health domain, where digital platforms can be used to support the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions, as well as access to services. However, given a large proportion of the population with musculoskeletal conditions are older adults (aged ≥60 years), it is important to consider the acceptability of such platforms within this demographic. This study aims to explore participants' opinions and perceptions on the use of digital platforms for supporting the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions within older adult (aged ≥60 years) populations and to gather their opinions on real examples. A total of 2 focus groups (focus group 1: 6/15, 40%; focus group 2: 9/15, 60%) were conducted, in which participants answered questions about their thoughts on using digital health platforms to prevent or manage musculoskeletal conditions. Participants were further presented with 2 example scenarios, which were then discussed. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Participants were aged ≥60 years and with or without current musculoskeletal conditions. Prior experience of using smartphone apps or other digital health platforms for musculoskeletal conditions was not required. Focus groups took place virtually using the Teams (Microsoft Corp) platform. A total of 6 themes were identified across both focus groups: "experiences of digital health platforms," "preference for human contact," "barriers to accessing clinical services," "individual differences and digital literacy," "trust in technology," and "features and benefits of digital health technologies." Each theme is discussed in detail based on the interview responses. The findings revealed that most participants had some existing experience with digital health platforms for preventing or managing musculoskeletal conditions. Overall, there was a lack of trust in and low expectations of quality for digital platforms for musculoskeletal health within this age group. While there was some concern about the use of digital platforms in place of in-person health consultations, several benefits were also identified. Results highlighted the need for better communication on the benefits of using digital platforms to support the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions, without the platforms replacing the role of the health care professionals. The concerns about which apps are of suitable quality and trustworthiness lead us to recommend raising public awareness around the role of organizations that verify and assess the quality of digital health platforms.

Instrumental councillors? On the strategic interests that drive local councillors’ legitimacy perceptions of citizen participation

ABSTRACT Lately, municipalities in Western democracies have become increasingly more participatory. Local councillors have a fundamental role therein as they can either enable or block citizen participation. In that vein, their legitimacy perceptions towards different participatory arrangements seem key. This article analyses to what extent instrumental motivations steer these attitudes. Specifically, we distinguish between collective power (belonging to the governing majority or not) and individual influence (level of self-perceived political efficacy) as explanatory variables. Results based on a large-scale survey among local councillors in Flanders (Belgium) show that instrumental motivations indeed play a significant role: councillors with high levels of influence perceive traditional forms of decision-making (classic decision-making and consultative participation) as more legitimate. At the same time, majority councillors evaluate decisive forms of citizen participation as less legitimate than their colleagues in opposition. Additionally, feeling more powerful seems to be linked with an overall enthusiasm irrespective of participatory designs.

Perspectives on Spare Embryos amongst IVF users: An Exploratory Study from a Selected District of the Southern Indian State of Karnataka.

Perspectives of IVF users on their spare embryos is a less explored subject in the Indian context despite the country's population and abundance of IVF clinics. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews in a selected district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Seven individuals were recruited independently of any assistance from an IVF clinic. The interviews explored participants' knowledge and perception of the spare embryos using a set of guiding questions exploring the theme of the informed consent process, views on research, preferences for embryo donation, the role of family and the dynamics of decision-making, amongst other things. The interviews were qualitatively analysed using Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory approach. Our findings reveal that the participants do not learn about the prospects of spare embryos from the very start of their IVF journeys, and they may not be informed about the various options available to decide the fate of the spare embryos. Irrespective of their views on research and moral perceptions of embryos, participants expressed a sense of responsibility and ownership towards their embryos and a general reluctance to donate them. Our findings have implications for guiding future inquiries on this subject, which can better the informed consent process and unravel the role of ownership in the ethics of spare embryos in the Indian context.

Perceptions of Prospective Physics Teachers on the Application of Statistics in Education

The Application of Statistics in Education (ASE) course is one of the courses attended by pre-service physics teachers to enable them deal with research data using statistical analysis. This study aims to analyse students' perceptions of the ASE material prior to attending the lectures. The research method employed is descriptive quantitative. The research sample consists of 37 students in the Physics Education study program who are taking the ASE course. Data were collected through the Student Perception towards Statistics Questionnaire (SPSQ) instrument, which comprises 40 statements with four Likert scale rating criteria: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. The data were analysed using Rasch modeling, specifically Wright Map Analysis, to map participant perceptions, while the percentage agreement of participants was analysed based on four aspects of the SPSQ questionnaire. The results of the average percentage analysis of participants’ agreement for each aspect are: (1) attitude towards Statistics at 97.3%, categorized as very good, (2) the importance of Statistics in daily life and profession at 97.3%, categorized as very good, (3) the ability to process statistical data using data analytics tools at 37.84%, categorized as poor, and (4) the ability to apply Statistics in education at 8.8%, categorized as very poor. Furthermore, the Wright Map Analysis indicates that all participants had a favorable attitude and were eager to learn more about how statistics are implemented in education. They agreed that it is critical to master and be able to apply advanced statistics techniques in educational and research contexts.

Client experiences and perceptions of naturopathic treatment in New Zealand: A qualitative study

IntroductionNaturopathy is a well-known and utilised form of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM). Limited New Zealand research exists that has examined the utilisation of naturopathy from the perspective of users. The present study was designed to identify and explore individual's experiences and perceptions of naturopathic care. MethodsTwenty clients (18 female and two male) who attended a student naturopathy and herbal medicine teaching clinic in Auckland, New Zealand were individually interviewed via Zoom video conferencing using open-ended questions. Interview transcripts were anlysed using an inductive thematic approach, focusing on similarities in participants' experiences and perceptions of their naturopathic treatment. ResultsSix main themes were identified regarding individual's experiences and perceptions of naturopathic care (1) feeling heard, (2) perceived attributes of the student practitioner and feeling looked after, (3) perceived knowledge of student practitioners, (4) high degree of client education, (5) partnership, empowerment and ownership, and (6) recommending naturopathy based on own experiences. ConclusionsParticipants reported positive experiences and perceptions of their naturopathic treatment. Participants felt heard and looked after and indicated that their student naturopaths were caring, supportive and knowledgeable. Client education enhanced health literacy and participants felt empowered and in control of their health and healing. Client education was perceived to be important for individuals with chronic health conditions, as the information imparted was not always covered by their other healthcare practitioners.

Patient and clinician perspectives of online-delivered exercise programmes for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review.

Background Despite the growing economic and social impact of chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, there has been slow uptake of clinical guidelines for management, owing partly to the negative perceptions of patients and clinicians of their appropriateness and accessibility. Online-delivered exercise programmes (ODEPs) offer an alternative that can reduce costs and offer convenience for those with mobility limitations. As such, investigating participants’ perceptions of such programmes provides insight into the complexity and interplay of factors associated with uptake and optimization of implementation strategies. Objectives This study aims to systematically review the literature of patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. Methods To ensure the likelihood of identifying all relevant published articles, the following databases will be searched from inception to end of the project: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, AMED, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Included articles will qualitatively and/or quantitatively report the perceptions of participants of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. ODEPs are defined as either (a) synchronous, participants can exchange information simultaneously, or (b) asynchronous, with at least one synchronous feature, or (c) neither, where the authors investigate a participant’s past experiences and/or likelihood of participating in such a programme. Article screening and quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists will be performed by two independent reviewers. All findings from included articles will be extracted and coded using a thematic synthesis approach. Discussion It is important to offer diverse resources to address the growing public health burden of chronic MSK conditions. This study will explore patients and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs including needs, appropriateness and acceptability. Our findings could be used by policy makers, clinicians, and researchers to generate new models of care that could influence the uptake and long-term sustainability of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. PROSPERO registration CRD42021273773.

From Likes to Lifestyle: Predicting the Impact of Following Fitness Influencers on the Adoption of Healthy Habits in Saudi Arabia.

The increasing popularity of fitness influencers on social media has the potential to significantly impact public health by promoting healthy behaviors. Understanding how these influencers affect the adoption of healthy habits among Saudi residents can provide insights into effective public health strategies. This study aims to quantitatively assess the influence of following fitness influencers on social media on adopting healthy behaviors among Saudi residents, focusing on socio-demographic factors, characteristics of influencers, and participants' perceptions. A descriptive, cross-sectional study with an analytical component was carried out from March 25, 2023, to August 15, 2023. The study included Saudi residents aged 18 and older who actively follow fitness influencers. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with positive health outcomes. The study included 561 participants, revealing that marital status and residential region significantly influenced the adoption of healthy habits, with married participants and those from the Southern and Central regions more likely to report positive outcomes. Notably, engagement in physical activity more than three times a week and adherence to a healthy diet were strongly associated with positive health outcomes (p<0.05). Analysis of influencer characteristics showed that following fewer than 10 influencers and being unaware of their follower count were predictors of positive results with p<0.05. Specifically, 76.6% of participants experienced positive results after following health advice from social media, highlighting the impactful yet complex role of influencers in shaping health behaviors. Logistic regression analyses underscored the significance of socio-demographic factors, influencer characteristics, and participant perceptions in predicting the likelihood of experiencing positive health outcomes. Following fitness influencers on social media can positively impact the adoption of healthy habits, moderated by socio-demographic factors and influencer characteristics.

Impact of seasonal changes in urban green spaces with diverse vegetation structures on college students' physical and mental health

Based on the perceptions of college student participants in winter and summer, the effects of different vegetation structures within landscapes (single-layer woodland, tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands, tree-grass composite woodland, and single-layer grassland) and concrete squares without plants were investigated, and the skin conductivity level (SCL) and environmental perception recovery score (PRS) associated with landscape types were calculated. The results indicated that seasonal differences in landscape perception significantly affected college student participants' PRS but not their SCL scores, both in winter and summer. Viewing single-layer and tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands in summer, as well as single-layer woodland in winter, enhanced the environmental perception of the college student participants. The restorative effects of the four vegetation types in green spaces were ranked as follows: single-layer woodland, tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands, single-layer grassland, and tree-grass composite woodlands and concrete squares without plants. These findings underscore the importance of considering seasonal variations when choosing plant species for landscaping purposes, with evergreen single-layer woodland being a suitable choice for winter urban landscapes. This provides a scientific basis for assessing landscape perception and preferences in the future.

Simulation Training in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: A Nationwide Survey Among Surgeon Educators and Trainees in France

Vascular surgical training is evolving towards simulation-based methods to enhance skill development, ensure patient safety, and adapt to changing regulations. This study aims to investigate the utilization of simulation training among vascular surgeons in France, amidst ongoing shifts in teaching approaches and educational reforms. A national survey assessed the experiences and perceptions of vascular surgery professionals regarding simulation training. Participation was open to self-reported health professionals specialized (or specializing) in vascular surgery, including interns or fellows. Participants were recruited through various channels, and data were collected via a questionnaire covering participant characteristics, simulation experiences, and perceptions. Seventy-six participants, predominantly male (74%) took part in the survey. While 58% reported access to simulation laboratories, only 17% had organized simulation sessions 1-3 times a year, and 5% had sessions more than 10 times annually. High fidelity simulators were available in 57% of institutions, while low fidelity simulators were available in 50%. Regarding funding, 20% received financial assistance for training, predominantly from industry (18%). One-third of the participants experienced 9 or more sessions (34%), lasting between 1 and 2hours (34%), 30% expressed satisfaction with access to simulation, while 33% were dissatisfied with communication of simulation training opportunities. Despite recognizing the benefits of simulation training, its integration into vascular surgery education in France remains incomplete. Challenges such as limited access and communication barriers hinder widespread adoption. Collaborative efforts are needed to ensure uniformity and enhance the effectiveness of simulation training in vascular surgery education.

Exploring Experiences of People With Knee Osteoarthritis Who Received a Physiotherapist-Delivered Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study.

Explore the experiences of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who received a very low energy diet (VLED) and exercise program from a physiotherapist. Mixed methods study involving questionnaires (n = 42) and semistructured interviews (n = 22) with randomized control trial participants with knee OA who had received a 6-month physiotherapist-delivered VLED weight loss and exercise intervention. Questionnaires measured participant satisfaction and perceptions about physiotherapist's skills/knowledge in delivery of the dietary intervention (measured on 5-7 point Likert scales). Interviews explored participant's experiences and were analyzed based on the principles of reflexive thematic analysis. Questionnaire response: 90%. Participants were satisfied with the program (95%), confident their physiotherapist had the required skills (84%) and knowledge (79%) to deliver the dietary intervention, felt comfortable talking to the physiotherapist about weight (74%), and would recommend others see a physiotherapist for the intervention they undertook (71%). The following four themes were developed from the interviews: (1) one-stop-shop of exercise and diet; (2) physiotherapist-delivered weight loss works (unsure initially; successfully lost weight); (3) physiotherapists knowledge and skills (exercise is forte; most thought physiotherapists had the necessary weight loss skills/knowledge, but some disagreed); and (4) physiotherapists have a role in weight loss (physiotherapists are intelligent, credible, and trustworthy; specific training in weight loss necessary). This study provides, to our knowledge, the first documented perspectives from people with OA who have received a physiotherapist-delivered weight loss intervention. Findings suggest physiotherapists may have a role in delivering a protocolized dietary intervention for some people with knee OA with overweight and obesity.

Technostress and time spent online. A cross-cultural comparison for teachers and students.

Research shows that ICT is beneficial for academics and students, aiding in overcoming distance barriers, streamlining administration, and improving teaching and learning processes. However, the negative impact of technology, particularly technostress, are garnering attention. In the context of the concerns about technostress among higher education institutions (HEI), the aim of the study is to analyze the technostress creators and inhibitors for university teachers and students in different European countries. The topical concept of digital well-being is seen as "a subjective individual experience of optimal balance between the benefits and drawbacks obtained from mobile connectivity, focusing on the personal perception of what amount of time spent using technology is optimal so that well-being is preserved". To explore specific aspects related to use of technology, two - parallel online surveys for academics (N = 446) and students (N = 660) from four European countries (Romania, Germany, Norway, and Finland) were conducted between November 2022 - January 2023. The surveys included the Technostress scale and the Technostress Inhibitors Scale, the Technology self-efficacy Scale, and a questionnaire focusing on socio-demographic aspects, work experience, academic field, dimensions related to the actual use of technology and participants perception on the optimal use of technology for work, learning or personal tasks, in terms of the period of day/week and amount of time spent. We also inquired about the social support given and received when using technology and the formal and informal rules, expectations, policies, punishments, and rewards regarding the use of technology. The findings suggest that the perceived optimal use of technology is significantly lower than the actual use for all the contexts. Overuse of technology was associated with technostress. Our results also showed that technology self-efficacy and social support from colleagues and teachers are negatively associated with technostress. Country differences regarding technostress and time spent online were also observed. Despite the needed caution in interpreting the results because of the unbalanced sample size across countries, the results could be used to develop research and support interventions within European countries to promote digital well-being, a better work-life balance with further positive effects on academic satisfaction and work/learning productivity.

Health promotion expectations and perceptions of sport club participants.

To develop health promotion (HP) in sports clubs (SCs), stakeholders need to know the HP expectations of sports participants. However, the literature does not provide information on these aspects, which exacerbates the difficulty for SCs to provide an environment, activities and organization that promote health and to play the role entrusted to them in the integration of vulnerable populations. To fill this gap, this study explores the HP expectations and perceptions of sports participants, with a particular focus on ethnocultural characteristics, and documents participants' understanding of HP. A descriptive qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews was carried out with 22 French and Quebec sports participants. Because they have little experience with HP in their SC, participants do not seem to have many expectations of their SC in terms of HP. Nevertheless, they felt that SCs can play an important role in health and suggested several themes and types of action, such as seminars on nutrition, activities outside the SC to develop cohesion or health monitoring. Sports participants from ethnocultural minorities seem to appreciate the programs designed to integrate them. There is a predominantly physical conception of health and the contribution of SCs to health, and the relationship between the types of health determinants (economic, environmental, organizational and social) and health is not clear. This study shows that the idea of a health-promoting SC appeals to SC participants, but this approach has not yet taken root in this setting or in society as a whole.

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) Approach to Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE): An Experimental At-the-Moment Occupant Comfort Control System

This paper describes an empirical experiment of Internet of Things (IoT)’s integration in the Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) process. The experiment aimed to trial a novel IoT approach to enabling building user responsiveness to prevalent IEQ for individualised comfort. The purpose is to provide a system that mitigates a common issue of centralised air conditioning that limits occupants’ control over their immediate environment. To achieve this, an IoT platform was developed with smart IEQ monitoring sensors and wearable devices and trialled with PhD researchers in a shared university workspace. The findings provided empirical evidence of IoT’s enhanced benefits to improving user control over their individual comfort and enabling positive energy behaviour in buildings. Specifically, the IoT system provided real-time insight into CO2 concentration data while enabling responsive occupant interaction with their immediate environment and at-the-moment mitigation actions. Outputs of the experiment showed that the perceptions of participants about the stuffiness of the air, productivity, and healthy environment were significantly better after taking the mitigation action compared to before. Also, we found a significant relationship between measured CO2 concentration readings and perceived air stuffiness (p = 0.004) and productivity (p = 0.006) and a non-significant relationship between CO2 concentration readings and perceived healthy environment (p = 0.058). Interestingly, we observed that irrespective of the similarities in recorded CO2 concentration readings being within acceptable ranges (632–712 ppm), the perception of air stuffiness significantly differed (p = 0.018) before and after the mitigation actions. The effectiveness of the developed IoT platform was evidenced as most of the participants found the process very easy to participate in with little interruptions to their work as little time was consumed. The results are useful in modifying approaches to building occupant comfort and energy behaviour in commercial and residential settings.

Perceptions and experiences of community pharmacists with off-label prescribing in the pediatric population.

This study aimed to investigate and provide insight into the prevalence and patterns of off-label drug use in the pediatric population from the perspective of community pharmacists, addressing the existing data gap in a developing setting. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Albanian community pharmacists in June 2021. The online administered survey explored the participants' demographic details, perceptions, and experiences with off-label prescriptions in pediatric patients. The statistical analysis conducted on the survey data comprised the construction of frequency tables and the application of the chi-square test for independence. Three hundred and thirty-six community pharmacists nationwide completed the survey, out of which 186 (55.3%) were practiced in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Over 80% of surveyed pharmacists (n = 275) had encountered off-label drug prescriptions in pediatric patients, yet only 40% of participants reported dispensing medicines for off-label use. Community pharmacists reported that general pediatricians tended to prescribe off-label medications more frequently than pediatric subspecialists or general practitioners. It was found that off-label prescriptions were more frequently observed among children aged between 2 and 11 years. Antibiotics were the most reported medicines for off-label use in this study mentioned in almost all off-label categories. Prescribing medicines for unapproved uses for the treatment of pediatric patients is present in community settings in Albania. This indicates the need for further data collection and analysis to understand off-label practices in our country's pediatric population comprehensively.

Critical Event Checklists for Simulated In-Hospital Dysrhythmias in Children with Heart Disease.

Children with heart disease are at increased risk of unstable dysrhythmias and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Clinician adherence to lifesaving processes of care is an important contributor to improving patient outcomes. This study evaluated whether critical event checklists improve adherence to lifesaving processes during simulated acute events secondary to unstable dysrhythmias. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a cardiac ward in a tertiary care, academic children's hospital. Unannounced simulated emergencies involving dysrhythmias in pediatric patients with underlying cardiac disease were conducted weekly. Responders were pediatric and anesthesiology residents, respiratory therapists, and bedside registered nurses. Six teams were randomized into two groups-three received checklists (intervention) and three did not (control). Each team participated in four simulated scenarios over a 4-week pediatric cardiology rotation. Participants received a brief slideshow presentation, which included a checklist orientation, at the start of their rotation. Simulations were video and audio recorded and those with three or more participants were included for analysis. The primary outcome was team adherence to lifesaving processes, expressed as the percentage of completed critical management steps. Secondary outcomes included participant perceptions of the checklist usefulness in identifying and managing dysrhythmias. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) models, which accounted for clustering within groups, to evaluate the effects of the intervention. A total of 24 simulations were conducted; one of the 24 simulations was excluded due to an insufficient number of participants. In our GEE analysis, 81.21% (78.96%, 83.47%) of critical steps were completed with checklists available versus 68.06% (59.38%, 76.74%) without checklists (p = 0.004). Ninety-three percent of study participants reported that they would use the checklists during an unstable dysrhythmia of a child with underlying cardiac disease. Checklists were associated with improved adherence to lifesaving processes during simulated resuscitations for unstable pediatric dysrhythmias. These findings support the use of scenario specific checklists for the management of unstable dysrhythmias in simulations involving pediatric patients with underlying cardiac disease. Future studies should investigate whether checklists are as effective in actual pediatric in-hospital emergencies.

The red hat — designating leadership using visual and verbal cues: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundDuring a critical event in the labor and delivery operating room, it is crucial for team members responding to the situation to be aware of the designated leaders. Visual and verbal cues have been utilized to designate leadership in various healthcare settings; however, previous research has indicated mixed results using visual cues for role designation.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to explore the use of the red surgical hat as a visual cue of leadership during obstetric emergency simulation training. We used a mixed-methods design to analyze simulation-based education video and debriefing transcripts.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of participants who declared leadership vs. those who donned the red hat. Participants were more likely to visually declare leadership utilizing a red surgical bouffant hat than to verbally declare leadership. Most participants indicated that observing the red hat to detect leadership in the operating room was more effective than when leaders used a verbal declaration to inform others who was leading.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that utilizing a visual cue of leadership with the red surgical bouffant hat improves participant perceptions of communication of the surgical team during an obstetrical critical event in a simulation environment.

“Veteran to Veteran, There's Automatically a Trust”: A Qualitative Study of Veterans’ Experiences in a Peer Health-Coaching Program for Hypertension

IntroductionVeteran peer Coaches Optimizing and Advancing Cardiac Health (VetCOACH) was a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a peer support intervention to reduce blood pressure among Veterans with hypertension and one or more cardiovascular risks. We studied participant perceptions of the intervention, including barriers and facilitators to participation, factors promoting behavior change, and disease self-management practices. MethodsWe enrolled participants at their exit visit for the VetCOACH study. Participants received primary care at the Veterans Administration health care system and had multiple cardiovascular disease risks, including a diagnosis of hypertension. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews about their experience with the VetCOACH intervention. ResultsInterview participants (n=29) were 60 years of age on average (SD 8.6), 71% male, and 55% White. They had mean systolic blood pressure of 138 mmHg (SD 18) at baseline. We identified themes across three major categories, which follow the general progression of the intervention: participation, relationship-building, and behavior change. Scheduling flexibility, shared identity and experiences with the coach, acquisition of new knowledge and skills, and goal-setting were important determinants of participants’ experiences in the program. In the participation category, the themes were scheduling, visit modality, life circumstances, and staffing. In the relationship category, the themes were the coach's professional role, shared identity and experiences, and social support. In the behavior change category, the themes were memory, attention, decision-processes; goal-setting; skills and knowledge; and environmental context and resources. We report differences across patients varying by blood pressure reduction following the intervention and number of coaching visits. ConclusionsParticipants generally reported positive experiences in a peer support intervention for Veterans with hypertension. Participant perceptions provide important insights to the intervention design and implementation. These findings may inform future implementation of peer support among Veterans in hypertension and chronic disease self-management more generally.

The impact of digital finance on young People's health insurance participation decisions in China.

The digital finance era has reshaped young people's lifestyles, risk perceptions and insurance participation decisions. Modern youth have to constantly seek for rational social security support and construct individual protection barriers to adapt to new lifestyles and social structures. China's multi-tiered, universal health insurance system is urgently needed to satisfy young people's flexible needs and rational decision-making. Based on the micro data from 2011 ~ 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this paper uses macro data from Digital Inclusive Finance Index (DIFI) matching to construct probit and m-logit model to assess the impact of the development of digital finance on Chinese youth whether or not to participate in health insurance, and how they choose the concrete type of health insurance. (1) Baseline regression results shows that digital finance has a significant positive effect on Chinese youth's health insurance participation decisions, and has different effects on choices within health insurance types. Strong support for the conclusions is provided by endogeneity and robustness tests. (2) The results of the heterogeneity analysis reveal that the marginal effect of digital finance on young people's health insurance decisions shows urban-rural differences, divergence in levels of self-rated health. (3) The mechanism analysis results suggest that there are two mechanism paths of digital finance on youth health insurance decisions: the household income effect and the subjective well-being effect, and two moderating effects: employment type and family structure. Highlighting the positive value that digital finance brings to the perception of youth insurance participation and the construction of social security systems, it needs to pay close attention to the dynamic changes in employment security and family structure through data, and explore the socio-psychological fluctuation and demand for social security among modern youth. To provide a way forward to achieve the integration of the health insurance system in China and solve the current problem of health insurance equity.

Awareness and Perception of Telemedicine Among the General Population in the Central, Northern, and Western Regions of Saudi Arabia.

Telemedicine is a paradigm shift that utilizes technology for remote healthcare delivery, improving the quality of care. This study aims to assess the general population's awareness and perception regarding telemedicine in the central, northern, and western regions of Saudi Arabia. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the central, northern, and western regions of Saudi Arabia from January 2024 to May 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, including sociodemographic information and questions to assess participants' awareness and perception of telemedicine. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with significance at p < 0.05. Out of 414 adult participants in the study, 264 (63.8%) were female, and 205 (49.5%) were below the age of 25. Approximately a quarter of the participants reported being very or moderately familiar with telemedicine. Furthermore, most participants (80.5%, 243) expressed their willingness to try telemedicine. The most common barriers to telemedicine practice were concerns about diagnostic reliability, resistance from physicians, and patient resistance. The study found no significant associations between participants' sociodemographic variables, their familiarity with telemedicine, and their readiness to adopt it. While there is a low level of awareness and knowledge regarding telemedicine among general populations in Saudi Arabia, there is generally a positive perception and willingness to adopt telemedicine for improved healthcare delivery. Addressing barriers to adopting such technology is crucial to ensure the country's successful implementation and widespread acceptance of telemedicine.

A WIC Agency Drip Marketing Campaign Is Well Received and Improves Program Participation and Retention: A Quasi-Experimental Study

BackgroundLittle is known about text messaging’s influence on child retention in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the influence of WICBuzz, a WIC agency drip marketing texting campaign, on retention and participation compared with a comparison WIC agency and to assess WIC participants’ perceptions of the campaign’s added value. DesignA quasi-experimental design, with pre- and postimplementation measurement, was used to compare innovation and comparison groups’ outcomes. Outcome evaluation integrated quantitative analysis of WIC management information system data and survey data of WICBuzz recipients’ perceptions. Participants/settingData obtained for baseline (2019 calendar year) and implementation periods (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021), included WIC participation for children who were WIC active at the beginning of each period. WIC agency sample sizes were 6780 to 7452 children from 5189 to 5832 households (baseline) and 4599 to 5004 children from 3186 to 4297 households (implementation). InterventionWICBuzz, a drip marketing text message campaign with targeted nutrition education and WIC brand awareness messages was the intervention. The comparison agency received standard WIC care. Main outcome measuresMain outcome measures included recertification (re-enrollment during the implementation period), timely recertification (within 60 days of prior certification’s termination), retention (WIC active at the study period’s end), household WIC participation (continuous benefit issuance), and WICBuzz recipients’ WIC perceptions. Statistical analyses performedStatistical analysis included propensity score weighting and difference-in-difference modeling. Thematic analysis using a deductive approach was used to analyze the process evaluation findings. ResultsThe influence of WICBuzz on outcomes included 6.7% (95% CI 3.8% to 9.5%) higher recertification, 7.4% (95% CI 4.5% to 10.3%) higher retention, and 10.9% (95% CI 8.0% to 13.8%) higher participation compared with the comparison agency. Most WICBuzz recipients reported added value regarding WIC knowledge and perceptions. ConclusionsWIC text message campaigns can improve participation and retention and improve participant perceptions of WIC’s value.