Post-pandemic World Research Articles

Understanding older adults' travel behaviour and mobility needs during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of the hierarchy of travel needs: a systematic review

Abstract The aim of this article is to critically review the scientific literature about the changes in travel behaviour and mobility amongst older adults caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across various countries, identify unmet travel needs and highlight patterns of inequalities in older adults' mobility. We have collected articles from four academic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Transportation Research International Documentation (TRID) and Web of Science. Papers were considered for inclusion if they were published online in 2020 or later, written in English, and referred to urban or rural changes in travel behaviour and mobility of older adults over 50 years old. We examined the pre-existing models developed before the outbreak and classified the articles based on Musselwhite and Haddad's hierarchy of older adults' travel needs. The synthesis of the selected 25 articles shows a general decline in literal mobility amongst older adults, an increased share of virtual travel and their decreased capacity to fulfil different levels of travel needs. Findings also indicate an increased gap in older adults' mobility across geographical regions with various levels of transport infrastructure and digital capital. We conclude the paper with the lessons learned, the opportunities ahead, and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve sustainable development and the United Nations Decades of Healthy Ageing goals in the post-pandemic world.

Editorial: Addiction and social behaviors in the post-pandemic world

Editorial: Addiction and social behaviors in the post-pandemic world

Evidence-based health messages increase intention to cope with loneliness in Germany: a randomized controlled online trial

Loneliness poses a formidable global health challenge in our volatile, post-pandemic world. Prior studies have identified promising interventions to alleviate loneliness, however, little is known about their effectiveness. This study measured the effectiveness of educational entertainment (“edutainment”) and/or evidence-based, written health messages in alleviating loneliness and increasing intention to cope with loneliness. We recruited 1639 German participants, aged 18 years or older. We compared three intervention groups who received: (A) edutainment and written health messages, (B) only edutainment, or (C) only written health messages, against (D) a control group that received nothing. The primary outcomes were loneliness and intention to cope with loneliness. Participants were also invited to leave comments about the interventions or about their perception or experiences with loneliness. We found a small (d = 0.254) but significant effect of the written messages on increased intention to cope with loneliness (b = 1.78, t(1602) = 2.91, P = 0.004), while a combination of edutainment and written messages significantly decreased loneliness scores (b = −0.25, t(1602) = −2.06, P = 0.04) when compared with the control, even after adjusting for covariables including baseline values, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and hope. We also observed significantly higher self-esteem scores after exposure to a combination of edutainment and written messages (b = 0.821, t(1609) = 1.76, one-tailed P = 0.039) and significantly higher hope scores after exposure to edutainment-only (b = 0.986, t(1609) = 1.85, one-tailed P = 0.032) when compared with the control group. Our study highlights the benefits of using written messages for increasing intention to cope with loneliness and a combination of edutainment and written messages for easing loneliness. Even in small “doses” (less than 6 min of exposure), edutainment can nurture hope, and edutainment combined with written messages can boost self-esteem.

Navigating uncharted waters: leadership insights from successfully reopened schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This research delves into the experiences, challenges, and opportunities faced of Indonesian school principals as they grapple with the complex task of reopening schools post-COVID-19 pandemic. It offers insights into the challenges they face, the strategies they employ, and the lessons they learn in this transformative phase of education. Indonesian school leaders are confronted with the simultaneous implementation of a new curriculum, the imperative of safe reopening, and the integration of innovative pedagogical approaches adopted during the pandemic. Through semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, five overarching themes emerge: Collaboration and Communication, Adaptation and Innovation, Support and Engagement, Learning from Others, and Resilience and Trust. These themes underscore the indispensable role of school leaders in orchestrating a holistic approach to reestablishing the learning environment. The findings hold significance for policymakers, educators, and education leadership programs, not only within Indonesia but also for educational systems worldwide. As education undergoes a profound transformation, the experiences of Indonesian school leaders offer valuable guidance on adapting, innovating, and fostering resilient educational communities in a post-pandemic world.

Unraveling the Complexities of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Comprehensive Ophthalmic and Systemic Perspective.

The editorial explores the profound implications of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which emerged in December 2019 and rapidly evolved into a global health crisis. Despite initial focus on respiratory symptoms, the virus revealed significant ocular implications, prompting a reevaluation of the eye's role in its transmission, diagnosis, and systemic effects. The paradoxical nature of SARS-CoV-2-simultaneously novel and familiar within the coronavirus family-has been central to guiding the global medical response, including the swift development of vaccines. The pandemic has intensified research into the eye's susceptibility to viral infections, enhancing our understanding of virus-host interactions and the systemic impacts of viral diseases. The editorial delves into the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2, highlighting its potential to trigger autoinflammatory and autoimmune reactions with significant ocular repercussions. It examines the rapid vaccine development and deployment, the associated ocular side effects, and the ongoing research necessary to mitigate these outcomes. As the World Health Organization declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency, the focus has shifted toward understanding the virus's long-term implications, including its effects on ocular health. This work underscores the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the systemic impacts of viral infections. It emphasizes the importance of ophthalmology in the broader context of public health and highlights the need for continued vigilance, research, and adaptation in a postpandemic world. The editorial calls for an integrated approach to health care, emphasizing the lessons learned from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to prepare for future health challenges, with a particular focus on the intersection of virology, immunology, and ophthalmology.

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds: Exploring Neuroprotective, Metabolic, and Hepatoprotective Effects for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

There is a growing trend among consumers to seek out natural foods and products with natural ingredients. This shift in consumer preferences had a direct impact on both food and pharmaceutical industries, leading to a focus of scientific research and commercial efforts to meet these new demands. The aim of this work is to review recent available scientific data on foods of interest, such as the artichoke, gooseberry, and polygonoideae plants, as well as olive oil and red raspberries. Interestingly, the urgency of solutions to the climate change emergency has brought new attention to by-products of grapevine bunch stem and cane, which have been found to contain bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. There is a pressing need for a faster process of translating scientific knowledge from the laboratory to real-world applications, especially in the face of the increasing societal burden associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), environmental crises, the post-pandemic world, and ongoing violent conflicts around the world.

Re-Conceptualising Literacy among Adult Learners in a Post-Pandemic World

This article explores the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the field of adult education, with a particular emphasis on the importance of health literacy in adult literacy programs. Research shows that the pandemic has prompted educators to re-examine the concept of adult literacy, recognizing that traditional, narrow understandings of adult literacy may limit the effectiveness of adult learning interventions. The article also pointed out that regions such as Australia have the problem of low adult literacy rates. Although measures have been taken to improve literacy rates, many adults still lack basic literacy skills. Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital skills and health literacy, signaling how adult learning will continue to evolve in the future. The authors plan to use the acquired knowledge and skills to engage in curriculum redesign to ensure the reach and impact of adult literacy programs.

Plant Medicine, Psychedelics and the Inner-Sciences of Mental Wellness: Implications for Healthy Longevity and Rejuvenation

Rythmia Life Advancement Center is the first and currently only medically licensed Ayahuasca center in the world. Rythmia is helping to bridge the gap between the Western medical model of health care with the indigenous healing modalities of Latin America. The “Rythmia Way” program uses a variety of modalities, in addition to Ayahuasca, to help individuals find meaning in their lives and overcome depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD. The quickly growing field of psychedelic medicine is in need of a format to facilitate the use of these substances in the most effective manner. The rapid rate of healing can pose challenges for traditional providers, which is why Rythmia is at the forefront of this field and is collecting hundreds of thousands of data points to effectively tailor and manage a safe plant medicine experience. Self-reported patient data, combined with observational program participation is collected and evaluated to enable individuals to achieve the most effective outcomes regarding their goals and intentions. Mental health issues are becoming the number one health concern in the post-pandemic world. Depression and anxiety are preventing millions from living a productive life. Mental health issues are the leading cause of suicide globally. The information collected at Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica shows a programmatic strategy that is effective at reducing depression, anxiety, and symptoms related to trauma, based on self-reported participant exit surveys. The traditional routes for individuals suffering from these mental health conditions (psychotropic medication, therapy, hospitalization, etc.), are not producing the outcome results necessary for society to thrive. Rythmia L.A.C. is providing a blueprint for the healthcare industry to follow which addresses these problems in a quick and efficient manner. Rythmia Life Advancement Center is a licensed medical facility from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health, founded by Gerard Powell, and located in the Blue Zone Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Mr. Powell was a self-made multimillionaire who had developed a severe drug and alcohol problem and lived a self-destructive lifestyle up until the age of 50. After 2 failed suicide attempts, an unsuccessful 60-day inpatient stay at a drug rehab, and 5 years of therapy riddled with relapse and depression, Mr. Powell discovered Ayahuasca as a treatment modality that showed benefit to mitigate his mental health issues. The lifechanging impact of Ayahuasca on Mr. Powell’s life was transformational and took place over a very short period of time. Mr. Powell was so enthusiastic about his profound level of healing that he wanted to share what he experienced with the world. In July of 2014, he enlisted the help of his therapist, Dr. Jeff McNairy, to participate in the Ayahuasca experience, and to help establish the first and only medically licensed Ayahuasca center in the world. Upon receiving Dr. McNairy’s personal breakthroughs with the plant medicine, he made the decision to shift his career from health care management of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and his therapy practice in Los Angeles, California, to help create the first of its kind wellness center based around Ayahuasca. Since Rythmia’s opening in January 2016, over 15,000 guests have participated in the program with a 97% success rate, determined by exit survey data gathered upon discharge. Ayahuasca is an indigenous plant-based medicinal drink, originating from the Amazon basin of South America. Shamans from this region of Latin America have been using this remedy for over three thousand years. Indigenous tribes consume Ayahuasca as a method to heal physical and “spiritual” ailments. The drink is made up of two plants: one is a vine known as Banisteriopsis caapi which contains three important alkaloids (harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine) which are Monoamine Oxidase-Inhibitors (MAO-I’s). The second plant is a N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) rich leaf-based plant named Psychotria viridis, which is found regionally where the shamanic tribes originate. When these two plants are reduced, mixed together, and consumed orally, they produce a psychedelic response in humans that creates a serotonin response said to enhance personal connection with self, nature, and others. The peak reaction point of the Ayahuasca is approximately 2 hours, with a half-life of DMT being anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours. The contraindication risk for Ayahuasca is primarily with SSRI medications, which interact with MAO-I’s to potentially produce a serotonin syndrome in the brain. Participants must have at least 30 days free and clear from SSRI’s before drinking Ayhuasca, as well as be free of illicit drugs, alcohol, and other psychtropic medications. A certain amount of preparation is required prior to the consumption of Ayahuasca, in order to ensure a safe and effective experience. Rythmia has established an admission protocol in which users must undergo multiple screenings before entering the program. The aim is to prevent any complications following ayahuasca ingestion. This is why there is a policy of 30 days without the use of any substance that affects certain neurochemical receptors and neurotransmitters. Additionally, applicants should not have any cardiac conditions, and on a psychological level, the absence of psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or prior episodes of psychosis is required. As a result of participation in the program, users have reported the resolution of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, as well as a reduced need for pharmaceutical support upon returning home. Finding a greater connection with loved ones and overall life satisfaction is also reported by participants from post-program follow-up. The “Rythmia Way” is a program based on specific directives from the CEO and Owner of Rythmia (Gerard Powell) that allow participants to maximize their experience with Ayahuasca. The program is comprised of various classes, Ayahuasca sessions, and workshops that teach three major intentions guests use to obtain their goals: 1. Show Me Who I’ve Become, 2. Merge Me Back With My Soul At All Costs, and 3. Heal My Heart. These intentions, when followed, will empower the individual to learn about their ego, no longer live in a dissociated state, and heal past traumas that are blocking them from being vulnerable in healthy ways and succeeding in life. Rythmia is a data driven program that looks at process and outcome data to fine tune and create a way of obtaining the highest success rates. The combination of informational classes and integration workshops helps provide guidance and understanding to the plant medicine experience. As global jurisdictions begin to legally allow Ayahuasca as a legitimate health modality to be used under strict supervision and control, Rythmia Life Advancement Center is positioned to expand and create further opportunities for individuals to obtain significant and long-lasting healing. DMT is currently a Schedule 1 substance that is banned in most of the world. Certain exemptions are beginning to be made for research, communities of high risk and minimal resources, and as an alternative method for healing that is being re-evaluated since the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. As education and grass-roots organizations make headway in the areas of legalization, standards of care will need to be instituted to ensure safety, efficacy, and lasting duration of the process. Rythmia has set the standard of care in this field and will continue to lead the world as governments and health care agencies understand the benefits of these organic and ancient plants that have been combined thousands of years ago for the good of humanity as well as the earth. This commentary described an early clinical treatment that would require controlled clinical trial to transition as standard of care.

Feline Entanglements: Feminist Interspecies Care and Solidarity in a Post-Pandemic World

Feline Entanglements: Feminist Interspecies Care and Solidarity in a Post-Pandemic World

Using Scenario-Based Assessment in the Development of Students’ Digital Communication Skills and Professional Competence

In this discussion, we consider how the use of scenario-based assessment (SBA) can provide students with a way of developing the digital communication skills that business communication research has found they will need for the workplace, alongside other aspects of professional competence. This is because SBA can be employed to engage learners in the same types of authentic performance tasks in a situated context that they will likely encounter in their professional lives. In addition, SBA can also be used to maximize the integrity of an assignment by harnessing the positive effects of using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, while simultaneously mitigating against the misappropriation of AI by students. SBA allows learners to practice both their digital, and other, communication skills as well as contributing to their understanding of professional practice, and it also provides instructors with a powerful form of formative assessment. Our aim is to put forward a motivating and effective way of helping our students to develop the skills that they will need to become successful communicators in a postpandemic professional world.

Slovenian Higher Education in a Post-Pandemic World: Trends and Transformations

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of work and daily life, with higher education being greatly affected, especially in remote teaching, work, and digital collaboration. Most of these changes are retained in the post-COVID-19 era, e.g., remote work has enabled greater access to educational opportunities and contributed to a more inclusive and diverse workforce. To investigate to what extent these changes impact higher education in the post-pandemic era, we have conducted qualitative research on a sample of 12 professors from Slovenia working in higher education, selected based on their extensive research, professional experience, and significant contributions to the field. The Delphi method was used for this study since its iterative process refines ideas in each round based on feedback from the previous one. Participants were given a five-day window to express their views and share their expertise. The responses to the open-ended questions were examined using qualitative content analysis. Research indicates that pedagogical and organisational characteristics such as the ability to adapt to changes, the capacity for resilience, and the willingness to embrace digital transformation are crucial for preserving long-term changes induced by pandemics.

If You Cut It Will They Ride? Longitudinal Examination of the Elasticity of Public Transport Ridership in the Post-Pandemic Era

In the past two years, public transport ridership has declined because of COVID-19 pandemic health measures and new working from home policies. This decline in ridership has caused major financial stress on public transport agencies around the world. Several agencies have responded to this financial stress by reducing services. The extent to which these service cuts will affect transit ridership is unknown because of the changing operational environment in the post-pandemic world. Our study uses a longitudinal panel data from Montréal, Quebec, Canada, to explore the relationship between route-level ridership and operational factors over time. We find that public transport ridership demand at the route level is highly elastic when compared to trip frequency and has become more elastic after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings imply that agencies cutting service in the post-pandemic era run a much more significant risk of creating a “doom spiral,” where service reductions spur greater declines in ridership, forcing further reductions. Demand was found to be most elastic on more frequent routes, so agencies should prioritize maintaining services on their core routes in the post-pandemic era. This study can be of use to public transit planners and policymakers considering making service changes to attract more riders or trying to respond to post-COVID-19 financial stress.

COVID-19 outcomes: exploring the footprints of the pandemic on the office sector in Johannesburg, South Africa

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on office space in Johannesburg. This study further explores the role of changing work practices in the office sector in South Africa because of the pandemic and its impact on future office space use planning and management. Design/methodology/approach To understand the footprints that the COVID-19 pandemic has left on the office space market in Johannesburg, this study uses semi-structured interviews, which were administered to corporate office users, and a thematic analysis was adopted to understand the views, perspectives and expectations of office users. Findings The study showed that space users perceive COVID-19-induced remote working as having benefits, opportunities and challenges. A notable shift in office space utilization has emerged, with employees increasingly opting for roles that permit remote work. This newfound flexibility, accommodating both on-site and remote work, often makes working from home more appealing than traditional office environments that may no longer align with users’ preferences for office spaces. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to Johannesburg, South Africa, and may not apply to other African markets. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted, and analysis and results were deduced; this may be considered a limitation of this study. Practical implications The pandemic’s impact has brought about irreversible changes, compelling policymakers and business leaders to strategize and prepare. This proactive stance aims to prevent avoidable challenges for employees and companies during future pandemics. A thoughtful approach to the post-pandemic world can usher positive changes in the office and property sector. This includes the coexistence of both remote work and on-site working models. Originality/value This paper provides valuable insight into some of the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa that are essential for future office space use planning and management. The insights from this study extend the literature and provide novel knowledge based on an office sector in the “global south.”

Popular Music Videos and Reflecting (Ir)Religiously: What do Videos Such as ‘Sirens’ Have to say to the Church Today?

The singer Caroline Polachek has co-written a song with DJ Flume. The accompanying promotional video asks us to consider what transcendence may mean in a post-pandemic world. We theologically reflect on the song and video to consider what this may show about Western society’s understandings of transcendence, suffering and resurrection, where the dominate narrative has been the ‘turn to the self’. We also consider how the Church may respond to this poetically driven grass-root need for theological reflection where the most usual form of response is didactic and doctrinal in nature resulting in a disconnect in how the message is received.

Revolutionizing online business education: Leveraging the Collaborative Engagement Experience-Based Learning (CEEBL) Framework in a Post-Pandemic World

In this study, the CEEBL teaching framework is further explored across three academic levels of online business courses. These classes emphasize collaborative teamwork using hands-on activities with projects aimed at tackling real world challenges. Students form affinity groups to co-create solutions for the projects. The study covers the building of the courses utilizing the framework along with an assessment of student feedback post course, obtained via surveys. Results provide valuable insights for expanding the framework. These findings offer a pedagogical method for educators seeking to address the key-challenge of harmonizing academic rigor with practical application in business education.

Transdisciplinary research before, during and after COVID-19 vaccination in Chile: a virtuoso collaboration with future perspectives.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges that required immediate attention to mitigate its devastating consequences on a local and global scale. In March 2020, the Chilean government, along with health and science authorities, implemented a strategy aimed at generating relevant evidence to inform effective public health decisions. One of the key strengths of this strategy was the active involvement of the scientific community, employing transdisciplinary approaches to address critical questions and support political decision-making. The strategy promoted collaborations between the government, public and private institutions, and transdisciplinary academic groups throughout each phase of the pandemic. By focusing on pressing problems and questions, this approach formed the foundation of this report which reflects the collaborative effort throughout the pandemic of individuals from the Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería (ISCI), the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile, government authorities and industry. Early in the pandemic, it became crucial to gather evidence on how to minimize the impact of infection and disease while awaiting the availability of vaccines. This included studying the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, assessing the impact of quarantines on people's mobility, implementing strategies for widespread SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and exploring pool testing for large populations. The urgent need to reduce disease severity and transmission posed a significant challenge, as it was essential to prevent overwhelming healthcare systems. Studies were conducted to predict ICU bed requirements at the local level using mathematical models. Additionally, novel approaches, such as using cellphone mobility-based technology to actively identify infected individuals, and to optimize population sampling, were explored following the first wave of the pandemic. Chile took early action in addressing vaccination through a high-level scientific board, before vaccines became available. Studies conducted during this period included population-based immunologic evaluations of different vaccines, which helped build confidence in the population and supported the need for booster doses and potential vaccination of children. These studies and collaborations, which will be discussed here, have provided valuable insights and will inform future approaches in a post-pandemic world. Importantly, highly conservative estimates indicate that 3,000 lives and more than 300 million USD were saved by this academic-public-private collaborative effort.

Ageism and the digital divide in Switzerland during COVID-19: Lessons for the post-pandemic world

The COVID-19 pandemic erupted in early 2020. The Swiss Federal Council implemented a semi-lockdown in March 2020, asking people, particularly older adults, to stay at home to limit the transmission of the disease and to use digital tools to maintain their social relations and activities. This study inquired how older adults confronting precarity experienced these restrictions, how digital tools functioned in this context, and what learning could therefore be imbibed for the post-pandemic era. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with adults aged between 66 and 90 years living in a rural and mountainous Swiss region. The obtained data were subsequently thematically analyzed. The results revealed that the respondents experienced ageism during the semi-lockdown and reported limited or non-existent opportunities to use digital tools to maintain online social contact. This predicament increased their sense of loneliness and amplified their feelings of rejection by the outside world. These observations elucidate the need for the enhancement of non-ageist social support for older people, including individuals with limited social and material resources. We advocate the adoption of innovative initiatives in the post-pandemic era to better include precarious older people in our localities and neighborhoods.

From turbulence to recovery: tracking the cognition-sentiment-behaviour transformation among Chinese cruise industry stakeholders

ABSTRACT Amid unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic, understanding the evolving dynamics among key stakeholders in the cruise industry becomes vital for fostering recovery and sustainable growth. This study employs a multi-faceted analytical approach, utilising Python for data collection across multiple channels and integrating Social Network Analysis, LDA Thematic Modelling, Sentiment Analysis, and the Moving Average Method. Our findings illuminate the complex interplay between cognitive adjustments, sentiment shifts, and behavioural changes that characterise stakeholders’ responses throughout the pandemic. We unveil distinctive patterns of sentiment and behavioural adaptation among different stakeholder groups, underpinned by their specific interests and objectives. The research highlights the critical roles of government and cruise companies in spearheading the industry's revival, emphasising their influential capacity to shape positive sentiment and proactive engagement in the sector's growth. Furthermore, the study reveals the vulnerability of prospective tourists to external adverse events, impacting their perceptions and potential engagement with cruise tourism. By delving into these multifaceted dynamics, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of stakeholder-oriented strategies essential for the orderly recovery and future resilience of China's cruise industry in a post-pandemic world.

A STUDY ON IMPACT OF COVID -19 ON EDUCATION

Universally, the COVID-19 scourge has seriously aggravated the instruction framework, driving to an uncommon move towards online learning. This think about analyse the numerous consequences of this alter, looking at how it gather essential information, we performed a intensive investigation of the body of writing as of now in presence as well as overviews and interviews. Our inquire about uncovers a nuanced interaction between openings and boundaries. On the one hand, we found that the unexpected move to online instruction made already-existing instructive incongruities more awful by putting destitute understudies at a major impediment when it comes to get to innovation and strong learning settings. Be that as it may, the alter too advertised chances for inventive approaches to educating and learning, underscoring how innovation can offer assistance overcome calculated and geographic deterrents. This paper calls for focused on approach intercessions to address the computerized isolate and guarantee comprehensive and even handed quality education for all understudies within the post-pandemic world. KEYWORDS COVID-19, Pandemic, Online Learning, Distance Education, Access to Technology, Learning Outcomes, Student Engagement, Virtual Classroom, E-Learning Platforms, Digital Literacy, Inclusive Education, Quality of Education, Educational Challenges, Learning Disruption, Future of Education.

Post-Pandemic Health Communication: Adoption of Digital Technologies in Healthcare by Residents of Mumbai

Digitalization has become an important part of human lives in many fields, ranging from education to healthcare. Digital technologies are one of the priorities in the development of the healthcare sector worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients became more engaged about medical communication and used digital technologies than ever. Health professionals started using more online/digital platforms to provide patients prescriptions and check patients’ reports. This paper is aimed at examining various forms of digital platforms on healthcare, which patients use for consultation with health professionals. This study is an exploratory observational study in which researcher conducted a semi-structured interviewsin Mumbai suburban housing society. The objectives were to understand nature of health communication post pandemic, perception of family about health and which digital platforms they are using? How are  igital platforms being helpful in day-to-day life ? The Study found that most respondents still use an online consultation option with their doctors, pharmacy and lab investigation. The reasons for using digital platforms in spite of scope for physical outreach are time, money and energy savings. They visit hospital or doctor’s clinic in emergency or on unavoidable situations. It was also found that some organizations that pay medical benefits to their staff also started collecting medical prescriptions via WhatsApp. The study emphasizes the importance of digital platform, time and health communication in post pandemic world. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the digital platforms and would like to continue in the future. Among all digital platforms “WhatsApp” was most popular and used, which is still getting used in India. The respondents had significant impact by the use of digital platforms. Although some respondents showed concern related to data privacy. This also indicate shift from oral, face to face communication to mediated digital communication in Asian societies.:Digitalization has become an important part of human lives in many fields, ranging from education to healthcare. Digital technologies are one of the priorities in the development of the healthcare sector worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients became more engaged about medical communicationand used digital technologies than ever. Health professionals started using more online/digital platforms to provide patients prescriptions and check patients’ reports. This paper is aimed at examining various forms of digital platforms on healthcare, which patients use for consultation with health professionals. Thisstudy is an exploratory observational study in which researcher conducted a semi-structured interviews in Mumbai suburban housing society. The objectives were to understand nature of health communication post pandemic, perception of family about health and which digital platforms they are using? How are digital platforms being helpful in day-to-day life ? The Study found that most respondents still use an online consultation option with their doctors, pharmacy and lab investigation. Thereasons for using digital platforms in spite of scope for physical outreach are time, money and energy savings. They visit hospital or doctor’s clinic in emergency or on unavoidable situations. It was also found that some organizations thatpay medical benefits to their staff also started collecting medical prescriptions via WhatsApp. The study emphasizes the importance of digital platform, time and health communication in post pandemic world. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the digital platforms and would like to continue in thefuture. Among all digital platforms “WhatsApp” was most popular and used, which is still getting used in India. The respondents had significant impact by the use of digital platforms. Although some respondents showed concern related to data privacy. This also indicate shift from oral, face to face communication to mediated digital communication in Asian societies.: