Healthcare Sector Research Articles

Sharing for Caring? A Patients' and Clinicians' View on Handling Personal Medical Data in the Context of Digitization: An Exploratory Study.

The healthcare sector is currently undergoing a significant transformation, driven by an increased utilization of data. In this evolving landscape, surveys are of pivotal importance to the comprehension of patient needs and preferences. Moreover, the digital affinity of patients and physicians within the healthcare system is reforming the manner in which healthcare services are accessed and delivered. The utilization and donation of data are influencing the future of medical research and treatment, while artificial intelligence (AI) is empowering patients and physicians with knowledge and improving healthcare delivery. In order to evaluate the opinions of patients and physicians regarding the management of personal health data and the functionality of upcoming data management devices in the context of healthcare digitization, we conducted an exploratory study and designed a survey. The survey focused on a number of key areas, including demographics, experience with digitization, data handling, the identification of needs for upcoming digitization, and AI in healthcare. A total of 40 patients and 15 physicians participated in the survey. The results indicate that data security, timesaving/administrative support, and digital communication are aspects that patients associate with patient-friendly digitization. Based on the responses provided by physicians, it might be concluded that future digital platforms should prioritize usability, time efficacy, data security, and interoperability. In terms of expectations for future digital platforms, there is a notable overlap between the needs expressed by patients and those identified by physicians, particularly in relation to usability, time management, data security, and digital communication. This suggests that the requirements of different stakeholders can be combined in a future system, although individual issues may still require attention.

The impact of socially responsible HRM practices on nurse performance

Purpose: This paper investigates the impact of socially responsible human resource management practices on nurses’ performance in Lebanon’s healthcare sectors. It examines how certain HRM practices, namely training, compensation, performance evaluation, work-family balance and occupational health and safety affect nurses’ performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: Survey data was collected from 389 public and private sector nurses. Structural equation modeling was used for analysis. Findings: The results show a positive impact of socially responsible human resources management practices, namely training, compensation, and occupational health and safety on nurses’ performance. Conclusion: The findings draw attention to the important role played by SRHRM in evoking nurses’ performance. Research Implications: At the academic level, it provides supplementary literature for the under-researched sector in Lebanon. It might thus open up additional research opportunities that aim to broaden the perspective of the topic. At the practical level, the findings offer hospitals the tools to be competitive in retaining nurses. It is also expected to aid policymakers and HR practitioners with means to ensure a better quality of service is provided for the patients. Originality and Value: This research might be considered the first to investigate the mentioned topic.

The Influence of HRM, Employee Engagement, and Organizational Commitment on Employee Turnover Intention

High turnover rates are a significant challenge in the healthcare sector, where employee retention is critical to maintaining service quality and organizational performance. The purpose of this research is to determine and analyze the effect of HRM, employee engagement and organizational commitment on employee turnover intention at Tebet Hospital Jakarta, Atmajaya Hospital Jakarta, and UKI Hospital. The research method used was qualitative, which involved in-depth interviews with key respondents from the three hospitals. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares). The findings show that HRM has a positive but not statistically significant influence on employee engagement, while significantly reducing turnover intention. Organizational commitment is positively and significantly related to employee engagement and decreased turnover intention. In addition, turnover intention positively affects employee performance. This research has implications highlighting the need for hospitals to develop more effective HRM strategies that encourage employee engagement and strengthen organizational commitment, ultimately reducing turnover rates.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY: A NEW ERA OF TRANSACTION PROCESSING - (DECENTRALIZED, SECURE LEDGER TRANSFORMING GLOBAL TRANSACTION PROCESSES)

Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive force in the realm of transaction processing, heralding a new era marked by decentralization, security, and transparency. By leveraging distributed ledgers, blockchain eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling peer-to-peer transactions that are secure and immutable. This shift towards decentralized networks not only ensures trust in transactions but also streamlines processes across industries, offering a paradigm shift in how transactions are conducted and verified. Furthermore, the implementation of smart contracts within blockchain technology adds a layer of automation and enforceability to agreements, revolutionizing the way contracts are executed. These self-executing contracts facilitate efficient and reliable transactions, minimizing the potential for fraud and human error. As a result, blockchain technology is not only transforming traditional financial systems but also finding applications in supply chain management, healthcare, and various sectors where secure and transparent transactions are paramount. KEYWORDS Blockchain technology, Decentralization, Distributed ledger, Smart contracts, Transaction security, Transparency, Peer-to-peer transactions, Immutable ledger, Cryptographic principles, Supply chain management, Scalability challenges, Regulatory uncertainty, Interoperability, Energy consumption, Tokenization, Digital trust, Automation

One size does not fit all: deciphering the interdependence between barriers hindering SMEs’ involvement in public sector procurement

PurposeDespite their significant economic impact, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain underrepresented in public procurement. While previous research has identified the barriers facing SMEs in public procurement markets, a knowledge gap still exists on how these barriers influence one another in a specific context.Design/methodology/approachThis study developed a hierarchical structural model that reveals the contextual interrelationships between 14 notable barriers to SME involvement in public procurement, based on evidence from the publicly funded healthcare sector in the UK. The data were analyzed using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and matrix impact of cross-multiplication applied to categorization (MICMAC).FindingsThe results systematically classify barriers based on their hierarchical relationships, offering a robust theoretical foundation for understanding their nature and interconnections.Practical implicationsThe findings can help scholars, government administrators and politicians in government-funded healthcare systems determine the most influential barriers to SME involvement and their causes, enabling them to build viable remedies.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to examine the relationship between the barriers to SMEs' public health procurement, using evidence from the public health procurement context.

Advanced supply chain optimization for emerging market healthcare systems

The complexities of pharmaceutical supply chains in emerging markets present significant challenges that directly impact healthcare outcomes, particularly in underserved regions. This research focuses on the optimization of supply chain systems for the healthcare sector, with an emphasis on enhancing pharmaceutical delivery. By leveraging data analytics and innovative procurement strategies, the study seeks to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and ensure the timely distribution of essential medications. Drawing on practical experiences at eMedic Technologies Africa, the research highlights the need for advanced models that integrate real-time data to optimize inventory management, forecast demand, and address bottlenecks in last-mile delivery. The study proposes a multi-faceted approach to addressing common challenges in emerging market supply chains, including unreliable infrastructure, fluctuating demand, and limited access to technology. By utilizing predictive analytics, the proposed models aim to improve accuracy in demand planning, reducing stockouts and overstock situations. Additionally, innovative procurement strategies, such as centralized procurement and strategic partnerships with local suppliers, are explored as key methods for enhancing cost-effectiveness and streamlining supply chain operations. A critical component of the research is the focus on last-mile delivery, which remains a significant hurdle in rural and underserved areas. The study advocates for the use of digital platforms and mobile technologies to enhance delivery tracking and coordination, ensuring that essential medications reach their destination efficiently. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of fostering collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector stakeholders to build resilient supply chain systems capable of adapting to local conditions. By providing actionable insights and scalable models for supply chain optimization, this research aims to contribute to improved healthcare delivery in emerging markets. The proposed strategies not only reduce costs and improve efficiency but also ensure a reliable and consistent supply of medications, ultimately leading to better health outcomes in regions most in need. Keywords: Supply Chain Optimization, Data-Driven Procurement, Last-Mile Delivery, Healthcare Efficiency, Emerging Markets

The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Indigenous knowledge healers (IKHs) provide alternative healthcare to formal health services in rural South Africa, but there is a gap in knowledge regarding their treatment of surgical conditions. This study evaluated IKH surgical care and described their perspective of the dual health system. A cross sectional survey of IKHs in the Madwaleni Hospital catchment of the Eastern Cape, South Africa was conducted. Topics included the training and experience of IKHs, treatment of nine common surgical conditions, referral patterns, disease origin beliefs, benefits and limitations of care, and collaborative opportunities between the two health systems. Thirty-five IKHs completed the survey. IKHs were consulted by persons with all nine surgical conditions. The most common forms of treatment were application of an ointment on the affected site (88%) and oral medication (82%). Operative treatment was only done for abscess. Referrals to the formal healthcare sector were made for all surgical conditions. IKHs reported that they were limited by their lack of training and resources to perform operations. On the other hand, they perceived the treatment of the spiritual aspect of surgical disease as a benefit of their care. Thirty-five (100%) IKHs were interested in closer collaboration with the formal health sector. IKHs treat surgical conditions but refer to the formal health sector when diagnostic and operative services are needed. More research is needed to determine the potential advantages and disadvantages between the formal health sector and IKH collaboration.

Serological profile of voluntary blood donors in a blood bank of tertiary health care centre- An institution-based study

Background: The safe transfusion of blood facilities is an essential component of an efficient, excellent healthcare sector. Unsafe blood transfusions can be a cause of transfusion-transmitted infections and can be lethal. The present study was conducted to find out the seroprevalence of HBsAg, HCV, HIV, malarial parasites, and syphilis in voluntary blood donors in a tertiary care center. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted at the blood bank of the Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun. 16413 samples from all blood donations were screened for HBsAg, HCV, HIV 1 and 2, malaria, and syphilis. Samples were collected in vacutainers at the time of blood donation and screened for HIV 1and2, HBsAg, and HCV using the fourth-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Syphilis was tested by Treponema antibodies using the VITROS Syphilis TPA Reagent Pack. Malaria was tested by pan malaria card, monoclonal anti-pan specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase antibody conjugated to colloidal gold, and another monoclonal anti-pan specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase antibody immobilized on a nitrocellulose strip in a thin line. Results: Out of 16413 blood donors 342(2.1%) were found to be seropositive and 16071 (97.9%) were found to be seronegative. The total number of donors, who were found positive for HBsAg/Anti HCV was 1 (0.3%). Out of the seropositive cases, HBsAg, HCV, HIV, and Syphilis infections constituted 28.9%, 27.5, 14.6, and 28.7% cases respectively. Conclusions: There is a need for the development and implementation of stringent donor selection and sensitive screening tests to reduce the risk of acquiring transfusion-transmitted illnesses.

Impact of Inflation and Financial Ratios on Dividend Distribution in Healthcare Sector Companies Listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (2020-2022)

Objective: To examined the influence of inflation, current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on equity on dividend distribution in health sector companies during the 2020 to 2022 period, because this period includes the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: This kind of research is quantitative and depends on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the acquisition of secondary data. Study Location and Duration: 2020–2022 listings of health sector firms on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Methodology: Purposive sampling was used in this study to identify 10 companies that met the objectives of the investigation. The analysis technique used is panel data regression, the analysis tool EViews 12. Results: Research findings show that inflation, DER, and ROE do not have a significant negative impact on dividend distribution, while CR shows a significant positive impact. This shows that liquidity plays an important role in dividend distribution decisions during the Covid 19 pandemic. TImplication: This study underscores the importance of maintaining adequate levels of liquidity for healthy companies when determining dividend policy, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic. Investors and policymakers are advised to consider these factors when evaluating a company's financial health and dividend prospects.

Materials for 3D printing in healthcare sector: A review.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) encompasses various techniques creating intricate components from digital models. The aim of incorporating 3D printing (3DP) in the healthcare sector is to transform patient care by providing personalized solutions, improving medical procedures, fostering research and development, and ultimately optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. This review delves into the historical beginnings of AM's 9 integration into medical contexts exploring various categories of AM methodologies and their roles within the medical sector. This survey also dives into the issue of material requirements and challenges specific to AM's medical applications. Emphasis is placed on how AM processes directly enhance human well-being. The primary focus of this paper is to highlight the evolution and incentives for cross-disciplinary AM applications, particularly in the realm of healthcare by considering their principle, materials and applications. It is designed for a diverse audience, including manufacturing professionals and researchers, seeking insights into this transformative technology's medical dimensions.

Web Scrapping Tools used in Healthcare Sector

Web scraping has become essential in the healthcare sector and provides vast opportunities for data access and analysis. This abstract outlines several key web scraping tools commonly used in healthcare:: Scrapy: A Python-based framework for structured data extraction from various medical sources, offering adaptability and scalability. Beautiful Soup: Facilitates seamless data extraction from medical websites and research articles with its user-friendly interface. Selenium: Particularly useful for extracting data from dynamic healthcare websites driven by JavaScript. Octoparse: Empowers healthcare professionals to extract data without programming expertise through an intuitive interface. ParseHub: Simplifies data extraction from complex healthcare websites with scheduling capabilities. Import.io: A visual API-based scraping solution for integrating and analyzing data from web pages and APIs. WebHarvy: Streamlines data retrieval from medical websites, journals, and forums with automatic configuration and diverse export options. Web scraping tools are invaluable for accessing and analyzing health information, enhancing assessment, decision-making, and patient outcomes. However, adherence to legal and ethical guidelines, including data privacy and consent considerations, is crucial for responsible use in the healthcare industry.

Data Envelopment Analysis and Models in Healthcare Services: A Review

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a widely used method for measuring efficiency and performance in healthcare services. In this article, we will examine the role of DEA and the models used in the healthcare sector. DEA is a method used to measure the efficiency of units (such as hospitals, clinics) with multiple inputs and outputs. Essentially, data envelopment analysis conducts a performance analysis that shows how units utilize their existing resources and how they can optimize these resources. Units such as hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations must deliver more services with limited resources. DEA helps these organizations to use their resources most efficiently. DEA is used to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality in healthcare services. There are various models available for data envelopment analysis. The most common ones include Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis (SDEA). While DEA is used for measuring efficiency that can be either constant or variable in scale, SDEA considers uncertainties and random effects. There are various advantages and disadvantages. Facilitates efficient use of resources, brings a data-driven approach to the decision-making process and objectively evaluates performance in healthcare services. Disadvantages are data deficiencies or poor quality may pose challenges in some cases and the complexity of the model may complicate the application and interpretation process. Data envelopment analysis in healthcare services is a powerful tool for measuring and improving the efficiency of organizations. However, proper use of data and careful application of the model are essential.

Ill persons and capable workers: Constructing work ability in return-to-work negotiations after sickness absence.

In return-to-work (RTW) negotiations after sickness absence, the work ability of an individual employee becomes a shared interest for the multiple stakeholders representing both the healthcare sector and working life. In practice, the employee, employer and occupational health professionals need to reach a shared understanding of the employee's work ability to enable shared decision-making concerning the plans for sustainable RTW. Drawing on 14 video-recorded RTW negotiations, we used conversation analysis-informed membership categorization analysis to examine how the participants of RTW negotiations discuss the work ability of an employee to pursue a shared understanding of the situation. Work ability was constructed in a very situational way, using illness categories to both explain the work ability of the employee and argue for or against their ability or inability to work. Our study contributes to research on RTW by introducing a new perspective to work ability. We show how work ability is realized during RTW negotiations through interaction, and how participants leverage their cultural understanding of illness and capability when negotiating work ability. We also demonstrate how membership categorization analysis can reveal the situational and consequential aspects of illness and work ability categories.

Smart Vision Transparency: Efficient Ocular Disease Prediction Model Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence

The early prediction of ocular disease is certainly an obligatory concern in the domain of ophthalmic medicine. Although modern scientific discoveries have shown the potential to treat eye diseases by using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, explainable AI remains a crucial challenge confronting this area of research. Although some traditional methods put in significant effort, they cannot accurately predict the proper ocular diseases. However, incorporating AI into diagnosing eye diseases in healthcare complicates the situation as the decision-making process of AI demonstrates complexity, which is a significant concern, especially in major sectors like ocular disease prediction. The lack of transparency in the AI models may hinder the confidence and trust of the doctors and the patients, as well as their perception of the AI and its abilities. Accordingly, explainable AI is significant in ensuring trust in the technology, enhancing clinical decision-making ability, and deploying ocular disease detection. This research proposed an efficient transfer learning model for eye disease prediction to transform smart vision potential in the healthcare sector and meet conventional approaches’ challenges while integrating explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). The integration of XAI in the proposed model ensures the transparency of the decision-making process through the comprehensive provision of rationale. This proposed model provides promising results with 95.74% accuracy and explains the transformative potential of XAI in advancing ocular healthcare. This significant milestone underscores the effectiveness of the proposed model in accurately determining various types of ocular disease. It is clearly shown that the proposed model is performing better than the previously published methods.

Feasibility of an environmental scan-based approach to collecting information about factors impacting cancer genetics services in Latin American countries.

Clinical cancer genetics services are expanding globally, but national policy and health care systems influence availability and implementation. Understanding the environmental factors within a country is required to appropriately implement, adapt, and evaluate cancer genetics service delivery models. An environmental scan (ES) is an approach used in business, public health, health care and other sectors to collect information about an environment or system for strategic decision making and program planning. An ES has been previously used to assess cancer genetics clinic-level factors to inform quality improvement efforts in the United States. We assessed the feasibility of using an ES to collect information about factors that may influence cancer genetics service delivery in the outer-most socio-ecological model environmental levels (policy, national agencies, healthcare systems, cultural considerations) in three Latin American countries. Oncology and Genetics care team members at three participating sites used publicly available sources and personal experiences to complete a data collection form (DCF) that included questions about subtopics: laws and policies, relevant agencies and regulations, health care systems and insurance, and cultural considerations. Time to complete the DCF and DCF completeness were used to measure ES feasibility. Participating sites completed the DCF in 3 months, and most questions (average, 87.0%) were answered. Questions in the cultural considerations subtopic had the fewest answers (average, 77.8%). Overall, the ES was feasible and identified a lack of published literature related to cultural considerations impacting health care and genetics services uptake in Latin America. Environmental factors impact cancer genetics services, and identification of these factors will facilitate future collaborative research and genetics service delivery dissemination efforts.

Early Lessons From Working With Local Partners to Expand Private-Sector Health Care Networks in Burundi and Mali.

The private health care sector is an important source of service delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet, the private sector remains fragmented, making it difficult for health system actors to support and ensure the availability of quality health care services. In global health programs, social franchising is one model used to engage and organize the private health care sector. Two social franchise networks, ProFam in West Africa and Tunza in East and Central Africa, provide health care through branded networks of facilities. However, these social franchise networks include a limited number of private health care facilities, and in fragile contexts, like Burundi and Mali, they have faced challenges in integrating with national health systems. The MOMENTUM Private Healthcare Delivery (MPHD) project in Burundi and Mali sought to expand the number of health facilities it engaged beyond the existing ProFam and Tunza networks. The expansion aimed to help improve service quality in more private facilities while advancing localization and reducing fragmentation for improved stewardship by health system actors. MPHD achieved this expansion by removing barriers for private health facilities to join inclusive, nonbranded networks and engaging local partners to build and maintain these networks. We share lessons learned regarding the growing role of local organizations as actors within mixed health systems and provide insights on strengthening stewardship of the increasingly heterogeneous private health care delivery sector in LMICs, particularly in fragile settings.

Private hospitals in low- and middle-income countries: a typology using the cluster method, the case of Morocco

BackgroundThe private healthcare sector has become an essential component of healthcare systems globally. This interest has increased with the universal health coverage agenda. However, in most low- and middle-income countries, few classificatory studies of the private hospital sector were carried out.MethodsThis study describes the private hospital sector in a developing country setup and propose a typology that could facilitate the identification of its categories and the understanding of its organizational and strategic characteristics.ResultsAll private hospitals in Morocco as of December 31, 2021 including 397 facilities are included. Most hospitals are for-profit, poly-disciplinary, independent, commercial societies, have fewer than 30 beds or between 30 and 99 beds and are located in urban areas. Private hospitals have a median turnover of 9.8 million MAD and a median capital value of 2 million MAD. The clustering method identifies three main categories of private hospitals: for-profit hospitals with medium size and turnover, spread across the country but with a high concentration in large regions; not-for-profit hospitals, with medium to large size, high turnover, located in large regions and including university hospitals; and small for-profit hospitals with low turnover, independent ownership and wide distribution over the country. Three criteria have the most significant discriminatory power: ownership, size (beds, turnover) and mode of governance.ConclusionsPrivate hospitals in Morocco are organized into three types according to three similarity criteria including ownership, size and governance. These criteria might be used as the basis for a common typology of private hospitals in Morocco and possibly in other low- and middle-income countries with similar contexts.

First step to environmentally sustainable endoscopy practice: Prospective study of minimizing multiple device use during screening colonoscopy at a large tertiary center.

The healthcare sector generates 8% of greenhouse emissions in the United States, of which GI endoscopy is the third largest contributor. Single-use tools are a major contributor to modifiable waste generation during GI (gastrointestinal) endoscopy. Through a quality improvement (QI) initiative, we aimed to reduce endoscopy waste by urging gastroenterologists to be mindful of the tools used during polypectomies and avoid using multiple tools. We discussed green endoscopy initiatives in monthly journal club and business meetings. Over 14 weeks, 210 patients were included in the pre-intervention and 112 in the post-intervention group. At baseline, 34% of colonoscopies required no intervention, 32% required one tool (either biopsy forceps or a snare) and 33% required multiple tools. After the intervention, the use of just one tool increased (17% increase, p<0.01) and the use of multiple tools decreased significantly (16% decrease p<0.01). The odds of using a single tool compared to multiple tools after the intervention was 2.98 (95% CI 1.6-5.53), p=0.005. This single-center QI study noted a significant change in practice patterns favoring using a single tool over multiple tools during colonoscopies after an environmentally conscious practice intervention was applied. This intervention can be readily applied to reduce endoscopy-related waste.

The Mediator Role of Psychological Ownership in the Effect of Perceived Managerial Support on Individual Work Performance: A Research in the Health Care Sector

The study aimed to determine the mediator role of psychological ownership in the relationship between nurses' perceived managerial support and individual work performance. The descriptive and cross-sectional study sample included Osmaniye provincial and district hospital nurses. A mixed analysis, including both quantitative (n=414) and qualitative (n=23) analysis methods, was used for the study. While the quantitative data were tested using the Structural Equation Model (SEM), content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. According to the findings, it was concluded that psychological ownership partially mediated the effect of perceived managerial support on individual work performance.

The Healthcare Workforce Shortage of Nurses and Physicians: Practice, Theory, Evidence, and Ways Forward.

The healthcare sector is ubiquitously plagued by workforce shortages in economies around the globe. The fragility of this structural shortage becomes apparent when external shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbate the lack of workers in clinical practice. In this article, we summarize current trends in healthcare workforce development across the globe, review theoretical concepts of workforce shortages, and discuss policies to address them. In practice, developed countries often address workforce shortages with targeted migration policies. However, targeted workforce migration policies only intensify workforce shortages in low-and middle-income countries. Theoretical macroeconomic models suggest that supply shortages may result from too low wages, supply lagging behind demand, and social perception. Changes in the wage rate cannot sufficiently increase the supply of health professionals as scholars find inelastic wages for physicians and nurses. Nonpecuniary factors such as working conditions, job satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation are at least equally important as financial incentives. In conclusion, increased wages can only be part of a heterogeneous policy plan to address shortages. Migration and retirement levels of health professionals can temporarily mitigate workforce shortages but rarely change the underlying systemic issues. Increasing the number of places available in medical and nursing schools while also improving, both, financial and nonfinancial incentives for employees are long-term structural policy options.