Seniors and Information Technology: A MIS-Fit?

The “digital divide” between the haves and have-nots in society continues to draw attention in traditional media outlets as well as academic research. Those yearning to join the computer revolution comprise several groups defined by wealth, ethnicity, country (even regions of countries), and age. While there has been research into the digital divide in all of these areas, the focus of this paper is Information Technology (IT) use by the elderly, or our senior citizens. Our interest in this group stems from the dynamic interaction of two forces: 1) senior populations are growing in percentage and sheer number both in the United States and internationally; and 2) as a group, the elderly have more disposable income to spend on IT than their younger counterparts. In order to coordinate our research agenda, the current investigation presents a framework that delineates scholarly inquiry into this topic by the elements of the framework. We look at what has been done, and what we feel needs to be done, in order to incorporate an important demographic group into the mainstream of computing society: our seniors

A framework for cloud-based healthcare services to monitor noncommunicable diseases patient

Monitoring patients who have noncommunicable diseases is a big challenge. These illnesses require a continuous monitoring that leads to high cost for patients\u27 healthcare. Several solutions proposed reducing the impact of these diseases in terms of economic with respect to quality of services. One of the best solutions is mobile healthcare, where patients do not need to be hospitalized under supervision of caregivers. This paper presents a new hybrid framework based on mobile multimedia cloud that is scalable and efficient and provides cost-effective monitoring solution for noncommunicable disease patient. In order to validate the effectiveness of the framework, we also propose a novel evaluation model based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which incorporates some criteria from multiple decision makers in the context of healthcare monitoring applications. Using the proposed evaluation model, we analyzed three possible frameworks (proposed hybrid framework, mobile, and multimedia frameworks) in terms of their applicability in the real healthcare environment

Awareness Of Increased Risk For Heart Disease And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) earlier and at a more accelerated rate compared to women without SLE. Many women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk despite years spent in the health care system, thus giving the atherogenic process time to accrue damage. Research has not explained fully why women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk for CVD or why awareness does not correspond to risk-educing behaviors. Stage theories of behavior like the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) propose that health behavior change proceeds through qualitatively different stages, and people at one stage face similar barriers before they can progress to the next. The Common Sense Model (CSM), a self-regulatory model of health behavior, explains the emotional and cognitive processes involved in progression from one stage to the next and the formation of a personal risk/illness representation. Combining the PAPM and CSM helps understand the relationship between risk perception and adoption of risk reducing behaviors. The specific aims of this study were to assess in women with SLE: (1) general knowledge of heart disease compared to women without SLE; (2) awareness of increased CVD risk and CVD risk factors; and (3) personal and healthcare system factors that influence awareness of increased CVD risk and adoption of risk reducing behaviors. Sixty women with SLE, 18 years of age or older, were recruited to participate in this descriptive study. Data included demographic information, self-report questionnaires (perceived CVD risk, CVD risk factors, depression, physical activity), body measures (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure), and blood samples for physiologic markers of traditional and novel CVD risk factors (glucose, insulin, lipoprotein lipids, creatinine, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, antiphospholipid antibodies). The Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care and the Physical Activity Disability Survey were used to determine depression and activity level respectively. General knowledge of heart disease was assessed using the American Heart Association (AHA) National Survey on women\u27s awareness of heart disease. Logistic regression was used to categorize participants into subgroups according to perceived risk and identify important factors that influenced their PAPM stage categorization. Women with SLE in this study were more aware of women\u27s leading cause of death than United States women who responded to the 2006 AHA survey (73% v 57%), but fewer than 25% perceived themselves at increased CVD risk. Age was a significant predictor (p=0.05) for awareness of increased risk; younger age correlated with increased awareness. Most women received information about heart disease from public media. On average, women had 4 CVD risk factors, but they perceived they had only 2. The number of perceived risk factors predicted adoption of risk reducing behaviors (p=0.03). Women in this study with SLE underestimated their CVD risk factors and did not personalize their increased CVD risk. Healthcare providers\u27 identification and discussion of CVD risk factors in women with SLE may enhance their risk awareness and the adoption of risk reducing behaviors. This information may contribute to the development of stage-matched interventions, a potentially more effective and efficient approach than a generic program of risk-reduction, especially in individuals with SLE who face the additional burden of a chronic illness

Improving Patient Decision-Making in Health Care

Outlines regional variations within Minnesota in rates of patients with similar conditions receiving elective surgery, the concept of shared decision making, treatment choices for eight conditions, and steps for ensuring patients make informed decisions

Estudio para la calculadora de edad vascular como herramienta para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular de la farmacia comunitaria

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Farmacia, leída el 29-11-2021Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Spain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of these premature deaths are avoidable by reducing the modifiable risk factors of CVD. Research indicates that patients better understand their true risk when information is presented to them in vascular age (VA). Community pharmacists (CP) are well situated to assess patientsVA, provide professional educational advice, and implement interventions for reducing cardiovascular risk (CVR).Aim: The explicit objective of this thesis was to create a patient-centred, accurate and accessible tool that allows the CPs in Spain to estimate the VA and design a personalized intervention aimed at reducing the patient’s VA.Method: A website was created and included an original questionnaire, the vascular age calculator (VAC), detailed protocols for the pharmacist’s intervention and the patient’s information leaflets on CVR factors. The webpage user’s perceptions were analysed via a 26-item self-completion online survey distributed among CPs using a Google forum. Informed consent was taken from the CPs to participate in the study. The responses to the survey were collected anonymously. Open and closed questions were used to gain a wide range of replies and an in-depth understanding. The questionnaire from the pilot study was available online from the 1st August 2020 to the 31st of February 2021. The results were analysed using the STATA package version 12.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). The NVivo software was used for assessing the descriptive findings...Antecedentes: La enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en España. Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud, el 80% de estas muertes prematuras se podrían evitar reduciendo los factores de riesgo cardiovascular modificables. Diversos estudios indican que los pacientes entienden mejor su riesgo real cuando se les presenta la información en forma de edad vascular. Los farmacéuticoscomunitarios (FC) están bien posicionados para evaluar la edad vascular de los pacientes, proporcionar asesoramiento educativo profesional y aplicar intervenciones para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular (RCV).Objetivo: El objetivo explícito de esta tesis fue crear una herramienta centrada en el paciente, precisa y accesible que permita a los FC de España estimar la edad vascular y diseñar un plan de intervención personalizado encaminado a reducirla. Método: Se creó una página web que incluía un cuestionario original, la calculadora de la edad vascular, protocolos detallados para la intervención del farmacéutico y folletos informativos para el paciente sobre factores de RCV. Se analizó la percepción de los usuarios sobre la página web a través de una encuesta online de veintiséis preguntas distribuida entre los FC mediante un formulario de Google. Se obtuvo el consentimiento informado de los FC para participar en el estudio. Las respuestas a la encuesta se recogieron de forma anónima. Se utilizaron preguntas abiertas y cerradas para obtener una amplia gama de respuestas y de mayor profundidad. El cuestionario del estudio piloto estuvo disponible en línea desde el 1de agosto de 2020 hasta el 31 de febrero de 2021. Los resultados se analizaron con el paquete STATA versión 12.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Para evaluar los resultados descriptivos se utilizó el programa informático NVivo...Fac. de FarmaciaTRUEunpu

Evaluation design of a reactivation care program to prevent functional loss in hospitalised elderly: A cohort study including a randomised controlled trial

Background: Elderly persons admitted to the hospital are at risk for hospital related functional loss. This evaluation aims to compare the effects of different levels of (integrated) health intervention care programs on preventing hospital related functional loss among elderly patients by comparing a new intervention program to two usual care progra

Oral health of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong

Introduction: The world’s population is ageing and the elders are vulnerable to oral health problems. This project aimed to observe the oral health status of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong, investigate the oral health impact on their quality of life and nutritional status, and provide oral health education and preventive service. Methods: Community dwelling elders (65 or above) were recruited from five community centers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed to collect information on their socio-demographic background and oral health perception/practice. Their oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) and nutritional status were measured by using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), respectively. Their tooth and periodontal status, oral hygiene and soft tissues were examined. Individualized advice, oral health education and scaling were provided. Results: A total of 195 elders participated. Despite their sound knowledge on dental caries, their awareness of the causes and risk factors of periodontal diseases was low. Several misconceptions of oral health were common and their expectation towards oral health was low. Although 81% brush their teeth at least twice a day, over 75% did not perform interdental cleaning mainly due to unawareness of the necessity (32%) and lack of skills (42%). Their dental visits were treatment-driven and mainly for pain-relieving and emergency care. Only 19% were regular dental attendees. The mean (SD) DMFT was 8.9 (7.8). Over 60% had periodontal pockets; 6% were edentulous and 38% had fewer than 20 teeth. The mean (SD) total GOHAI score was 56.4 (8.0); 60% reported negative impact of oral health on their quality of life. The mean (SD) MNA score was 25.2 (2.9); 30% had malnutrition or were at risk. Multivariate analysis showed that tooth loss and untreated decayed teeth (DT) were significant determinants of poor OHQoL; older age, higher education level, and poorer OHQoL were significantly associated with higher risk of malnutrition (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Oral health problems are common among community dwelling elders in Hong Kong. Their oral health awareness and practice are yet to be improved. Tooth loss and unmet treatment need for dental caries significantly compromise elders’ quality of life, which in turn increases their risk for malnutrition. Outreach oral health education and service are well received by the community.published_or_final_versio

Healthcare Management Primer

This primer was written by students enrolled in HMP 721.01, Management of Health Care Organizations, in the Health Management & Policy Program, College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire. This course was taught by Professor Mark Bonica in Fall 2017

Ontology-based personalized system to support patients at home

Masteroppgave i Informasjons- og kommunikasjonsteknologi IKT590 Universitetet i Agder 2014Chronic diseases are incurable diseases that require long term supervision and treatments by medical professionals. The most common chronic diseases are cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes respiratory diseases and cancer. With information and communication technology many applications have been implemented to facilitate different clinical decision making process. With new technology, personalized healthcare systems are in place to enable patients with chronic diseases to acquire continuous and long-term medical services at home. This improves healthcare delivery since medical services can be accessed at any place. Today high prevalence of chronic diseases poses technological challenges to existing personalized healthcare systems including data integration and personalized recommendation plan. This research investigates how semantic technologies could be used to address the above challenges. The goal of this thesis is to use semantic technology for building ontology knowledge repository to provide data integration and medical recommendations for home based diabetes management systems. This ontology focuses on organizing knowledge related to vital sign measurement, questionnaire and recommendations for diabetic patients. To enter and link concepts and data for diabetes ontology, we used Protégé-owl. The ontology model provides knowledge into which information on individual patient including vital-sign data, questionnaires based information and recommendation are derived. Based on ontology’s structure, the model can collect, store and share information from heterogeneous sources, Reason over knowledge. Furthermore, ontology has been proven to be a better way of describing managed data. Therefore ontology based technology could be implemented in the personalized systems to enhance remote care for home-patient. Keywords

Health and Technology: Online platform to facilitate access to care and prevention for chronic non-communicable conditions in Rwanda

Rwanda is confronted with a growing problem of non-communicable diseases (NCD). It is important that people in Rwanda have access to effective prevention and treatment. This paper explores a program that would use a digital platform to facilitate access to information, services, and products that would help NCD at risk populations in Rwanda to access appropriate prevention and care. The program was developed based on the author’s experience in Rwanda’s healthcare industry, the information from review of literature as well as key informant interviews (NCD patients, advocates, and caregivers) and a survey with health professionals. The research conducted highlighted that there is a need for improvement in health education and access to services and products used for NCDs. The program will serve as a one-stop center for NCD prevention and care services