Use of a geospatial early-warning decision support system to prepare for disasters or plan for multiple hazards: decatastrophize

The goal of DECATASTROPHIZE (DECAT) is to use a Geospatial Early-warning Decision Support System (GE-DSS) for rapid deployment, interoperability, transferability and sustainability to assess, prepare for and respond to multiple and/or simultaneous natural and man-made hazards, disasters, and environmental incidents by using existing models/systems in a synergistic way on one multiplatform, distributed and integrated framework called DECAT in five partner countries. The use of GE‐DSS combined with integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions fuses text and geographic information into one model and view. In addition to integrating the a) GE‐DSS, b) Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), and c) Operational Resources (OR) in the field in each partner country, the DECAT methodological framework software will also integrate hazard/risk assessment with the common operational picture. No studies using a GE‐DSS based framework to integrate and link decision makers, EOCs and ORs in the field for multi‐hazard or disaster preparedness in accordance with/relative to the New EU Civil Protection Mechanism preparedness priorities have been carried out or demonstrated. Therefore, this project is expected to a) create better prerequisites for, and improve preparedness, as well as enhance awareness of, civil protection and/or marine pollution professionals and volunteers, b) support and complement the efforts of the participating states for the protection of citizens, environment and property in the event of natural and man‐made disasters, c) exchange information, experience, good practice and knowledge aimed at improving the performance of parties involved in civil protection (both private and public professionals and volunteers) and d) support the EU candidate countries and potential candidates not participating in the Mechanism and European Neighbourhood Policy countries in the field of disaster preparedness and enhance their cooperation within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and its participating states

Barriers, facilitators, and interventions for medication adherence across chronic conditions with the highest non-adherence rates: a scoping review with recommendations for intervention development

Medication non-adherence (MNA) constitutes a complex health problem contributing to increased economic burden and poor health outcomes. The Medication Adherence Model (MAM) supports that numerous processes are involved in medication adherence (MA). Based on the MAM and guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), this scoping review aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators associated with MA, and the behavioral health interventions and techniques among chronic conditions presenting with high non-adherence rates (asthma, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, and hypertension). PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were screened, and 243 studies were included. A mixed methods approach was used to collate the evidence and interpret findings. The most commonly reported barriers to MA across conditions were younger age, low education, low income, high medication cost, side effects, patient beliefs/perceptions, comorbidities, and poor patient-provider communication. Additionally, digitally delivered interventions including components such as medication and condition education, motivational interviewing (MI), and reinforcement and motivational messages led to improvements in MA. This review highlights the importance of administrating multicomponent interventions digitally and personalized to the patients' individual needs and characteristics, responding to the adherence barriers faced. This is the first review examining and synthesizing evidence on barriers and facilitators to MA and behavioral health interventions used for improving MA across chronic conditions with the highest non-adherence rates and providing recommendations to researchers and clinicians. Stakeholders are called to explore methods overcoming barriers identified and developing effective multicomponent interventions that can reduce the high rates of MNA

Medication adherence in chronic condtions : a scoping review of barriers, facilitators and interventions

As the cancer survivor population in the US continues to increase, diminished health care provider capacity will result in cancer survivors bearing more responsibility for obtaining health-related information. Pervasive internet and digital technology use has dramatically increased the availability and accessibility of online health information targeted to cancer survivors. Much needs to be learned about how survivors seek out and engage with this information, and whether these patterns vary by personal characteristics and cancer type. This study therefore examined the information-seeking behaviors and perceptions of cancer survivors during a self-guided online search task

Development and Implementation of a DECATASTROPHIZE platform and tool for the management of disasters or multiple hazards

Research studies using a Geo-Spatial Early Warning Decision Support System (GE-DSS) based platform and tool to integrate and link decision makers, Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), Operational Resources (OR) in the field for multi-hazard or disaster management in accordance relative to the New European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) priorities have neither been explored nor implemented. The goal of the DECATASTROPHIZE (DECAT) platform is to use a GE-DSS to assess, prepare for and respond to multiple and/or simultaneous natural and man-made hazards and disasters in a synergistic way on one multi-platform, distributed and integrated framework. The main results of the DSS platform include:1) GE-DSS use-case analyses, workflows and functionalities for early warning, decision making and rapid mapping, 2) methodologies for rapid assessment and mitigation of impacts, and 3) Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) from Cyprus for disseminating geospatial data and information about various types of multi-hazards with dedicated capabilities aimed to support impact assessment as well as emergency management based on activities suitable for overall operational scenarios. In addition to integrating the a) GE-DSS, b) EOCs, and c) OR in the field, the DECAT methodological framework software also integrated hazard/risk assessment with the common operational picture. The paper aims to introduce the GE-DSS prototype resulting from the implementation of these requirements, resulting by reuse, improvement and extension of Open Source SDI codes. It has been already tested in all of DECAT participating countries. The objectives achievement level was evaluated by analysing the test performed by Cyprus Civil Defense (CCD). The DECAT project aimed to a) demonstrate the assessment and mitigation of impact of natural disasters, b) discuss and develop effective warning systems decision making and rapid notification for risk resilience at all levels, c) stimulate exchange of ideas and knowledge transfer on all phases of the disaster management cycle including disaster research, and risk reduction at all geographical scales—local, national and international, d) assess multi-disaster risk and impacts from a multidisciplinary and multi-faceted perspective, e) develop multi-disaster risk reduction strategies and techniques

A Scoping Review of Methods Used to Assess Medication Adherence in Patients with Chronic Conditions

Background Medication nonadherence of patients with chronic conditions is a complex phenomenon contributing to increased economic burden and decreased quality of life. Intervention development relies on accurately assessing adherence but no “gold standard” method currently exists. Purpose The present scoping review aimed to: (a) review and describe current methods of assessing medication adherence (MA) in patients with chronic conditions with the highest nonadherence rates (asthma, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, hypertension), (b) outline and compare the evidence on the quality indicators between assessment methods (e.g., sensitivity), and (c) provide evidence-based recommendations. Methods PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were screened, resulting in 62,592 studies of which 71 met criteria and were included. Results Twenty-seven self-report and 10 nonself-report measures were identified. The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) was found to be the most accurate self-report, whereas electronic monitoring devices such as Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) corresponded to the most accurate nonself-report. Higher MA rates were reported when assessed using self-reports compared to nonself-reports, except from pill counts. Conclusions Professionals are advised to use a combination of self-report (like MARS-5) and nonself-report measures (like MEMS) as these were found to be the most accurate and reliable measures. This is the first review examining self and nonself-report methods for MA, across chronic conditions with the highest nonadherence rates and provides evidence-based recommendations. It highlights that MA assessment methods are understudied in certain conditions, like epilepsy. Before selecting a MA measure, professionals are advised to inspect its quality indicators. Feasibility of measures should be explored in future studies as there is presently a lack of evidence

Application of decatastrophize (Use of SDSS and MCDA to prepare for disasters or plan for multlple hazards) Decision Support Systems (DSS) tool

DECATASTROPHIZE (UsE of SDSS and MCDA To prepAre for diSasTeRs Or Plan for multlplE HaZards) was financed from the European Union's Directorate-General humanitarian aid and civil protection (DG-ECHO) under Grant Agreement ECHO/SUB/2015/713788/PREP02. This project developed tools that can be used effectively in early warning and alert systems ensuring lives and protecting people, properties and the environment from natural/man-made hazards. The aim of the project was to use/adapt existing models, systems or tools in an interactive and synergic capacity to prepare for disasters and plan for multi-hazard incidents. Through DECATASTROPHIZE, a web-based Geo-Spatial Early-warning Decision Support Systems (GE-DSS) platform was developed in combination with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), keeping systems interoperability and organizations cooperation in mind. The