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American Journal of Public Health Jan 2017The production of systematic reviews is increasing, but their credibility is under threat. Although systematic reviews are an important tool for policymaking, their... (Review)
Review
The production of systematic reviews is increasing, but their credibility is under threat. Although systematic reviews are an important tool for policymaking, their influence can be weakened by methodological problems and poor policy relevance. Using Cochrane as an example, I address standards for systematic reviews, the influence of special interests on these reviews, and ways to increase their relevance for policymakers.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Health Policy; Humans; Policy Making; Research Design; Review Literature as Topic
PubMed: 27854519
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303518 -
BMC Oral Health Dec 2019Occupational violence is considered unlawful in professional environments worldwide. In the healthcare industry, including dentistry, the safety of workers is essential,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Occupational violence is considered unlawful in professional environments worldwide. In the healthcare industry, including dentistry, the safety of workers is essential, and it is of the utmost importance to ensure patient and employee safety and provide quality care. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of violence and associated workplace policies among oral healthcare professionals. Additionally, it aimed to identify the factors associated with violence and their impact on oral healthcare workers.
METHODS
A systematic review and analysis of the literature was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and ProQuest. Original articles written in English and published between January 1992 and August 2019 were included in the analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 980 articles were found, and eight were selected for analysis. The violence experienced by healthcare workers included both physical and non-physical forms, such as shouting, bullying, and threatening; it also included sexual harassment. The impact of violence on workers manifested as impaired quality of work, psychological problems, and, although rare, quitting the job. With regard to dental healthcare, awareness of occupational violence policies among dental professionals has not been previously reported in the literature.
CONCLUSIONS
The increasing incidence of occupational violence against oral healthcare workers indicates the need for the implementation of better protective measures to create a safe working environment for dental professionals. There is a current need for increasing awareness of workplace violence policies and for the detection and reporting of aggression and violence at dental facilities.
Topics: Adult; Aggression; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Organizational Policy; Prevalence; Workplace; Workplace Violence; Young Adult
PubMed: 31830978
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-019-0974-3 -
Yearbook of Medical Informatics Aug 2018To summarize the recent literature and research and present a selection of the best papers published in 2017 in the field of Health Information Management (HIM) and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the recent literature and research and present a selection of the best papers published in 2017 in the field of Health Information Management (HIM) and Health Informatics.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed by the two HIM section editors of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook with the help of a medical librarian. We searched bibliographic databases for HIM-related papers using both MeSH descriptors and keywords in titles and abstracts. A shortlist of 15 candidate best papers was first selected by section editors before being peer-reviewed by independent external reviewers.
RESULTS
Health Information Exchange was a major theme within candidate best papers. The four papers ultimately selected as 'Best Papers' represent themes that include health information exchange, governance and policy issues, results of health information exchange, and methods of integrating information from multiple sources. Other articles within the candidate best papers include these themes as well as those focusing on authentication and de-identification and usability of information systems.
CONCLUSIONS
The papers discussed in the HIM section of IMIA Yearbook reflect the overall theme of the 2018 edition of the Yearbook, i.e., the tension between privacy and access to information. While most of the papers focused on health information exchange, which reflects the "access" side of the equation, most of the others addressed privacy issues. This synopsis discusses these key issues at the intersection of HIM and informatics.
Topics: Confidentiality; Data Anonymization; Health Information Exchange; Health Information Management; Health Policy; Health Records, Personal; Humans
PubMed: 30157507
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667072 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Jan 2016Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of e-mental health services. There is less evidence on how to facilitate the safe, effective, and sustainable implementation of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of e-mental health services. There is less evidence on how to facilitate the safe, effective, and sustainable implementation of these services.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review on e-mental health service use for depressive and anxiety disorders to inform policy development and identify policy-relevant gaps in the evidence base.
METHODS
Following the PRISMA protocol, we identified research (1) conducted in Australia, (2) on e-mental health services, (3) for depressive or anxiety disorders, and (4) on e-mental health usage, such as barriers and facilitators to use. Databases searched included Cochrane, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest Social Science, and Google Scholar. Sources were assessed according to area and level of policy relevance.
RESULTS
The search yielded 1081 studies; 30 studies were included for analysis. Most reported on self-selected samples and samples of online help-seekers. Studies indicate that e-mental health services are predominantly used by females, and those who are more educated and socioeconomically advantaged. Ethnicity was infrequently reported on. Studies examining consumer preferences found a preference for face-to-face therapy over e-therapies, but not an aversion to e-therapy. Content relevant to governance was predominantly related to the organizational dimensions of e-mental health services, followed by implications for community education. Financing and payment for e-services and governance of the information communication technology were least commonly discussed.
CONCLUSIONS
Little research focuses explicitly on policy development and implementation planning; most research provides an e-services perspective. Research is needed to provide community and policy-maker perspectives. General population studies of prospective treatment seekers that include ethnicity and socioeconomic status and quantify relative preferences for all treatment modalities are necessary.
Topics: Australia; Female; Health Policy; Health Services Research; Humans; Internet; Male; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Mental Health Services; Sex Factors; Telemedicine
PubMed: 26764181
DOI: 10.2196/jmir.4827 -
PloS One 2013There is increasing recognition that the development of evidence-informed health policy is not only a technical problem of knowledge exchange or translation, but also a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is increasing recognition that the development of evidence-informed health policy is not only a technical problem of knowledge exchange or translation, but also a political challenge. Yet, while political scientists have long considered the nature of political systems, the role of institutional structures, and the political contestation of policy issues as central to understanding policy decisions, these issues remain largely unexplored by scholars of evidence-informed policy making.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of empirical studies that examined the influence of key features of political systems and institutional mechanisms on evidence use, and contextual factors that may contribute to the politicisation of health evidence. Eligible studies were identified through searches of seven health and social sciences databases, websites of relevant organisations, the British Library database, and manual searches of academic journals. Relevant findings were extracted using a uniform data extraction tool and synthesised by narrative review.
FINDINGS
56 studies were selected for inclusion. Relevant political and institutional aspects affecting the use of health evidence included the level of state centralisation and democratisation, the influence of external donors and organisations, the organisation and function of bureaucracies, and the framing of evidence in relation to social norms and values. However, our understanding of such influences remains piecemeal given the limited number of empirical analyses on this subject, the paucity of comparative works, and the limited consideration of political and institutional theory in these studies.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights the need for a more explicit engagement with the political and institutional factors affecting the use of health evidence in decision-making. A more nuanced understanding of evidence use in health policy making requires both additional empirical studies of evidence use, and an engagement with theories and approaches beyond the current remit of public health or knowledge utilisation studies.
Topics: Africa; Decision Making; Europe; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy; Humans; Policy Making; Politics; Public Health; United States
PubMed: 24204823
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077404 -
Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie 2019To provide an overview of the literature on transitions towards smoke-free psychiatric hospitals and the risk of aggression.
METHOD: A systematic search was made in...To provide an overview of the literature on transitions towards smoke-free psychiatric hospitals and the risk of aggression.
METHOD: A systematic search was made in medline, Embase and Psycinfo. Studies were included if they reported data on: a smoke-free intervention in a psychiatric hospital or ward, the number of aggressive incidents, and seclusions or prn drugs.
RESULTS: A total of 17 studies matched the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 5 reported a decrease in the number of aggressive incidents after implementation of a smoke-free ward, 7 showed an increase in the number of incidents, and 5 studies reported no differences. Heterogeneity between the studies was high with respect to the definition and implementation of the intervention, the definition and measurement of aggression, study design, length of follow-up, and the sample size.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, after changing the policy towards a smoke-free psychiatric hospital, the risk of aggression is limited. However, several precautions related to the preparation and implementation of this transition seem to be essential. The results support further investment in the implementation of smoke-free psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands, while maintaining safety.Topics: Aggression; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; Netherlands; Smoke-Free Policy; Smoking Cessation; Violence
PubMed: 31243749
DOI: No ID Found -
Gaceta Sanitaria 2018Review the price elasticity of alcoholic beverages to identify the characteristics we should take into account to make a tax policy proposal. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
OBJECTIVE
Review the price elasticity of alcoholic beverages to identify the characteristics we should take into account to make a tax policy proposal.
METHOD
Systematic review of articles in EBSCOhost that include in their abstract and title the words alcohol and elasticity and alcohol and tax, over the last 20 years in academic journals in English.
RESULTS
We found 11 references. Although price elasticity is quite similar across countries, it is heterogeneous with regard togender, age, consumption level and type of beverage. Ad-hoc policies proved ineffective due to the substitution effect, and regressive in their impact on populations with lower levels of income and consumption.
CONCLUSION
Tax policies should be applied to all alcoholic beverages based on their volume of alcohol and all measures, such as the minimum price per unit, should be complemented with other policies.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholic Beverages; Alcoholism; Australia; Commerce; Europe; Gross Domestic Product; Humans; Public Policy; Spain; Taxes
PubMed: 29317099
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2017.10.017 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Feb 2022There are a host of emergent technologies with the potential to improve hospital care in low- and middle-income countries such as Vietnam. Wearable monitors and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There are a host of emergent technologies with the potential to improve hospital care in low- and middle-income countries such as Vietnam. Wearable monitors and artificial intelligence-based decision support systems could be integrated with hospital-based digital health systems such as electronic health records (EHRs) to provide higher level care at a relatively low cost. However, the appropriate and sustainable application of these innovations in low- and middle-income countries requires an understanding of the local government's requirements and regulations such as technology specifications, cybersecurity, data-sharing protocols, and interoperability.
OBJECTIVE
This scoping review aims to explore the current state of digital health research and the policies that govern the adoption of digital health systems in Vietnamese hospitals.
METHODS
We conducted a scoping review using a modification of the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for academic publications, and Thư Viện Pháp Luật, a proprietary database of Vietnamese government documents, and the Vietnam Electronic Health Administration website were searched for government documents. Google Scholar and Google Search were used for snowballing searches. The sources were assessed against predefined eligibility criteria through title, abstract, and full-text screening. Relevant information from the included sources was charted and summarized. The review process was primarily undertaken by one researcher and reviewed by another researcher during each step.
RESULTS
In total, 11 academic publications and 20 government documents were included in this review. Among the academic studies, 5 reported engineering solutions for information systems in hospitals, 2 assessed readiness for EHR implementation, 1 tested physicians' performance before and after using clinical decision support software, 1 reported a national laboratory information management system, and 2 reviewed the health system's capability to implement eHealth and artificial intelligence. Of the 20 government documents, 19 were promulgated from 2013 to 2020. These regulations and guidance cover a wide range of digital health domains, including hospital information management systems, general and interoperability standards, cybersecurity in health organizations, conditions for the provision of health information technology (HIT), electronic health insurance claims, laboratory information systems, HIT maturity, digital health strategies, electronic medical records, EHRs, and eHealth architectural frameworks.
CONCLUSIONS
Research about hospital-based digital health systems in Vietnam is very limited, particularly implementation studies. Government regulations and guidance for HIT in health care organizations have been released with increasing frequency since 2013, targeting a variety of information systems such as electronic medical records, EHRs, and laboratory information systems. In general, these policies were focused on the basic specifications and standards that digital health systems need to meet. More research is needed in the future to guide the implementation of digital health care systems in the Vietnam hospital setting.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Decision Support Systems, Clinical; Health Policy; Hospitals; Humans; Vietnam
PubMed: 35138264
DOI: 10.2196/32392 -
Implementation Science : IS Nov 2017It is widely acknowledged that health policy and management decisions rarely reflect research evidence. Therefore, it is important to determine how to improve... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is widely acknowledged that health policy and management decisions rarely reflect research evidence. Therefore, it is important to determine how to improve evidence-informed decision-making. The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of research implementation strategies for promoting evidence-informed policy and management decisions in healthcare. The secondary aim of the review was to describe factors perceived to be associated with effective strategies and the inter-relationship between these factors.
METHODS
An electronic search was developed to identify studies published between January 01, 2000, and February 02, 2016. This was supplemented by checking the reference list of included articles, systematic reviews, and hand-searching publication lists from prominent authors. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion, assessed methodological quality, and extracted data.
RESULTS
After duplicate removal, the search strategy identified 3830 titles. Following title and abstract screening, 96 full-text articles were reviewed, of which 19 studies (21 articles) met all inclusion criteria. Three studies were included in the narrative synthesis, finding policy briefs including expert opinion might affect intended actions, and intentions persisting to actions for public health policy in developing nations. Workshops, ongoing technical assistance, and distribution of instructional digital materials may improve knowledge and skills around evidence-informed decision-making in US public health departments. Tailored, targeted messages were more effective in increasing public health policies and programs in Canadian public health departments compared to messages and a knowledge broker. Sixteen studies (18 articles) were included in the thematic synthesis, leading to a conceptualisation of inter-relating factors perceived to be associated with effective research implementation strategies. A unidirectional, hierarchal flow was described from (1) establishing an imperative for practice change, (2) building trust between implementation stakeholders and (3) developing a shared vision, to (4) actioning change mechanisms. This was underpinned by the (5) employment of effective communication strategies and (6) provision of resources to support change.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence is developing to support the use of research implementation strategies for promoting evidence-informed policy and management decisions in healthcare. The design of future implementation strategies should be based on the inter-relating factors perceived to be associated with effective strategies.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This systematic review was registered with Prospero (record number: 42016032947).
Topics: Canada; Communication; Decision Making; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Policy; Humans; Leadership; Organizational Innovation; Policy Making; Public Health Administration; Trust; United States
PubMed: 29137659
DOI: 10.1186/s13012-017-0662-0 -
Curationis Dec 2020The need to achieve school health and promote well-being that would transcend children's school life has been highlighted in several studies. Promotion of health and...
BACKGROUND
The need to achieve school health and promote well-being that would transcend children's school life has been highlighted in several studies. Promotion of health and well-being of children has not been achieved despite the prescripts of the World Health Organization and national mandates.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this systematic review was to explore and describe the current evidence on the dissemination and implementation of a policy on school health in public schools.
METHODS
Five steps of a systematic review were used to achieve the purpose of the study. The steps include framing a clear review question, developing a search approach through gathering and classifying evidence, conducting a critical appraisal, evidence summary as well as the results. Ebscohost, SAE publications, Web of Science and JSTOR databases were used to identify articles written between 2013 and 2018 and to enable access to current studies on the promotion of school health. Keywords included the following: dissemination; implementation; school health policy; and public schools. The search yielded n = 1995 articles. From this figure, 1976 articles were ineligible and only 19 articles met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Seven themes emerged from the findings of this systematic review as follows: shared information, training and development of key role-players, programme development and research, commitment from key role-players, monitoring activities, executive support and collaborative partnerships.
CONCLUSION
The findings show that it is possible for a policy on school health to be disseminated and implemented effectively in public schools.
Topics: Health Policy; Humans; Policy Making; Public Sector; School Health Services; Schools; South Africa
PubMed: 33314955
DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v43i1.2110