Journal of Health Information Management
Year:2019 | Volume:16 | Issue:4 (68) |Papers Count:10

Introduction: The considerable development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) caused to use new technics and electronic systems to write the description. The current investigation was conducted to recognize the efficient factors on implementing electronic extinction in pharmacies in Iran using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Fuzzy DEMATEL) methods. Methods: This research aimed to measure the factors based on quality as well as practical investigation by asking 15 experts in field of health ICT, as well as pharmacy experts in Yazd City, Iran. In priority, the research was started based on the library method, and it tended to recognize the primary criteria. Afterwards, these criteria were assessed using semi-structured interviews with 15 experts. Therefore, considering final factors, two questionnaires (about the importance of factors and causative relationships) were finalized and distributed among the experts to be assessed later using Delphi technic. Results: The efficient factors that would be useful for confirming electronic communication were as “ digital signature, senior managers’ support for automation of writing prescription, training of how to work with electronic version, and governmental subsidies and financial supports” . Conclusion: Identifying the effective factors on implementing electronic description in pharmacies can policymakers to accomplish fundamental measures and to design the best and effective program in this field.

Introduction: Today, the existence of historical and natural potentials has made Iran as one of the most attractive tourists' destinations in the world. Yazd Province, as one of the sides of the golden triangle of tourism in Iran, with experienced doctors and specialists is a good field for medical tourism development. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the factors affecting the attraction of foreign tourists for treatment in Yazd, and consequently the development of this industry. Methods: The present study was conducted using fuzzy cognitive mapping and social network analysis approach. Experts in the field of tourism and treatment in Yazd Province were used to form the expert team. Initially, 15 factors were identified by reviewing the background of the studies. Then, through screening by expert team, 12 final factors were selected and entered into fuzzy cognitive mapping process. Social network analysis approach was used for the scientific integration of cognitive mappings as well as mapping. After mapping, key factors were identified and finally, the effect of different policies in the form of medical tourism development was investigated. Results: Visa issuance and human resource abilities, along with quality of service, advertising, language proficiency, infrastructure, security, updated equipment, regulations, costs, respect for foreign patients' beliefs, and treatment villages were effective in attracting foreign medical tourists. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the necessity of ensuring the safety of foreign tourists through cooperation between different institutions and the importance of facilitating the issuance of visas. It also highlights the role of the skilled and capable human resources in the survival of health care system.

Introduction: One of the most important tasks of managers is optimal allocation of financial resources, and maximum productivity of available facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting optimal allocation of financial resources from the donors’ participation in the health system from the experts' point of view. Methods: The present study was a qualitative research that was done using a semi-structured interview with 41 managers, policymakers, the experts employed in social deputies of Iranian Ministry of Health and medical universities, active donors in the field of health in Iran, and faculty members of economics department. All interviews were coded after transcription, and reviewed several times. They were categorized by using data analysis framework in the form of main and subthemes. Results: There were 3 groups extracted from the interviews, financial sustainability framework, corporate finance framework, and funding allocation. Moreover, 6 main themes including recruitment, maintenance, and active participation of donors, organization and program planning, executive factors, mode of investment, identification of real needs, and need-based decision making criteria, and 36 subthemes were extracted. Conclusion: Benefits would not have a good return, if are not within the framework of laws and regulations and in line with the real needs of society. Health system policymakers and managers should prioritize the real needs of the health system, and direct the funds generated from donors within these priorities.

Introduction: Surgery cancellation is of the most important causes of hospital inefficiency as well as resource wastage. This study was conducted to determine effective factors and causes of surgery cancellation, and to identify areas to reduce it in a hospital using improved management method. Methods: In this descriptive study, effective factors on surgery cancellation and effective strategies for reducing it in Farabi hospital, Tehran, Iran, were extracted and were screened by using geometric mean and excel software. Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) and Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Fuzzy DMATEL) were used for weighing the factors. By using brainstorming and VIKOR methods, the model was designed and was applied using Find, Organize, Clarify, Understand, Select-Plan, Do, Check, Act (FOCUS-PDCA) method. Results: Missed appointments by patients, fever, colds, and other factors, respectively, had the highest percentages among the causes of cancellation. According to the ranking, "cross-sectoral coordination", "improvement of preoperative counseling", "personnel training", "programming to prepare supplies and equipment", and "patient education" ranked first to fifth to reduce surgery cancellation. By applying FOCUS-PDCA method, the number of surgery cancellations decreased in the first 6 months of 2018 compared to the same time in 2017. Conclusion: Carrying out FOCUS-PDCA methodology decreased surgery cancellation in Farabi hospital. Setting up program for operating room regarding the type of surgery and potency of surgical management, and precise monitoring on the process of preparing the patient before surgery were suggested to improve the quality and management of the operating room.

Introduction: Investigating the health information seeking behavior of users can help librarians to provide appropriate services, and help public libraries to make effective decisions and plans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the health information seeking behavior of among the users of public libraries in Isfahan City, Iran. Methods: In this research with survey method, the statistical population included 6657 users of public libraries in Isfahan City, and the sample size was calculated as 377. The sampling was performed using stratified random sampling method. Data collection tools included a researcher-made Health Information Seeking Behavior questionnaire. The validity of questionnaire was verified by experts in the field of medical library and information science, and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach’ s alpha as 0. 87. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS software. Results: Frequency distribution of health information searches and time spent on searching for health information in each search showed that most of the users searched for health information once a month, and each time they spent 15-30 minutes for health information searches. Moreover, the mean score of components of health information seeking behavior among users showed that the highest mean related to the purposefulness of health information search (63. 1 out of 100) and the lowest was of the diversity of health information sources (45. 71 out of 100). Conclusion: Public library users do not spend much time on searching for health information. They search for health information based on the various goals and issues they are facing and conduct targeted searches. Moreover, they do not care much about the resources of health information they need.

Introduction: Access to patient’ s complete information is critical in improving clinical care and reducing medical errors. Electronic Health Record is a collection of individuals' health information, from prenatal to posthumous, which is stored electronically, is available at any center and at any time, and is an integral part of an integrated health information system. The purpose of the present study was bibliometric and text-mining analyze of scientific products in the field of Electronic Health Records in PubMed database. Methods: This present study was carried out using bibliometric method and text mining. The study was conducted in the academic year of 2019 in PubMed database on the period of 2009-2019, and 6863 articles were selected for review. Excel, VOSviewer and Voyant were used for data analysis. Results: In the studied field, issues of electronic health records, health, health care, information, health care systems were of great importance in PubMed. Developing articles in this field had been on the rise for ten years, and the United States was the most productive country in the field. David Bates, Dean Sittig, and Hardeep Singh had the most articles in the field of study. Conclusion: Each item of co-occurring vocabulary map can represent a concept or research area in health. The findings can provide a clear insight to scientific policymaking of this field to influence the allocation and distribution of resources for scientific and technical activities. It can also help researchers in selecting the state-of-the-art topics and having a comprehensive insight into the academic context of the field.

Introduction: Although several studies have been conducted on online health information seeking behavior and its relationship with health beliefs, there are still gaps in identifying the exact and comprehensive relationships of these factors in Iran. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between health belief model and the intention to search online health information among university students in Ahvaz City, Iran. Methods: In this correlational study, the statistical population consisted of all students who study at universities in Ahvaz City, in the academic year of 2019. To determine the sample size of the research, according to the Cochran formula, 600 students were selected through stratified random sampling method, and using a mixed questionnaire consisted of 6 components and 30 items. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0. 886 using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. 527 questionnaires were distributed and the data were analyzed using multivariate regression method. Results: Most of the respondents were in the age group of 21-30 years (55. 8%). According to the final analysis, the “ perceived benefits” explained 66. 8% of the changes in the intention to seek health information. In addition, “ perceived severity” , “ perceived susceptibility” , and “ self-efficacy” , accounted for 24. 7%, 17. 5%, 14. 0% of the variation in intention to seek health information, respectively. However, the relationship between “ perceived barriers” and intention to seek health information was not confirmed. Conclusion: Seeking for health information in the Internet is influenced by health beliefs, and the Internet, as the most important and accessible information source, has many benefits for the students; thus, affecting the severity and sensitivity of this stratum to use, adds health information daily. This indicates a relatively high level of awareness among students about improving their health information.

Patients apply the Personal Health Record (PHR) to access and use their record information and other medical resources. This study aimed to explain the concept, requirements, and challenges of PHR. This was a narrative literature review conducted by searching Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases. Different studies agreed that PHR should be electronic, and the patient should be able to manage and control it. PHR requirements were technical (interoperability and functionality), legal (data security, privacy, and confidentiality), and social (health literacy and personal responsibility) issues. PHR challenges could be categorized as organizational (change management), data (data custodianship, access, and content of PHR), and legal (liability and policy constraints). Successful implementation of PHR was based on understanding of the care environment, users, and needs. The widespread use of PHR required full cooperation of system designers, care providers, health policymakers, and the public.