Journal of Health Information Management
Year:2021 | Volume:18 | Issue:1 (77)|Papers Count:8

Introduction: Imputation of missing values in a medical data set is one of the important challenges in data mining. Therefore, this study was performed with the aim of imputation the missing values of some features of the diabetes and breast cancer datasets. Methods: In this descriptive study, a breast cancer dataset consisting of 699 specimens including 458 benign and 241 malignant specimens, along with a diabetes dataset consisting of 768 specimens including 500 non-diabetic specimens and 268 other specimens with diabetes, were used. For the purpose of the imputation of missing values in these two datasets, a model based on a two-layer perceptron neural network was developed, and for the purpose of assessment, support vector machine (SVM) and t test were used. Results: The mean squared errors (MSEs) obtained in the two-layer perceptron neural network model, in the diabetes dataset about 0. 03 and in the breast cancer dataset about 0. 04, were less than the MSEs obtained in the imputation method with the mean value. The values imputed by the model were closer to the actual value than the values imputed with the mean value. Accuracy and sensitivity of disease classification in the case of missing values imputed by the perceptron neural network increased in comparison with the two conventional methods of mean value and the method of deleting missing values, about 2, 4, 2, and 4 percent in the diabetes dataset, and about 1, 3, 2, 5 percent in the dataset breast cancer, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two methods of imputation of missing values with the mean value and imputation by the model. Conclusion: The imputation of the missing values in the medical data set by the two-layer perceptron neural network showed better results in the classification of the disease than the two methods of imputation with the mean value and the method of deleting missing values.

Introduction: Today, the implementation of electronic health records has caused great changes in the implementation of health industry services. Experts believe that use of electronic health records is the appropriate way to improve the quality of health services and reduce medical faults. Accordingly, this study endeavored to determine the role of electronic health records in quality of services of health centers in Najafabad City, Iran. Methods: This observational study was cross-sectional in terms of time. The population included the recipients of Najafabad health network services. 400 individuals were selected via Morgan table, and the quality (accuracy) of services, speed of service delivery, waiting time, and service continuity (percentage of services provided) were recorded for them in paper and electronically. Data were analyzed using t and ANOVA tests. Results: The comparison of paper and electronic services revealed that with the implementation of electronic health records, there had been no change in the speed of service delivery and continuity; however, it reduced the quality (accuracy) of the services provided and increased the waiting time for receiving services. Conclusion: The two factors of speed of service delivery and waiting time have fundamental role in the satisfaction of service recipients; the implementation of electronic health records has not changed speed of service delivery, but has increased waiting time. Plans should be made to reduce waiting time and increase recipient satisfaction.

Introduction: Health promotion services has a significant impact on health system, and hospitals are the best places for health promotion and preventive services. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of implementation of standards and activities of health promotion in hospitals (HPH) in four areas of health promotion. Methods: This was a descriptive-survey study, and the research environment of hospitals in Golestan Province, Iran. The managers, authorities, and experts being in contact with the process of HPH standards and activities (n = 80) were our sample population. A researcher-made questionnaire was employed to gather data, and analysis was performed using one-sample t-test. Results: Standards and activities were implemented in hospitals with good and desirable level in the dimensions of staff (6. 01) and patients (5. 60), and moderate level in the dimensions of environment (4. 22) and society (4. 03); the efficacy was in a significant level (P < 0. 01). Moreover, the comparison of dimensions with Friedman test showed that the dimension of the staff and society had the highest and lowest level of implementation. Conclusion: Some of the standards and activities of the health promotion hospital are being carried out in hospitals. Therefore, achieving and fully implementing of these standards and activities for improving the quality of health services and improving the situation of hospitals require to encourage policymakers and healthcare managers, create consistent policies for the knowledge promotion and train of health promotion skills (patients, staff, and community), and promote health centers and turn it into a healthy work environment, cooperation, coordination, and interaction with all stakeholders (internal and external).

Introduction: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the important global challenges. According to World Health Organization (WHO), a long-term challenge is ahead. This study endeavored to investigate the performance of distinguished countries in the management of Covid-19 in two areas of disease control and treatment. Methods: This was a descriptive study using WHO and World Bank databases carried out in the distinguished countries (including Iran) for three months from April 1 to June 30, 2020. After determining the input and output variables, the two-stage data envelopment analysis model was selected to calculate the proficiency of the countries. Besides, they were classified into four groups based on their performance in outbreak control and medical treatment. Results: During the study period, China and Iceland had the most performance, while Indonesia had the least in both aspects. Besides, the results of using area chart showed that China, Iceland, and Luxembourg were the only countries in the first area in each of the three consecutive months, which represented the highest level of performance. Conclusion: By identifying the efficiency trend of the selected countries, actions and executive policies of the proficient countries can be good benchmarks for other countries to promote their performance.

Introduction: One of the main functions of the health system is to provide quality services. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of any organization, and is the ultimate goal of any organizational strategy. Patient satisfaction is a concept that has become very important in medical care today, and plays an important role in the health care process. Measuring the quality of services is a basic precondition for improving quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of services, using the analysis of the importance of performance in comprehensive health service centers. Methods: This study was a descriptive survey, and its statistical population included all people with hypertension under the auspices of Pakdasht Comprehensive Health Service Centers (under the auspices of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences), Tehran, Iran. 320 people aged 30 years and older with hypertension were selected using classical systematic two-stage cluster sampling method. To compare the difference between mean performance and importance, t-test with a significance level of 95% was used. Results: There was a significant difference between importance and performance in all dimensions. (P < 0. 050). Dimensions of respect (2. 89%), continuation of service (2. 68%), access and trust (2. 57%), importance and proportions of authority (2. 72%), access and trust (2. 33%), and safety and prevention (2. 19%) had the highest level of performance. The average importance of the requested services to people with hypertension was 70%, and the average performance of the received services was 59%. Overall, the quality of care provided to people with hypertension was low. Conclusion: It seems that there is a large gap between the expectations of patients with hypertension from services and their perceptions of services received (i. e., performance). All dimensions of quality show that quality improvement in all dimensions is necessary. The results of this study can be useful in health policies to promote the quality of service delivery.

Introduction: Pregnant women use the Internet to meet their information needs. Despite the contradictory information on the web, the increase in anxiety and its negative effects on fetal growth and maternal health, the importance of online search for health information becomes apparent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine online health information search behavior among pregnant women referred to Fatemeh Alzahra hospital in Ahvaz City, Iran, based on the Davis technology admission model. Methods: The present study was conducted using survey method. The study population consisted of pregnant women referring to Fatemeh Alzahra hospital in year 2019. Based on Cochran's formula, a sample size of 357 people was calculated. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire; the initial version of it was prepared with 34 questions. Research data were analyzed using correlation test and regression analysis. Results: Health information seeking behavior among the studied pregnant women was desirable, with an average of higher than 3 in all variables. The variables of convenience, trust, and usefulness at the level of more than 50% explained the attitude and ultimately the search for health information among pregnant women. Conclusion: The pregnant women of current study had the same information needs as other women in domestic and foreign research. An important issue in this regard is the high level of trust in online information, which highlights the need for health centers to pay attention to health education and health information literacy during pregnancy.

Introduction: So far, many technologies have entered the world of libraries, and it is essential for librarians to know how to employ these tools to enhance library services. This study aimed to extract the components of augmented reality (AR), and to present a model for the use of it in the libraries of universities of medical sciences. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative approach, had an applied goal, and was based on data theory. The participants comprised 20 experts of AR, and the data were collected based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews until achieving theoretical saturation. A model was proposed after open coding and the formation of the main categories. Results: The category of application included strengthening education, promoting user’ s information literacy, finding resources, user guidance, gamification, knowledge sharing, educational justice, helping management, enriching resources, providing new services, helping individuals with disabilities, promoting the professionalism of librarians, and economic savings. Conclusion: The results of this study seem to be essential for achieving fourth-generation libraries. Libraries can attract many users by implementing the right policies, using technology, and enriching the content of resources. AR is employed to help library management, improve the professional activities of librarians, and users.

Recently, I have visited two local hospitals in two small cities in Isfahan Province, Iran. Both cities had a population of about 50000, and both hospitals had about 60 beds. The development paths of the two hospitals were almost identical, involving the integration and downsizing of inpatient wards, the development of laboratory and imaging units, and the purchasing of High Tech, yet inefficient equipment. In view of these, it seems that most local hospitals in Iran are developing in a similar path. This development path seems to be costly and technology-oriented. Experts who look at it from a macro view will not approve it, since this path will tend to a costly competition among hospitals. Meanwhile, software development (such as process improvement) is a less costly and more cost-effective path toward the quality of healthcare, but is usually underestimated. Using unique standards for the accreditation of the hospitals, the ambiguity of a local hospital role, and the misinterpretation of distributive justice about the health services can be considered as the main reasons for choosing this development path. It seems that local hospitals would have a better development path if we agree on a better definition of distributive justice (and accept that health services are among multilayer services that need to be regionalized), set appropriate roles for hospitals (depending on their size and location), and have rational expectations from each hospital in the accreditation plan. After all, some people still may prefer a gold plate, rather than a cheaper and even healthier meal!