Championing telemedicine in New Zealand : the case of utilizing video conferencing in psychiatry and dermatology

This research explores the factors that could influence telemedicine success in two hospitals involved in a rural setting in New Zealand. Findings from the cases revealed that telemedicine utilising the video conferencing technology (TMVC) was adopted based on its cost-benefit to the hospitals. This is necessary but considering the impact of other factors, specifically the compatibility factor could have made the adoption decision more effective earlier on. The administration manager was the primary instigator of TMVC in psychiatry in one of the hospitals, whereas in the other hospital it was the dermatologist. Therefore, this research emphasises the importance of the tight coupling between the roles of both the management and the clinical champions for TMVC to succeed in New Zealand. However, the research results suggest the limited use of the technology in the cases.

Teledermatology: The Case of Adoption and Diffusion of Telemedicine Health Waikato in New Zealand

Telemedicine emerged as a possible solution to New Zealand health providers in reaching out to rural patients, by offering medical services and conducting administrative meetings and training. However, despite the rapid growth and high visibility of these projects in countries like the United States, relatively few patients are now being seen through telemedicine. Accordingly, this research attempts to investigate telemedicine's effectiveness in New Zealand by using a theoretical framework. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explain factors influencing the adoption and diffusion of telemedicine utilising the video conferencing technology (TMVC) for dermatology within Health Waikato Ltd. (HW).

Teledermatology : the case of telemedicine adoption and success in New Zealand

Using a theoretical framework extracted from thetechnological innovation theories, this research attempts to explain factors influencing the adoption and diffusion of telemedicine utilising the video conferencing technology (TMVC) for dermatology within health Waikato (HW) in New Zealand. Findings indicate weak presence of critical assessment into technological innovation factors prior to TMVC adoption. Factors such as complexity, compatibility, and trialability were not assessed extensively by HW and could have hindered its adoption. TMVC was mainly assessed according to its relative advantage and cost effectiveness. This is essential but should consider other important factors explained in this research. The successful diffusion of TMVC in the case study relied on its economical benefit and on its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool. This research highlights the importance of the product champion factor on the successful adoption and diffusion of TMVC.

Haematology of cultured Murray cod

Murray cod are Australia's largest freshwater fish: endangered in the wild, but supporting a boutique industry. This project studied the blood cells of Murray cod and those affected by the disfiguring chronic erosive dermatopathy. This has provided insight into the factors affecting Murray cod health.

Chronic ulcerative dermatopathy syndrome in Murray cod

Chronic ulcerative dermatopathy is a disease affecting Murray cod in aquaculture facilities that utilise groundwater. This study investigated the effects of this condition on key physiological processes and developed a cost-effective method of pre-treating the groundwater source that prevents the condition arising in Murray cod.

Are material safety data sheets (MSDS) useful in the diagnosis and management of occupational contact dermatitis?

This study assesses both the success of medical practitioners in accessing hazardous substances' information from product manufacturers and the accuracy and clinical usefulness of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) presented by workers with suspected occupational contact dermatitis (OCD). 00 consecutively presented MSDS were collected from 42 workers attending an occupational dermatology clinic. Product manufacturers were contacted to verify ingredients. MSDS were evaluated for compliance with the Australian criteria for listing of OCD relevant information (sensitizers present at a concentration > or =1%, irritants present at a concentration > or =20%), and for clinical usefulness. All sensitizers were checked for clinical relevance to the worker's dermatitis. Manufacturers supplied product constituents for 77/100 MSDS. 58 MSDS satisfied the Australian standard. 57/58 MSDS were deemed clinically useful. Irritants were listed for 19/23 MSDS and sensitizers were listed for 30/68 MSDS (P = 0.001). 3 MSDS contained sensitizers, which were clinically relevant to the presenting worker's dermatitis, 1 appropriately listed, 1 present at > or =1% but not listed, and 1 present at <1% in the product and therefore, not required to be listed. Sensitizers are frequently omitted from MSDS and clinicians are often unsuccessful in obtaining crucial information from manufacturers. MSDS are inadequate for the protection and diagnosis of workers with suspected OCD.

Diagnosis and management of oral leishmaniasis--case series and literature review

The worldwide prevalence of leishmaniasis is increasing because of ecologic changes and increased medical profession awareness. Furthermore, solitary cases have been recently reported in Western countries. The authors describe the epidemiology, mode of transmission, and diagnosis of leishmaniasis and present 4 oral cases treated with systemic, localized, or combined therapy. The authors suggest that clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for atypical, resistant, oral and perioral lesions in individuals with a history of traveling in certain geographic regions. After diagnosis, treatment should be determined jointly by experts from the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, and dermatology based on leishmaniasis species and clinical presentation.

Individual prevention courses for occupational skin diseases: changes in and relationships between proximal and distal outcomes

BACKGROUND: To treat people with occupational contact dermatitis, the German Accident Prevention and Insurance Association in the Health and Welfare Services offers 2-day individual prevention (IP) seminars. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether there are short-term and medium-term changes in proximal (e.g. behaviour) and distal (e.g. symptoms) outcomes after an IP seminar, whether changes in proximal outcomes are associated with changes in distal outcomes, and whether subgroups can be identified that benefit in particular. PATIENTS/MATERIALS/METHODS: In a prospective study, 502 participants of 85 IP courses completed the health education impact questionnaire (heiQ™) and skin symptom questionnaire (Skindex-29) at the start of the course, immediately thereafter, and after 6 months. Change was assessed according to standardized effect size. Regression techniques were used to analyse associations between proximal and distal outcomes. RESULTS: After 6 months, participants showed improved self-management skills and preventive behaviour, and less fear of job loss, disease-related symptoms, and emotional distress. Significant associations between proximal and distal outcomes were found. Participants who felt more limited by their skin disease showed greater effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with the assumption that IP courses provide a range of benefits for people with occupational contact dermatitis. Changes in distal outcomes may be influenced by changes in proximal outcomes.

Positive changes in self-management and disease severity following climate therapy in people with psoriasis

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of climate therapy on self-management in people with psoriasis. This was a prospective study of 254 adults with chronic psoriasis who participated in a 3-week climate therapy (CT) programme. The 8-scale Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) was completed at baseline, after 3 weeks of CT, and 3 months later. Change was assessed using paired sample t-tests mean (95% confidence interval) change scores (range 1-4). All heiQ scales showed statistically significant improvement after 3 weeks of CT. The greatest improvement was in Health-directed activity, followed by Emotional distress, and Skill and technique acquisition. At the 3-month follow-up, only the Emotional distress scale remained improved. In addition, disease severity (self-administered PASI; SAPASI) improved significantly from before CT to 3 weeks and 3 months after CT. This study suggests that CT provides a range of benefits that are important to people with psoriasis, particularly in the short term. A challenge is how to achieve long-term benefits.