Adopting healthcare big data in Sri Lankan healthcare sector

The concept of big data has already outperformed traditional data management efforts in almost all industries. Other instances it has succeeded in obtaining promising results that provide value from large-scale integration and analysis of heterogeneous data sources for example Genomic and proteomic information. Big data analytics have become increasingly important in describing the data sets and analytical techniques in software applications that are so large and complex due to its significant advantages including better business decisions, cost reduction and delivery of new product and services [1]. In a similar context, the health community has experienced not only more complex and large data content, but also information systems that contain a large number of data sources with interrelated and interconnected data attributes. That have resulted in challenging, and highly dynamic environments leading to creation of big data with its enumerate complexities, for instant sharing of information with the expected security requirements of stakeholders. When comparing big data analysis with other sectors, the health sector is still in its early stages. Key challenges include accommodating the volume, velocity and variety of healthcare data with the current deluge of exponential growth. Given the complexity of big data, it is understood that while data storage and accessibility are technically manageable, the implementation of Information Accountability measures to healthcare big data might be a practical solution in support of information security, privacy and traceability measures. Transparency is one important measure that can demonstrate integrity which is a vital factor in the healthcare service. Clarity about performance expectations is considered to be another Information Accountability measure which is necessary to avoid data ambiguity and controversy about interpretation and finally, liability [2]. According to current studies [3] Electronic Health Records (EHR) are key information resources for big data analysis and is also composed of varied co-created values [3]. Common healthcare information originates from and is used by different actors and groups that facilitate understanding of the relationship for other data sources. Consequently, healthcare services often serve as an integrated service bundle. Although a critical requirement in healthcare services and analytics, it is difficult to find a comprehensive set of guidelines to adopt EHR to fulfil the big data analysis requirements. Therefore as a remedy, this research work focus on a systematic approach containing comprehensive guidelines with the accurate data that must be provided to apply and evaluate big data analysis until the necessary decision making requirements are fulfilled to improve quality of healthcare services. Hence, we believe that this approach would subsequently improve quality of life.

Motivation or demotivation of health workers providing maternal health services in rural areas in Vietnam: findings from a mixed-methods study

Background Motivation is an important driver for health professionals to maintain professional competencies, continue in a workforce and contribute to work tasks. While there is some research about motivation in health workers in low to middle income countries, maternal morbidity and mortality remains high in many low and middle income countries and this can be improved by improving the quality of maternal services and the training and skills maintenance of maternal health workers. This study examines the impact of motivation on maintenance of professional competence among maternal health workers in Vietnam using mixed methods. Methods The study consisted of a survey using a self-administered questionnaire of 240 health workers in 5 districts across two Vietnamese provinces and in-depth interviews with 43 health workers and health managers at the commune, district and provincial level to explore external factors that influenced motivation. The questionnaire includes a 23 item motivation instrument based on Kenyan health context, modified for Vietnamese language and culture. Results The 240 responses represented an estimated 95% of the target sample. Multivariate analysis showed that three factors contributed to the motivation of health workers: access to training (�� = -0.14, p=0.03), ability to perform key tasks (�� = 0.22, p=0.001), and shift schedule (�� = -0.13, p=0.05). Motivation was higher in health workers self-identifying as competent or enabled to provide more care activities. Motivation was lower in those who worked more frequent night shifts and those who had received training in the last 12 months. The interviews identified that the latter was because they felt the training was irrelevant to them, and in some cases, they do not have opportunity to practice their learnt skills. The qualitative data also showed other factors relating to service context and organisational management practices contributed to motivation. Conclusions The study demonstrates the importance of understanding the motivations of health workers and the factors that contribute to this and may contribute to more effective management of the health workforce in low and middle income countries.

Improving information for the macadamia industry via an information "bank"

Macadamia growers are under increasing pressure to remain viable in an increasingly competitive global market. A key need is quick access to high quality information. Current industry information is poorly integrated, poorly updated, and because it is largely in hard-copy, is difficult to access efficiently. With the dramatic growth in the use of the internet by growers, as evidenced in a recent industry communications survey, an opportunity exists to address this problem through the development of a high quality, internet-based information ���bank���. The bank would bring together the macadamia information resources and collective knowledge of R&D and other relevant agencies into a one-stop information shop, aligned more effectively with grower needs.

Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands: Guidelines for managing coastal wetlands in grazing systems.

Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands has been developed to provide graziers, landowners and extension officers with information on managing grazing in and around Queensland���s coastal wetlands to maintain healthy coastal wetlands and productive grazing enterprises. It provides practical advice on how grazing and associated land management practices can be implemented to support the long-term health of coastal wetlands whilst maintaining production. The guidelines have been compiled from published literature, grazier knowledge, wetlands managers and the experience of extension and natural resource management professionals. They reflect the current knowledge of suitable management practices for coastal wetlands. They are designed to complement and be considered in conjunction with existing information resources including the EDGEnetwork Grazing Land Management series and best management practice guidelines from regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups. While the recommendations apply broadly to Queensland���s coastal wetlands, regional, catchment and landscape-scale variations in wetland characteristics and the objectives of the individual grazing enterprise should be taken into account in planning and deciding management actions for wetlands. An individual grazing property may even have a range of wetland types with different management needs and objectives which should be identified during whole of property planning. Specific land and wetland management advice should also be sought from local grazing extension officers and NRM professionals.

Non-resident workers: A comparison of family support services for resource, health, and defence communities

Non-resident workforces experience high labour turnover, which has an impact on organisational operations and affects worker satisfaction and, in turn, partners��� ability to cope with work-related absences. Research suggests that partner satisfaction may be increased by providing a range of support services, which include professional, practical, and social support. A search was conducted to identify support available for resources and health-industry non-resident workers. These were compared to the supports available to families of deployed defence personnel. They were used to compare and contrast the spread available for each industry. The resources industry primarily provided social support, and lacked an inclusion of professional and practical supports. Health-professional support services were largely directed towards extended locum support, rather than to Fly-In Fly-Out workers. Improving sources of support which parallel support provided to the Australian Defence Force is suggested as a way to increase partner satisfaction. The implications are to understand the level of uptake, perceived importance, and utilisation of such support services.

Teaching Change: Information Literacy Collaboration at Texas A&M University at Galveston

While college students use a wide array of technologies to access information, their skills at determining what is relevant, in a university setting and in life, are poor. Many of these skills have to be taught in college courses. Instruction must be performed by a collaborative team using technologies that effectively reach students. This team must be ready to go into the classroom when needed and be able to address the problem whenever the student needs assistance. The results will be better writing and better research skills that will not only benefit the faculty but will lead to lifelong learning.

Estudo da oferta e produ����o de atendimentos das pr��ticas integrativas e complementares no SUS no munic��pio do Rio de Janeiro

Esta pesquisa �� um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, de natureza explorat��ria que se prop��e a analisar as caracter��sticas de oferta e produ����o das pr��ticas integrativas e complementares, no per��odo de 2006 a 2013 no munic��pio do Rio de Janeiro. Como fontes de dados foram utilizados os bancos de dados nacionais sobre oferta de servi��os, de profissionais e de produ����o: o SCNES- Sistema do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Sa��de onde s��o registrados dados da capacidade f��sica e recursos humanos dos estabelecimentos de sa��de e o SIASUS Sistema de Informa����o Ambulatorial onde s��o registrados os dados da produ����o ambulatorial do SUS. Optou-se por esses dois bancos de dados por serem ferramentas institucionais de gerenciamento da capacidade instalada e produ����o utilizadas pelas esferas federal, estadual e municipal. Buscou identificar profissionais cadastrados no SCNES que s��o autorizados a oferecer pr��ticas integrativas e complementares no munic��pio do Rio de Janeiro, detectar os servi��os de pr��ticas integrativas e complementares cadastrados no CNES do munic��pio do Rio de Janeiro e analisar no Sistema de Informa����o Ambulatorial, registros de produ����o em pr��ticas integrativas e complementares do munic��pio do Rio de Janeiro. A lista de pr��ticas integrativas e complementares estabelecidas na portaria no 971 de 2006 s��o homeopatia, medicina tradicional chinesa (onde se inclui a acupuntura), medicina antropos��fica, plantas medicinais e fitoterapia, termalismo/crenoterapia. Este estudo proporciona maior visibilidade quanto ��s caracter��sticas de implementa����o e institucionaliza����o de uma recente pol��tica p��blica de sa��de e contribui com base na an��lise dos dados encontrados em ferramentas de gest��o, para o aprimoramento de a����es de acompanhamento e avalia����o, estrutura����o dos servi��os, bem como o desenvolvimento sustent��vel de pol��ticas locais de oferta das terapias complementares do SUS, em conson��ncia com as diretrizes da Pol��tica Nacional de Pr��ticas Integrativas e Complementares.

Federalismo, rela����es fiscais e financiamento do Sistema ��nico de Sa��de: a distribui����o de receitas vinculadas �� sa��de nos or��amentos municipais e estaduais

O trabalho aborda as rela����es entre o federalismo fiscal e o financiamento do Sistema ��nico de Sa��de (SUS) no per��odo de 1990 a 2002. Parte-se do pressuposto que decis��es cr��ticas dos atores federativos subnacionais est��o submetidas aos crit��rios e condicionantes que regem a distribui����o, apropria����o e uso de recursos setoriais e de receitas pr��prias vinculadas �� sa��de pelos dispositivos da Emenda Constitucional n.29 de 2000. Na pesquisa, os resultados das regras que definem o financiamento descentralizado do SUS s��o analisados, comparando-se e correlacionando-se os valores das receitas p��blicas informadas pelos munic��pios e estados atrav��s do Sistema de Informa����es de Or��amentos P��blicos em Sa��de no ano 2002. Verifica-se que os munic��pios do Norte, Nordeste e aqueles com popula����o de 20 mil a 100 mil habitantes, se comparados a outros grupos: 1) possuem menores chances de amplia����o de recursos pr��prios para a sa��de como efeito da vincula����o estabelecida pela Emenda Constitucional, j�� que a disponibilidade dessas fontes �� relativamente mais baixa; 2) precisam empreender maior esfor��o fiscal e comprometer uma parcela mais elevada de seus or��amentos para garantirem a adequa����o dos recursos ��s suas necessidades de gasto em sa��de; e 3) s��o os que mais dependem das transfer��ncias federais da sa��de para ampliar suas receitas destinadas ao SUS e, por isso, est��o mais sujeitos aos mecanismos de indu����o e controle do Minist��rio da Sa��de. No ��mbito estadual, percebem-se importantes diferen��as entre as regi��es, sendo particularmente cr��tica a situa����o financeira dos estados do Nordeste. Ainda que o grau de vincula����o de recursos �� sa��de no Brasil seja compar��vel ao de outros pa��ses, observa-se a heterogeneidade nas condi����es de financiamento, acompanhada pela fragmenta����o dos dispositivos de transfer��ncia e forte determina����o no uso dos recursos. Em que pese a import��ncia das transfer��ncias regulares de recursos federais do SUS nos or��amentos subnacionais, ressalta-se a fragilidade dos mecanismos de descentraliza����o implantados. A sa��de �� sustentada por uma grande variedade de recursos pr��prios e setoriais que remetem a uma teia de rela����es e interdepend��ncia fiscal e or��ament��ria envolvendo os tr��s n��veis de governo. Entretanto, os entraves para a redistribui����o fiscal e para expans��o efetiva dessas receitas permanecem no in��cio dos anos 2000. No balan��o or��ament��rio final das esferas subnacionais, verifica-se que as diferen��as nas receitas totais vinculadas �� sa��de s��o expressivas entre os munic��pios agrupados por regi��o, estados, porte populacional e capitais, entre os estados e o Distrito Federal. Os achados indicam os problemas do sistema tribut��rio brasileiro, incapaz de compensar desequil��brios fiscais e or��ament��rios mais permanentes e estruturais dos diferentes n��veis de governo. Tamb��m sugerem efeitos contradit��rios de um financiamento p��blico da sa��de que reagiu e se institucionalizou numa federa����o marcada por profundas desigualdades e em uma conjuntura pol��tica e econ��mica adversa �� expans��o do papel do Estado.

The coastal environment and human health: microbial indicators, pathogens, sentinels and reservoirs

Innovative research relating oceans and human health is advancing our understanding of disease-causing organisms in coastal ecosystems. Novel techniques are elucidating the loading, transport and fate of pathogens in coastal ecosystems, and identifying sources of contamination. This research is facilitating improved risk assessments for seafood consumers and those who use the oceans for recreation. A number of challenges still remain and define future directions of research and public policy. Sample processing and molecular detection techniques need to be advanced to allow rapid and specific identification of microbes of public health concern from complex environmental samples. Water quality standards need to be updated to more accurately reflect health risks and to provide managers with improved tools for decision-making. Greater discrimination of virulent versus harmless microbes is needed to identify environmental reservoirs of pathogens and factors leading to human infections. Investigations must include examination of microbial community dynamics that may be important from a human health perspective. Further research is needed to evaluate the ecology of non-enteric water-transmitted diseases. Sentinels should also be established and monitored, providing early warning of dangers to ecosystem health. Taken together, this effort will provide more reliable information about public health risks associated with beaches and seafood consumption, and how human activities can affect their exposure to disease-causing organisms from the oceans.

Health Programming for Clergy: An Overview of Protestant Programs in the United States

The health of clergy is important, and clergy may find health programming tailored to them more effective. Little is known about existing clergy health programs. We contacted Protestant denominational headquarters and searched academic databases and the Internet. We identified 56 clergy health programs and categorized them into prevention and personal enrichment; counseling; marriage and family enrichment; peer support; congregational health; congregational effectiveness; denominational enrichment; insurance/strategic pension plans; and referral-based programs. Only 13 of the programs engaged in outcomes evaluation. Using the Socioecological Framework, we found that many programs support individual-level and institutional-level changes, but few programs support congregational-level changes. Outcome evaluation strategies and a central repository for information on clergy health programs are needed. �� 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Trends in hospital librarianship and hospital library services: 1989 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE: The research studied the status of hospital librarians and library services to better inform the Medical Library Association's advocacy activities. METHODS: The Vital Pathways Survey Subcommittee of the Task Force on Vital Pathways for Hospital Librarians distributed a web-based survey to hospital librarians and academic health sciences library directors. The survey results were compared to data collected in a 1989 survey of hospital libraries by the American Hospital Association in order to identify any trends in hospital libraries, roles of librarians, and library services. A web-based hospital library report form based on the survey questions was also developed to more quickly identify changes in the status of hospital libraries on an ongoing basis. RESULTS: The greatest change in library services between 1989 and 2005/06 was in the area of access to information, with 40% more of the respondents providing access to commercial online services, 100% more providing access to Internet resources, and 28% more providing training in database searching and use of information resources. Twenty-nine percent (n = 587) of the 2005/06 respondents reported a decrease in staff over the last 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Survey data support reported trends of consolidation of hospitals and hospital libraries and additions of new services. These services have likely required librarians to acquire new skills. It is hoped that future surveys will be undertaken to continue to study these trends.

Reducing Electronic Information Overload

College students receive a wealth of information through electronic communications that they are unable to process efficiently. This information overload negatively impacts their affect, which is officially defined in the field of psychology as the experience of feeling or emotion. To address this problem, we postulated that we could create an application that organizes and presents incoming content in a manner that optimizes users��� ability to process information. First, we conducted surveys that quantitatively measured each participant���s psychological affect while handling electronic communications, which was used to tailor the features of the application to what the user���s desire. After designing and implementing the application, we again measured the user's affect using this product. Our goal was to find that the program promoted a positive change in affect. Our application, Brevitus, was able to match Gmail on affect reduction profiles, while succeeding in implementing certain user interface specifications.

Aflatoxin Exposure and Associated Human Health Effects, a Review of Epidemiological Studies

flatoxins are fungal toxins that possess acute life threatening toxicity, carcinogenic properties and other potential chronic adverse effects. Dietary exposure to aflatoxins is considered a major public health concern, especially for subsistence farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where dietary staple food crops such as groundnuts and maize are often highly contaminated with aflatoxin due to hot and humid climates and poor storage, together with low awareness of risk and lack of enforcement of regulatory limits. Biomarkers have been developed and applied in many epidemiological studies assessing aflatoxin exposure and the associated health effects in these high-risk population groups. This review discusses the recent epidemiological evidence for aflatoxin exposure, co-exposure with other mycotoxins and associated health effects in order to provide evidence on risk assessment, and highlight areas where further research is necessary. Aflatoxin exposure can occur at any stage of life and is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially when hepatitis B infection is present. Recent evidence suggests that aflatoxin may be an underlying determinant of stunted child growth, and may lower cell-mediated immunity, thereby increasing disease susceptibility. However, a causal relationship between aflatoxin exposure and these latter adverse health outcomes has not been established, and the biological mechanisms for these have not been elucidated, prompting further research. Furthermore, there is a dearth of information regarding the health effects of co-exposure to aflatoxin with other mycotoxins. Recent developments of biomarkers provide opportunities for important future research in this area.

Mismatches and matches in address information from the Census and the BSO: A longitudinal perspective 2001-2011

Accurate address information from health service providers is fundamental for the effective delivery of health care and population monitoring and screening. While it is currently used in the production of key statistics such as internal migration estimates, it will become even more important over time with the 2021 Census of UK constituent countries integrating administrative data to enhance the quality of statistical outputs. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve understanding of the accuracy of address information held by health service providers and factors that influence this. This paper builds upon previous research on the social geography of address mismatch between census and health service records in Northern Ireland. It is based on the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study; this is a large data linkage study including about 28 per cent of the Northern Ireland population, which is matched between the census (2001, 2011) and Health Card Registration System maintained by the Health and Social Care Business Service Organisation (BSO). This research compares address information from the Spring 2011 BSO download (Unique Property Reference Number, Super Output Area) with comparable geographic information from the 2011 Census. Multivariate and multilevel analyses are used to assess the individual and ecological determinants of match/mismatch between geographical information in both data sources to determine if the characteristics of the associated people and places are the same as the position observed in 2001. It is important to understand if the same people are being inaccurately geographically referenced in both Census years or if the situation is more variable.