Ensuring Quality Care
Asynchronous Session
Usefulness of Social Work Assessments, Ecometric Tests and Symptom Checkers for Toxicity Monitoring View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Laetitia Petersen
Social work assessment in an oncology setting for clinical trial enrolment and toxicity monitoring has proven invaluable. Two studies explored the value of social work assessment regarding toxicity monitoring. Study 1, a retrospective analysis, considered referrals made over two years and identified the value of social work assessment for clinical trial enrolment and study 2, an intervention research study, explored and compared social work assessment and intervention practices with a standardised ecometric personal multi-screening inventory (PMSI) scale and symptom checker. The population for the two studies were 186 and 46 clients respectively. Results from both studies highlight the fundamental value of social work assessment but also barriers to clinical trial enrolment and toxicity monitoring. The tools used also had their value and in particular, the symptom checker was useful to address client discomfort. Further, the PMSI scale identified coping strategies and emphasized clients with effective coping strategies as having optimal functioning. The social work assessment contradicted this finding, and these clients were less compliant. A negative correlation was also evident considering reported PMSI’s high scores for spirituality and sexual satisfaction and compliance. Individuals with higher educational levels and income were also non-compliant. Clients with fluctuating and ineffective coping strategies as indicated by the PMSI indicated greater compliance with treatment. The human element is a factor in both the self-administered tools and scales and the skill of the social worker.
Featured Effects of Playing Online Violent Games on Youth Self-harm Behavior in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nizar Ahmad, Paghunda Bibi
There is plenty of study offering evidence of the nexus between playing violent video games and violent behavior. However, no study has been found on the nexus of violent video games and self-harm. To investigate the relationship between playing online violent games and self-harm, a cross-sectional study was conducted in which data were collected from 241 PUBG players, aged 18-30, in District Charsadda of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to assess the self-harm behavior of young PUBG users aged 18-30. The questionnaire assessed self-harm behavior such as a cut on any parts of the body, medicine overdose, biting, excess smoking or alcohol use, injury through hitting something, pulling out hair or eyebrows, scratching with nails, drinking harmful chemicals, and isolation from family and friends. Data were analyzed through SPSS using T-test and ANOVA statistics. It was found that ‘users’ daily play time, family awareness about users’ online game, mood of the game (classic, arcade, and arena), the type of map used by players (Erangel, Livik and Miramar), the mode in which players play the game (solo, duo or squad) were significantly associated with self-harm behavior. The use of servers (Europe, Middle East, or Asia) and the use of perspectives TTP or FPT (Third-person perspective or First Person Perspective) were found non-significantly associated with self-harm behavior. The study provides preliminary evidence of the association of playing PUBG with self-harm behavior of young persons and suggests further studies to find more evidence from different parts of the world.
Human Rights and Low-value Health Care: An Ongoing Narrative Review of Recent JAMA Articles View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Brent Mack Shea
Health care as a human rights is memorialized at the Declaration, Covenant, and Sustainable Development Goals levels. The UDHR, Article 25, acknowledges the right to a "standard of living adequate for health and well-being of himself (sic) and of his (sic) family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services." The ICESR, Article 12, recognizes the "right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health", including prevention and treatment. SDG 3 proposes to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages with targets including social and economic determinants of health and well-being. The World Health Organization has defined health as "the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Identification of "low-value" care, often by frequently-cited USPSTF recommendations, implies the prominence of non-medical factors in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The present ongoing narrative review of articles published since mid-2020 in the JAMA collection of journals provides evidence of 1) low-value care that includes preventable medical harm that can result from over-screening and unnecessary diagnostic tests; and 2) over-treatment throughout the life course from birth (e.g., through nonessential surgical delivery) to the end of life (e.g., through aggressive treatment of terminal cancer during the final months of life). Rights-based discourse about health care can be strengthened by attention to the accruing practice-based-evidence of low-value, potentially harmful interventions that occur for non-medical reasons.
Digital Intervention for College Students’ Mental Health: Woebot and Happify Random Control Trials View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Boyoung Kang
College students are at an increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness. These problems can have a significant impact on students' academic performance, relationships, and overall well-being. Digital interventions are increasingly being used to address mental health problems in college students. However, there is limited research on the efficacy of these interventions. This study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the efficacy of digital interventions for college students using Woebot and Happify. The study was conducted over a period of four months (March to June 2023) and included students from the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sungkyunkwan University. Initially, 63 students were recruited, but after one month, the number of participants decreased to 31, and after two months, the number of participants decreased to 28. This suggests that attrition rate is an important issue to consider when designing digital interventions for college students. The quantitative data was collected using a self-report survey that assessed participants' levels of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The qualitative data was collected through focus group interviews with participants.The results of this study suggest that well-designed digital interventions for college students can be effective in reducing loneliness and depression. However, it is also important to consider the factors that contribute to students' attrition from digital interventions, such as the effectiveness of the apps, the lack of personalized services, the poor UI, and the one-sided nature of the interventions.
Digitizing Health Records in Syrian Refugee Camps of Lebanon : Some Challenges and a Call for an Integrated Electronic Care Record System View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hadia Aslam, Bayan Louis, Richard Ewins
The lack of an electronic healthcare record (EHR) system hampers patient care in refugee camps, leading to fragmented information and compromised continuity of care. This study examines the detrimental impact of a non-electronic healthcare record system on patients' health, particularly vulnerable refugees. Standardized data sharing is lacking, resulting in redundant medical tests, miscommunication, and delays in critical treatments. Patients' illiteracy and lack of awareness about treatment plans contribute to potential duplicated treatments, posing health risks. Moreover, the absence of an electronic health system hinders the easy auditing of health concerns, impeding the monitoring of patients' progress and outcomes. We emphasize the need for an integrated EHR system that ensures confidentiality, data security, and real-time accessibility of patient information. Seamless information exchange between healthcare providers through the EHR system enhances coordination and collaboration, ultimately improving health outcomes for the refugee population. Incorporating the EHR system into the existing healthcare infrastructure, with investment in capacity building and training for healthcare professionals, will maximize its benefits. In conclusion, this article advocates for the urgent implementation of an integrated electronic care record system in Syrian refugee settlements in Beqaa, Lebanon. Adopting such a system will foster improved healthcare coordination, reduce medical errors, and enhance the overall quality of care for vulnerable patients. Embracing digitalization in healthcare records is essential to meet growing demands and provide comprehensive, efficient healthcare services to the displaced population in the region
