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High performance public health: assessing agencies' strategic management capabilities.

Limited knowledge about state health agencies' strategic management capabilities constrains their capacity to improve public health. The current study addresses this gap through two objectives: 1) To assess agencies' strategic management capabilities, conceptualized through a learning framework and 2) To portray both those capabilities and where the agencies have progressed along a developmental pathway of strategic management ability. Forty-one state health agencies' documents from 1995-2000 were content analyzed. Latent Trait Analysis (LTA) was used to depict both the progressive levels of strategic management capabilities and states' relative mastery along the continuum. Findings indicate that strategic management capabilities have path dependent characteristics and a distinct learning paradigm exists. Therefore, policy-makers wishing to improve agency performance can utilize this framework to assess and target capabilities that need improvement.

Aged↗

Nature's medicines: traditional knowledge and intellectual property management. Case studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA.

With the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases and development of multi-drug resistance, there is a dire need to find newer cures and to produce more drugs and vaccines in the pipeline. To meet these increasing demands biomedical researchers and pharmaceutical companies are combining advanced methods of drug discovery, such as combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening and genomics, with conventional approaches using natural products and traditional knowledge. However, such approaches require much international cooperation and understanding of international laws and conventions as well as local customs and traditions. This article reviews the forty years of cumulative experience at the National Institutes of Health (initiated by the National Cancer Institute) in natural products drug discovery. It presents (1) three major cooperative programs (2) the legal mechanisms for cooperation and (3) illustrative case studies from these programs. We hope that these discussions and our lessons learned would be helpful to others seeking to develop their own models of cooperation for the benefit of global health.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Nursing knowledge and assessment skills in the management of patients receiving analgesia via epidural infusion.

BACKGROUND: In Australian hospitals, epidural infusions are commonly used for the management of post-operative pain in maternity and surgical patients, with little research evidence to indicate the efficacy of the educational preparation of nurses undertaking pain management. AIMS: To describe nurses' assessment skills and knowledge related to the management of a patient with an epidural infusion and to explore relationships between these variables and the levels of education/clinical experience of the nurses. METHODS: This descriptive correlational study used a convenience sample of surgical and obstetric unit registered nurses to explore relationships between the knowledge and skill in epidural management and the educational preparation of the nurse. Data were collected via survey and observation, using instruments developed by the research team. RESULTS: The nurses had a good knowledge base for the performance of sensory blockade assessment but scored less well in motor blockade assessment and clinical decision-making. Nurses who had clinical experience, had completed a self- directed learning package and who worked in surgical areas scored higher on the survey than other nurses. Observation scores revealed a range of performance outcomes. There was only a weak correlation between knowledge and skill performance. There were no differences in scores for the observation exercise for different groups of nurses. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that the nurses' theoretical knowledge outweighed their clinical skill performance and clinical decision-making. Education for nurses regarding the management of epidural infusions needs to be comprehensive, context specific and have the capacity to develop the nurse's autonomous critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. Strategies for this include self-directed learning packages best supplemented by a demonstration of clinical skills and supervised practice.

Analgesia↗

Nurse manager characteristics and skills: curriculum implications.

If one accepts the premise that all nurses need knowledge of management and leadership, then schools of nursing need to design their curriculum to provide administrative content and learning experiences to adequately prepare nurses for leadership positions. This study assays the opinions of nurse unit managers about the relative importance of different characteristics and skills in effective job performance. A sample of 73 unit managers from six hospitals and two community health agencies ranked human relations and communication skills as most important. Nursing knowledge and clinical skills were ranked second. Experienced managers thought political savvy and business or management skills were more important than did novice managers. The results of this study are discussed in relation to curriculum issues in nursing management at both the baccalaureate and the graduate level.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Exposure to indoor air pollution from household energy use in rural China: the interactions of technology, behavior, and knowledge in health risk management.

Indoor air pollution (IAP) from household use of biomass and coal is a leading environmental health risk in many developing nations. Much of the initial research on household energy technology overlooked the complex interactions of technological, behavioral, economic, and infrastructural factors that determine the success of environmental health interventions. Consequently, despite enormous interest in reducing the large and inequitable risks associated with household energy use in international development and global health, there is limited empirical research to form the basis for design and delivery of effective interventions. We used data from four poor provinces in China (Gansu, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi) to examine the linkages among technology, user knowledge and behavior, and access and infrastructure in exposure to IAP from household energy use. We conclude that broad health risk education is insufficient for successful risk mitigation when exposure behaviors are closely linked to day-to-day activities of households such as cooking and heating, or have other welfare implications, and hence cannot be simply stopped. Rather, there should be emphasis on the economic and infrastructure determinants of access to technology, as well as the details of behaviors that affect exposure. Better understanding of technology-behavior interface would also allow designing technological interventions that account for, and are robust to, behavioral factors or to provide individuals and households with alternative behaviors. Based on the analysis, we present technological and behavioral interventions for these four Chinese provinces.

Adult↗

Knowledge about preventing and managing lymphedema: a survey of recently diagnosed and treated breast cancer patients.

Physical therapists, books and oncologist's staff were the most frequently cited sources of lymphedema prevention and management information in a telephone survey of 148 recently treated breast cancer patients. Awareness, current practice and intention to practice 13 recommended prevention behaviors were low, and variations in these indices and in information sources were observed between those reporting any swelling and those who did not. Citing radiation oncologists as an information source reflected significantly higher levels of awareness, practice and intention as compared to not citing them. Also, citing oncologists reflected lower scores on the three indices as compared to not citing them. The results suggest that lymphedema prevention and management information is not getting to breast cancer survivors in a timely fashion and underscore the urgent need to develop and implement appropriate educational strategies. Additionally, research into factors that could motivate survivors to practice the recommended behaviors is warranted.

Analysis of Variance↗

A meta-data model for knowledge in decision support systems.

Clinical decision support such as alerts, reminders and guidance are driven by rules often distributed among a variety of applications in a healthcare information system. Due to the increasing size of rule bases, there is a growing need to manage this dispersed knowledge in an integrated environment. A system for management of executable clinical knowledge such as rules should (1) assist in the development and maintenance of rules throughout the rules' life-cycles, (2) support search and retrieval of rules in the knowledge base (e.g., rules for diabetes, rules created by a particular individual), and (3) facilitate the analyses of rules in the knowledge base (e.g., identify rules not updated in the last year). In order to create such a clinical knowledge management system it is necessary to model the meta-data of rules. There have been efforts to document meta-data about rules within the Arden Syntax Medical Logical Modules' project. However, the maintenance and library categories in that project allow mainly free-text information about a rule. We have created a comprehensive meta-data structure and taxonomy for describing clinical rules that supports the features of a knowledge management system. We also tested this model using a representative set of rules.

Artificial Intelligence↗

She may reach a facility but will still die! An analysis of quality of public sector maternal health services, District Multan, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the availability, utilization and functional capacity of the public health delivery system in terms of human resources, equipment, supplies and health provider knowledge regarding management of obstetric complications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2003 for Multan's public health delivery system. A complete inventory of equipment, supplies, drugs, staff availability and knowledge of obstetric complications management were assessed. RESULTS: The number and distribution of public sector facilities serving a population of 3.2 million was well beyond the minimum requirement for basic obstetric care but fell short for comprehensive Emergency Obstetrical Care (EmOC). Utilization patterns were skewed to the tertiary facility for normal and complicated deliveries. Partograms were not available, magnesium sulphate was only available at the tertiary facility, while basic supplies like iron and folate tablets, broad spectrum antibiotics, oxytocics, gloves and sutures were not available at primary or secondary facilities. Knowledge scores regarding management of obstetric complications were less than average, especially among nurses at basic or comprehensive EmOC facilities. Intensity of labour pains (nurses 59%) at basic EmOC facility and cervical dilatation by doctors at basic and comprehensive facilities were the most frequent responses for monitoring in labour. CONCLUSION: Strengthening the four interlinked health system elements--human resources, access to, use and quality of services is essential though not sufficient.

Adult↗

[Pink pityriasis in primary care. Review of 46 cases].

OBJECTIVE: We pretend to improve the knowledge and management of pityriasis rosea by family practitioners. DESIGN: A retrospective qualitative study by the review of the registry in a outpatient Dermatology clinic. SETTING: This work is made in the Dermatology clinic attending to San Sebastián de los Reyes population (Madrid) that's situated in the V Centenario Center. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 46 patients (28 females) were diagnosticated (mean age 25 +/- 13). Incidence was 85/100,000 hab; 12 patients were derivated urgently; 38 cases showed herald patch (82.6%). Lesions had characteristical distribution in 36 patients (78.3%); 43 cases had a clinic diagnosis (93.5%). Treatment wasn't necessary in 20 patients (43.5%). Most usual General Practitioner's presumption diagnosis was pityriasis rosea (21.7%); there was no diagnosis in 36.9%. CONCLUSIONS: We find inexperience in general practitioners about pityriasis rosea. It's necessary a correct knowledge and management of this pathology in Primary Care.

Adolescent↗

The arthritis knowledge questionnaire. A test for measuring patient knowledge of arthritis and its self-management.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a questionnaire for measuring patients' knowledge about arthritis and its self-management. METHODS: An initial item pool of 175 multiple-choice questions was developed, based on the Stanford Arthritis Self-Management Program and on basic medical knowledge about arthritis and its management. A rheumatologist, psychologist, physiotherapist, and several lay individuals assessed the questions for content validity, breadth of coverage, and face validity. Patients assessed the questions for comprehensibility. Four subject groups with varying knowledge levels were recruited to answer the entire set of questions. Item analysis was undertaken to develop parallel forms of subtests so that repeated assessments could be undertaken. RESULTS: The final instrument, the Arthritis Knowledge Questionnaire, consists of 2 tests, each comprising 3 subtests: self-management (15 items), arthritis in general (15 items), and rheumatoid arthritis (11 items). CONCLUSION: We present psychometric evidence that these parallel forms provide highly reliable and valid estimates of knowledge concerning arthritis and arthritis self-management.

Arthritis↗

The effects of a managed care educational program on faculty and trainee knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions.

PURPOSE: To assess the state of managed care knowledge and attitudes and to evaluate the effects of a two-day course on participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. METHOD: In 1996, the University of California, Davis, Medical School invited all medical students, residents, faculty, and administrators to participate in one of two sessions of a two-day course on managed care. Participants in the first session were given both pre- and post-course questionnaires. Participants in the second session were given only post-course questionnaires. The questionnaires measured objective knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Participants (other than administrators) who completed the questionnaires also received a follow-up questionnaire six months after the seminar. RESULTS: The two sessions were attended by 818 UC Davis medical students, residents, faculty, and administrators: after excluding 33 non-physician administrators, 428 completed survey packets (55%) were available for full analysis. Before the course, participants in the first session correctly answered on average only 46% of 32 questions about managed care knowledge. Course attendance was associated with significant gains in knowledge (to 67% correct, p < .001) and a marked increase in appreciation for the cost-control effectiveness of managed care (from 3.35 to 3.98 on a five-point scale, p < .001). Knowledge gains were greatest among medical students; changes in attitudes and behavioral intentions were least among residents. Among respondents to a follow-up survey, the changes were partially sustained six months later. CONCLUSION: Within this academic medical center, baseline levels of managed care knowledge were low among faculty as well as among trainees, and attitudes reflected a blend of negativism and wishful thinking. An intensive two-day educational program effectively increased knowledge and changed selected attitudes among critical academic constituencies. Other academic medical centers may wish to consider presenting similar programs in order to orient their faculties and trainees to the economic realities of the foreseeable future.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Knowledge and behavior of Nigerian dentists concerning the treatment of children with special needs.

BACKGROUND: Children with special needs (CSN) are reported to receive less adequate dental care due to various behavioral problems and barriers created by dental professionals. This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and behaviour of Nigerian dentists concerning the treatment of CSN. METHODS: Questionnaires consisting of open and closed ended questions requesting socio-demographic information, type of practice, undergraduate and postgraduate training, self-rated knowledge and behaviour concerning care of CSN, were hand delivered to 359 dentists in the 3 geographical zones of Nigeria over a period of 8 weeks. Responses were compared across age groups, gender, type of practice and training received. RESULT: Two hundred and eighty questionnaires were returned completed, constituting 79.9% response rate. Most of the respondents were aged 30-39 years (44.3%). There were more males (56.1%) and more recent graduates of 10 years and below (78.5%). Over 80% of respondents had treated children with disabilities, those with physical disabilities being most encountered. Only 19.3% of respondents rated their knowledge of management of CSN as adequate, with no significant difference across age groups and gender, but with a significantly higher number of older graduates reporting to have adequate knowledge (p < 0.05). Those who had undergraduate training in care of CSN were 69.5% compared with only 12.8% who had post graduate training. Only 11.8% rated their undergraduate training as adequate. Thirty seven percent of respondents rated the CSN they had treated as very challenging. A higher proportion of older graduates (of more than 10 years post graduation) and those who rated their undergraduate training as inadequate used sedation and general anaesthesia. Seventy one percent of respondents were willing to treat CSN, with no significant difference across age groups, gender and training, but with a significantly higher percentage among those who had rated their knowledge as adequate. Most of those who were unwilling to treat CSN felt their management was tedious and challenging. CONCLUSION: From this study, very few dentists reported to have adequate knowledge of management of CSN, irrespective of age, gender and place of practice. A significant number of those with more experience rated their knowledge as adequate. Although most dentists rated the children's behaviour as challenging, they indicated their willingness to treat them in their practices.

Journal Article↗

Pregnant women's preferences and knowledge of term breech management, in an Australian setting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess women's familiarity with breech presentation and external cephalic version (ECV), and to identify women's preferences and attitudes regarding breech management. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: King George V (KGV) Memorial Hospital for Mothers and Babies, Sydney, Australia, a major metropolitan teaching hospital. POPULATION: 174 pregnant women (20-38 weeks gestation) attending KGV for antenatal care in 2001. METHODS: Data were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed through the antenatal clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's familiarity of breech presentation and ECV, women's attitude towards ECV, decision to attempt ECV, and with whom participants would like to make a decision regarding ECV. FINDINGS: Of the 174 respondents, 85% could correctly identify breech presentation, and 66% had heard of ECV. For 87% this information was from books, and family/friends, and not their midwife/doctor. Equal numbers of women responded that they would or would not choose ECV (39%), and the remaining 22% were uncertain. Factors influencing their decision included concerns about the safety for the baby, ECV not guaranteeing vaginal birth despite successful version, and ECV not being effective enough. Seventy-two per cent wanted to make the decision to attempt ECV together with their doctor. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of the women had a preference for vaginal birth, their knowledge of ECV appeared insufficient to enable them to make informed decisions about attempting ECV. These findings suggest that care-providers should offer women information on ECV, in a shared-decision-making environment.

Adult↗

[Study on the influence of knowledge about hypertension and clinical management competence among physicians treating hypertensives in district and community hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of knowledge about hypertension and clinical competence among physicians in district and community hospitals on management of hypertensives. METHODS: Questionnaire investigation was used in 9 district and community hospitals in Chaoyang and Haidian district, including 181 physicians and 204 patients with hypertension. RESULTS: (1) The hospitals involved were divided into two groups according to our evaluation on the knowledge of hypertension and clinical competence of physicians. Four hospitals were graded as high-score group and 5 hospitals as low-score group. (2) There was no significant difference on physicians' evaluation between district and community hospitals. There was higher proportion of hypertensives with instructed physical exercises, reducing salt ingestion, psychological balance and weight reduction in district hospitals than those in community ones. (3) The proportion of hypertensives who were examined with funduscopy, ambulatory pressure and instructed with physical exercises, reducing salt ingestion and weight reduction in high-score group was obviously higher than that in low-score group. The control rates of blood pressure, on the days of examination during lastest check-up or the past three months, were significantly higher in high-score group than in low-score group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of hypertension and clinical management competence among physicians in district and community hospitals did influence the management of hypertension and education of physicians and thus should be increased.

Clinical Competence↗

A life science Semantic Web: are we there yet?

More than ever, life science researchers depend on information from multiple sources. The Semantic Web offers a powerful new strategy for consolidating both text and structured data into a comprehensive collections and views. In addition, these aggregates are readable by both humans and machines and could be the basis of information management and knowledge exchange.

Biological Science Disciplines↗

Barriers to managing pain in the nursing home: findings from a statewide survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in the nursing home setting. DESIGN: Mailed survey. SETTING: All licensed Connecticut nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Directors of Nursing (DONs). MEASUREMENTS: Survey eliciting pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in respondents' nursing home. RESULTS: A total of 113 of 260 DONs (43%) responded to the survey. Respondents believed pain was suboptimally managed, particularly for residents with malignant and nonmalignant chronic pain. Perceived barriers to providing adequate pain management included lack of knowledge about pain management among nurses and physicians, lack of a standardized approach to treating pain, physicians' personal attitudes toward treating pain (eg, fear of addiction or overdose), lack of diagnostic precision in treating pain, and difficulty in choosing the right analgesic. Other barriers are also discussed, including low hospice enrollment of nursing home residents. CONCLUSION: Improving pain management in nursing homes requires improving provider knowledge and attitudes, enhancing diagnostic precision, standardizing pain treatment, and achieving an institutional commitment. Although responding DONs seemed aware of the need for improved pain management outcomes at their facilities, the required institutional commitment to accomplish this was not evidenced by these findings.

Aged↗

Barriers to managing pain in the nursing home: findings from a statewide survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in the nursing home setting. DESIGN: Mailed survey. SETTING: All licensed Connecticut nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Directors of Nursing (DONs). MEASUREMENTS: Survey eliciting pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in respondents' nursing home. RESULTS: A total of 113 of 260 DONs (43%) responded to the survey. Respondents believed pain was suboptimally managed, particularly for residents with malignant and nonmalignant chronic pain. Perceived barriers to providing adequate pain management included lack of knowledge about pain management among nurses and physicians, lack of a standardized approach to treating pain, physicians' personal attitudes toward treating pain (eg, fear of addiction or overdose), lack of diagnostic precision in treating pain, and difficulty in choosing the right analgesic. Other barriers are also discussed, including low hospice enrollment of nursing home residents. CONCLUSION: Improving pain management in nursing homes requires improving provider knowledge and attitudes, enhancing diagnostic precision, standardizing pain treatment, and achieving an institutional commitment. Although responding DONs seemed aware of the need for improved pain management outcomes at their facilities, the required institutional commitment to accomplish this was not evidenced by these findings.

Analgesia↗