SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Service user”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,279 records · Page 71Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Users evaluate LupusLine, a telephone peer counseling service.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of LupusLine during its pilot phase of operation by determining patterns of utilization and user satisfaction. LupusLine is a peer counseling service designed to provide ongoing emotional support from home to home by telephone appointment. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three respondents were surveyed, using a 72-item structured questionnaire administered over the telephone by interviewers separately trained and hired specifically for this purpose. The questionnaire was pilot tested on 10 volunteers with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and a panel of related health professionals reviewed the questionnaire for face validity. RESULTS: Most users were women (94.5%) who had SLE themselves (87.5%) and who called the service because of recent changes in their physical functioning and reported feelings of depression and anxiety about their illness. Forty-one percent of respondents made 6 or more calls to their assigned peer counselor. Respondents reported high levels of satisfaction across 5 highly correlated measures, with 92% of callers reporting at least moderate satisfaction with the service. Over 60% of respondents who reported a change in 6 "feeling" categories attributed this change to using LupusLine. Fewer users reported a change in 4 specific behaviors since using the service, but more respondents attributed changes, when they occurred, to LupusLine. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these initial findings, we believe that telephone networks similar to the LupusLine model may be able to offer substantial benefit to people coping with the complex, ongoing psychosocial challenges of SLE. Further, the at-home accessibility and low cost of such volunteer-based interventions may play an ever more needed role in the present health care environment.

Adult↗

PubMed2007

Mental health services for children in large, employer-based health plans, 1999.

This study examines 1999 data from Medstat's MarketScan database of privately insured employees of US firms and their dependents. Of enrolled children and adolescents ages 2-18, 6.6% had claims for mental health services. Average outpatient expenditures per user were $651. Of children/adolescents with claims for mental health services (MH claimants), 3.4% had inpatient MH services, with an average length of stay of 8.9 days and average MH-related inpatient expenditure per user of $7,048. One half of MH claimants who had pharmacy benefit data had claims for psychotropic medications, with average expenditures per user of $328. Whereas children/adolescent mental health users comprised 8.3% of all service users, expenditures for their care were 20.5% of all service expenditures for children/adolescents in private health plans. Results also highlight the importance of including data on psychotropic medication in analysis of children's MH services utilization, as well as the need to consider the use of psychotropic medications among children/adolescents who do not utilize other MH services.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Safer haemotherapy: the responsibilities of government, transfusion service, blood donors, and physician-users.

Despite the introduction of new selection, screening and quality assurance procedures, transfusion of allogeneic blood or blood products is not without risk. Iatrogenic bacterial or viral infection and incompletely understood immunological effects remain major concerns. Close communication and cooperation between the major players on the blood transfusion team - government, transfusion service, blood donors, and physician-users - are essential if new developments and technology are to lead to safer and more efficacious haemotherapy.

Blood Banks↗

PubMed2005

Linking HIV-infected persons of color and injection drug users to HIV medical and other services: the California Bridge Project.

Our objectives were to describe the strategies and successes in linking out-of-treatment HIV-infected persons of color and injection drug users (IDUs) to a comprehensive HIV care, treatment, and prevention program and other community services. Peer-based outreach staff at 21 sites throughout California provided assessments and referrals to 1453 persons living with HIV but without routine care. A linkage was defined as the receipt of a referred service. Half (49.7%) of persons of color and 41.6% of IDUs received services at a California Early Intervention Program (EIP) site after the date of first contact with peer staff; 58.1% of clients referred to EIP were linked to the program. IDUs were less likely to link to EIP. However, IDU clients were less likely to be referred to EIP, and more likely to be referred and linked to other community programs. Interventions such as the California Bridge Project can effectively link HIV-infected persons from marginalized populations to care, treatment, and prevention services. Programs that address immediate needs such as housing are more appealing to IDUs than programs offering HIV medical care.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health and social services accessed by a cohort of Canadian illicit opioid users outside of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of social and health services by illicit opioid users outside of treatment in five Canadian cities ('OPICAN' cohort). METHODS: 677 eligible participants completed an interviewer-administered protocol and 584 supplied saliva samples for HIV and HCV antibody-testing. Chi-squared tests and multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were carried out in order to determine the associations between use of services and specific factors. The explanatory variables of service utilization were determined with multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The average age of respondents was 35 years, 66% were male and 68% were Caucasian. Women and HIV-positive individuals were more likely to receive health care. Participants who had a history of injection drug use, but had not injected within the previous 30 days, visited doctors more regularly and had a higher uptake of community-based services. Those who reported mental health problems used services less frequently than others. Participants recruited in Vancouver had more visits to needle exchange programs and centres specifically for women. Toronto participants were more likely to use homeless shelters and had a higher uptake of other types of community-based services. CONCLUSION: Our study found a high rate of physical and mental health problems in illicit untreated opioid users in Canada, including the transmission of infectious disease. The availability of services seems to be a predictor of use of services. Setting up, adapting and evaluating front-line services tailored to illicit opioid users outside of treatment should be a policy and program priority.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Significant relationships and social supports of injecting drug users and their implications for HIV/AIDS services.

Strong social support networks have been associated with positive outcomes for health and well-being throughout the life-cycle. This paper investigates the structural and functional nature of social support networks of 100 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Sydney and the implications for HIV/AIDS services. Using a modified ISEL respondents saw support in terms of its tangibility of people and support, in terms of an appraisal of having friends, and as a self-esteem measure. We found the majority of respondents 'hung around' with other IDUs, lived with other IDUs, and were satisfied with the support they received from their friends. Friends appeared to be a more important source of social support than biological families and if respondents were to become HIV infected they would be more open about their status with friends than family. Where family was involved in support it was likely to be provided by mothers and siblings who were also the family members who knew about the respondent's drug use. There was no relationship between numbers of supports and satisfaction of support, suggesting quality and quantity of support were independent. Non-social supports were conceptualized primarily in terms of medical services.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1989

The questionnaire--a quality control method for online searching?

The quality of the online search service in a university medical school/large hospital library was investigated by user survey. The use of a questionnaire as a tool to measure quality was assessed. The survey indicated that most users were satisfied with the quality of the service. User ratings for all search performance criteria were high and most readers found online searches to be good value for money. Information about user groups, frequency of searching, search applications, pre-search work and user expectations was obtained. The most important aspect of a computer search to the reader was 'savings in your time'. Three types of user were described based on search output analyses and reading levels. Some areas where the existing service could be improved were identified. The introduction of a standard questionnaire for monitoring the quality of computer searches and other library services was proposed.

Consumer Behavior↗

PubMed1995

Strategies for dealing with problems associated with use of services for HIV infection and AIDS out of region: views of providers and users.

OBJECTIVES: To identify reasons why people with HIV infection and AIDS living within the former South West Thames Regional Health Authority use HIV and AIDS services outside the region, and to identify strategies for dealing with the problems associated with such use. DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of interviews with individual subjects and focus groups. SETTING: Providers of services for patients with HIV infection and AIDS in South West Thames, central London, and Brighton. Users of such services resident in South West Thames. SUBJECTS: Thirty four South West Thames residents with HIV infection and AIDS who use or used services outside the former region; and 70 providers of services within and beyond South West Thames. RESULTS: Principal reasons for use of services out of the region were accessibility (15) and negative appraisals of local services (14). Three main strategies for dealing with the problems of such use were suggested by providers. These entailed introducing users of services outside the region to services in their locality (16); sharing the responsibility for care between providers in specialist centres and in the person's locality (10); and involving the person's general practitioner in their care (12). These strategies were deemed acceptable by 29, 30, and 20 service users respectively. CONCLUSION: The reasons underlying use of services for patients with HIV infection and AIDS outside the region offer suggestions for developing services in areas with a high incidence of such use. The suggestions advanced by service providers offer an acceptable framework for dealing with the problems.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2003

Use of emergency room services by out-of-treatment drug users in Long Beach, California.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of emergency room services among out-of-treatment drug users in Long Beach, CA. Primary data collection occurred between 1991-1996. The study setting was a community-based location through which out-of-treatment drug users were recruited using a standard research protocol. The original study randomized 1,728 participants into a standard or enhanced HIV prevention protocol. Data were collected longitudinally at two points in time, with 1,201 returning for follow-up interview. Standardized instruments were used at baseline and follow-up. Logistic regression and test-retest reliability were performed using the SAS System. Factors associated with emergency room use included income from public assistance sources, ever using other opiates, income less than 500 dollars in the last month, reporting White race/ethnicity, and HIV positive serostatus. Having income from public assistance programs is highly predictive of emergency room use in out-of-treatment drug users.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Assessment of medical outcomes. New opportunities for achieving a long sought-after objective.

Health outcome assessment may be used for a variety of purposes: to evaluate the effectiveness of medical practices; to assess the quality of services provided; to educate providers, purchasers, and users of health services about the sequelae of treated and untreated disease; to guide reimbursement and regulatory policy; and to characterize the health status of a population. This article focuses on the use of health outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of medical practices and to assess the quality of services provided.

Health Services Research↗

PubMed2000

Patient risk-taking attitude and the use of complementary and alternative medical services.

OBJECTIVES: Study users and nonusers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with respect to their attitude toward risk. SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS: National household telephone survey fielded in the United States in 1998 (n = 9,585). DEPENDENT VARIABLE: CAM use in previous year. RESULTS: Patients of CAM practitioners consider themselves more likely to take risks than the average person (odds ratio [OR] 2.47, 95 confidence interval [CI] [1.91, 3.19] compared to the general population). Risk attitude is as strong (or even stronger) a predictor of visits to CAM providers than the main sociodemographic predictors of female gender, higher education, or middle age. Individuals using only self-administered CAM treatment rate themselves as being relatively more cautious (OR, 1.08; not statistically significant from the general population). CONCLUSIONS: Patients of CAM practitioners perceive themselves as risk taking, whereas patients that only rely on self-administered CAM treatment rate themselves not differently from the general population. This major difference within the group of CAM users and compared to the general population has not been studied before.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Childhood bereavement services: a survey of UK provision.

The purpose of the study was to identify the location, range and type of childhood bereavement service provision in the UK. A questionnaire was mailed to 127 services who were either solely dedicated to childhood bereavement or who offered a service within the range of work of a host organization and for which there was a supporting organizational structure. Responses were received from 108 services (a response rate of 85%). The findings identified that 85% of childhood bereavement services are located in the voluntary sector; 14% are dedicated childhood bereavement services, while 86% are offered as part of a host organization. Forty-four per cent of host organizations are hospices. The majority of services (73%) relied on both paid and unpaid staff, with 11% relying entirely on paid staff and 14% of services relying entirely on unpaid staff. The interventions offered ranged from individual family work (86%), individual child work (62%), groupwork with families (53%) and groupwork with children (45%). In addition, services offered prebereavement support (64%), a 'drop-in' service (17%), information and advice (95%), training (32%) and the provision of resources (88%). As well as offering a service to children and their families, 74% of childhood bereavement services provided a service to 'secondary users', such as schools (66%), the emergency services (28%) and other professionals (63%). In terms of funding, 12% of services relied solely on external sources of funding, including donations, legacies, revenue from the host organization or grants, while 12% of services relied solely on internal sources of funding, including fundraising and training. The majority of services (73%), however, gained income from a range of sources. The study identifies the diversity of provision that has implications for the evaluation of childhood bereavement services.

Bereavement↗

PubMed1997

Cost of community care for older people.

BACKGROUND: There has been no published study that considers actual costs in a representative sample of people aged > or = 65 years. The present study describes the financial costs of formal community services for elderly people with dementia, depression, anxiety disorder or physical disability. METHOD: Psychiatric morbidity, physical disability and services received were assessed by standardised questionnaire in randomly selected Islington enumeration districts. Subjects were interviewed at home (n = 700). RESULTS: Dementia was the most expensive disorder per sufferer in terms of formal services. Those with depression were also high users of health services. Despite presenting to health services, 90% were not treated with appropriate drugs. In contrast, social services were received by people who were activity-limited or with dementia. The highest service cost for the population as a whole was for the physically disabled. In multivariate analysis the significant predictors of high service costs were living alone, being physically ill, depression, dementia and increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to detect and treat depression and the anxiety disorders in older people, despite their presentation to medical services, may have major economic consequences as well as contributing to individual suffering.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Methadone treatment practices and outcome for opiate addicts treated in drug clinics and in general practice: results from the National Treatment Outcome Research Study.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) are increasingly urged to become more involved in the care and treatment of drug misusers. Little information is available about the effectiveness of treatments delivered in primary health care or specialist settings. The impact of treatment setting is investigated as part of the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS). This is the largest study of treatment outcome for drug misusers ever conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). AIM: This paper presents six-month treatment outcomes for patients who received community-based methadone treatment in either a specialist drug clinic or a general practice setting. METHOD: A prospective, multisite follow-up study of treatment outcome was conducted with 452 opiate addicts who had been given methadone treatment in primary health care and specialist clinic settings. Outcome data are presented for substance use behaviours, health, and crime. RESULTS: Improvements at follow-up were found among both the GP and the clinic-treated groups in drug-related problems, health, and social functioning. Problems at intake were broadly comparable among the clinic-based and the GP patients. Similar levels and types of improvement were found for both groups at six-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the feasibility of treating opiate addicts using methadone in primary health care settings, and show that treatment outcomes for such patients can be as satisfactory as for patients in specialist drug clinics. The GPs in our study are unrepresentative in their willingness to be actively involved with problem drug users; moreover, several services treated relatively large numbers of drug users. Issues surrounding the growth of 'GP specialists' are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Implementation and testing of a multifunctional electronic patient record for routine practice and evaluation of patient care].

"Medical Monitoring" is a software produced for everyday medical practice in order to document data of history, physical and functional status, interventions and outcomes. The electronic patient record has been developed for research purpose within a network of hospitals and primary care physicians specialized in integrative medicine. It should help to realize a comprehensive documentation-system for long-term observations of patients concerning effectiveness, cost, risk and safety. Important components of the program are: a) health record for routine documentation in medicine and nursing b) tools for formal assessment in special indications c) user-support in service and decision-making d) user-support for advising and teaching patients in self-treatment and lifestyle-techniques e) archive-function for diverse findings f) tools for quality assurance g) tools for reimbursement and billing.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing care delivered at academic community-based nurse-managed center.

The academic community-based nurse-managed center (CNC) in this study represents an innovative "nontraditional" model of primary healthcare that seeks to improve access for vulnerable uninsured urban populations. This article describes the nature of the services delivered by an academic CNC, the users of these services, and interventions provided by nurses in the CNC.

Community Health Nursing↗

PubMed2003

The management of health library outreach services: evaluation and reflection on lessons learned on the VIVOS project.

PURPOSE: The aim of the VIVOS project was to develop and evaluate methodologies, i.e., sets of methods, for determining the value and impact of "virtual outreach" information services in the health sector in the UK. METHODS: Five different projects were recruited initially, with another two added later. Methods were largely qualitative, with over 130 interviews conducted among health professionals, complemented by postal questionnaire surveys. RESULTS: Identified factors that affect the successful roll-out and continued development of the projects included the need for help-desk type services to provide sustained support for new users to the services. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of the projects eighteen months after the end of the VIVOS project revealed that the long-term impacts for the participating library managers included the benefits of using evidence on service outcomes, enhanced recognition locally, and greater confidence in evaluation.

Community-Institutional Relations↗

PubMed1973

The health sciences library's contributions to patient care.

The medical librarian in a hospital contributes to the quality of patient care by building a library which can provide promptly the information needed by all members of the treatment team, including medical and paramedical persons. The librarian is meeting his responsibility to the patient when he performs the duties of selecting materials, cataloging these materials speedily and thoroughly, and giving reference service to library users. An excellent hospital library and the services of a knowledgeable librarian can be a significant factor in the medical team's ability to provide superior patient care.

Delivery of Health Care↗