Showing papers on "Health management system published in 2010"

The organizational benefits of investing in workplace health

Abstract: Purpose - A healthy and vital workforce is an asset to any organization. Workplace health management and health promotion are therefore increasingly relevant for organizations. This paper aims to identify the organizational benefits companies strive for, and analyzes the ways companies use and manage data in order to monitor, evaluate and improve the achievement of organizational benefits through workplace health management. Design/methodology/approach - A case study was carried out in four frontrunner organizations in health management in The Netherlands. The benefits the companies strived for were systematically investigated, as were the ways in which the companies used and managed their relevant data. Findings - The organizations had many data that were potentially useful for managing and evaluating the realization of the intended health and business benefits. However, these data were only available and usable in a fragmented manner. As a result, the business impact of health interventions was neither properly evaluated nor consistently managed. Research limitations/implications - The research was limited to four frontrunner companies in The Netherlands. The results presented are predominantly qualitative. Practical implications - Suggestions for improving the management of organizational benefits from workplace health interventions are given here; they were formulated though an iterative process with the companies involved. Originality/value - Research on the combination of health and business benefits of workplace health management has been rather limited thus far. The present paper provides a complete picture of the benefits strived for by four Dutch frontrunner organizations, as well as the data available to them, which are or could be used for guiding and improving workplace health management. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

The skills gap in hospital management: a comparative analysis of hospital managers in the public and private sectors in South Africa

Abstract: A lack of management capacity has been identified as the key stumbling block to attaining the goals of health for all in South Africa. As part of the overall management development process, this research aims to identify the skills that are important for health services management and to evaluate managers' self-assessed proficiency in each of these skills. We also examined the impact of past training on perceived competency levels. A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 404 hospital managers in the South African public and private sectors. Respondents were asked to rate the level of importance that each proposed competency had in their job and to indicate their proficiency in each skill. Both public and private sector managers rated competencies related to 'people management', 'self-management' and 'task-related skills' highest followed by 'strategic planning' and 'health delivery', respectively. The largest differences between mean importance rating and mean skill rating for public sector managers were for people management skills, task-related skills and self-management skills. The largest deficits for private sector managers were for people management skills, self-management skills and health delivery skills. Informal management development programmes were found to be more valuable in improving management skills. These findings reflect the reality of the local health service environment and the need of health managers. It will be useful in the conceptualization, design and delivery of health management programmes aimed at enhancing current and future management and leadership capacity in the health sector in South Africa.

Labor relations under decentralized health management and dilemmas in the relationship between work expansion and casualization in the Brazilian Unified National Health System

Abstract: This article analyzes the logic behind human resources management in primary health care from the perspective of municipal health systems administrators in Brazil, rethinking the decentralization process based on mediation between Federal government guidelines and the health services' daily practice. This was a cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire applied to municipal health secretaries in the Southeastern Health Macro-Region (Minas Gerais State). The municipal health secretaries had a mean age of 39.4 years and low schooling, and a large proportion did not belong to the health field. As for the workforce in the Family Health Program, the municipal governments hired 93.3% of the health professionals, mostly on temporary contracts. The findings confirm gaps in the workers' political and social rights. Paradoxically, the government itself, through the municipal administration, is responsible for failing to comply with the prevailing labor legislation.

A Multidimensional View of Personal Health Systems for Underserved Populations

Abstract: The advent of electronic personal health records (PHRs) provides a major opportunity to encourage positive health management practices, such as chronic disease management. Yet, to date there has been little attention toward the use of PHRs where advanced health information services are perhaps most needed, namely, in underserved communities. Drawing upon research conducted with safety net providers and patients, the authors propose a multi-level analytical framework for guiding actions aimed at fostering PHR adoption and utilization. The authors first outline distinctive user and technical requirements that need to be considered. Next, they assess organizational requirements necessary to implement PHRs within health systems bound by limited resources. Finally, the authors analyze the overriding health care policy context that can facilitate or thwart such efforts. The conclusion notes that heightened national attention toward health information technology and reform provides a significant opportunity for initiatives whose goal is to increase widepread access to PHRs. [J Med Internet Res 2010;12(3):e32]

Health-care management method and health-care management system for realizing method

Abstract: The invention provides a health-care management method and a health-care management system for realizing the method. The method and the system analyze a healthy state of a user according to the demand of the user and the latest information, constitute an individualized and adjustable health-care management proposal, and periodically remind the user to carry out corresponding health-care activity according to the health-care management proposal to ensure that the health-care management proposal for the user can be implemented as plan. By the method and the system, the user can know self health condition in time so as to realize onset early warning to avoid delaying treatment time. The method and the system can be naturally integrated into daily life of the user so that the personal health management is simple and convenient. And the method and the system have expandability, namely can be adaptively adjusted to support a new application environment such as a new instant messaging mode or a health-care information analyzing method. The method and the system can realize instant health management so as to improve personal health level, reduce personal sick rate and reduce personal health medical expenses.

Health management system and method based on Internet

Abstract: The invention provides a health management system and a method based on Internet. The method comprises the following steps: step one, collecting and storing the health information of users, and sending the health information to the server of a community service station; step two: sending the health information of the users to a health management general server; and step three, analyzing and processing the received health information of the users and storing the processed result, sending the processed result to a community service station server and community health management sub-servers, thereby solving the problem of the difficulty in seeing a doctor currently, and ensuring people to know own health conditions currently.

The assessment of establishment and maintenance of the health management system in schools and grading for awarding stars (h.s.e-ms)

Abstract: Background: Addressing school health and safety is an important public health issue. The aim of this study was to identify the status of safety and health (HSE) in Iranian schools, and to provide a monitoring and evaluation scoring system to produce a management system to handle health and safety issues in schools systematically. Methods: An 81-item checklist was applied to obtain data regarding the performance of HSE in 60 schools in five Iranian provinces to award health stars (15-level stars). In all provinces, inadequacies and limitations were documented in safety measures. Findings: Health and safety in Iranian schools need more attention; for example only 48.2% of surveyed schools have suitable space (4 m3 per capita) for studying and only 21.4% of piloted schools have suitable and ergonomic tables; additionally 69.6% of schools have no emergency exits or access to them. Conclusion: By passing this pilot phase, now an agreement is signed between the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Ministry of Education, and this plan is implemented as a national program in Iran for improvement of the safety and health in schools. We suggest that establishment and maintenance of the health management system in schools and ranking and granting stars to them is one of the most appropriate plans in this regard to be implemented in the region.

Health insurers promoting employee wellness: strategies, program components and results.

Abstract: Purpose To examine health insurance companies' role in employee wellness. Approach Case studies of eight insurers. Setting Wellness activities in work, clinical, online, and telephonic settings. Participants Senior executives and wellness program leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurers and from one wellness organization. Methods Telephone interviews with 20 informants. Results Health insurers were engaged in wellness as part of their mission to promote health and reduce health care costs. Program components included the following: education, health risk assessments, incentives, coaching, environmental consultation, targeted programming, onsite biometric screening, professional support, and full-time wellness staff. Programs relied almost exclusively on positive incentives to encourage participation. Results included participation rates as high as 90%, return on investment ranging from $1.09 to $1.65, and improved health outcomes. Conclusion Health insurers have expertise in developing...

System and method thereof for health data management

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and a method thereof for health data management, which are used for solving the problem that health management cannot be carried out according to the health data in the past. The health data stored at an action end are transmitted to a servo end through a client to generate a health program, and the health program is stored at the action end for setting operation parameters of a health device according to the health program after the action end is connected to the health device so as to achieve the technical effect of promoting the availability of the health data.

Leading and Managing the Implementation Process: The Key to Successful National Health Reform

Abstract: Introduction: The Australian Government recently announced major reforms to the health system - A National Health and Hospitals Network for Australia's Future. The national health reform plan involves substantial structural change which the Government expects will deliver 'better health and hospitals' for future generations. Approach: A review is undertaken of the proposed set of reforms to determine whether its frame of reference can contribute to the effective achievement of the desired health and hospitals outcomes. Findings: The national health reform plan was found to have two striking weaknesses. Firstly, it fails to account for the political, cultural, behavioural and professional aspects of change. Secondly, it fails to position leadership and health management as central to the implementation of reform. Conclusion: The complexity of major structural change is such that major health reform strategies need to incorporate proper assessment of organisational behaviour aspects within a system which values the central roles of leadership and health management. A new leadership model for introducing health reform is presented.

Hospital management autonomy in Chile: the challenges for human resources in health

Abstract: In Latin America, some health sector reforms have included steps to the implementation of autonomous hospitals. In Chile, the health system is implementing a reform that introduces a network of self-managed institutions. These organizations will be high complexity centers that involve greater technical diversity, cost centers and mechanisms to evaluate users' satisfaction. For human resources in health, the implementation of these centers creates challenges in the planning of service provision and a change from the traditional management style of the teams to one based on networks. These challenges include the estimation of gaps in medical specialists and in other professions in the health sector. In order to be successful with self-management, Chile needs to establish universal and local policies that address training and the organization of health service provisioning in these institutions.

Evaluation of Health Information Systems in Brazil

Abstract: Knowing the level of population health is necessary for the assessment of priorities and to establish appropriate programs. Health indicators facilitate this evaluation, but their quality depends on the accuracy of the health information systems. In 2000, WHO highlighted five critical points related to health systems, which could represent obstacles for health management. This article aims to show failures in the main Brazilian health information systems according to those five points. The inappropriate offer of needed data to the managers, the lack of data feedback among local, regional and national levels, incomplete, inadequate, inopportune data and information unrelated to priority actions are presented as the main problems. It is also observed the need to respect standardized concepts and definitions, to adjust the elaboration of items in questionnaires and to link different data bases. Health managers recognize that one of the most important tools for health monitoring is the information, since “information-decisionaction” summarizes the dynamics of Epidemiological Surveillance. In all Brazilian health systems some significant improvement is occurring, but much more has to be done for the information to fulfill its rightful role in the context of the Brazilian health.

A knowledge management system for study of quality of life in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract: The perception that an individual has on his place in life, with your culture and values, defines the individual quality of life (QoL). When applied in a health context is defined as: Quality of Life Related to Health (QdLRH). The evaluation of QdVRH is an objective in medicine, used in clinical research, in medical practice in health economic studies and strategic planning for health management. Achieving self-patient response to instruments measuring QoL, made through friendly software, easy to adapt to the user, helping to research, promotes the creation of databases and their statistical processing speeds. The possibility to translate into chart the results, immediately after obtaining the responses, transform, this evaluation in a diagnostic tool to use in routine clinical practice. The Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) applied in this context, let you create and store knowledge and guide the therapeutic decision. This article the routine QdVRS evaluation whit KMS. Describes the importance of a detailed analysis to identify requirements that lead to the development of an implementation model that enables to convert tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge, which it does not affect the normal functioning of health facilities and to promote the optimization of the QoL cancer patient.

Method and apparatus for providing health management information

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing health management information to a patient. Patients are grouped according to their personal health records, order is determined between the patients in each group, and health management information of a patient highly ordered in each group is automatically provided to a patient lower ordered in the each group.

Personal health systems - Opportunities and barriers for adoption

Abstract: Summary form only given. Increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related health risks and chronic diseases, coupled with limited resources in the healthcare system, calls for citizen-centric health promotion and disease prevention measures as well as new care models for management of chronic diseases. As a future scenario emphasis of the health care should gradually shift from treating and managing of diseases to their prevention and early interventions. The risk of chronic diseases begins to rise and physical capacity begins to decline after the age of 30. Therefore, working-age citizens are an important target group for health promotion and early interventions. Personal Health Systems (PHS) may be used for supporting psychological therapies, self-management of chronic diseases, and behavioral change. Especially Web-based programs have been successfully utilized for facilitating self-monitoring, distribution of information, and communications between clients and healthcare professionals. More recently, the focus has started to turn towards mobile devices and health monitoring tools. By combing different technologies into a comprehensive toolbox of methods for health management, providing the citizen freedom to choose which of them to use, and offering him a specifically designed technology supported intervention program, has proved as a successful strategy. In this presentation, some of these results are reviewed.

Adopting a proactive approach to good health: A way forward for rural Australians

Abstract: Minimising discrepancies between Australia's rural and the more favourable urban health status relates to more than workforce recruitment, retention and access to health services: A proactive strategy, using resources at hand, can empower people to improve their health. Academics from a nurse education unit have, therefore, regularly engaged with local communities in various activities to promote and maintain health. Participants range from children to older adults. The impact of these programs is examined is examined in this paper, reviewing the benefits to participants, contribution to students' learning, and development of university-community relationships. Participants' perceptions of the educational sessions and health-promoting activities were gathered using surveys and anecdotal accounts. Using Mezirow's reflective framework and Prochaska et al. stages of change, the authors critically reflected on the learning involved, and on the real and potential health outcomes of the activities. Participants' feedback on a range of such activities revealed consistently high satisfaction over the past decade. These health initiatives have challenged some of the existing health habits of participants' culture. Continuing these endeavours in close collaboration with communities contributes to developing participants' self-efficacy and building community capacity through increased knowledge of health management and links to health resources.

An Evaluation of Effects on Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Management of a Community-Based Nursing Care Center Using Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract: Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the economic efficiency of a community-based nursing care center to help policy makers determine whether or not to invest in similar facilities. Methods: The subjects were 101 elderly people over 65 years who participated in a health management program from February 1 to July 31, 2007. Direct cost was estimated with center operations cost, medical cost for out-patients and pharmacy cost. Indirect cost was measured by transportation cost. Direct benefit was calculated by saved medical cost for out-patients, saved pharmacy cost, saved transportation cost, and reducing hospital charges. Indirect benefit was estimated with prevention of severe complications. Economic efficiency was evaluated by cost-benefit ratio and net benefit. Results: Operating a community-based nursing care center was found to be cost-effective. Specifically, the cost of operating the center evaluated here was estimated at 135 million won while the benefit was estimated at 187 million won. Benefit-cost ratio was 1.38. Conclusion: The Community-based nursing care center that was described here could be a useful health care delivery system for reducing medical expenditures.

Master’s programmes in public health sciences in Serbia: Future perspectives

Abstract: This manuscript deals with public health training, research and practice in order to identify the future perspectives and requirements of master’s programmes in public health sciences in Serbia. A wide array of documents and websites was analysed. The methods used for data collection were: (1) review of the existing written reports, the relevant legislation and other documents, and (2) Internet searches accessing the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Serbia as well as websites covering thematic areas in European and global education, research and development. Use has also been made of the results of the European Union projects done in the field of public health in Serbia, particularly the Tempus programme “Postgraduate Studies in Public Health Sciences”. The most important role in the field of change in public health in Serbia is played by the School of Public Health (SPH) and the Institutes of Public Health (IPH). Although at the managerial level the need for change has been perceived, in general there is not a shared, clear vision of what the change should be and how this should happen. The reorganisation of the IPH in Serbia is greatly needed given their poor present performance and the expectations of the government to reach EU standards and to increase the health status of the Serbian population. The main obstacles are seen to be inappropriate legislation, lack of financial resources and insufficiently trained staff. Three areas with priority for future development have been identified: (1) doctoral programmes in public health and in health policy and management, (2) expansion of continuing and life-long learning in good governance and public health management, and (3) increasing the research base in public health and management. The need for a better trained workforce in the fields of public health, health management and health promotion is clearly recognised by public health professionals in Serbia. Therefore, the educational infrastructure should be amended by doctoral programmes and life-long learning schemes, based on intensified public health research.

Ethical Issues of Health Management Predictive Modeling

Abstract: The role of workplace-based health management is more important than ever as employers seek solutions to control escalating healthcare costs. According to Hewitt Associates employer health care costs in the United States have risen 76% over the past five years with 83% of healthcare spending attributable to chronic health conditions. Review of claims data indicates that 1 percent of the population is responsible for 30% of healthcare cost and 10% for 70% of cost, mostly due to chronic and complex conditions (Berk & Monheit, 2001). The challenge for those responsible for health management is early identification of those at risk and the ability to steer them to interventions and treatment that reduce risk and improve health status (Hewitt Associates, 2006). While it is relatively easy to identify those that are current high users of healthcare services through insurance claims data, identifying the transitional population those who are currently healthy or light users of services but are eminent high users, is more complex. Predictive Modeling ABSTRACT

The Prevention and Control on the Chronic Non-communicable Diseases during Health Reform in China

Abstract: The chronic non-communicable diseases(NCD) and the related risk factors have been increasing at present,so as to cause a serious influence to people's health and society development.The innovation of mechanism on medical health system has being carried out in China,which will promote effective implement of strategies on NCD,including building National and provincial committees on People's Health,providing population-based prevention and control risk factors as public good funded by government,the high-risk population-based on integrative disease and health management supported by health insurance,constitute the comprehensive surveillance system in order to evaluate impact of NCD control.

The Current Status of General Health Education Curriculum in Technical Institutes and Universities in Taiwan

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand the current status of the establishment of “general health education curriculum” by technical institutes and universities in Taiwan A questionnaire survey method was used A total of 75 questionnaires were sent and 41 were returned; the valid return rate was 547% The result showed that the courses on general health can be categorized into four groups: physiological, psychological, nutritional, and fitness health Group the curriculum by academic fields, and the natural sciences are the course offered by most schools Group the curriculum by subjects, and courses offered by non-medical institutes focused mostly on psychological and lifestyles (health psychology), while that of the medical-related institutes offer most curriculums in health management (health promotion, health-related physical fitness), health and exercise, medicine and lifestyles (healthcare and life) and nutrition

Development of a Community-based Preventive Health Care Model for the Elderly in Korea through the Evaluation of a Japanese Counterpart

Abstract: Purpose:Through a thorough examination of the CCSC (Community Comprehensive Support Center) system inJapan, thisstudysuggestsaschemetoprovidecommunity-basedpreventivehealthcareservicesfortheelderly in Korea. Methods:The studyinquired into the applicabilityof the Japanesemodel byreviewing the data related to the CCSC project, aided by both in-depth interviews with staff in the field and consultations with specialists. Results:Rearrangement of the VisitingHealth Management Project systemis neededto managethe collective or individual visitingcare management for frailty preventionof theelderlyincommunities. The delegated service system for preventive care in the community, including direct management by one of the public health centers, also needstobereviewed and theapplication of stricter standardsfor the selectionof the agencyor corporation to runthe delegatedserviceisnecessary. Long-Term Care Insurance, alongwith national andlocal grants, is to be considered as a financial resource for the community-based preventive health care model for the elderly. By making active use of education rooms at district offices, senior citizen centers in neighborhoods for the elderly witheasy accesscanbecreated. Theprojectneedsto raise activesupportsfromcommunities,developprograms which can be absorbed into particular local cultures, andpromote the understanding of the preventiveproject in local communities. Thepreventive programshould focus on first solvingthe problems of depression, seclusion, and lack of mobility of the elderly. Second, the program should instruct physical self-management for exercisenutrition-dental maintenance, and third, the program should strengthen the cognitive abilities of the elderly. In addition, it isnecessary tosystematize and implement counter-plans of the family and communityto protect the elderlywho has mental and cognitiveproblems. Finally, byestablishinganetworkof publichealthwelfareresourcesbaseduponresearchon a community level, assessment andplanningfor thehealthof the elderly shouldbe one with their family, and comprehensive consultation and recommendations should be provided to the family. Conclusion: Taking into consideration the experience Japan has had with respect to a similar project, it is appropriate to develop and implement a service system which would combine the Visiting Health Management Project system which has already been established and a preventive health care model for the elderly on a community level.

Clinicians in health management

Abstract: 1 Мр сц. мед. др Соња Новак, независни консултант. Сажетак: Научну основу менаџмента у здравству представља процес управљања, који заузима посебно место у клиничкој здравственој нези. Циљ овог рада био је да се анализира улога клиничког лекара у контексту здравственог менаџмента, а све у циљу унапређења постојећег здравственог система у Србији. Улога лекара клиничара разматрана је у различитим променљивим ситуацијама. Реформом система здравствене заштите у нашој земљи усвојена је здравствена политика на националном нивоу, дефинисани су приоритети и планирање развоја здравствене заштите и јавно здравствена стратегија, а нешто мање пажње обраћа се на менаџмент, што је неопходно како би здравствена организација радила ефикасно и за добробит и задовољство пацијената и запослених. Кључне речи: управљање, клиничко здравље, менаџмент.

Avaliação das condições de funcionamento do conselho municipal de saúde do município de Ingazeira - PE

Abstract: With the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS) was institutionalized popular participation in health management. Were established as forums for the exercise of social control conferences and boards of health. This study aimed to evaluate the operating conditions of the Municipal Health Council of the City of Ingazeira (PE). This was an exploratory study of qualitative nature, where interviews were conducted, through a structured form, with all directors of county health permitting, thus examine the level of knowledge of their counselors and identify problems in the council. The Municipal Health Council has a key role in the formulation, implementation and supervision of public health policies in this sphere of government and demonstrates the ability of social control that shows that community. This is social control which makes able the possibility of ordinary citizens, the SUS, health professionals, health managers, service providers, public and private, participate in formulating public health policies to be implemented in your municipality. But what we see around Brazil, are the Municipal Health Councils, with only consultative character and countersigning of decisions, they do not participate in the formulation and not, as advocated deliberative. This study aimed to elucidate some barriers that make the Municipal Councils of health can not play its real role, which is asserting the rights of all citizens who seek a more universal health care, comprehensive and equal.

Analysis on Current Situation and Influencing Factors of the Rural Elders’health Knowledge

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To know about the health knowledge level of the rural elders and its influencing factors, and provide evidence for health management department to improve health knowledge level of rural elders and their health. METHODS Using stratified sampling and random sampling to select 610 rural elders from Shandong Province. Statistical description was used to know the status of rural elders’ health knowledge. And non-conditional Logistic regression was used to analysis the influencing factors of health knowledge level about the rural elders. RESULTS The level of health knowledge was low in rural elders; The rural elders accepted health knowledge mainly through television and radio, friends, health care institutions. Marriage, education, house type, whether knowing the health knowledge voluntarily, whether conducting health education can influence the health knowledge level. CONCLUSION In order to improve the rural elders’ heath, health management department should take health interventions to improve the health knowledge level and enhance awareness of self-care.

Health data management system and method thereof

Abstract: A health data management system and method thereof is disclosed to solve the problem of health management according as health data. The health data stored in a mobile device can be transmitted to a server by connected computer client for generating a health program and restored the health program in the mobile device. When the mobile device connected to a health device, the parameters of the health device can be configured according to the health program. The mechanism is help to move up the usability of the health data.