Background: Nigeria, a nation grappling with rapid population growth, economic intricacies, and complex healthcare challenges, particularly in Lagos State, the economic hub and most populous state, faces the challenge...Background: Nigeria, a nation grappling with rapid population growth, economic intricacies, and complex healthcare challenges, particularly in Lagos State, the economic hub and most populous state, faces the challenge of ensuring quality healthcare access. The overview of the effect of quality improvement initiatives in this paper focuses on private healthcare providers in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study assesses the impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects on these private healthcare facilities. It explores the level of participation, perceived support, and tangible effects of the initiatives on healthcare delivery within private healthcare facilities. It also examines how these initiatives influence patient inflow and facility ratings, and bring about additional benefits and improvements, provides insights into the challenges faced by private healthcare providers in implementing quality improvement projects and elicits recommendations for improving the effectiveness of such initiatives. Methods: Qualitative research design was employed for in-depth exploration, utilizing semi-structured interviews. Private healthcare providers in Lagos involved in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project were purposively sampled for diversity. Face-to-face interviews elicited insights into participation, perceived support, and project effects. Questions covered participation levels, support perception, changes observed, challenges faced, and recommendations. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes from interview transcripts. Adherence to ethical guidelines ensured participant confidentiality and informed consent. Results: Respondents affirmed active involvement in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project, echoing literature emphasizing private-sector collaboration with the public sector. While acknowledging positive influences on facility ratings, respondents highlighted challenges within the broader Nigerian healthcare landscape affecting patient numbers. Respondents cited tangible improvements, particularly in staff management and patient care processes, validating the positive influence of quality improvement projects. Financial constraints emerged as a significant challenge, aligning with existing literature emphasizing the pragmatic difficulties faced by private healthcare providers. Conclusions: This study illuminates the complex landscape of private healthcare provision in Lagos State, emphasizing the positive impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects. The findings provide nuanced insights, guiding policymakers, healthcare managers, and practitioners toward collaborative, sustainable improvements. As Nigeria progresses, these lessons will be crucial in shaping healthcare policies prioritizing population well-being.展开更多
Digital technology has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery, exerting profound influence on patient outcomes. This paper delves into the roles played by telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and mob...Digital technology has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery, exerting profound influence on patient outcomes. This paper delves into the roles played by telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health applications in augmenting healthcare services. The objective is to scrutinize the ways in which these digital innovations enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, while also identifying the attendant challenges in their adoption. To achieve this, a rigorous literature review encompassing peer-reviewed articles, reports, and case studies that examine the impact of digital technology in healthcare settings was conducted. The findings underscore that digital technology significantly bolsters patient care by enhancing access, operational efficiency, and diagnostic accuracy. Nonetheless, persistent challenges such as safeguarding data privacy, ensuring interoperability across systems, and managing implementation costs continue to pose significant hurdles.展开更多
Background: Behind every great system is an organized team;this is especially true in the healthcare industry, where a dedicated human resources team can effectively recruit employees, train staff, and implement safet...Background: Behind every great system is an organized team;this is especially true in the healthcare industry, where a dedicated human resources team can effectively recruit employees, train staff, and implement safety measures in the workplace. The importance of human resources in the healthcare industry cannot be overstated, with benefits ranging from providing an orderly and effectively run facility to equipping staff with the most accurate and up-to-date training. Proper human resources management is critical in providing high-quality health care. A refocus on human resources management in healthcare requires more research to develop new policies. Effective human resources management strategies are greatly needed to achieve better outcomes and access to health care worldwide. Methods: This study leveraged NOI Polls census data on Health Facility Assessment for Lagos State. One thousand two hundred fifty-six health care facilities were assessed in Lagos State;numbers of Health workers were documented alongside their area of specialization. Also, demographic characterizations of the facilities, such as LGA, Ownership type, Facility Level Care, and Category of the facility, were also documented. Descriptive statistics alongside cross tabulation was done to present the various area of specialization of the health workers. Multiple response analysis was done to understand the distribution of human resources across the health facilities. At the same time, Chi-square and correlation tests were conducted to test the independence of various categories recorded while understanding the relationships among selected specialties. Results: The study revealed that Nurses were the most common health specialist in the Lagos State health facilities. At the same time, Gynecologists and General surgeons are the two medical specialists mostly common in health facilities. Midwives are the second most common health specialist working full time, while Generalist medical doctors make up the top three health specialists working full time. Nurses and Midwives had the highest number in Lagos State, while Pulmonologists were currently the lowest human resource available in Lagos State health care system. It was also noted that health facility distribution across Lagos’s urban and rural areas was even. In contrast, distribution based on other factors such as ownership type, Facility level of care, and facility category was slightly skewed. Conclusion: The distribution of health workers in health facility across LGA in Lagos State depend on Ownership type, Facility level of care, and category of the facility.展开更多
The delivery of medical student education has changed rapidly during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Students in their pre-clinical years have transitioned to online courses and examinations.Students in...The delivery of medical student education has changed rapidly during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Students in their pre-clinical years have transitioned to online courses and examinations.Students in their clinical years are not permitted on clinical rotations,and face uncertainties in career exploration and the residency application process.Medical students in all stages of training are volunteering and helping their communities.The future presence of COVID-19 throughout the United States is unknown,and medical students are eager to return to their training.This paper outlines current challenges in medical student education and the various responses that have been adopted.We also discuss possible future directions for students through involvement in telemedicine,outpatient clinic visits,and non-respiratory inpatient care tasks as adequate personal protective equipment,COVID-19 testing,and resources become more widely available.展开更多
In this paper, we discuss the advantages of integrated services digital network (ISDN) as an infrastructure for telemedicine applications. The facilities provided by ISDN, which are necessary to telemedicine, are list...In this paper, we discuss the advantages of integrated services digital network (ISDN) as an infrastructure for telemedicine applications. The facilities provided by ISDN, which are necessary to telemedicine, are listed and some of the ISDN solutions to telemedicine are discussed. Some of the current popular telemedicine systems that based on ISDN are mentioned, with some discussion of the future ISDN telemedicine applications.展开更多
In this article,we discuss evidence supporting the effective implementation of e Health,telehealth,and telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,with a view towards its permanent future integration in ...In this article,we discuss evidence supporting the effective implementation of e Health,telehealth,and telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,with a view towards its permanent future integration in healthcare.We performed a literature search for articles describing the use of telehealth/telemedicine in the pandemic context using five databases.The articles selected describe the use of telemedicine as its advantages in terms of practicality and costeffectiveness.This synthesis of articles is applicable to high-,middle-and lowincome countries.Some of the notable benefits include breaking down geographical and time barriers,reducing waiting lists and crowding in healthcare facilities,and saving on national healthcare expenditure.However,there are a number of difficulties with the widespread implementation of telemedicine services that mainly relate to bureaucratic and regulatory concerns.Moreover,it is also important to make healthcare professionals and providers aware of the limits of this tool to avoid potential cases of negligence.Patients in turn will have to be made aware of and be educated on the use of this new healthcare modality before it is accepted by them.In the current socio-economic climate,it is therefore essential to implement a telehealth model aimed at efficiency and continuity of healthcare,as well as leading to an improvement in the quality of life of patients,whilst optimising existing resources and reducing costs.In that regard,the adoption of e Health,telehealth,and telemedicine services should be considered highly timely,despite current existing limitations.展开更多
Background Social innovation(SI)in health holds potential to contribute to health systems strengthening and universal health coverage(UHC).The role of universities in SI has been well described in the context of high-...Background Social innovation(SI)in health holds potential to contribute to health systems strengthening and universal health coverage(UHC).The role of universities in SI has been well described in the context of high-income countries.An evidence gap exits on SI in healthcare delivery in the context of low-and middle-income countries(LMICs)as well as on the engagement of universities from these contexts.There is thus a need to build capacity for research and engagement in SI in healthcare delivery within these universities.The aim of this study was to examine the adoption and implementation of network of university hubs focused on SI in healthcare delivery within five countries across Africa,Asia and Latin America.The objectives were to describe the model,components and implementation process of the hubs;identify the enablers and barriers experienced and draw implications that could be relevant to other LMIC universities interested in SI.Methods A case study design was adopted to study the implementation process of a network of university hubs.Data from documentation,team discussions and post-implementation surveys were collected from 2013 to 2018 and analysed with aid of a modified policy analysis framework.Results/discussion SI university-based hubs serve as cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral platforms,established to catalyse SI within the local health system through four core activities:research,community-building,storytelling and institutional embedding,and adhering to values of inclusion,assets,co-creation and hope.Hubs were implemented as informal structures,managed by a small core team,in existing department.Enablers of hub implementation and functioning were the availability of strong in-country social networks,legitimacy attained from being part of a global network on SI in health and receiving a capacity building package in the initial stages.Barriers encountered were internal institutional resistance,administrative challenges associated with university bureaucracy and annual funding cycles.Conclusions This case study shows the opportunity that reside within LMIC universities to act as eco-system enablers of SI in healthcare delivery in order to fill the evidence gap on SI and enhance cross-sectoral participation in support of achieving UHC.展开更多
文摘Background: Nigeria, a nation grappling with rapid population growth, economic intricacies, and complex healthcare challenges, particularly in Lagos State, the economic hub and most populous state, faces the challenge of ensuring quality healthcare access. The overview of the effect of quality improvement initiatives in this paper focuses on private healthcare providers in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study assesses the impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects on these private healthcare facilities. It explores the level of participation, perceived support, and tangible effects of the initiatives on healthcare delivery within private healthcare facilities. It also examines how these initiatives influence patient inflow and facility ratings, and bring about additional benefits and improvements, provides insights into the challenges faced by private healthcare providers in implementing quality improvement projects and elicits recommendations for improving the effectiveness of such initiatives. Methods: Qualitative research design was employed for in-depth exploration, utilizing semi-structured interviews. Private healthcare providers in Lagos involved in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project were purposively sampled for diversity. Face-to-face interviews elicited insights into participation, perceived support, and project effects. Questions covered participation levels, support perception, changes observed, challenges faced, and recommendations. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes from interview transcripts. Adherence to ethical guidelines ensured participant confidentiality and informed consent. Results: Respondents affirmed active involvement in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project, echoing literature emphasizing private-sector collaboration with the public sector. While acknowledging positive influences on facility ratings, respondents highlighted challenges within the broader Nigerian healthcare landscape affecting patient numbers. Respondents cited tangible improvements, particularly in staff management and patient care processes, validating the positive influence of quality improvement projects. Financial constraints emerged as a significant challenge, aligning with existing literature emphasizing the pragmatic difficulties faced by private healthcare providers. Conclusions: This study illuminates the complex landscape of private healthcare provision in Lagos State, emphasizing the positive impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects. The findings provide nuanced insights, guiding policymakers, healthcare managers, and practitioners toward collaborative, sustainable improvements. As Nigeria progresses, these lessons will be crucial in shaping healthcare policies prioritizing population well-being.
文摘Digital technology has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery, exerting profound influence on patient outcomes. This paper delves into the roles played by telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health applications in augmenting healthcare services. The objective is to scrutinize the ways in which these digital innovations enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, while also identifying the attendant challenges in their adoption. To achieve this, a rigorous literature review encompassing peer-reviewed articles, reports, and case studies that examine the impact of digital technology in healthcare settings was conducted. The findings underscore that digital technology significantly bolsters patient care by enhancing access, operational efficiency, and diagnostic accuracy. Nonetheless, persistent challenges such as safeguarding data privacy, ensuring interoperability across systems, and managing implementation costs continue to pose significant hurdles.
文摘Background: Behind every great system is an organized team;this is especially true in the healthcare industry, where a dedicated human resources team can effectively recruit employees, train staff, and implement safety measures in the workplace. The importance of human resources in the healthcare industry cannot be overstated, with benefits ranging from providing an orderly and effectively run facility to equipping staff with the most accurate and up-to-date training. Proper human resources management is critical in providing high-quality health care. A refocus on human resources management in healthcare requires more research to develop new policies. Effective human resources management strategies are greatly needed to achieve better outcomes and access to health care worldwide. Methods: This study leveraged NOI Polls census data on Health Facility Assessment for Lagos State. One thousand two hundred fifty-six health care facilities were assessed in Lagos State;numbers of Health workers were documented alongside their area of specialization. Also, demographic characterizations of the facilities, such as LGA, Ownership type, Facility Level Care, and Category of the facility, were also documented. Descriptive statistics alongside cross tabulation was done to present the various area of specialization of the health workers. Multiple response analysis was done to understand the distribution of human resources across the health facilities. At the same time, Chi-square and correlation tests were conducted to test the independence of various categories recorded while understanding the relationships among selected specialties. Results: The study revealed that Nurses were the most common health specialist in the Lagos State health facilities. At the same time, Gynecologists and General surgeons are the two medical specialists mostly common in health facilities. Midwives are the second most common health specialist working full time, while Generalist medical doctors make up the top three health specialists working full time. Nurses and Midwives had the highest number in Lagos State, while Pulmonologists were currently the lowest human resource available in Lagos State health care system. It was also noted that health facility distribution across Lagos’s urban and rural areas was even. In contrast, distribution based on other factors such as ownership type, Facility level of care, and facility category was slightly skewed. Conclusion: The distribution of health workers in health facility across LGA in Lagos State depend on Ownership type, Facility level of care, and category of the facility.
文摘The delivery of medical student education has changed rapidly during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Students in their pre-clinical years have transitioned to online courses and examinations.Students in their clinical years are not permitted on clinical rotations,and face uncertainties in career exploration and the residency application process.Medical students in all stages of training are volunteering and helping their communities.The future presence of COVID-19 throughout the United States is unknown,and medical students are eager to return to their training.This paper outlines current challenges in medical student education and the various responses that have been adopted.We also discuss possible future directions for students through involvement in telemedicine,outpatient clinic visits,and non-respiratory inpatient care tasks as adequate personal protective equipment,COVID-19 testing,and resources become more widely available.
文摘In this paper, we discuss the advantages of integrated services digital network (ISDN) as an infrastructure for telemedicine applications. The facilities provided by ISDN, which are necessary to telemedicine, are listed and some of the ISDN solutions to telemedicine are discussed. Some of the current popular telemedicine systems that based on ISDN are mentioned, with some discussion of the future ISDN telemedicine applications.
文摘In this article,we discuss evidence supporting the effective implementation of e Health,telehealth,and telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,with a view towards its permanent future integration in healthcare.We performed a literature search for articles describing the use of telehealth/telemedicine in the pandemic context using five databases.The articles selected describe the use of telemedicine as its advantages in terms of practicality and costeffectiveness.This synthesis of articles is applicable to high-,middle-and lowincome countries.Some of the notable benefits include breaking down geographical and time barriers,reducing waiting lists and crowding in healthcare facilities,and saving on national healthcare expenditure.However,there are a number of difficulties with the widespread implementation of telemedicine services that mainly relate to bureaucratic and regulatory concerns.Moreover,it is also important to make healthcare professionals and providers aware of the limits of this tool to avoid potential cases of negligence.Patients in turn will have to be made aware of and be educated on the use of this new healthcare modality before it is accepted by them.In the current socio-economic climate,it is therefore essential to implement a telehealth model aimed at efficiency and continuity of healthcare,as well as leading to an improvement in the quality of life of patients,whilst optimising existing resources and reducing costs.In that regard,the adoption of e Health,telehealth,and telemedicine services should be considered highly timely,despite current existing limitations.
文摘Background Social innovation(SI)in health holds potential to contribute to health systems strengthening and universal health coverage(UHC).The role of universities in SI has been well described in the context of high-income countries.An evidence gap exits on SI in healthcare delivery in the context of low-and middle-income countries(LMICs)as well as on the engagement of universities from these contexts.There is thus a need to build capacity for research and engagement in SI in healthcare delivery within these universities.The aim of this study was to examine the adoption and implementation of network of university hubs focused on SI in healthcare delivery within five countries across Africa,Asia and Latin America.The objectives were to describe the model,components and implementation process of the hubs;identify the enablers and barriers experienced and draw implications that could be relevant to other LMIC universities interested in SI.Methods A case study design was adopted to study the implementation process of a network of university hubs.Data from documentation,team discussions and post-implementation surveys were collected from 2013 to 2018 and analysed with aid of a modified policy analysis framework.Results/discussion SI university-based hubs serve as cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral platforms,established to catalyse SI within the local health system through four core activities:research,community-building,storytelling and institutional embedding,and adhering to values of inclusion,assets,co-creation and hope.Hubs were implemented as informal structures,managed by a small core team,in existing department.Enablers of hub implementation and functioning were the availability of strong in-country social networks,legitimacy attained from being part of a global network on SI in health and receiving a capacity building package in the initial stages.Barriers encountered were internal institutional resistance,administrative challenges associated with university bureaucracy and annual funding cycles.Conclusions This case study shows the opportunity that reside within LMIC universities to act as eco-system enablers of SI in healthcare delivery in order to fill the evidence gap on SI and enhance cross-sectoral participation in support of achieving UHC.
