Knowledge and use of e-resources by medical researchers in Lagos State university college of medicine: A case study

Background: E-resources are one of the major sources of scientific information which provides the user with more precise and quick information. The completeness and quality of information accessible on electronic resources makes it dependable, reliable sources of information and knowledge production in the academic community. Information accessibility is pivotal in the health research environment as it helps in quick and effective response to challenges and complexities as they arise. However, the level of knowledge possessed by medical researchers in Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) is important for teaching, learning and research. Hence, this study evaluated knowledge and use of e-resources by medical researchers in LASUCOM. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population is 400 postgraduate students (MPH, resident doctors) and research scholars. The sample size is 200, representing 50% of the total population. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire on knowledge and use of e-resources by the respondents. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were used reporting the data. Results: The results revealed the knowledge of medical researchers about electronic resources including journals (91.8%), books (89.4%), theses/dissertations (82.3%). Also, electronic resources were used for the purpose of obtaining current information (78.8%) and for academic /study purposes (78.8%). PubMed/MEDLINE (96.5%), PubMed Central (92.9%), African Journals Online (92.9%) were the most preferred electronic resources used by postgraduate and medical researchers in LASUCOM. Conclusion: The study concluded that librarians should be trained to support researchers in the research process. The study recommended that librarians should create awareness about electronic resources available and accessible in the library. Also, the library should provide adequate user education on database interface usage and optimal search skill techniques for retrieval of relevant information in the Medical Library.

Health resources for South Africa: A scoping review

Background: Healthcare is more effective when people are treated in their own language with respect for their culture. However, information about the availability and nature of health resources is fragmented and studies suggest few assessments, screening tools, or other health resources in many of South Africa's languages.Aim: This scoping review identified health resources written in the eleven official languages of South Africa for health professionals to use for patient assessment and management.Methods: Databases were searched and information about resources collated and analysed.Results: Two-hundred-and-fifty two unique resources were found (444 items, if different language versions of the same resource were counted separately). All official languages were represented. The most widely used (excluding English) were Afrikaans (118 resources), IsiXhosa (80) and IsiZulu (55).Conclusion: Development of more health resources and critical evaluation of their validity and reliability remain important. This study contributes a preliminary database for South African health professionals, ultimately promoting improved service delivery

Estimating healthcare resource needs for COVID-19 patients in Nigeria

Introduction: continuous assessment of healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic will help in proper planning and to prevent an overwhelming of the Nigerian healthcare system. In this study, we aim to predict the effect of COVID-19 on hospital resources in Nigeria.Methods: we adopted a previously published discrete-time, individual-level, health-state transition model of symptomatic COVID-19 patients to the Nigerian healthcare system and COVID-19 epidemiology in Nigeria by September 2020. We simulated different combined scenarios of epidemic trajectories and acute care capacity. Primary outcomes included the expected cumulative number of cases, days until depletion resources and the number of deaths associated with resource constraints. Outcomes were predicted over a 60-day time horizon.Results: in our best-case epidemic trajectory, which implies successful implementation of public health measures to control COVID-19 spread, assuming all three resource scenarios, hospital resources would not be expended within the 60-days time horizon. In our worst-case epidemic trajectory, assuming conservative resource scenario, only ventilated ICU beds would be depleted after 39 days and 16 patients were projected to die while waiting for ventilated ICU bed. Acute care resources were only sufficient in the three epidemic trajectory scenarios when combined with a substantial increase in healthcare resources.Conclusion: substantial increase in hospital resources is required to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, even as the infection growth rate declines. Given Nigeria's limited health resources, it is imperative to focus on maintaining aggressive public health measures as well as increasing hospital resources to reduce COVID-19 transmission further

Is the health workforce distribution in Beijing, China perfectly equitable?

Background: The quantity and distribution of the health workforce is one of the most important aspects of a health care system. Inequality in the distribution of the health workforce is common in China and in many developing countries. This paper aimed to evaluate and discuss inequality in the distribution of the health workforce in Beijing, China, and explain the sources of the inequality. Methods: The study described and measured inequality in the distribution of the health workforce in Beijing using data from the Beijing Regional Statistical Yearbook 2017. The 16 districts of Beijing are divided into four divisions and the paper used methods from the economics literature, including the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient and Theil L index, to measure inequality in the distribution of the health workforce at sub-provincial level in Beijing for three categories of health workers: doctors, nurses and all health workers. Results: There are inequalities in the densities of health workers at the district and division levels. In terms of the densities of all health workers, doctors and nurses, the Capital Core Functional Division is 3.95 times, 3.82 times and 4.13 times, respectively, higher than the Urban Development New Division. All the Gini coefficients are between than 0.2 to 0.3, which means that the health worker distribution is rather equitable. The Theil L index shows that the inequalities mainly come from the differences between the four divisions, and that nurses are more unequally distributed between divisions (0.28 for Gini coefficient and 0.380 for the Theil L index). Conclusions and recommendations: According to the study findings, the inequalities in health workforce distribution in Beijing could be addressed by increasing investment in the numbers and quality of nurses, as well as by establishing additional policies to attract more health workers to work in remote areas. Chinese governments need to think more carefully about the current distribution of health workers at the sub-provincial level

Completeness and adequacy of clinical and demographic information in non- gynaecologic surgical pathology requisition forms: an analysis of 1046 cases

BACKGROUND: An important cornerstone in health care delivery is the field of surgical pathology and one of its major aims is to provide a complete, precise and comprehensive diagnosis within a short period of time. In achieving this, the clinician needs to properly fill a surgical pathology requisition form.METHOD: All the consecutive requisition forms from January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018, totaling 1046 were evaluated for completeness of the information. The requesting clinicians were unaware and cytologic smears were excluded. Patient confidentiality was maintained as no names were recorded. All the Information on the forms was recorded as being present or absent. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.RESULTS: Altogether 1046 forms were evaluated and (100%) of the sample population bore the surnames and first names. Ages were recorded in 93.7%. Similarly, 68.2% of the forms did not bear the hospital number. Clinical summary and date of request were absent in 42.9% and 35.4% of the forms respectively. Clinicians name/ signature and investigation required were absent in 25.1% and 21.1% of the forms respectively. Overall, 77.6% of information was provided while 22.4% not provided.CONCLUSION: The names were completely filled in all the requisition forms. Others were incompletely filled. These findings should be communicated to Clinicians and the recurring attitude of allowing House Officers to fill the requisition forms should be discouraged. Efforts should also be made to let Clinicians appreciate the importance of good clinical information since this determines to a large extent the output of laboratory results

Essentials for emergency care: lessons from an inventory assessment of an emergency centre in Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction:The World Health Organization (WHO) has published lists of essential equipment and supplies for delivering emergency care in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to assess material resources available for adult emergency care at a major academic tertiary care referral centre in Accra; Ghana; to determine quality improvement needs.Methods A spot inventory of emergency centre equipment and supplies was conducted in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and compared to the WHO essential emergency equipment list released in 2006. Results :Most items considered essential were available at the time of inventory. Notable exceptions included: equipment and supplies for healthcare provider safety and infection control; advanced airway management; and ophthalmologic or gynaecological examinations. Several additional items; such as glucometers and pulse oximeters; were available and often used for patient care. Conclusion:Beyond pointing out specific material resource deficiencies at the Surgical Medical Emergency (SME) centre; our inventory assessment indicated a need to develop better implementation strategies for infection control policies; to collaborate with other departments on coordination of patient care; and to set a research agenda to develop emergency and acute care protocols that are both effective and sustainable in our setting. Equipment and supplies are essential elements of emergency preparedness that must be both available and 'ready-to-hand'. Consequently; key factors in determining readiness to provide quality emergency care include supply-chain; healthcare financing; functionality of systems; and a coordinated institutional vision. Lessons learnt may be useful for others facing similar challenges to emergency medicine development

Survey of Medical Specialists on their Attitudes to and Resources for Health Research in Nigeria

Aim: To study the views of medical specialists on their attitude to and the resources for health research in Nigeria and draw appropriate policy implications. Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaires were distributed to consenting 90 randomly selected medical specialists practising in six Nigerian tertiary health institutions. Participants' background information; importance attached to research; motivations for conducting research; funding; ethical oversight; literature search; and statistical support were probed. The coded responses were stored and analyzed using the statistical SPSS software. Results: Fifty-one out of the 90 questionnaires distributed were returned; giving a response rate of 63.3. Research function was rated third by 64.7of the respondents after hospital service (72.5) and teaching (66.0). Advancement of knowledge was the strongest motivating factor for conducting research (78.4). Securing funding (94) and finding time (80) were their major constraints. Only a minority of the respondents; 20and 14; respectfully; positively rated the quality and promptness of the decisions of their institutions' ethical organs in the highest category. Most of their literature search was conducted on the internet (96.1) and they stored and analyzed their research data with commonly available statistical software. Conclusion: Our study respondents regarded research highly but were severely constrained in conducting research by lack of access to sources of funding from within and outside Nigeria and finding time from core hospital functions. We recommend periodic (re)training in research particularly on how to apply for research grants and giving some protected research time for Nigerian medical specialists in order to boost their research function

The Status of Clinical Diagnostic Imaging Services in Uganda's Regional Referral Hospitals in 2007

Background: Clinical imaging is an essential component of health care which supports and improves the effectiveness of clinical decision-making. Quality care saves lives and resources of both the patient and the health system. However; many developing countries have neglected iagnostics; especially clinical imaging. Non-use of or poor imaging services lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment; unnecessary health expenditures; and poor health outcomes. Regional Referral Hospitals should have good diagnostic imaging services to provide expert care and bridge the continuum of care by stemming the flow of uncomplicated cases from general hospitals to National Referral Hospitals. Aim: To determine the situation of diagnostic imaging services at regional referral hospitals in Uganda. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of all the nine Regional Referral Hospitals of Uganda was done in 2007. Environmental inspection of the imaging units; process observation and exit interviews with 156 patients present on the day of the visit were done to assess their satisfaction with the imaging services. Staff were also interviewed. However; quality validation of the imaging outputs was not done. Selected health facilities in the capital Kampala were visited to obtain data on patients referred from upcountry. Five-year hospital records were reviewed for outputs. Results: The premises were of poor quality and staff and patients were not safe from radiation exposure. No radiosurveillance measures were operational. The output of imaging services was generally very low; (mean: 16 procedures per day; range: 6 - 22) due to lack of consumable inputs. Only 37(range: 14 - 64) of approved staff positions were filled. Nurses were insufficient and some cadres lacked altogether. Stock-outs of key consumable inputs were prolonged (ultrasound gel: 90 days) and patients were required to buy their own. Many patients were referred to private services but not recorded. Central level supervision by the Ministry of Health was lacking. Conclusion and recommendation: The quality of imaging services was poor; and could be improved through higher prioritization of imaging services in hospital planning; better financing; better support supervision and establishment of an active radiosurveillance mechanism

Personality Profile and Coping Resources of Family Medicine Vocational Trainees at the University of Limpopo; South Africa

Background: Doctors are exposed to various stress factors in their personal and family lives; as well as in the workplace. Stress inherent to the responsibilities and challenges of the medical field may become a health hazard and threaten the well-being of the medical practitioner. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the personality traits and coping resources that contribute to the wellbeing of medical practitioners. A cross-sectional study of 44 out of 45 (98response rate) family medicine vocational trainees at the Medical University of Southern Africa (now known as the University of Limpopo) was conducted. A biographic questionnaire was utilised to obtain specific information regarding the participants. The principal researcher used the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) questionnaire to assess coping resources; and the 16PF personality analysis (16PF) to establish a personality profile of the participants. Results: The majority of participants (81.8) indicated that they mainly experienced work-related stress. Thirty-two participants (72.72) self-medicated. Fourteen participants (31.81) claimed to experience burn-out and twenty (45.45) reported fatigue. In terms of their coping resources; 24 male participants (54.54) did not cope socially (p . 0.008) and eight (18.18) also did not cope physically (p . 0.024). Conclusions: The medical practitioners had a universal personality profile. They lacked insight regarding the symptoms they were experiencing that warranted management; e.g. depression and anxiety. The medical practitioners in this study did not utilise their social and physical coping resources optimally and reported poor help-seeking behaviour

Capacity of Lower Level Health Centres to Provide Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Care: Case Study of Health Centre IVS in Masaka District; Uganda

Comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in Uganda is delivered through hospitals and health Centre IVs and other designated centres of excellence. The government aims to scale-up comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in the country. However; lack of resources to provide services has delayed the scale-up of the programme. This study examined the availability of resources for delivering comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in lower health facilities in Masaka District; Uganda. The study was cross-sectional and descriptive. Information was collected from the entire 8-health centre IVs providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in the district. Information on HIV/AIDS related care provided; human resource availability; management of ARVs and medicine for opportunistic infections; infrastructure and management support functions was obtained from service providers. It was found that all the HC eight IVs already provided most of the components of comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and had the potential to provide the remaining components. Most of the facilities had the protocols for client protection and case management guidelines. Only one facility lacked all the protocols. Six of the eight facilities had optimal numbers of health workers required to provide HIV/AIDS care and support. One facility was grossly understaffed; with only 3 health workers covering all the components of care. Most health workers were not trained in home-based management of PLWHA and felt that they were overworked and had no additional incentives for the extra workload. They felt that the HIV/AIDS programme was under-resourced. Stock-outs were observed for medicines for the management of opportunistic infections but not for ARVs. Medicines for management of opportunistic infections were received through the routine drug management system while ARVs were provided by an NGO. The study recommended that the health workers should be given specific training in fields relevant for HIV/AIDS care and continuous updates on the latest information; the quality of care should be monitored and that HIV/AIDS care should be fully integrated to strengthen and increase sustainability of the health system

Globalization; Migration and Brain Drain: a Reality Check

"Migration is an old phenomenon in human history. It takes place for various reasons; which have been roughly grouped into ""push"" and ""pull"" factors. Migrants have always faced harsh conditions either in transit or on arrival; from the environment and the citizens of their destinations. Of recent; migration has increased due to globalization; which has increased the access of people in sending countries to ""pull"" factors through the media. However; more recently; stiff regulations have been put in place by the receiving countries to curb immigration; partly as part of the global ""war on terror""""; but partly as a political measure to contain intolerance of foreigners in their societies. In a special way; international migration of skilled labour has come under increased scrutiny over the recent years. It has been argued that for the sending/losing countries; it leads to a brain drain and depletes national resources spent on training. It also denies the remaining population the opportunity to benefit from their highly skilled compatriots usually educated at the public's cost. Proponents argue that it is the right of individuals to look for the working conditions acceptable to them; in order to earn acceptable income for themselves and their families. They argue that; moreover; migrant workers send back remittances to their relatives. In fact; in some countries like Uganda; remittances are the leading source of foreign exchange. Such countries have therefore started policies to export skilled labour or to support the return of remittance with a view tap into the wide base of remittances for public use. This paper discusses the pros and cons of migration and concludes that international migration is inevitable but should be managed in a way that is beneficial for both the sending and receiving countries. It ends on a prophetic note that current intolerance to foreigners will end spontaneously in the course of a generation."

Issues of equity in and access to health care in Zimbabwe

This paper identifies and analyses the health care delivery system in Zimbabwe; certain categories of people or social groups who may or may not have access to health care. An attempt is also made to give the reasons for the maldistribution of health resources and the implications this has for the population of Zimbabwe. Brief and appropriate solutions are proposed within the socioeconomic and political context of the Zimbabwean stage of development and its historical past

Report of the workshop on fluoride and its implication on health

The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of flourides and nitrates in the rural water supply of two districts (Gokwe and Chimanimani) of Zimbabwe and to determine the causes and implications of the findings. The findings of the research revealed the existence of the problem of high fluoride levels in drinking water and prevalence of fluorosis in the two districts. As a result of these findings permission was saught (and granted) from the sponsors; International Development Research Centre as well as the Ministry of Health to have a Workshop on the Fluoride and Flourosis component of the study

Report of the workshop on fluoride and its implication on health

The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of flourides and nitrates in the rural water supply of two districts (Gokwe and Chimanimani) of Zimbabwe and to determine the causes and implications of the findings. The findings of the research revealed the existence of the problem of high fluoride levels in drinking water and prevalence of fluorosis in the two districts. As a result of these findings permission was sought (and granted) from the sponsors; International Development Research Centre as well as the Ministry of Health to have a Workshop on the Fluoride and Fluorosis component of the study

Health service costs; resource use and financing in Shurugwi District: a second draft report

The study provides information about the costs of health services provision that can be used by district health managers in their efforts to improve the efficiency of resource utilisation and the quality of services delivered. The information can also be used at national level in formulating specific initiatives in the area of health financing. The project was carried out in Shurugwi District; in Midlands Province; over a period of 4 weeks in September - October 1993. Study objectives were layed down and recommendations were made

Ghana: health in brief 1991

A number of technical papers are being produced to support policy formulation; planning and strategy development. However; as the health sector begins to work closely with local government and with other sectors in promoting health development; there is a need to make information about health more widely available. To begin with; a brief overview is required. It is hoped that this booklet can serve this purpose for people both within and outside the health sector