ABSTRACT
Background: Picture archiving and communication system [PACS] are management information systems used for distributing, viewing and archiving digital images by integrating different types of modalities through communication networks. PACS have many advantages that can lead to improving health care quality. PACS has been widely used in hospitals in Saudi Arabia for the past 10 years. However, an extensive review of literature in the field of PACS, among physicians and radiologists in Saudi Arabia, showed lack of local studies of this costly and newly implemented technology. Therefore, this assessment is very important to provide an insightful study of PACS in Saudi Arabia to provide proper recommendations for the PACS projects implementation nationwide
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to, firstly, assess the perceived benefits of PACS among physicians and radiologists specifically in quality of care, secondly, assess the perceived challenges of PACS implementation and adoption inside and outside the radiology department, and thirdly, to compare between physicians' and radiologists' perceptions toward PACS
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study at three of Ministry of Health [MOH] Hospitals in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. The researchers used two separate surveys questionnaires, for administration to the physicians and radiologists at the three hospitals. Apart from the questionnaire, included is feedback as responses to open-ended questions. Content analysis was used to analyze the feedback under two themes: benefits or challenges
Results: The response rate was 46% [84/183] physicians and 88% [15/17] radiologists have participated in this study. The result showed that 70% physicians' views affirms that PACS improved physicians' efficiency. On the other hand, all radiologists who responded affirmed that PACS improved efficiency. For questions on the ability to make decisions, 69% of views have affirmed that PACS improved physician's abilities to make decisions regarding patient care. Using PACS has led to a reduction in patients' length of stay in hospital [LOS] question, 79% of total views were positive. In contrast, only 18% of physicians talked about PACS positively in summary views and 82% talked about the challenges of PACS whereas 20% of radiologists talked about PACS positively
Conclusions: The results in the present study conclude that PACS was well perceived due to its numerous benefits among physicians and radiologists. However, radiologists showed more focus on the benefits of PACS than physicians. The main disadvantages are that PACS has resulted in difficulty in finding images, recurrent downtime and insufficient training
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases can be significantly reduced through adherence to confirmed vaccination schedules. However, many barriers to vaccination compliance exist, including a lack of awareness regarding the importance of vaccines, missing due dates, and fear of complications from vaccinations. The aim of this study is to review the existing tools and publications regarding vaccination adherence, and to propose a design for a vaccination adherence application [app] for smart phones
Methods: Android and iOS apps designed for vaccination reminders have been reviewed to examine six elements: educational factor; customizing features; reminder tools; peer education facilitations; feedback, and the language of apps'interface and content. The literature from PubMed has been reviewed for studies addressing reminder systems or tools including apps
Results: The study has revealed insufficient [n = 6] technology-based interventions for increasing childhood vaccination rates by reminding parents in comparison to the fast growth in technology, out of which are two publications discussed mobile apps. Ten apps have been found in apps stores; only one out of them was designed for the Saudi vaccination schedule in Arabic language with some weaknesses. The study proposed a design for a vaccination reminder app that includes a number of features in order to overcome the limitations discussed in the studied reminders, apps, and systems. The design supports the Arabic language and the Saudi vaccination schedule; parental education including peer education; a variety of reminder methods, and the capability to track vaccinations and refer to the app as a personal health record
Conclusion: The study discussed a design for a vaccination reminder app that satisfies the specific requirements for better compliance to children's immunization schedules based on reviewing the existing apps and publications. The proposed design includes element to educate parents and answer their concerns about vaccines. It involves their peers and can encourage the exchange of experiences and overcome vaccine fears. In addition, it could form a convenient child personal health record
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the academic satisfaction and importance among traditional learning [TL] and problem based learning [PBL] medical students, and to further evaluate the areas of concern in the academic education from the student's point of view. A cross sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May to June 2012. The survey questionnaires were self-administered and consisted of mainly 6 sections: teaching, learning, supervision, course organization, information technology [IT] facilities, and development of skills. A total of 92 TL [males: 66 [71.7%]; females: 26 [28.3%]], and 108 PBL [males: 84 [77.8%]; females: 24 [22.1%]], with a mean age of 21.3 +/- 1.3 [TL], and 20.7 +/- 1.0 [PBL] were included in the study. The overall satisfaction rate was higher in the PBL students when compared with TL students in: teaching [84.7%/60.3%]; learning [81.4%/64.5%]; supervision [80%/51.5%]; course organization [69.3%/46.9%]; IT facilities [74.0%/58.9%]; and development of skills [79.1%/53.9%]. There was statistical significance difference in academic satisfaction comparing both groups of students [p