Advance directives in Hong Kong: moving forward to legislation.

BACKGROUND: An advance directive (AD) is a legal statement indicating the form of healthcare the patient would like to receive at a future time when he/she is no longer mentally competent to make decisions. As there are increased concerns to respect the preferences of medical treatment of patients suffering from terminal illnesses, AD receives more attention and recognition in healthcare settings. However, Hong Kong has neither statue nor direst case law on the legal status of AD. A public consultation was therefore launched by the government in 2019. The present study aimed to examine the views towards ADs in response to the proposed legislation. METHODS: Fifty-nine responses were received from questionnaires and the findings formed a protocol and guideline for the focus groups. Twenty-three participants participated in two focus group discussions. A thematic analysis revealed three themes of views towards ADs legislations: public awareness, completion of ADs, and dying in place. RESULTS: Older and young participants held slightly different views on the acceptance of verbal and written format, and the presence of witnesses of ADs. Overall, participants considered the general public did not have adequate knowledge of AD. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggested that public education should be enhanced, and guidance and protocols for healthcare professionals were needed after legislation of ADs. In addition, dying in place should also be facilitated while legislative barriers on Coroners Ordinance should be amended.

The use of technology for online learning among older adults in Hong Kong.

The use of technology to facilitate better living and learning is gaining popularity worldwide. More and more older adults are technology users and participating in online learning. While there is ample research examining the factors affecting older adults' behavioural intention to use technology more generally, less is known about their views of using technology in online learning environments. Applying the model for the adoption of technology by older adults (MATOA) developed by Kenneth Hsiche Wang et al., the authors of the study presented here investigated the attitudes of older adults towards technology adoption for online learning. They interviewed 20 adults aged 52-73 who had enrolled in a diploma course in a higher educational institution in Hong Kong. The results show that participants held favourable attitudes towards online learning after several practice sessions. While they had confidence in their future use of technology, they stated that the availability of technical and social support affected their intention of continuous learning using technology in online settings.

Utilisation de la technologie par les seniors à Hongkong pour apprendre en ligne ­ Utiliser la technologie pour faciliter l'amélioration de la qualité de vie et l'apprentissage, une activité qui jouit d'un engouement croissant dans le monde entier. De plus en plus de seniors se servent de la technologie pour se livrer à des activités d'apprentissage en ligne. Tandis que de nombreuses recherches portent sur les facteurs qui influent sur l'intention comportementale des seniors à utiliser la technologie d'une manière plus générale, nous savons peu de choses sur leurs points de vue à ce sujet dans les environnements d'apprentissage en ligne. S'appuyant sur le modèle pour l'adoption de la technologie par les seniors (model for the adoption of technology by older adults/MATOA) élaboré par Kenneth Hsiche Wang et coll., les auteurs de la présente étude se sont penchés sur les attitudes des seniors concernant l'adoption de la technologie pour apprendre en ligne. Ils ont interviewé 20 adultes âgés de 52 à 73 ans qui s'étaient inscrits à un cours diplômant dans un établissement d'enseignement supérieur à Hongkong. Les résultats indiquent que les participants se montraient favorables à l'apprentissage en ligne une fois qu'ils avaient participé à plusieurs séances d'entraînement. Tout en se sentant confiants quant à l'utilisation qu'ils feraient à l'avenir de la technologie, ils ont déclaré que la disponibilité d'un soutien technique et social influait sur leur intention d'apprendre en permanence en utilisant la technologie dans un environnement en ligne.

Predictors of the intention to use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) using extended theory of planned behavior: a cross-sectional study among TCM users in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine are available and have a long history in Hong Kong. Little is known on the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong. In this study, the intention to use TCM was examined by the extended theory of planned behavior. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 15 and 29 November 2021. Respondents' attitude towards using TCM, intention to use TCM, knowledge, perceived behavioral control, perceived service quality, satisfaction, subjective norms and demographic characteristics were collected from the survey. To examine the conceptual framework in this study, partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was adopted. RESULTS: In total, 446 responses (completion rate = 74.3%) were analysed. Attitude towards TCM was the strongest predictor to the intention to use TCM followed by satisfaction and subjective norms. Attitude had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention to use TCM. Attitude had a full mediating effect on the relationship between knowledge and intention to use TCM. Satisfaction had a full mediating effect on the relationship between perceived service quality and intention to use TCM. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to investigate the predictors of the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong by using TPB. Individuals' attitude towards TCM has showed stronger effect to the intention to use TCM than other predictors, such as satisfaction, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. To enhance the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong, key stakeholders, including TCM professional organisations, health professionals and policymakers, should develop a positive attitude towards TCM among Hong Kong population.

Relationships between Physical and Social Behavioural Changes and the Mental Status of Homebound Residents in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In Hong Kong, social distancing has been adopted in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the changes in physical health, mental health, and social well-being experienced by local residents who were homebound during the pandemic. An online questionnaire in both Chinese and English versions was completed by 590 eligible participants from 24 April to 13 May 2020. The questionnaire found that individuals aged 18 to 25 years spent more time resting and relaxing but experienced more physical strain. Working status was associated with social contact, with participants working full-time jobs scoring higher in "maintaining social communication via electronic means" and "avoiding social activities outside the home". Additionally, approximately one third of the participants (29.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and participants aged 18 to 25 were found to have higher scores in PHQ-9. Changes in physical health and social contact were significantly associated with developing depressive symptoms. From the results, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exert a negative impact on the mental health status of individuals.