ABSTRACT
In low-and middle-income countries, many infants and children remain unregistered in both civil registration and healthcare records, limiting their access to essential rights-based services, including healthcare. A novel biometric registration prototype, applying a non-touch platform using smart phones and tablets to capture physical characteristics of infants and children for electronic registration, was tested in rural Mozambique. This study assessed acceptability and perceived barriers and facilitators to the usability of this biometric registration prototype in Manhiça district, southern Mozambique. The study followed a qualitative design consisting of 5 semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers, 7 focus group discussions with caregivers of infants aged between 0 and 5 years old, and 2 focus group discussions with data collectors involved in the implementation of the biometric registration pilot project. Data were thematically analysed. The results of this study show that there is wide acceptability of the biometric registration prototype among healthcare providers and caregivers. Participants were aware of the benefits of the biometric registration prototype. The perceived benefits included that the biometric registration prototype would solve the inefficiency of paper-based registration, and the perception of biometric registration as "healthcare norm". Perceived potential barriers to the implementation of the biometric registration prototype included: myths and taboos, lack of information, lack of time, lack of father's consent, and potential workload among healthcare providers. In conclusion, the biometric prototype was widely accepted due to its perceived usefulness. However, there is a need to address the perceived barriers, and involvement of children's fathers and/or other relevant family members in the process of biometric registration.
Subject(s)
Biometric Identification/methods , Caregivers/psychology , Fathers/psychology , Health Smart Cards/organization & administration , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Focus Groups , Health Smart Cards/ethics , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mozambique , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Pilot Projects , Records , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
In low-and middle-income countries, many infants and children remain unregistered in both civil registration and healthcare records, limiting their access to essential rights-based services, including healthcare. A novel biometric registration prototype, applying a non-touch platform using smart phones and tablets to capture physical characteristics of infants and children for electronic registration, was tested in rural Mozambique. This study assessed acceptability and perceived barriers and facilitators to the usability of this biometric registration prototype in Manhiça district, southern Mozambique. The study followed a qualitative design consisting of 5 semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers, 7 focus group discussions with caregivers of infants aged between 0 and 5 years old, and 2 focus group discussions with data collectors involved in the implementation of the biometric registration pilot project. Data were thematically analysed. The results of this study show that there is wide acceptability of the biometric registration prototype among healthcare providers and caregivers. Participants were aware of the benefits of the biometric registration prototype. The perceived benefits included that the biometric registration prototype would solve the inefficiency of paper-based registration, and the perception of biometric registration as "healthcare norm". Perceived potential barriers to the implementation of the biometric registration prototype included: myths and taboos, lack of information, lack of time, lack of father's consent, and potential workload among healthcare providers. In conclusion, the biometric prototype was widely accepted due to its perceived usefulness. However, there is a need to address the perceived barriers, and involvement of children's fathers and/or other relevant family members in the process of biometric registration.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adult , Biometric Identification/methods , Health Smart Cards/organization & administration , Rural Population , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Pilot Projects , Records , Caregivers/psychology , Fathers/psychology , Health Smart Cards/ethics , MozambiqueABSTRACT
This article describes how an action research approach was used to involve a community of individuals with mental health issues and their support systems in the development and adoption of a mental health identification (ID) card. The intent of the card was to provide individuals with mental health issues a way to communicate and manage the idiosyncratic nature of their behaviors. A credit card-size ID card was developed that has the individual's picture, address, diagnosis, idiosyncratic behaviors, best approach with the individual when those behaviors are present, medications, allergies, and emergency contact information. Benefits and concerns about the ID system in regard to the cardholder, card recipients, the provision of consent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, and the balancing of reducing and increasing stigmas and stereotypes emerged throughout the process. In the end, the ID card has come to be seen as a social justice mechanism that allows for communication and awareness for those with mental health issues.
Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services/organization & administration , Health Smart Cards/organization & administration , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Adult , Awareness , Communication , Female , Health Services Research , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/psychology , Mental Health Recovery , Social Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Social Behavior Disorders/psychology , Social Behavior Disorders/rehabilitation , Social Justice , United StatesABSTRACT
Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) is a Comprehensive Care Centre for Cancer located in Mumbai, India. Patients from all over India and some from neighboring countries choose to travel to Mumbai (Bombay) to receive treatment at our centre. Given the geographical constraints, TMH has adopted Information Technology to reach out to patients in distant communities. TMH has a home-grown Electronic Medical Record System, the contents of which are shared with patients and providers over the hospital- wide Intranet, and globally through our website. TMH has been carrying out paperless and filmless operations since 2013, enabling the real time exchange of information and ensuring a continuum of care. Paper Records preceding this year are scanned, archived and made available as part of the EMR. Prior to Smart Card implementation, it was not uncommon to find patient or their relatives queuing up for services or payments. This had resulted in delays in providing services, and hardship for patients and their relatives. Overcrowding meant staff being stressed with a propensity for mistakes in data entry, resulting in a faulty service. This would compromise patients if unnoticed, or result in a repetition of service it noticed. In addition, hospital management was concerned about lengthy transaction times and deficiency of service. It was in this context that in the year 2011, the Hospital Management took an initiative to integrate Smart Card Technology with the existing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Financial Record (EFR), to improve interaction between patients and the Institution. The strategy was to use Smart Card (SC), containing an embedded IC chip for patient identification, to carry out all transactions involving patient care, in order to minimize transcription errors and enhance patient safety. The implementation of this strategy involved process re-engineering and training of all staff members. The results of the past 4 years 2013-16 have been analyzed to determine the efficacy of this initiative.
