Search results for "QUALITY"
showing 10 items of 8136 documents
Towards Improved Healthcare Performance: Examining Technological Possibilities and Patient Satisfaction with Wireless Body Area Networks
2009
Published version of an article from the journal: Journal of Medical Systems. he original publication is available at Springerlink. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10916-009-9291-8 This paper investigates the benefits of using less intrusive wireless technologies for heart monitoring. By replacing well established heart monitoring devices (i.e. Holter) with wireless ECG based Body Area Networks (BAN), improved healthcare performance can be achieved, reflected in (1) high quality ECG recordings during physical activities and (2) increased patient satisfaction. A small scale clinical trial was conducted to compare both technologies and the results illustrate that the wireless ECG monitor was able …
Telemedicine for pediatric surgical outpatient follow-up: A prospective, randomized single-center trial
2018
Telemedicine is gaining popularity for a variety of indications. We performed a randomized controlled trial comparing telemedical versus conventional clinic follow-up in terms of feasibility and quality.Patients discharged from pediatric surgery were randomized to telemedical or onsite follow-up. In the telemedical group, video telephony was used to obtain interim history and physical findings. Onsite patients were personally seen in the outpatient clinic. Caregivers completed a postvisit survey on satisfaction and efficiency. Providers scored data transmission quality and clinical interpretability.From March 2015 until January 2017, 224 patients were randomized equally to the study groups.…
Comparison of short-term light disturbance, optical and visual performance outcomes between a myopia control contact lens and a single-vision contact…
2020
Purpose To compare the optical and visual performance of a dual-focus (DF) contact lens used for myopia control with a single-vision (SV) contact lens of the same material. Methods A randomised, double-masked crossover study. Twenty-eight healthy, myopic volunteers between 18 and 32 years of age (23.49 +/- 4.07 years) participated in this study. The sensory dominant eye for distance vision was determined. Refraction, best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and aberrations for 3 mm and 5 mm pupil diameters were quantified without a contact lens in situ. Subjects were fitted with two contact lens designs: DF and SV, both made of omafilcon A material. The Quality of Vision (QoV) questionnaire, over-…
Temporary stages and motivational variables: Two complementary perspectives in the help-seeking process for mental disorders
2018
Abstract Introduction Help-seeking for mental disorders is a complex process, which includes different temporary stages, and in which the motivational variables play an especially relevant role. However, there is a lack of instruments to evaluate in depth both the temporary and motivational variables involved in the help-seeking process. This study aims to analyse in detail these two sets of variables, using a specific instrument designed for the purpose, to gain a better understanding of the process of treatment seeking. Material and methods A total of 152 patients seeking treatment in mental health outpatient clinics of the NHS were individually interviewed: 71 had Obsessive-Compulsive Di…
Real-life impact of early interferon beta therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
2009
OBJECTIVE: Recent findings support greater efficacy of early vs. delayed interferon beta (IFNbeta) treatment in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early IFNbeta treatment in definite relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and to assess the optimal time to initiate IFNbeta treatment with regard to the greatest benefits on disability progression. METHODS: A cohort of 2,570 IFNbeta-treated RRMS patients was prospectively followed for up to 7 years in 15 Italian MS Centers. A Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for propensity score (PS) quintiles was used to assess differences between groups of patients wit…
Characteristics of tinnitus with or without hearing loss: Clinical observations in Sicilian tinnitus patients
2010
Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of tinnitus both in normal hearing subjects and in patients with hearing loss. Methods: The study considered 312 tinnitus sufferers, 176 males and 136 females, ranging from 21 to 83 years of age, who were referred to the Audiology Section of the Department of Bio-technology of Palermo University. The following parameters were considered: age, sex, hearing threshold, tinnitus laterality, tinnitus duration, tinnitus measurements and subjective disturbance caused by tinnitus. The sample was divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) subjects with normal hearing; Group 2 (G2) subjects with hearing loss. Results: Among the patients considered, 115 ha…
The Effect of Migraine Prophylaxis on Migraine-Related Resource Use and Productivity
2009
In the US, it is estimated that up to 10% of men and 25% of women, particularly those aged 25-55 years, experience debilitating migraines, such that the condition presents an enormous economic burden for patients, health systems, employers and society. Migraine headache is a particularly prevalent condition associated with major reductions in patients' quality of life. From a payer perspective, the implementation of relevant programmes of migraine prophylaxis is highly desirable. Consistent evidence exists, from several randomized, controlled studies, of the efficacy of amitriptyline, divalproex sodium, propranolol, timolol and topiramate in migraine prophylaxis. Considering resource utiliz…
The influence of university students stress mindsets on health and performance outcomes
2018
Background Emerging evidence indicates that holding particular stress mindsets has favorable implications for peoples’ health and performance under stress. Purpose The aim of the current study was to examine the processes by which implicit and explicit stress mindsets relate to health- and performance-related outcomes. Specifically, we propose a stress beliefs model in which somatic responses to stress and coping behaviors mediate the effect of stress mindsets on outcomes. Methods Undergraduate university students (N = 218, n = 144 females) aged 17– 25 years completed measures of stress mindset, physical and psychological wellbeing, perceived stress, perceived somatic responses to stress, p…
EchoScopy in scanning abdominal diseases: initial clinical experience.
2014
Background and Aims: The introduction of a new type of small handheld ultrasound device brings greater portability and affordability. The basic ultrasound approach with these handheld devices has been defined by European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) as “EchoScopy”. The current study aimed to assess the image quality, indications and limitations of a portable pocket “EchoScope” compared with a high-end ultrasound system in abdominal diseases. Methods: 231 consecutive patients were included in this study. Physician A performed ultrasound examinations with a high-end ultrasound system (HEUS), then physician B performed the same ultrasound examination u…
Correlations between hormones, physical, and affective parameters in aging urologic outpatients.
2004
Abstract Objective: To determine the relationship between sex hormones, physical complaints, depression, sexuality, and life satisfaction in aging men. Methods: 263 outpatients aged 40 years and above ( M =56.2; 40–84 years) were recruited from 6 andrological outpatient departments in Germany to evaluate "aging male" symptoms. Subjects were assessed by standardised self-report questionnaires, physical, and endocrinological examination. Results: Total and free testosterone as well as DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) levels decreased significantly with age. SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and LH (luteinizing hormone) increased; estradiol remained unchanged. Inactivity, lower urinar…