Patient perspectives on the environmental impact of inhalers: A survey in British Columbia
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PROVIDER: S-EPMC10655797 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundWeb-based patient access to personal health information is limited but increasing in Canada and internationally.ObjectiveThis exploratory study aimed to increase understanding of how Web-based access to laboratory test results in British Columbia (Canada), which has been broadly available since 2010, affects patients' experiences.MethodsIn November 2013, we surveyed adults in British Columbia who had had a laboratory test in the previous 12 months. Using a retrospective cohort design, we compared reported wait-time for results, test result comprehension, and anxiety levels of "service users" who had Web-based access to their test results (n=2047) with those of a general population panel that did not have Web-based access (n=1245).ResultsThe vast majority of service users (83.99%, 95% CI 82.31-85.67) said they received their results within "a few days", compared to just over a third of the comparison group (37.84%, 95% CI 34.96-40.73). Most in both groups said they understood their test results, but the rate was lower for service users than the comparison group (75.55%, 95% CI 73.58-77.49 vs 84.69%, 95% CI 82.59-86.81). There was no significant difference between groups in levels of reported anxiety after receiving test results.ConclusionsWhile most patients who received their laboratory test results online reported little anxiety after receiving their results and were satisfied with the service, there may be opportunities to improve comprehension of results.
| S-EPMC4705365 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-BSST1509 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundPoisoning, from substances such as illicit drugs, prescribed and over-the-counter medications, alcohol, pesticides, gases and household cleaners, is the leading cause of injury-related death and the second leading cause for injury-related hospital admission in British Columbia. We examined the health and economic costs of poisoning in BC for 2016, using a societal perspective, to support public health policies aimed at minimizing losses to society.MethodsCosts by intent, sex and age group were calculated in Canadian dollars using a classification and costing framework based on existing provincial injury data combined with data from the published literature. Direct cost components included fatal poisonings, hospital admissions, emergency department visits, ambulance attendance without transfer to hospital and calls to the British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre (BC DPIC) not resulting in ambulance attendance, emergency care or transfer to hospital. Indirect costs, measured as loss of earnings and informal caregiving costs, were also calculated.ResultsWe estimate that poisonings in BC totalled $812.5 million in 2016 with $108.9 million in direct health care costs and $703.6 million in indirect costs. Unintentional poisoning injuries accounted for 84% of total costs, 46% of direct costs and 89% of indirect costs. Males accounted for higher proportions of direct costs for all patient dispositions except hospital admissions. Patients aged 25-64 years accounted for higher proportions of direct costs except for calls to BC DPIC, where proportions were highest for children younger than 15 years.InterpretationHospital care expenditures represented the largest direct cost of poisoning, and lost productivity following death represented the largest indirect cost. Quantifying and understanding the financial burden of poisoning has implications not only for government and health care, but also for society, employers, patients and families.
| S-EPMC9933990 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Seagrass Microbiome Survey 2015, Calvert Island, British Columbia
| PRJEB25267 | ENA
Project description:PurposeSeveral non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as physical distancing, handwashing, self-isolation, and school and business closures, were implemented in British Columbia (BC) following the first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 on 26 January 2020, to minimise in-person contacts that could spread infections. The BC COVID-19 Population Mixing Patterns Survey (BC-Mix) was established as a surveillance system to measure behaviour and contact patterns in BC over time to inform the timing of the easing/re-imposition of control measures. In this paper, we describe the BC-Mix survey design and the demographic characteristics of respondents.ParticipantsThe ongoing repeated online survey was launched in September 2020. Participants are mainly recruited through social media platforms (including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp). A follow-up survey is sent to participants 2-4 weeks after completing the baseline survey. Survey responses are weighted to BC's population by age, sex, geography and ethnicity to obtain generalisable estimates. Additional indices such as the Material and Social Deprivation Index, residential instability, economic dependency, and others are generated using census and location data.Findings to dateAs of 26 July 2021, over 61 000 baseline survey responses were received of which 41 375 were eligible for analysis. Of the eligible participants, about 60% consented to follow-up and about 27% provided their personal health numbers for linkage with healthcare databases. Approximately 83.5% of respondents were female, 58.7% were 55 years or older, 87.5% identified as white and 45.9% had at least a university degree. After weighting, approximately 50% were female, 39% were 55 years or older, 65% identified as white and 50% had at least a university degree.Future plansMultiple papers describing contact patterns, physical distancing measures, regular handwashing and facemask wearing, modelling looking at impact of physical distancing measures and vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and uptake are either in progress or have been published.
| S-EPMC9412046 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDespite the established benefits of Advance Care Planning (ACP), engagement remains low in British Columbia. Since 2016, a growing number of community-based nonprofits have offered ACP education. To date, no study has focused on the perspectives of nonprofits on ACP in British Columbia.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify barriers and facilitating actions to ACP as perceived by British Columbian nonprofits.DesignA mixed-methods design was used. Data were collected through online surveys and telephone interviews.Setting and participantsStaff and volunteers from British Columbian nonprofits that are providing or interested in providing public education on ACP were recruited for this study.ResultsThe lack of public awareness of ACP, the emotional difficulty of the conversation, the complicated ACP process, the belief that ACP is synonymous with completing a medical order form, the challenge of introducing ACP in different cultural contexts and the siloed approach to ACP education were rated as the most important barriers to ACP engagement. The most important facilitating actions were developing clear messages, improving ACP literacy, reframing ACP as part of life planning, simplifying ACP documentation and transfer, integrating ACP conversations into clinical practice and better collaboration between the health system and nonprofits.DiscussionThis study identifies numerous opportunities to improve ACP engagement in British Columbia from a community lens. To maximize ACP engagement, community-led ACP education should be offered in coordination with the health system.ConclusionCommunity-led ACP education as well as collaboration and consultation with nonprofits are part of the solution to the low ACP engagement in British Columbia.Public contributionStudy participants, including staff and volunteers at nonprofits, are members of the public.
| S-EPMC8849222 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the impact of a primary care nurse practitioner (NP)-led clinic model piloted in British Columbia (Canada) on patients' health and care experience.DesignThe study relies on a quasi-experimental longitudinal design based on a pre-and-post survey of patients receiving care in NP-led clinics. The prerostering survey (T0) was focused on patients' health status and care experiences preceding being rostered to the NP clinic. One year later, patients were asked to complete a similar survey (T1) focused on the care experiences with the NP clinic.SettingTo solve recurring problems related to poor primary care accessibility, British Columbia opened four pilot NP-led clinics in 2020. Each clinic has the equivalent of approximately six full-time NPs, four other clinicians plus support staff. Clinics are located in four cities ranging from urban to suburban.ParticipantsRecruitment was conducted by the clinic's clerical staff or by their care provider. A total of 437 usable T0 surveys and 254 matched and usable T1 surveys were collected.Primary outcome measuresThe survey instrument was focused on five core dimensions of patients' primary care experience (accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness, responsiveness and outcomes of care) as well as on the SF-12 Short-form Health Survey.ResultsScores for all dimensions of patients' primary care experience increased significantly: accessibility (T0=5.9, T1=7.9, p<0.001), continuity (T0=5.5, T1=8.8, p<0.001), comprehensiveness (T0=5.6, T1=8.4, p<0.001), responsiveness (T0=7.2, T1=9.5, p<0.001), outcomes of care (T0=5.0, T1=8.3, p<0.001). SF-12 Physical health T-scores also rose significantly (T0=44.8, T1=47.6, p<0.001) but no changes we found in the mental health T scores (T0=45.8, T1=46.3 p=0.709).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the NP-led primary care model studied here likely constitutes an effective approach to improve primary care accessibility and quality.
| S-EPMC10603457 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWith the increasing use of electronic point-of-care resources, it is imperative to clearly understand what health professionals consider valuable when selecting a drug information database. A current analysis of the preferences of staff in selected British Columbia health authorities was deemed helpful for determining which electronic drug information database should be purchased.ObjectivesTo determine the factors that BC hospital pharmacists, nurses, and other health professionals value in an electronic drug information database and to better understand the general preferences of staff in choosing between the Lexicomp and Micromedex databases.MethodsAn electronic survey was created for data collection. The survey was open from August 10 to September 15, 2018, and again from November 11 to December 7, 2018. The survey link was sent by e-mail to staff in the following health authorities: Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the survey data.ResultsA total of 247 responses were received, of which 145 (58.7%) were complete. Completed surveys were received from 77 pharmacists, 52 nurses, and 16 other health professionals. Participants ranked dosing information and ease of use as the most important factors that they considered when choosing a drug information database. There were no significant differences between the Lexicomp and Micromedex resources in terms of usability, quality, and preference.ConclusionsThis survey provided insights into what BC health authority staff perceive as important when utilizing a drug information database. Those considering either renewing or initiating a subscription to an online drug information database can use these results to better understand the preferences of health care professionals. Survey respondents ranked dosing information and ease of use as the 2 most important factors in selecting a drug information database. Pharmacists were more particular about using their preferred database than were other health professionals.
| S-EPMC7556395 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTeachers are an important occupational group to consider when addressing vaccine confidence and uptake for school-aged children due to their proximate role within school-based immunization programs. The objectives of this study were to characterize and identify sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine confidence and describe teachers' knowledge of and perceived role in the school-based immunization program, with the aim of informing public health policy and identifying opportunities for supporting teachers in their role in school-based immunization programs.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of elementary and secondary public-school teachers in British Columbia was completed from August to November 2020. Respondents provided sociodemographic information, as well as past vaccination experience, vaccine knowledge, and perceived role in the school-based immunization program. Vaccine confidence was measured using the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS). Characteristics associated with the VHS sub-scales 'lack of confidence in vaccines' and 'perceived risk of vaccines', were explored using ANOVA. Descriptive analysis was completed for teachers' perceived role in the immunization program.Results5,095 surveys were included in this analysis. Overall vaccine confidence was high, with vaccine hesitancy being related to the perceived risk of vaccines rather than a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of vaccines. ANOVA found significant differences for both VHS-sub-scales based on sociodemographic factors, however, the strength of the association was generally small. High general vaccine knowledge and never having delayed or refused a vaccine in the past were associated with higher vaccine confidence. Overall, teachers reported a lack of clarity in their role within the school-based immunization program.ConclusionsThis large population-based observational study of teachers highlights a number of key engagement opportunities between public health and the education sector. Using a validated scale, we found that overall, teachers are highly accepting of vaccines, and well situated as potential partners with public health to address vaccine hesitancy.
| S-EPMC10337953 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundRacialized populations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Higher vaccine hesitancy has been reported among racial and ethnic minorities in some of these countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, higher vaccine hesitancy has been observed among the South Asian population and Black compared with the White population, and this has been attributed to lack of trust in government due to historical and ongoing racism and discrimination.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess vaccine receipt by ethnicity and its relationship with mistrust among ethnic groups in British Columbia (BC), Canada.MethodsWe included adults ≥18 years of age who participated in the BC COVID-19 Population Mixing Patterns Survey (BC-Mix) from March 8, 2021, to August 8, 2022. The survey included questions about vaccine receipt and beliefs based on a behavioral framework. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between mistrust in vaccines and vaccine receipt among ethnic groups.ResultsThe analysis included 25,640 adults. Overall, 76.7% (22,010/28,696) of respondents reported having received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccines (Chinese=86.1%, South Asian=79.6%, White=75.5%, and other ethnicity=73.2%). Overall, 13.7% (3513/25,640) of respondents reported mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines (Chinese=7.1%, South Asian=8.2%, White=15.4%, and other ethnicity=15.2%). In the multivariable model (adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, educational attainment, and household size), mistrust was associated with a 93% reduced odds of vaccine receipt (adjusted odds ratio 0.07, 95% CI 0.06-0.08). In the models stratified by ethnicity, mistrust was associated with 81%, 92%, 94%, and 95% reduced odds of vaccine receipt among South Asian, Chinese, White, and other ethnicities, respectively. Indecision, whether to trust the vaccine or not, was significantly associated with a 70% and 78% reduced odds of vaccine receipt among those who identified as White and of other ethnic groups, respectively.ConclusionsVaccine receipt among those who identified as South Asian and Chinese in BC was higher than that among the White population. Vaccine mistrust was associated with a lower odds of vaccine receipt in all ethnicities, but it had a lower effect on vaccine receipt among the South Asian and Chinese populations. Future research needs to focus on sources of mistrust to better understand its potential influence on vaccine receipt among visible minorities in Canada.
| S-EPMC10896316 | biostudies-literature