Information Therapy (Ix), getting the right information to the right person at the right time in order to help the person make an informed health decision, is a field that is constantly evolving.... Show More

Information Therapy (Ix), getting the right information to the right person at the right time in order to help the person make an informed health decision, is a field that is constantly evolving. Over the past decade, several changes –particularly technological and policy-based developments -- have helped to advance the model. This paper traces the evolution of Information Therapy from a good idea to one that has been widely adopted by clinicians. This paper emphasizes the use of the electronic medical record (EMR) in delivering information therapy prescriptions directly to patients. Patient Response (Px) is proposed as the next phase in the evolution of Information Therapy and patient-centered care.

To systematically review the observational and control trial evidence on information prescription and information therapy. The Cochrane Library and the medical databases of MEDLINE (1946 to10 April... Show More

To systematically review the observational and control trial evidence on information prescription and information therapy. The Cochrane Library and the medical databases of MEDLINE (1946 to10 April, 2012), and EMBASE (1974 to10 April, 2012) were searched with Ovid SP. The authors included only those studies that are related to the prescription of specific health information for specific patient as a complementary medicine. Therefore, they excluded the traditional patient education studies that are based on background information rather than being foreground, evidence- based and decision focused. The authors identified 232 papers and based on the criteria 34 full texts were screened and finally 18 were reviewed in this study systematically. Six papers were randomized control trials (RCTs) and 12 were observation studies. Most of the studies focused on satisfaction and knowledge as their primary outcomes. None of the studies examined the side effects of information intervention. Only one study focused on the health related primary outcomes and showed no significant change in pain and bowl movement (BMs) among children. This review found considerable research gaps in the study of information prescription outcomes. There is need for cohort studies and RCTs with rigorous control of confounding factors to figure out the impact of information prescription and information therapy on patient care.

Empowering individuals is carried out through improving self-knowledge and self-awareness and maximization of their autonomous self-regulatory potential. In order to improve individual... Show More

Empowering individuals is carried out through improving self-knowledge and self-awareness and maximization of their autonomous self-regulatory potential. In order to improve individual self-knowledge the author needs to provide evidence-based and need-oriented information to individuals and help them to process and self-reflect this information This paper attempts to describe a conceptual system, called Electronic-Self or Computerized Self Network, encompassing Medical Informatics Systems, Personal Informatics System, and Optimal Health Care Providers and explain how such a system can be considered as a practical solution. eSelf a complex adaptive system and based complexity sciences rules. eSelf strategy for individual empowerment based on each individual should be in personal health context play two role philosopher and scientist in personal health information processing and embodied self awareness.

As per the WHO, nearly 10% of the world’s population suffers from some form of disability or impairment. The situation in developing countries is worse with growing population, aging, high... Show More

As per the WHO, nearly 10% of the world’s population suffers from some form of disability or impairment. The situation in developing countries is worse with growing population, aging, high prevalence of chronic diseases and vehicular accidents. It is pertinent to build institutional mechanisms for rehabilitation to help patients become self-sufficient and resource earners. Efforts are being made globally for the adoption of ‘Assistive computing technologies’ (ACT) for providing a user-driven healthcare intervention for rehabilitation of differently-abled (disabled) population. However, its adoption in India where nearly 12% of the population is disabled is abysmally low. This paper examines the feasibility of using ACT in India and explores the factors affecting its adoption. As a pilot study, the use of ACT was reviewed amongst disabled patients with spinal injuries being treated at a large private hospital in New Delhi. The study revealed that adoption of ACT by rural population is low compared to urban. Language barrier, cost and lack of awareness among the community were the main barriers to use. It was also highlighted by the respondents during the study that very few doctors and physiotherapists treating physically disabled were aware of ACT.

Patients’ awareness and informed involvement may reduce the prevalence of patients’ errors. The aim of this study is to identify the occurrence of patients’ medication errors in one of the leading... Show More

Patients’ awareness and informed involvement may reduce the prevalence of patients’ errors. The aim of this study is to identify the occurrence of patients’ medication errors in one of the leading tertiary care educational superspeciality hospitals in Iran during one year from October 2010 to October 2011. This is a retrospective study. Patients’ medical records were investigated to identify the reported errors in taking medication. A total of 140 medical records of patients who were hospitalized in Madani Heart Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were investigated. Then the errors were categorized into three groups including: Reporting, Recklessness/ adherence, and Preference. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze data. Out of total 140 patients’ records, 16 (11%) patient medication errors were identified. Most of these errors were related to communication and reporting followed by non-adherence to the medication prescriptions. The least errors were related to patients’ preference. The study suggests that these errors could have been prevented by involving patients in decision making and self-care through information prescription.

A descriptive study was conducted among the members of Oral Health group on a social media network (Facebook) through the Internet. The objective of this study was to explore online interactions on... Show More

A descriptive study was conducted among the members of Oral Health group on a social media network (Facebook) through the Internet. The objective of this study was to explore online interactions on oral health among the Internet users. The study was divided into two parts. First part included content analysis of Oral Health group interactions during the period of July 2011 to April 2012 and second part included online survey findings. All the postings and their discussions in “Oral Health” group were collected and analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Total 427 group members were included, 65.84% members were recruited by administrator (admin) and 34.16% by other members of Oral Health group. Among the group members 110 (23%) members were actively participating in group interactions. A total 384 interactive messages were exchanged between the members on 194 discrete topics were discussed (in average 2 messages exchanged per topic). The flow of group interactions mostly occurred between dental professional to dental professional 78%, followed by general to general 3%, dental professional to general 9%, general to dental professional 10%. Opinion of survey respondents about the oral health group online interactions were found as appreciative (52%), “modern technology of learning is useful”(34%), “improves clinical knowledge of professionals”(26%), “improves oral hygiene knowledge and practice”(22%), and “helps to solve oral health problems”(38%). Online oral health group appears to be an effective platform for sharing information, experiences and advice on oral health among the Internet users.

Health is not lack of disease. It is an incomplete condition of psychological, physical and public welfare. Therefore to benefit from highest norms of healthiness is one of the most fundamental and... Show More

Health is not lack of disease. It is an incomplete condition of psychological, physical and public welfare. Therefore to benefit from highest norms of healthiness is one of the most fundamental and necessary rights of human being. According to the Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health, and wellbeing of himself and his family.” United Nations. (2012). This paper reviews the proportion of right to health information in international, regional and national legislations and examines the patients’ right to information in patients’ right charters. This study is qualitative study it reviews the patients right charters to follow the portion of right to right to health information. International, regional, and national conventions along with the patients’ right charters of five countries from the five continents were examined against the right to health and right to health information. The Britain patient’s right charter more than other countries in this study has considered and dealt with right to information, about 4 out of 7 of its total articles refer to right to information. In contrast South Africa was assigned as the country which gives less priority to right to information among the other countries. Four out of 11 articles in the patients’ right charter of this country deals with right to health information. Iranian Patients’ right charter stood in the fourth rank after Britain, US and Australia for respecting the patients’ right to information, 2 out of 5 articles.

Libraries are increasingly adopting cloud computing, a new technology model for Information Technology (IT) services. Cloud computing is of interest to health care professionals as well as health... Show More

Libraries are increasingly adopting cloud computing, a new technology model for Information Technology (IT) services. Cloud computing is of interest to health care professionals as well as health consumers. Health Science libraries maintain more control over the applications and data repositories that contain sensitive, private information about patrons. Provision and maintenance of infrastructure for web-based digital library presents several challenges. It allows them to avoid locally hosting multiple servers, housing massive equipment and constantly dealing with hardware failure, software installs, upgrades and compatibility issues. This paper describes the concept, current status of cloud computing and its application in health science libraries. Then it proposed to improve current user service via cloud computing.

Urethral catheterization is a common procedure performed commonly before some elective surgeries, often without consideration of the pain and negative perception among women. Owing to patient... Show More

Urethral catheterization is a common procedure performed commonly before some elective surgeries, often without consideration of the pain and negative perception among women. Owing to patient complaints and the fact that catheterization is not always necessary; a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2012 at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences hospital. One hundred healthy women who were catheterized before undergoing cesarean delivery were interviewed to assess the perception of pain and distress, determining the association between these two factors. This issue has rarely been investigated in previous studies. This study also aimed to evaluate the efficiencies of the Wong-Baker and 0–10 numerical rating scales. The authors results indicate that although the patients did not initially have a good understanding of the pain scales, when they were given additional explanation, a positive correlation between the two scales (p<0.01) was found. Their study further demonstrates that catheterization is a moderately painful (4.68 of 10) procedure, causing distress (4.67 of 10) and discomfort.

Gavgani et al., through their systematic review, explore the existing evidence in the area of information prescription and information therapy. The application of Information prescription and... Show More

Gavgani et al., through their systematic review, explore the existing evidence in the area of information prescription and information therapy. The application of Information prescription and information therapy has been explored in a number of developed countries through randomized trials and observational studies. The low awareness about these concepts among medical practitioners has been highlighted. This commentary highlights the routes for IP/Ix dissemination and its application in current medical practice.

Mousavi et al. (2013) have correctly noted the importance of information and knowledge, as mentioned in most Charters, for attaining the right to health. The practical administration also needs... Show More

Mousavi et al. (2013) have correctly noted the importance of information and knowledge, as mentioned in most Charters, for attaining the right to health. The practical administration also needs scientific standards, administrative instructions, and clinical guidelines designed to implement the right to health. The author, in this paper, provides an example of implementation.

This invited commentary discusses the research paper on Assistive Computing Technology for Enabling Differently Abled Population in India - A User Driven Intervention by Indrajit Bhattacharya... Show More

This invited commentary discusses the research paper on Assistive Computing Technology for Enabling Differently Abled Population in India - A User Driven Intervention by Indrajit Bhattacharya, Anandhi Ramachandran, Nekram Upadhyay and Megha Sharma. The author expands the significance of the role of Assistive Computing Technology in enhancing the quality of life of the people with disabilities. The author lauds the research work and conclusions drawn from it and suggests how its applicability can be increased in the system.