Bmc Fam Pract
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Electronic Health Records (EHRs) can contribute to the earlier detection and better treatment of chronic diseases by improving accuracy and accessibility of patient data. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) implemented an EHR system in all primary health care clinics (PHCs) as part of measures to improve their performance in managing chronic disease. This study examined the perspective of physicians on the current scope and content of NCDs management at PHCs including the contribution of the EHR system. ⋯ While well regarded by clinicians, the EHR system impact on patient care at chronic disease clinics is not being fully realised. Enabling patient access to their EHR would be help promote self-management, a core attribute of effective NCD management. Co-ordination of care is another core attribute and in the Saudi health system with multiple public and private providers, this may be substantially improved if the patients EHR was accessible wherever care was provided. There is also a need for enhanced capacity to support improving patient's nutrition and physical activity.
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Primary healthcare centers (PHC) ensure that patients receive comprehensive care from promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care in a familiar environment. It is designed to provide first-contact, continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated patient care that will help achieve equity in the specialty healthcare system. The healthcare in Saudi Arabia is undergoing transformation to Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) model. In order for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to achieve its transformational goals in healthcare, the improvement of PHCs' quality and utilization is crucial. An integral part of this service is the laboratory services. ⋯ Our results revealed that the centralization of PHC's laboratory service to an accredited reference laboratory and implementing the national accreditation standards improved the testing process and lowered the cost, for the mass majority of the routine laboratory testing. Moreover, the model shed the light on how crucial the pre-analytical phase for laboratory quality improvement process, its effect on cost reduction, and the importance of staff competency and utilization.
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Primary care provides an opportunity to introduce prevention strategies and identify risk behaviours. Algorithmic information technology such as the Risk Factor Identification Tool (RFIT) can support primary care counseling. This study explores the integration of the tablet-based RFIT in primary care clinics to support exploration of patient risk factor information. ⋯ RFIT is a user-friendly tool for the collection of patient risk behaviour information. RFIT is particularly useful for patients lacking continuity in the care they receive. Information technology can promote self-reflection while providing useful information to the primary care clinician. When combined with practical tools and resources RFIT can assist in the reduction of risk behaviours.
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Mobile technologies have become capable of changing the paradigm of healthcare services. A clear example is that, nowadays, these technologies are an important instrument for data collection processes, epidemiologic surveillance, health promotion and disease prevention. Therefore, technological tools should be exploited to optimize the monitoring of patients with chronic diseases, including patients who require home oxygen therapy. ⋯ This study is expected to assess the efficacy of a mobile application in the follow up of patients under home oxygen therapy. It will also determine whether the monitoring of a six-month intervention by a team comprising a physician, a nurse and respiratory therapists can decrease acute exacerbations, determine the most appropriate oxygen dose, and identify the underuse of oxygen systems and supplies.