1. Evaluating the benefits and implementation challenges of digital health interventions for improving self-efficacy and patient activation in cancer survivors : single-case experimental prospective studyUmut Arioz, Urška Smrke, Valentino Šafran, Maja Ravnik, Matej Horvat, Vojko Flis, Izidor Mlakar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Cancer survivors face numerous challenges, and digital health interventions can empower them by enhancing self-efficacy and patient activation. This prospective study aimed to assess the impact of a mHealth app on self-efficacy and patient activation in 166 breast and colorectal cancer survivors. Participants received a smart bracelet and used the app to access personalized care plans. Data were collected at baseline and follow-ups, including patient-reported outcomes and clinician feedback. The study demonstrated positive impacts on self-efficacy and patient activation. The overall trial retention rate was 75.3%. Participants reported high levels of activation (PAM levels 1–3: P = 1.0; level 4: P = 0.65) and expressed a willingness to stay informed about their disease (CASE-Cancer factor 1: P = 0.98; factor 2: P = 0.66; factor 3: P = 0.25). Usability of the app improved, with an increase in participants rating the system as having excellent usability (from 14.82% to 22.22%). Additional qualitative analysis revealed positive experiences from both patients and clinicians. This paper contributes significantly to cancer survivorship care by providing personalized care plans tailored to individual needs. The PERSIST platform shows promise in improving patient outcomes and enhancing self-management abilities in cancer survivors. Further research with larger and more diverse populations is needed to establish its effectiveness.
Keywords: cancer survivorship, self-efficacy, satisfaction, patient activation, digital health interventions
Published in DKUM: 25.04.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0 |
2. Radiotherapy department supported by an optimization algorithm for scheduling patient appointmentsMarcela Chavez, Silvia Gonzalez, Ruiz Alvaro, Duflot Patrick, Nicolas Jansen, Izidor Mlakar, Umut Arioz, Valentino Šafran, Philippe Kolh, Van Gasteren Marteyn, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Prompt administration of radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most effective treatments against cancer. Eachday, the radiotherapy departments of large hospitals must plan numerous irradiation sessions, con-sidering the availability of human and material resources, such as healthcare professionals and linearaccelerators. With the increasing number of patients suffering from different types of cancers, manuallyestablishing schedules following each patient’s treatment protocols has become an extremely difficultand time-consuming task. We propose an optimization algorithm that automatically schedules andgenerates patient appointments. The model can rearrange fixed appointments to accommodate urgentcases, enabling hospitals to schedule appointments more efficiently. It respects the different treatment Prompt administration of radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most effective treatments against cancer. Eachday, the radiotherapy departments of large hospitals must plan numerous irradiation sessions, con-sidering the availability of human and material resources, such as healthcare professionals and linearaccelerators. With the increasing number of patients suffering from different types of cancers, manuallyestablishing schedules following each patient’s treatment protocols has become an extremely difficultand time-consuming task. We propose an optimization algorithm that automatically schedules andgenerates patient appointments. The model can rearrange fixed appointments to accommodate urgentcases, enabling hospitals to schedule appointments more efficiently. It respects the different treatment.
Keywords: appointments, hospital management, optimization algorithm, patient satisfaction, planning, radiotherapy
Published in DKUM: 25.02.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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3. The concept of Watson's carative factors in nursing and their (dis)harmony with patient satisfactionMajda Pajnkihar, Gregor Štiglic, Dominika Vrbnjak, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Constant reviews of the caring behavior of nurses and patient satisfaction help to improve the quality of nursing. The aim of our research was to explore relationships between the level of nursing education, the perception of nurses and nursing assistants of Watson's carative factors, and patient satisfaction.
Methods: A questionnaire survey using a convenience sample of 1,098 members of nursing teams and a purposive sample of 1,123 patients in four health care institutions in Slovenia was conducted in August 2012. A demographic questionnaire and the Caring Nurse-Patient Interactions Scale (nurse version) were delivered to the nurses. A Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey was delivered to discharged patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Carative factor sensibility was related to the level of nursing education. Patients were satisfied with the care received from nurses, nursing assistants and hospitals, although we found differences between the perceptions of nurses and nursing assistants of carative factors and patient satisfaction. By comparing only the perceptions of nurses and nursing assistants of carative factors in health care institutions, differences were found for seven out of ten carative factors.
Discussion: We did not find major significant differences between carative factors and level of nurse education, except in one carative factor. Differences in perceptions of carative factors between health care institutions are probably the result of different institutional factors. The results can be of great benefit to nurse administrators and educators, indicating the factors that must be taken into account for enhancing patient satisfaction. Emphasis on caring theories should be placed in nursing education and their application in nursing practice.
Keywords: caring, patient satisfaction, cross-sectional studies
Published in DKUM: 02.08.2017; Views: 3130; Downloads: 412
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4. The effect of an educational intervention in family phisicians on self-rated quality of life in patients with medically unexplained symptomsVojislav Ivetić, Klemen Pašić, Polona Selič-Zupančič, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are very common in family medicine, despite being a poorly-defined clinical entity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention (EI) on self-rated quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and the family physician-patient relationship in patients with MUS.
Methods: In a multi-centre longitudinal intervention study, which was performed between 2012 and 2014, patients were asked to rate their quality of life, assess their depression, anxiety, stress and somatisation, complete the Hypochondriasis Index, the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale and the Patient Enablement Instrument for assessing the physician-patient relationship, before and after the EI.
Results: The mean values before and after the intervention showed that after the EI, patients with MUS gave a lower (total) mean rating of their health issues and a higher rating of their quality of life, and they also had a more positive opinion of their relationship with the physician (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in the (total) rating of treatment satisfaction before and after the EI (p=0.423). Significant differences in the symptoms in patients with MUS before and after the intervention were confirmed for stress, somatisation and hypochondriasis (p<0.05).
Conclusions: It could be beneficial to equip family physicians with the knowledge, skills and tools to reduce hypochondriasis and somatisation in MUS patients, which would improve patients’ self-rated health status.
Keywords: medically unexplained symptoms, family medicine, educational intervention, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, family physician-patient relationship
Published in DKUM: 06.04.2017; Views: 1886; Downloads: 404
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5. Quality of life and patient satisfaction with family practice care in a roma population with chronic conditions in northeast SloveniaErika Zelko, Igor Švab, Danica Rotar-Pavlič, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures a patient's subjective experience of his or her health status. We aimed to show how the presence of chronic diseases and satisfaction with family physicians (FPs) were associated with the HRQoL of a Roma population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in May 2011 on a representative sample of 650 Roma living in Prekmurje, Slovenia. The EQ-5D questionnaire was used for measuring the HRQoL of the Roma. Demographical data, 12 groups of diseases diagnosed in the last 12 months and satisfaction with FPs were included in the questionnaire.
Results: The response rate was 88.3% (574), of which 56.4% were female, and the average age of the participants had a mean value of 40.2+-12.7 years. The presence of cardiovascular problems with risk factors for them or presence of musculoskeletal disorders were strongly associated with the presence of pain (Cramer's V = 0.40 and 0.46 respectively). There was a strong association between the presence of mental disorders and anxiety and depression (Cramer's V = 0.58). The average satisfaction with the family physician was 3.9 (mean+-1.10) on a five-point Likert scale. There was no significant association between HRQoL and satisfaction with the family physician.
Conclusions: Roma with chronic mental health problems had the lowest HRQoL in the Roma population. More attention should be paid to this subgroup of Roma in family medicine, and interventions should be provided. High satisfaction with their FPs is not associated with the observed quality of life variables.
Keywords: quality of life, Roma, patient satisfaction
Published in DKUM: 05.04.2017; Views: 1422; Downloads: 187
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