scholarly journals Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns Related to the Use of mHealth Apps for HIV Prevention Efforts Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-sectional Survey Study

10.2196/28311 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. e28311
Author(s):  
Roman Shrestha ◽  
Celia Fisher ◽  
Jeffrey A Wickersham ◽  
Antoine Khati ◽  
Rayne Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

Background The use of mobile health (mHealth), including smartphone apps, can improve the HIV prevention cascade for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). In Malaysia, where stigma and discrimination toward MSM are high, the mHealth platform has the potential to open new frontiers for HIV prevention efforts. However, little guidance is available to inform researchers about privacy and confidentiality concerns unique to the development and implementation of app-based HIV prevention programs. Objective Given the lack of empirical data in this area, we aim to understand the privacy and confidentiality concerns associated with participation in a hypothetical app-based research study for HIV prevention efforts. Methods A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between June and July 2020 among 355 Malaysian MSM. The survey included demographic and sexual health questions and a series of short videos describing a hypothetical app-based HIV prevention program, followed by questions related to privacy and confidentiality concerns in each step of the app-based program (ie, recruitment, clinical interaction, risk assessment, and weekly reminder). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the correlates of willingness to use such an app-based program. Results Most of the participants (266/355, 74.9%) indicated their willingness to participate in a hypothetical mHealth app–based HIV prevention program. Participants expressed concerns about privacy, confidentiality, data security, and risks and benefits of participating in all stages of the app-based HIV research process. Multivariate analyses indicated that participants who had a higher degree of perceived participation benefits (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.873; 95% CI 1.274-2.755; P=.001) were more willing to participate. In contrast, participants who had increased concerns about app-based clinical interaction and e-prescription (aOR 0.610; 95% CI 0.445-0.838; P=.002) and those who had a higher degree of perceived risks of participating (aOR 0.731; 95% CI 0.594-0.899; P=.003) were less willing to participate. Conclusions Overall, our results indicate that mHealth app–based HIV prevention programs are acceptable for future research on Malaysian MSM. The findings further highlighted the role of privacy and confidentiality, as well as the associated risks and benefits associated with participation in such a program. Given the ever-evolving nature of such technological platforms and the complex ethical–legal landscape, such platforms must be safe and secure to ensure widespread public trust and uptake.

scholarly journals Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns Related to the Use of mHealth Apps for HIV Prevention Efforts Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Shrestha ◽  
Celia Fisher ◽  
Jeffrey A Wickersham ◽  
Antoine Khati ◽  
Rayne Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

BACKGROUND The use of mobile health (mHealth), including smartphone apps, can improve the HIV prevention cascade for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). In Malaysia, where stigma and discrimination toward MSM are high, the mHealth platform has the potential to open new frontiers for HIV prevention efforts. However, little guidance is available to inform researchers about privacy and confidentiality concerns unique to the development and implementation of app-based HIV prevention programs. OBJECTIVE Given the lack of empirical data in this area, we aim to understand the privacy and confidentiality concerns associated with participation in a hypothetical app-based research study for HIV prevention efforts. METHODS A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between June and July 2020 among 355 Malaysian MSM. The survey included demographic and sexual health questions and a series of short videos describing a hypothetical app-based HIV prevention program, followed by questions related to privacy and confidentiality concerns in each step of the app-based program (ie, recruitment, clinical interaction, risk assessment, and weekly reminder). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the correlates of willingness to use such an app-based program. RESULTS Most of the participants (266/355, 74.9%) indicated their willingness to participate in a hypothetical mHealth app–based HIV prevention program. Participants expressed concerns about privacy, confidentiality, data security, and risks and benefits of participating in all stages of the app-based HIV research process. Multivariate analyses indicated that participants who had a higher degree of perceived participation benefits (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.873; 95% CI 1.274-2.755; <i>P</i>=.001) were more willing to participate. In contrast, participants who had increased concerns about app-based clinical interaction and e-prescription (aOR 0.610; 95% CI 0.445-0.838; <i>P</i>=.002) and those who had a higher degree of perceived risks of participating (aOR 0.731; 95% CI 0.594-0.899; <i>P</i>=.003) were less willing to participate. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results indicate that mHealth app–based HIV prevention programs are acceptable for future research on Malaysian MSM. The findings further highlighted the role of privacy and confidentiality, as well as the associated risks and benefits associated with participation in such a program. Given the ever-evolving nature of such technological platforms and the complex ethical–legal landscape, such platforms must be safe and secure to ensure widespread public trust and uptake.

Understanding Injury and Injury Prevention in Para Sport Athletes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Shana E. Harrington ◽  
Sean McQueeney ◽  
Marcus Fearing
Keyword(s):  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Descriptive Information ◽  
Cross Training ◽  
Injury Prevention Program

Context: Training loads, injury, and injury prevention in the Para sports population has not been well established. Objective: The purpose of this study was to survey elite-level swimming, cycling, and athletic Para sport athletes in the United States who were competing in the 2016 US Paralympic trials to better understand common injuries among athletes in each sport and to determine whether injury prevention programs were being utilized. Design: Cross-sectional, survey study. Setting: The 2016 US Paralympic trials for swimming, cycling, and athletics. Participants: Athletes who competed in swimming, cycling, and/or athletics at the 2016 US Paralympic trials (N = 144; 83 males and 61 females). Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed electronic survey using Qualtrics XM (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) with questions pertaining to average number of hours trained per week, number of cross-training hours performed each week, descriptive information regarding sport-related injuries, pain, whether athletes received treatment for injuries, and descriptive information regarding whether the athletes had participated in an injury prevention program. Results: Over 64% of respondents reported training greater than or equal to 11 hours per week, and 45% of athletes reported spending greater than or equal to 6 hours per week cross-training. Forty-two percent of athletes reported currently having pain with 34% reporting missing a competition because of injury. Only 24% of respondents reported having participated in an injury prevention program. Conclusions: Many Para sport athletes train at similar durations as able-bodied counterparts and have pain that interferes with their ability to train and compete, however, only a small percentage consistently perform injury prevention programs.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Hospital Pharmacists Concerning Clinical Research: A Survey Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Lee ◽  
Karen Dahri ◽  
Tim T Y Lau ◽  
Stephen Shalansky
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Pharmacists ◽  
Conducting Research

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Few studies have attempted to determine the proportion of Canadian hospital pharmacists involved in clinical research, despite a general consensus that research should be an essential component of a pharmacist’s professional role.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The primary objective was to characterize the involvement in clinical pharmacy research of hospital pharmacists in the 4 health authorities of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (collectively known as the Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services). The secondary objective was to identify perceived barriers to conducting research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pharmacists employed within Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional survey, for completion in August and September 2015. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. Groups of survey participants were compared to examine differences in measured outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 534 pharmacists were surveyed, with a response rate of 16% (85/534). Overall, 77% (55/71) of the respondents reported having participated in research, and 87% (62/71) expressed interest in conducting future research. Chart reviews (78%, 36/46) and surveys (41%, 19/46) were the most common study designs used in prior research. Participants self-identified their research-related strengths as literature evaluation (46%, 27/59) and hypothesis generation (44%, 26/59). Conversely, 81% (48/59) of respondents self-identified statistical analysis as a weakness. Most respondents stated that personal satisfaction (82%, 49/60) and the opportunity to learn about disease states (78%, 47/60) were the driving factors for conducting research. The most commonly cited barrier to conducting research was lack of time (92%, 55/60). Opportunities to join existing teams (73%, 44/60) and mentorship programs (70%, 42/60) were identified as the most popular arrangements for encouraging future research.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Most of the pharmacists who responded to this survey reported having participated in clinical pharmacy research, but a lack of dedicated time appears to be a major hurdle to greater research participation. A targeted program increasing exposure to existing research teams and mentorship opportunities is recommended for promoting future research.</p><p><strong>RÉSUMÉ</strong></p><p><strong>Contexte : </strong>Peu d’études ont cherché à déterminer la proportion de “pharmaciens d’hôpitaux canadiens qui contribuent à la recherché clinique, et ce, malgré un consensus voulant que la recherche doive être un élément essentiel du rôle professionnel des pharmaciens.</p><p><strong>Objectifs : </strong>L’objectif principal était d’offrir un portrait de la contribution à la recherche sur la pharmacie clinique des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux des quatre régies régionales des basses-terres continentales de la Colombie-Britannique (appelées collectivement <em>Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services</em>, c.-à-d. services de pharmacie des basses-terres continentales). L’objectif secondaire était de recenser les éléments perçus comme des obstacles à la réalisation de recherches.</p><p><strong>Méthodes : </strong>Les pharmaciens employés au sein des services de pharmacie des basses-terres continentales ont été invités à participer par voie électronique à une enquête transversale qui devait être complétée en août et en septembre 2015. Des statistiques descriptives ont été employées pour analyser les résultats. On a aussi comparé des groupes de participants à l’enquête afin d’examiner les différences entre les résultats mesurés.</p><p><strong>Résultats : </strong>Au total, 534 pharmaciens ont été sondés et le taux de réponse était de 16 % (85/534). Dans l’ensemble, 77 % (55/71) des répondants indiquaient avoir participé à des recherches et 87 % (62/71) souhaitaient faire de la recherche dans l’avenir. L’analyse de dossiers médicaux (78 %, 36/46) et les sondages (41 %, 19/46) représentaient les plans d’étude les plus utilisés par les répondants au cours de recherches antérieures. Les participants ont indiqué que leurs forces en lien avec la recherche étaient leur capacité d’évaluer la littérature (46 %, 27/59) et de formuler des hypothèses (44 %, 26/59). En revanche, 81 % (48/59) ont signalé l’analyse statistique comme leur point faible. La plupart des répondants croyaient que la satisfaction personnelle (82 %, 49/60) et la perspective d’acquérir des connaissances sur les maladies (78 %, 47/60) représentaient les principaux facteurs les motivant à faire de la recherche. Ce qui était évoqué le plus souvent comme un obstacle à la recherche était le manqué de temps (92 %, 55/60). Les occasions de se joindre à des équipes en place (73 %, 44/60) et les programmes de mentorat (70 %, 42/60) ont été désignés comme les dispositions les plus attrayantes pour encourager à poursuivre de futures recherches.</p><strong>Conclusions : </strong>La plupart des pharmaciens ayant répondu au sondage ont indiqué avoir contribué à des recherches en pharmacie clinique, mais le manque de temps réservé pour la recherche semblait être un obstacle important à une plus grande participation aux activités de recherche. Un programme ciblé multipliant les possibilités de fréquenter des équipes de recherche déjà établies et offrant plus d’occasions de mentorat serait une façon de promouvoir de futures recherches.

scholarly journals Mental Health, Potential Minority Stressors And Resilience: Evidence From A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Gay, Bisexual And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men Within The Celtic Nations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene McGarty ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Julie Riddell ◽  
John Pachankis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Abstract Background: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at a greater risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, than heterosexual adults. Numerous factors and stressors have been reported to impact men’s mental health, although it has been suggested that resilience could have a protective effect. The aim of this study is to explore mental health, minority stressors, and resilience among a large online cross-sectional survey of GBMSM in the Celtic nations. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from the Social Media, GBMSM and Sexual and Holistic Health (SMMASH2) self-report online survey. Participants (n=3077) were recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that increased the odds of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression. Potentially relevant variables (p<0.05) were carried forward in hierarchal logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression was 19.9% and 14.4%, respectively. Having a disability (OR = 1.73) and having financial worries sometimes/all of the time (OR = 1.93) increased the odds of having moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, respectively. No minority stressors were associated with depression, whereas experiencing any form of relationship abuse in the last 12 months significantly increased the odds of anxiety (OR = 1.50). Resilience, namely a sense of coherence, had a protective effect and significantly reduced the odds of moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.85) and anxiety (OR = 0.89). Discussion: Disability and financial worries were associated with increased depression and anxiety, respectively, while resilience had a protective effect for GBMSM in the SMMASH2 study. Future research is needed to better understand the role of resilience and the challenges and stresses of everyday life and intersecting health problems. Future research is also needed that incorporates the perspectives of those most affected by mental ill-health to co-develop effective solutions that respond to their contextual surroundings.

scholarly journals Burdens, resources, health and wellbeing of nurses working in general and specialised palliative care in Germany – results of a nationwide cross-sectional survey study

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Diehl ◽  
Sandra Rieger ◽  
Stephan Letzel ◽  
Anja Schablon ◽  
Albert Nienhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Robert Koch Institute ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background Palliative care in Germany is divided into general (GPC) and specialised palliative care (SPC). Although palliative care will become more important in the care sector in future, there is a large knowledge gab, especially with regard to GPC. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the burdens, resources, health and wellbeing of nurses working in GPC and SPC. Such information will be helpful for developing prevention programs in order to reduce burdens and to strengthen resources of nurses. Methods In 2017, a nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 437 nurses in GPC and 1316 nurses in SPC completed a questionnaire containing parts of standardised instruments, which included parts of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), the Resilience Scale (RS-13) Questionnaire, a single question about back pain from the health survey conducted by the Robert Koch Institute as well as self-developed questions. The differences in the variables between GPC and SPC nurses were compared. Results SPC nurses reported higher emotional demands as well as higher burdens due to nursing care and the care of relatives while GPC nurses stated higher quantitative demands, i.e. higher workload. SPC nurses more often reported organisational and social resources that were helpful in dealing with the demands of their work. Regarding health, GPC nurses stated a poorer health status and reported chronic back pain as well as a major depressive disorder more frequently than SPC nurses. Furthermore, GPC nurses reported a higher intention to leave the profession compared to SPC nurses. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicate that SPC could be reviewed as the best practice example for nursing care in Germany. The results may be used for developing target group specific prevention programs for improving health and wellbeing of nurses taking the differences between GPC and SPC into account. Finally, interventional and longitudinal studies should be conducted in future to determine causality in the relationship of burdens, resources, health and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Use of Latex Condom-Compatible Lubricants by Men Who Have Sex with Men in India: Implications for HIV Prevention

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreena Ramanathan ◽  
Venkatesan Chakrapani ◽  
Lakshmi Ramakrishnan ◽  
Prabuddhagopal Goswami ◽  
Diwakar Yadav ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Anal Sex ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Sex With Men

We examined the prevalence and type of rectal lubricants use and factors associated with exclusive use of latex-condom compatible lubricants (water-based lubricants) among men who have sex with men (MSM) using data from a large-scale cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009/10 in three Indian states. Using time-location cluster sampling, 3880 MSM were recruited from cruising sites. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association between type of lubricants used and sociodemographic and programmatic indicators. Among those who reported using lubricants (64%) more than half (53%) exclusively used water-based lubricants, less than one-tenth used exclusively oil-based lubricants, and nearly 40% used both water-based and oil-based lubricants. Factors associated with exclusive use of water-based lubricants were exposure to HIV prevention interventions (AOR: 6.18, 95% CI 4.82 to 7.92) and kothi-identified MSM—feminine/anal-receptive (AOR: 2.56, 95% CI 2.12 to 3.10). Targeted HIV interventions among MSM need to promote and distribute latex condom-compatible lubricants for use during anal sex—irrespective of their presumed or stated sexual role in anal sex, and educate them not to use oil-based lubricants with condoms.

Effects of Peer Education on the Peer Educators in a School-Based HIV Prevention Program: Where Should Peer Education Research Go from Here?

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Ebreo ◽  
Sonja Feist-Price ◽  
Youmasu Siewe ◽  
Rick S. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Aids Prevention ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Peer Educators ◽  
School Based

Although many HIV/AIDS prevention programs for adolescents have used peer educators to deliver risk reduction information, fewresearchers have evaluated the effects of participation in educational activities on the peer educators themselves. The present study compares several outcomes experienced by peer educators involved in a school-based HIV prevention program with those of their classmates to determine areas in which involvement in the curriculum had an effect on peer educators. Analyses revealed few differences between peer educators that could be attributed to the implementation of the intervention. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for prevention programs targeting adolescent populations, and suggestions are made concerning the importance of future research on the selection, training, and integration of peer educators into school-based programs.

scholarly journals Economic, Mental Health, HIV Prevention and HIV Treatment Impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 response on a Global Sample of Cisgender Gay Men and Other Men who have sex with Men

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn-Milo Santos ◽  
Benjamin Ackerman ◽  
Amrita Rao ◽  
Sara Wallach ◽  
George Ayala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sex With Men

Abstract There is an urgent need to measure the impacts of COVID-19 among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of gay men and other MSM (n= 2732) from April 16, 2020 to May 4, 2020, through a social networking app. We characterized the economic, mental health, HIV prevention and HIV treatment impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 response, and examined whether subgroups of our study population are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Many men not only reported economic and mental health consequences, but also interruptions to HIV prevention and testing, and HIV care and treatment services. Consequences were significantly greater among people living with HIV, racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, sex workers, and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Findings underscore the crucial need to mitigate the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 among gay men and other MSM, especially for those with intersecting vulnerabilities.

scholarly journals Mental health, potential minority stressors and resilience: evidence from a cross-sectional survey of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men within the Celtic nations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene McGarty ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Julie Riddell ◽  
John Pachankis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Abstract Background Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at a greater risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, than heterosexual adults. Numerous factors and stressors have been reported to impact men’s mental health, although it has been suggested that resilience could have a protective effect. The aim of this study is to explore mental health, minority stressors, and resilience among a large online cross-sectional survey of GBMSM in the Celtic nations. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from the Social Media, GBMSM and Sexual and Holistic Health (SMMASH2) self-report online survey. Participants (n = 3077) were recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that increased the odds of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression. Potentially relevant variables (p < 0.05) were carried forward in hierarchal logistic regression analyses. Results The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression was 19.9 and 14.4%, respectively. Having a disability (OR = 1.73) and having financial worries sometimes/all of the time (OR = 1.93) increased the odds of having moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, respectively. No minority stressors were associated with depression, whereas experiencing any form of relationship abuse in the last 12 months significantly increased the odds of anxiety (OR = 1.50). Resilience, namely a sense of coherence, had a protective effect and significantly reduced the odds of moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.85) and anxiety (OR = 0.89). Conclusions Disability and financial worries were associated with increased depression and anxiety, respectively, while resilience had a protective effect for GBMSM in the SMMASH2 study. Future research is needed to better understand the role of resilience and the challenges and stresses of everyday life and intersecting health problems. Future research is also needed that incorporates the perspectives of those most affected by mental ill-health to co-develop effective solutions that respond to their contextual surroundings.

Integrating health disparities content into health informatics courses: a cross-sectional survey study and recommendations (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uba Backonja ◽  
Annie T. Chen ◽  
Kenrick Cato
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Informatics Training

BACKGROUND Research suggests that while informatics solutions can help understand and address health disparities, there is potential for solutions to exacerbate existing or create new health disparities. To help future research and development of equitable solutions, we need to look upstream at how disparities are being integrated into informatics training programs. Doing so provides understanding and informs development of curricula that provide a foundation for future informaticists to build solutions that are ethical and equitable. OBJECTIVE To examine how the topic of health disparities is integrated into informatics courses. METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study took place April-October 2019 in the United States. Individuals teaching courses in informatics programs were recruited via listservs and email to complete an online survey. Instructors were eligible if they integrated disparities content into their informatics courses. Survey questions examined administrative aspects of the course (e.g., class size, mode of teaching, discipline of enrolled students) and disparities content integrated into the course (e.g., social determinants of health [SDOH] covered, how students were assessed on disparities related content). Participants also reported challenges they faced integrating disparities content into their courses. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; qualitative data were analyzed using inductive coding. RESULTS Invitations were sent to 141 individuals, including contacts for the National Library of Medicine (NLM) biomedical informatics training programs, and 11 listservs. We obtained data for 24 informatics courses that contained health disparities content. Courses were taught primarily in graduate programs (n=21, 87.5%) in informatics (n=9, 33.3%), nursing (n=7, 25.9%), and information science (n=6, 22.2%). Of the 24 courses, six (25.0%) were taught in an NLM training program. The most frequently covered SDOHs were socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity (both n=21, 87.5%); the least frequently covered were body type (n=0), low resource areas (n=2, 8.3%), and urban residences (n=3, 12.5%). Instructors noted three main types of challenges when integrating disparities related content into their courses: the need for additional resources, student-related challenges, and topic sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Our sample included 24 informatics courses -- fewer than we had hoped -- that integrated disparities content; these courses spanned disciplines and varied in terms of the topics covered. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for the intentional development of informatics programs to support the training of future generations of informaticians with foundational and transnational knowledge in health disparities so they are well-equipped to develop equitable informatics solutions. CLINICALTRIAL This study was not a clinical trial.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document