International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=274&year=2011&vol=2&issue=4 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research 1755-3539 1755-3547 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijbhr_scoverijbhr.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=274&year=2011&vol=2&issue=4 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43413 The effective management of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) is a priority within the healthcare setting due to their impact on health outcomes and costs. This study explored the socio-psychological and situational variables that influenced the prevention and control of infections within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, with a particular focus on the management of clinical waste. Interviews with senior managers and questionnaire surveys of staff were employed at three case study sites within the NHS in England. Three key factors, namely staff awareness; training in infection prevention and control and waste management; and length of time working at the site were found to be important determinants for perceptions. Suggestions on how to overcome the barriers identified are also suggested in the paper. Overcoming attitudes and perceptions towards the management of infections and waste in the hospital setting: a case study from the UK
Terry L. Tudor
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 307 - 319
The effective management of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) is a priority within the healthcare setting due to their impact on health outcomes and costs. This study explored the socio-psychological and situational variables that influenced the prevention and control of infections within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, with a particular focus on the management of clinical waste. Interviews with senior managers and questionnaire surveys of staff were employed at three case study sites within the NHS in England. Three key factors, namely staff awareness; training in infection prevention and control and waste management; and length of time working at the site were found to be important determinants for perceptions. Suggestions on how to overcome the barriers identified are also suggested in the paper.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043413 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 307 - 319 Terry L. Tudor School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Northampton, NN2 6JD, UK HCAI healthcare associated infections medical waste waste management environmental behaviour organisational behaviour National Health Service NHS UK United Kingdom employee attitudes perception determinants hospitals health outcomes health costs socio-psychological variables situational variables infection prevention infection control senior managers England staff awareness staff training medical staff working time behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 307 319 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43414 Response bias shows up in many fields of behavioural and healthcare research where self-reported data are used. We demonstrate how to use stochastic frontier estimation (SFE) to identify response bias and its covariates. In our application to a family intervention, we examine the effects of participant demographics on response bias before and after participation; gender and race/ethnicity are related to magnitude of bias and to changes in bias across time, and bias is lower at post-test than at pre-test. We discuss how SFE may be used to address the problem of 'response shift bias' that is, a shift in metric from before to after an intervention which is caused by the intervention itself and may lead to underestimates of programme effects. Measuring bias in self-reported data
Robert Rosenman; Vidhura Tennekoon; Laura G. Hill
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 320 - 332
Response bias shows up in many fields of behavioural and healthcare research where self-reported data are used. We demonstrate how to use stochastic frontier estimation (SFE) to identify response bias and its covariates. In our application to a family intervention, we examine the effects of participant demographics on response bias before and after participation; gender and race/ethnicity are related to magnitude of bias and to changes in bias across time, and bias is lower at post-test than at pre-test. We discuss how SFE may be used to address the problem of 'response shift bias' that is, a shift in metric from before to after an intervention which is caused by the intervention itself and may lead to underestimates of programme effects.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043414 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 320 - 332 Robert Rosenman; Vidhura Tennekoon; Laura G. Hill School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646210, Pullman, WA 99164-6210, USA. ' School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646210, Pullman, WA 99164-6210, USA. ' Department of Human Development, Washington State University, 523 Johnson Tower, Pullman, WA 99164, USA response bias response-shift bias programme evaluation stochastic frontier analysis stochastic frontier estimation prevention science self-reported data bias measurement family interventions USA United States Washington State Oregon participant demographics gender race ethnicity bias magnitude bias changes post-test bias pre-test bias programme effects effect underestimates metric shifts behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 320 332 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43415 The general objective of this feasibility study is to demonstrate the plausibility of developing organisational capabilities-based framework and demonstrate that the right mix of theories and methodologies have been considered. The small field study was conducted at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) with the Care Management Plus (CMP) Team. CMP is an evidence-based HIT application for older adults and chronically ill patients with multiple conditions and the innovation includes software, clinic processes and training. Use of qualitative research-based case study, with application of diffusion theory and dynamic capabilities using the unified modelling language (UML) notation are demonstrated in this field study. In the following sections, data collection, analysis, results, conclusions and limitations of research along with propositions for future research are discussed. A grounded model of technology adoption capabilities: care coordination and health IT
Nima A. Behkami; Tugrul U. Daim; David A. Dorr
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 333 - 346
The general objective of this feasibility study is to demonstrate the plausibility of developing organisational capabilities-based framework and demonstrate that the right mix of theories and methodologies have been considered. The small field study was conducted at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) with the Care Management Plus (CMP) Team. CMP is an evidence-based HIT application for older adults and chronically ill patients with multiple conditions and the innovation includes software, clinic processes and training. Use of qualitative research-based case study, with application of diffusion theory and dynamic capabilities using the unified modelling language (UML) notation are demonstrated in this field study. In the following sections, data collection, analysis, results, conclusions and limitations of research along with propositions for future research are discussed.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043415 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 333 - 346 Nima A. Behkami; Tugrul U. Daim; David A. Dorr Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, USA; Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, Oregon 97239-309, USA. ' Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, USA. ' Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, Oregon 97239-309, USA health services ICT information technology communications technology organisational capabilities technology adoption care coordination object-oriented systems grounded models feasibility studies capabilities-based frameworks Oregon Health and Science University OHSU USA United States Care Management Plus CMP medical teams evidence-based applications older adults old people elderly people chronically ill patients multiple conditions chronic illnesses software clinic processes staff training qualitative research UML notation unified modelling language diffusion theory dynamic capabilities data collection data analysis behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 333 346 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43416 The main subject of the research study is the implementation of m-health reservation system at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Egypt. The AASTMT was selected as a case university that offers health services to both staff members and students. The proposed system is based on the current electronic medical records of the academy's staff at the clinic. The study tries to answer the research question: 'What are the main usability problems that affect user experience with regards to m-health reservation system?' In order to answer the research question, usability test was developed and tested on two phases, where respondents were asked to actually reserve an appointment at the academy's clinic and to perform typical tasks using an iPhone 3G. The experimental evaluation was carried out at a controlled laboratory environment. The experiment was recorded, analysed, and conclusions were derived. Designing, developing, and testing a mobile health reservation system in the Egyptian context
Rehaballah Elbadrawy; Rasha Abdel Aziz; Miran Ismail; Nourhan Hamdi
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 347 - 361
The main subject of the research study is the implementation of m-health reservation system at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Egypt. The AASTMT was selected as a case university that offers health services to both staff members and students. The proposed system is based on the current electronic medical records of the academy's staff at the clinic. The study tries to answer the research question: 'What are the main usability problems that affect user experience with regards to m-health reservation system?' In order to answer the research question, usability test was developed and tested on two phases, where respondents were asked to actually reserve an appointment at the academy's clinic and to perform typical tasks using an iPhone 3G. The experimental evaluation was carried out at a controlled laboratory environment. The experiment was recorded, analysed, and conclusions were derived.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043416 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 347 - 361 Rehaballah Elbadrawy; Rasha Abdel Aziz; Miran Ismail; Nourhan Hamdi College of Management and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Gamal Abd El Nasser Road, Miami, P.O. 1029 Alexandria, Egypt. ' CEMS, University of the West of England, Filton Road, Bristol, BS34 8QZ, UK; 10 Mohamed Saleh Abou Youssef, Saba Pacha, Alexandria, Egypt. ' University of Wales Institute Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF24 0SP, UK; College of Management and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Gamal Abd El Nasser Road, Miami, P.O. 1029 Alexandria, Egypt. ' University of Wales Institute Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF24 0SP, UK; College of Management and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Gamal Abd El Nasser Road, Miami, P.O. 1029 Alexandria, Egypt mobile health services electronic health e-health usability tests user interfaces reservation systems Egypt m-health services Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport AASTMT universities higher education staff members academic staff university students electronic records medical records clinics user experiences appointments iPhone smartphones multimedia mobile phones cell phones internet world wide web Apple 3G 3rd generation mobile telecommunications mobile telecommunication services experimental evaluations controlled environments laboratory environments behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 347 361 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43417 The study is concerned with ethical issues that arise because private sector's healthcare provision in Jordan is under the influence of profit. The study examines to what extent Jordanian private hospitals hold on to medical care ethics, and whether Jordanian doctors in private hospitals experience conflicts of ethics and provision of medical care, and to what extent Jordanian doctors hold on to their ethics. Research methods included interviews with 30 doctors from private hospitals, ten interviews with doctors from the public sector, and five informally interviews with patients. Findings revealed that while health professionals in private hospitals are obligated to their patients, they compromise their professional standards to please their owners. Doctors indicated that private hospitals: consider the cost of medical care and make decisions on behalf of patients; avoid taking care of unfortunate and financially-uncapable patients; admit the fortunate and financially capable patients; and welcome short-term illnesses for profit. Healthcare commercialisation in Jordan's private hospitals: ethics versus profit
Salem S. Al-Oun; Ziad Smadi
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 362 - 374
The study is concerned with ethical issues that arise because private sector's healthcare provision in Jordan is under the influence of profit. The study examines to what extent Jordanian private hospitals hold on to medical care ethics, and whether Jordanian doctors in private hospitals experience conflicts of ethics and provision of medical care, and to what extent Jordanian doctors hold on to their ethics. Research methods included interviews with 30 doctors from private hospitals, ten interviews with doctors from the public sector, and five informally interviews with patients. Findings revealed that while health professionals in private hospitals are obligated to their patients, they compromise their professional standards to please their owners. Doctors indicated that private hospitals: consider the cost of medical care and make decisions on behalf of patients; avoid taking care of unfortunate and financially-uncapable patients; admit the fortunate and financially capable patients; and welcome short-term illnesses for profit.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043417 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 362 - 374 Salem S. Al-Oun; Ziad Smadi Department of Business Administration, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq 25113, Jordan. ' Department of Business Administration, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq 25113, Jordan healthcare commercialisation private sector private hospitals medical ethics profit obligations health services Jordan ethical issues medical care doctors public sector health professionals compromise professional standards decision making short-term illnesses financially capable patients patient finances financial incapability behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 362 374 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43418 German citizens claiming an old-age pension have long been encouraged to have benefits coming from different pension schemes. It is not known, however, whether this mixed source system can continue to perform adequately since measures for adjusting pension payments to reflect economic changes vary according to the sources of pension income. A pensioner who finds their income from one strand of their pension scheme reducing cannot be sure that another strand will compensate, and that poses a threat to their level of financial security. The aim of this paper is to analyse the adjustments made to retirement incomes from the theoretical point of view, as well as to show the opportunities and risks presented by the mixed source systems of old-age pension provision. The paper gives a brief overview of the German pension adjustment system, which will be used to illustrate purchasing power risks. The results will provide useful information for social partners and policy makers, which could assist a target-oriented review of pension schemes. Pension adjustment and its problems. A critical overview of the measures, exemplified on the basis of the German pension scheme
Katharina Kröger
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 375 - 394
German citizens claiming an old-age pension have long been encouraged to have benefits coming from different pension schemes. It is not known, however, whether this mixed source system can continue to perform adequately since measures for adjusting pension payments to reflect economic changes vary according to the sources of pension income. A pensioner who finds their income from one strand of their pension scheme reducing cannot be sure that another strand will compensate, and that poses a threat to their level of financial security. The aim of this paper is to analyse the adjustments made to retirement incomes from the theoretical point of view, as well as to show the opportunities and risks presented by the mixed source systems of old-age pension provision. The paper gives a brief overview of the German pension adjustment system, which will be used to illustrate purchasing power risks. The results will provide useful information for social partners and policy makers, which could assist a target-oriented review of pension schemes.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043418 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 375 - 394 Katharina Kröger Economics and Demography, Institute for Gerontology, University of Vechta, Driverstr. 22, D 49377 Vechta, Germany pension adjustments Germany old-age provision old-age pensions benefits mixed source systems pension payments economic changes pension incomes income sources pensioners income strands financial security opportunities risks purchasing power inflation indexation adjustment systems social partners policy makers target-oriented reviews pension schemes state pensions old people elderly people income changes security levels healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 375 394 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43419 In Germany, general practitioners, as well as other medical doctors usually are self-employed entrepreneurs. Medical service centres (MSCs) have been created by German legislation in 2004 in order to facilitate cooperation of general practitioners, on one hand, and to establish a system near a policlinic, which does not exist in (Western) Germany, on the other hand. The aim of the present study is to investigate using problem-centred interviews whether MSCs are a useful tool to build up core competencies. According to the interview partners, the bundling of resources can lead to additional competencies. Reasons for this development are seen in a good exchange of expert knowledge and joint learning. By means of close cooperation, more knowledge can be created than benchmarking with competitors. The overlapping of different areas of expertise is also seen as an advantage in specialised MSCs. However, legislation also leads to a suppression of the entrepreneurial general practitioner. Medical service centres in Germany a competence-based form of cooperation for general practitioners?
Josef Farnschläder; Harald Stummer
International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 395 - 401
In Germany, general practitioners, as well as other medical doctors usually are self-employed entrepreneurs. Medical service centres (MSCs) have been created by German legislation in 2004 in order to facilitate cooperation of general practitioners, on one hand, and to establish a system near a policlinic, which does not exist in (Western) Germany, on the other hand. The aim of the present study is to investigate using problem-centred interviews whether MSCs are a useful tool to build up core competencies. According to the interview partners, the bundling of resources can lead to additional competencies. Reasons for this development are seen in a good exchange of expert knowledge and joint learning. By means of close cooperation, more knowledge can be created than benchmarking with competitors. The overlapping of different areas of expertise is also seen as an advantage in specialised MSCs. However, legislation also leads to a suppression of the entrepreneurial general practitioner.

]]> 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.043419 International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 2, No. 4 (2011) pp. 395 - 401 Josef Farnschläder; Harald Stummer Division for Organisational Behaviour Research and Workplace Health Promotion, UMIT University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Academic Center Vienna, Opernring 5/2, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. ' Division for Organisational Behaviour Research and Workplace Health Promotion, UMIT University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Academic Center Vienna, Opernring 5/2, A-1010 Vienna, Austria competence cooperation medical service centres general practitioners doctors self-employed entrepreneurs health legislation laws policlinics core competencies expert knowledge joint learning knowledge exchange resource bundling additional competencies benchmarking knowledge creation competitors expertise medical specialisation Germany entrepreneurial practitioners behavioural research healthcare research. 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00 2 4 395 401 2011-10-28T23:20:50-05:00