Browsing by Author "Korpela, Mikko"
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Item Barriers to community mental health users’ access to information needed to deal with mental health problems, Western Cape, South Africa(African Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2015) Bimerew, Million; Adejumo, Oluyinka; Korpela, MikkoThe most important advancement in the healthcare industry in the 21st century is the application of information technology (IT) in health care. While integrated IT is critical in transforming mental health care, IT infrastructure in mental health lags behind other sectors. This study explored community mental health users’ barriers to accessing information in dealing with mental health problems. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 11 mental health users and their family members, and two focus group discussions were held with eight mental health consumers and family members of each. Major barriers to accessing information were long waiting times for services; inadequate mental health education and information sessions; and lack of a support club to share information and experiences with people with similar mental problems. Empowering mental health users with adequate and appropriate mental health information helps to improve their care. Use of IT such as tele-health communication, email and text messages using computers was proven to improve access to information and quality of care provision.Item Developing a framework for a district-based information management system for mental health care in the Western Cape(University of Western Cape, 2013) Bimerew, Million S; Adejumo, Oluyinka; Korpela, MikkoA review of the literature has shown that there is a lack of mental health information on which to base planning of mental health services and decisions concerning programme development for mental health services. Several studies have indicated that the use of an evidence-based health information system (HIS) reduces inappropriate clinical practices and promotes the quality of health care services. This study was aimed at developing a framework for a district-based mental health information management system, utilising the experiences of health care providers and caregivers about a district mental health information system (DMHIS). Activity Theory was used as the philosophical foundation of the information system for the study. A qualitative approach was employed using semi-structured individual interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), systematic review and document analysis. The intervention research design and development model of Rothman and Thomas (1994) was used to guide the study, which was conducted in the Cape Town Metropole area of the Western Cape. A purposive, convenient sampling method was employed to select study participants. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the University of the Western Cape, and permission to use the health facilities from the Department of Health. The data collection process involved 62 individual interview participants, from mental health nurses to district health managers, health information clerks, and patient caregivers/families and persons with stable mental conditions. Thirteen caregivers took part in the FGDs. Document review was conducted at three community mental health centres. The data were analysed manually using content analysis. Core findings of the interviews were lack of standardized information collection tools and contents for mental health, information infrastructure, capacity building, and resources. Information processing in terms of collection, compiling, analysing, feedback, access and sharing information were the major problems. Results from document analysis identified inconsistencies and inaccuracies of information recording and processing, which in turn affected the quality of information for decision making. Results from the systematic review identified five functional elements: organizational structure; information infrastructure; capacity building; inputs, process, output and feedback; and community and stakeholders’ participation in the design and implementation of a mental health information system (MHIS). The study has contributed a framework for a DMHIS based on the findings of the empirical and systematic review. It is recommended that there is a need to establish a HIS committee at district health facility level for effective implementation of the framework and quality information processing. There is a need to ensure that staffs have adequate knowledge and skills required for effective implementation of an information system. It is recommended that higher education institutions include a course on HISs in their curriculum. It is suggested that the South African Mental Health Policy be reviewed to include an MHIS and ensure involvement of the community and stakeholders in this system as well as adequate budget allocation.Item District facility managers’ perspectives of mental health information processing and utilisation at primary care level in the Western Cape(AFAHPER-SD, 2014) Bimerew, Million; Korpela, Mikko; Adejumo, OluyinkaDistrict health facility managers play a significant role in provision of primary health care (PHC) services, particularly in integration of mental health services into the PHC level and developing a district health information system, which includes an integrated mental health information system (MHIS). The aim of the study was to explore the views and involvement of district health facility managers in the mental health information processing and utilization in improving mental health service delivery within the context of PHC. The study employed a qualitative research approach. Fourteen facility mangers were recruited using purposive sampling techniques, and interviews were conducted in 2012 and 2013. The interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study identified that mental health information processing systems are fragmented and inadequate for decision making, and it was not known how to use mental health information. Lack of knowledge in information processing and utilization, as well as poor information infrastructure and networking was associated with poor understanding about mental health, not considering mental health as one of the priorities within the district health services, and lack of higher officials’ interest in the mental health development programme. Also notable were the attitudes towards mental illness, which were a major problem. These findings have major implications, such as behavioral /attitudinal risk factors of higher officials, policy makers, and the community for MHIS development and interventions in the reduction of mental health problems in South Africa.Item Experiences of community nurses in management of a district-based mental health information system in the Western Cape, South Africa(Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance, 2014) Bimerew, Million; Adejumo, Oluyinka; Korpela, MikkoThe aim of this study was to explore the experiences of community nurses in the management of a mental health information system (MHIS). A purposive convenient sampling method was employed to select 23 community mental health nurses from 23 community health facilities for the study. Individual semi-structured interviews were used, and the data were analysed for themes. The main findings of the study were categorised into the themes of information gathering tools and contents, information processing, and challenges of mental health information processing. Subthemes which emerged were information gathering tools, head count information content, knowledge and skills, computer technology, information flow and sharing, resources, and feedback in information processing. Information processing in terms of data gathering, compiling, analysing, getting feedback, and sharing information were the major concerns. There were inadequate knowledge and skills in information systems, no standard information collection tools designed for mental health, and lack of infrastructure, such as a mental health information network system across the health facilities and up to the higher level. Mental health requires a responsible person that deals with the MHIS in terms of reporting, analysing and getting feedback from the results of analysis back to the people at ground level for implementation. The amount of mental health information being collected and processed was inadequate and of poor quality. This has resulted in having few data available for the decision making process and/or planning mental health services.Item Health information officers’ views of mental health information processing and utilisation within an integrated primary healthcare service in Cape Town, South Africa(African Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance, 2015) Bimerew, Million; Adejumo, Oluyinka; Korpela, MikkoHealth facility information officers have significant roles in gathering and processing health information and communicating it for utilisation. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of health information officers in processing and utilisation of mental health information within the context of primary health care. Fourteen health information officers were selected using purposive sampling techniques; they were interviewed, and data were grouped into themes. The study revealed a lack of structured information validation and feedback systems to improve the quality of information processing, and facility-level mental health information processing was fragmented and not used to improve service outcomes. Staff involved in health information recording and processing had limited skills to fulfill these tasks, and there were barriers to collecting and processing mental health information. These findings have major implications in improving mental health services within the integrated primary mental healthcare services, and in developing a sound and strong mental health information system.Item Socio-technical approach to community health: designing and developing a mobile care data application for home-based healthcare, in South Africa(CCIRDT, 2013) de la Harpe, Retha; Wills, Julia; Lotriet, Hugo; Pottas, Dalenca; Korpela, MikkoThe aim of this report is to describe the design and development considerations related to a mobile home-based healthcare application for care givers in a community in the Western Cape, South Africa. In order to do this we first describe current practices of health care givers in the Western Cape in capturing and reporting the data of their patients in practice. Although the overall aims of home-based healthcare are the same everywhere in the world, the context of a particular country is important because it determines how home-based healthcare is implemented in practice. In this instance the design and development of the mobile care data application were undertaken by a local university as part of a funded project to stimulate innovation by using informatics to address real needs in communities.