Perceptions regarding utilization of meteorological information in healthcare in Korea: a qualitative study
10.1186/s40557-018-0214-3
- Author:
Minsu OCK
1
;
Eun Young CHOI
;
Inbo OH
;
Seok Hyeon YUN
;
Yoo Keun KIM
;
Hyunsu KIM
;
Min Woo JO
;
Jiho LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
- Publication Type:Electronic Supplementary Materials
- Keywords:
Meteorological concepts;
Focus groups;
Republic of Korea
- MeSH:
Checklist;
Climate Change;
Delivery of Health Care;
Emergency Medical Technicians;
Focus Groups;
Forecasting;
Health Personnel;
Humans;
Korea;
Meteorological Concepts;
Patient Care;
Republic of Korea;
Socioeconomic Factors
- From:Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2018;30(1):8-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Health forecasting has been used in an attempt to provide timely and tailored meteorological information to patients and healthcare providers so that they might take appropriate actions to mitigate health risks and manage healthcare-related needs. This study examined the in-depth perceptions of healthcare providers and the general public regarding the utilization of meteorological information in the healthcare system in Korea. METHODS: The COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist was applied to this study. We conducted three focus group discussions in accordance with semi-structured guidelines developed to deal with various aspects of the utilization of meteorological information in healthcare settings. The verbatim transcriptions and field notes were analyzed according to content analysis. RESULTS: Six physicians, four nurses, three emergency medical technicians, and seven members of the general public participated in the focus group discussions. There were some individual discrepancies among most participants regarding the health effects of climate change. Although several physician participants felt that meteorological information utilization is not a prime concern during patient care, most of the general public participants believed that it should be used in the patient care process. The provision of meteorological information to patients undergoing care is expected to not only improve the effective management of climate-sensitive diseases, but also boost rapport between healthcare providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: More attempts should be made to provide meteorological information to groups vulnerable to climate change, and the effects of this information should be evaluated in terms of effectiveness and inequality. The findings of this study will be helpful in countries and institutions trying to introduce health forecasting services. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s40557-018-0214-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
