Faculty Publications
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Item Assessing awareness and use of mobile phone technology for health and wellness: Insights from India(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Pai, R.R.; Alathur, S.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the awareness and use of mobile phones and applications for health service delivery among technical students, working staff, medical students, and health professionals of India. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 386 students, working staff, and health professionals of engineering and medicine using structured questionnaires and the data were analyzed. Findings: Most of the responses are female (50.25%) of age 18–25 (48.44%). However, respondents have used mobile phones for managing menstrual cycles and chronic/lifestyle diseases. Moreover, the degree of awareness and familiarity about the term “mobile health” was found to be more among technical students and working staff (55.17%) than medical students and health professionals (44.82%). Statistical results also revealed that awareness about the use of mobile phone for health-related components was found to be significant except for health awareness and education, and medication adherence and refilling. Further, about mobile health applications use, there exists a significant association between the study groups for the self-management applications of cancer, cholesterol, heart diseases, and stroke. Conclusion: The study recommends to improve peoples’ awareness and familiarity about the use of mobile phone for managing health and service delivery. This can be achieved with the help of health professionals as most of the people prefer personal visits than through mobile interventions. Moreover, peoples’ socio-demographic factors, perception about the device, and health information also play an important role in using mobile health applications for health service delivery. © 2019 Fellowship of Postgraduate MedicineItem Mobile health intervention and COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: insights from Indian context(Emerald Group Holdings Ltd., 2021) Pai, R.R.; Alathur, S.Purpose: This paper discusses the need for government and healthcare organization to implement mobile phone-based solutions for healthcare during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. It also highlights the challenges and/or barriers to the rapid introduction, implementation and management of these and other innovative solutions to health service delivery during the current situation Design/methodology/approach: The data include both qualitative and quantitative, collected from the primary interview-based case study and questionnaire survey. It also uses insights from the general populations, healthcare professionals and health information technology developers to understand the role of a mobile health intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Findings: Healthcare professionals and health information technology developers are confident that the use of mobile health technology and applications has the ability to assist in monitoring and controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. The key advantages of using mobile phone technology are: increased awareness, improved assistance in tracking and testing casualties, improved assistance in seeking and scheduling health information and medical appointments, increased social distancing, improved overall productivity and quality of life. However, data demonstrated that lack of awareness and accessibility or unwillingness to use the technology, complex healthcare needs, application infrastructure, policies and a dearth of training and support are all barriers to successful implementation of this useful tool. Practical implications: This research has the potential to make a significant impact on government and healthcare policy through presenting a coherent argument for the importance of designing and deploying mobile health technology and applications for the general population. Originality/value: prior literature in this domain is inadequate in explaining the importance of mobile phone-based healthcare solutions for health service and during serious disease outbreaks and, in particular, within the Indian context. The findings of this study can be used by government and healthcare organizations to improve health governance during the current global pandemic. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.Item Impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ mental health and preventive health behaviours: a conceptual framework(Inderscience Publishers, 2022) Pai, R.R.; Chetty, N.; Alathur, S.The corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic that facilitate a confrontation space for scientific and social existence of human frontiers. The rapid spread and mortality rate of COVID-19 and the preventive measures including social distancing and its impact on economy, developed an unprecedented consciousness around the globe. It has created an effect on the mental health of individuals employed across various sectors and is outlined in this study. There is currently an inadequate theoretical model that focuses on the comprehensive understanding of the psychology of preventive behaviour during the outbreak of pandemics. In this study, a transnational model is delineated for assessing the adoption of preventive behavioural practices associated with COVID-19 pandemic. It uses the components derived from the theories of situational awareness and health belief model and literatures related to impact of containment strategies on various sectors. The contribution includes policy recommendations that can be helpful for the healthcare professionals and government to control the disease spread. © © 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.