Dalal Alshathri

Background: Continuity of care (CoC) is a cornerstone of effective primary health care. To improve CoC in this setting, it is essential that healthcare administrators evaluate it systematically. One validated tool designed for such purpose is the Patient-Experienced Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PECQ). The PECQ is a Swedish questionnaire that, at the time this study began, had been validated but did not have an Arabic version. Aim: This study aimed to translate the Swedish PECQ into Arabic and to determine the validity and reliability of the Arabic version within the Saudi community. Method: The research followed a multi-step process. The PECQ was translated according to the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines for translation and cultural adaptation. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI), and internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha and a correlation matrix. Result: The Arabic version (A-PECQ), developed through a 10-step process, includes 20 items covering four dimensions of CoC: informational, relational, management, and knowledge continuity. An average Scale-level Content Validity Index (S-CVI) of 0.90 was achieved, with 75% of the items rated as having high content validity. Conclusion: The Arabic version of the PECQ demonstrated strong content validity and acceptable reliability, making it a suitable tool for evaluating CoC in Arabic-speaking communities. Although some of its components have moderate CVI values, the A-PECQ continues to be a useful instrument for assessing CoC in primary health care and supports quality improvement programs in this field.

Background: The dirty utility room (DUR) plays a vital role in maintaining and optimizing the safety of patients and healthcare staff. A substantial gap exists in the literature concerning the current topic in terms of empirical studies and reviews. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the subject and provide reliable evaluations. Methods: A qualitative case study design (observational) was used. We included the DURs of hospitals in multiple regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/in wards and units of each hospital. To achieve data saturation, visits across wards and ICUs were conducted until no new information was retrieved. NVivo Software version 14 was used for management and analysis of the data. We used our notes to initiate codes and then created themes involving the six steps of thematic analysis for the observational study. Results: Among several main hospitals in the central, western, eastern, southern, and northern geographical locations in Saudi Arabia that included DURs, a total of 24 DURs were explored to capture all relevant aspects related to the observations. Considering the range of items presented in DURs, the majority of hospitals exhibited a substantial lack of equipment. There were disagreements regarding the definition of DURs and the name of DURs. The observers agreed with the practice of urine disposal, which is performed by hand. The observers from all regions mutually agreed that stool disposal methods for patients involved diapers and the cleaning of patients manually with bed sheets. Several risks of infection control were observed related to DUR design and protocols. Conclusions: This national observational study of DURs in Saudi Arabian hospitals revealed major inadequacies in the design, equipment, and processes that are critical for infection control and healthcare quality, emphasizing the critical necessity for standardized methods and appropriate equipment.

Background: Weight management apps may provide support and management options for individuals with overweight and obesity. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use. Objective: The aims of this study were to explore user perceptions of weight management apps, explore reasons for starting and stopping app use, appraise the quality of weight management apps available in the App Store, and compare the features currently available within the app market and those that are most desirable to weight management app users. Methods: A web-based survey consisted of 31 open and closed questions about sociodemographic information, general health questions, app use, app user perceptions, and discontinuation of app use. The quality of the weight management apps available on the App Store was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies. We also used six sigma evaluations to ensure that the quality measured by the tools consistently meets customer expectations. Results: Data from the survey were analyzed. Of the respondents, 30.17% (324/1074) had used a weight management app, 18.16% (195/1074) used the apps and stopped, and 51.68% (555/1074) had never used a weight management app. Of apps mentioned, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average Mobile App Rating Scale quality of apps was acceptable; 30% (7/23) received a quality mean score of 4 or higher (out of 5), and 30% (7/23) did not meet the acceptability score of 3 or higher. Evidence-based strategy results showed that feedback was not observed in any of the apps, and motivation strategy was observed in only 1 app. The sigma results of evidence-based strategies reflect that most of the apps fail to pass the mean. Conclusions: App users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps. Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users. This finding stresses the importance of reevaluating the passing criterion, which is ≥50% for designing an effective app.

BACKGROUND Weight management apps may provide support and management options for individuals with overweight and obesity. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to explore user perceptions of weight management apps, explore reasons for starting and stopping app use, appraise the quality of weight management apps available in the App Store, and compare the features currently available within the app market and those that are most desirable to weight management app users. METHODS A web-based survey consisted of 31 open and closed questions about sociodemographic information, general health questions, app use, app user perceptions, and discontinuation of app use. The quality of the weight management apps available on the App Store was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies. We also used six sigma evaluations to ensure that the quality measured by the tools consistently meets customer expectations. RESULTS Data from the survey were analyzed. Of the respondents, 30.17% (324/1074) had used a weight management app, 18.16% (195/1074) used the apps and stopped, and 51.68% (555/1074) had never used a weight management app. Of apps mentioned, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average Mobile App Rating Scale quality of apps was acceptable; 30% (7/23) received a quality mean score of 4 or higher (out of 5), and 30% (7/23) did not meet the acceptability score of 3 or higher. Evidence-based strategy results showed that feedback was not observed in any of the apps, and motivation strategy was observed in only 1 app. The sigma results of evidence-based strategies reflect that most of the apps fail to pass the mean. CONCLUSIONS App users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps. Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users. This finding stresses the importance of reevaluating the passing criterion, which is ≥50% for designing an effective app.