{"title":"The Impact of Statistical Thinking on Operational Performance and Managerial Decision-Making in Private Dental Service Organizations in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia: An Empirical Investigation","authors":"A. Alshehri, Jessica Victoria Lichy","doi":"10.1159/000540370","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000540370","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The literature has extensively addressed statistical thinking (STk) as a set of principles and concepts implemented within organizations to adopt a statistical perspective. This approach is frequently linked to the application of continuous improvement programs (CIPs), such as Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. This study examines whether implementing STk principles positively correlates with operational performance (OP) within private dental services organizations operating in the CIP framework. Methods: This empirical study investigated a sample of 34 organizations from the private sector. Structural equation modeling, specifically partial least squares, was used for data analysis. Results: Statistical significance for the outer model loadings was demonstrated. Mediating variables positively affect the constructs’ explanatory power, even when statistical techniques (STes) do not show direct associations. The model exhibited a significant degree of explanatory power. Further, it effectively captured the association among STes, OP, and decision-making (DM). In the multigroup analysis, only STes did not exhibit a statistically significant difference compared with the other components. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that CIPs are beneficial for applying STk principles and have a favorable effect on both OP and DM. This highlights the significance of CIPs, such as Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management, in a managerial context. This highlights the need to establish mechanisms that facilitate the dissemination and application of STk principles and STes to improve OP and DM in the dental services sector.","PeriodicalId":510034,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"74 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141922375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessments of the Quality, Understandability, and Actionability of Arabic Web-Based Content on Oral Cancer and Precancerous Disorders","authors":"Abdullah Alsoghier","doi":"10.1159/000539051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000539051","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Empowering high-risk individuals to oral cancer and potentially cancerous disorders with written health information is needed for early detection of mucosal changes and self-care. This infodemiological study aimed to assess the web-based and Arabic content related to these disorders when quickly searching the internet. Methods: The top 20 websites yielded from each of the 7 searches were initially screened for eligibility (oral cancer, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid lesions, and oral graft-versus-host disease). These related to search terms written for healthcare consumers were assessed for website characteristics, quality criteria (4 JAMA benchmarks [authorship, attribution, disclosure, and currency] and Health on the Net seal), and understandability and actionability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool). The latter was scored from 0 to 100% based on meeting the criteria. Data representation and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS. Results: Of the screened 140 websites, 70 (50%) were included in the analysis for all search terms, with oral cancer and lichen planus yielding the most relevant websites (19 and 17, respectively). Commercial and not-for-profit organisations created 50% of the analysed websites. The analysed content was mainly presented as medical facts (71%), often without presenting audiovisual aids (61%). The average JAMA benchmarks achieved per website were 2.5 out of 4, of which “disclosure” and “attribution” were often missing in more than 70% of these websites. Content related to oral cancer and leukoplakia considerably obtained higher average quality benchmarks than other disorders. Acceptable levels for understandability and actionability (≥70%) were found in 52% and 15% of all materials. Conclusion: Patients with these oral disorders seeking web-based information before or after healthcare visits are unlikely to find sufficient and reliable content they can understand and act upon accordingly. Thus, healthcare stakeholders may consider creating and integrating reliable information resources within the health services to support the patients’ informed decision-making on their care plans and to maintain value-based healthcare services in line with Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation vision for 2030.","PeriodicalId":510034,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"1 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141380310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Alzaher, D. Al-Habib, Moneerah Abdullah Almuhaidib, A. Alfaleh, Khaled Ibrahim Alabdulkarim
{"title":"Family Adherence to Their Child’s Health Issue Follow-Up and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"A. Alzaher, D. Al-Habib, Moneerah Abdullah Almuhaidib, A. Alfaleh, Khaled Ibrahim Alabdulkarim","doi":"10.1159/000536230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000536230","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: This study aimed to measure the adherence rate among families of referred cases from school health screening clinics to diagnostic clinics and to examine the associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among families of cases referred from school health screening clinics to diagnostic clinics in Saudi Arabia. Data collectors contacted the guardians of the cases to fill out the interview questionnaire regarding their visit to the school health clinic and adherence to referral. Results: Among 698 families who participated in the study, 57.6% reported adherence to diagnostic clinics. Families of dental caries and myopia cases were more likely to adhere than families of obesity cases (aOR: 8.36 and 5.41, p < 0.001). The chance of adherence was about two-fold among families of cases referred to hospitals and specialized clinics compared to families of cases referred to primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) (aOR: 1.80, p = 0.042). Conclusion: This study revealed a low family adherence rate among cases referred to diagnostic clinics. Additionally, the study documented that referral to PHCCs and screening positive for obesity were the main factors associated with non-adherence. Taking care of children’s health is one of their rights, and increasing the family’s adherence by raising families’ awareness and designing a referral reminder system are recommended. In addition, the services of PHCCs should be strengthened.","PeriodicalId":510034,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"121 30","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140088153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}