Enhancing Healthcare Management: Assessing User Acceptance and Usability of the 'SmartCG' Mobile Application.

In Thailand, increasing caregiving needs for senior citizens, particularly in low-income homes, may elevate the caregiver (CG) burden. This study assesses the user acceptance and usability of the 'SmartCG' mobile application in enhancing healthcare management. The app offers health evaluations, home visits, knowledge management, screening forms, and care plans. Using the Technology Acceptance Model, 402 caregivers from Mahasarakham province evaluated the app's usability on a 5-point Likert scale. Results showed a significant increase in acceptance scores after using SmartCG (11.49 ± 1.54 to 13.19 ± 2.74, p < 0.001). Users reported high satisfaction with its ease of use (mean = 4.10 ± 0.61) and found the knowledge-based menu (mean = 4.07 ± 0.63) and visiting/map menus (mean = 4.05 ± 0.63) user-friendly. This study provides empirical evidence that the SmartCG app effectively enhances healthcare management, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly interfaces in healthcare technology.

A Mobile Application for Enhancing Caregiver Support and Resource Management for Long-Term Dependent Individuals in Rural Areas.

The "SmartCaregivers" 1.0 mobile application is a beacon of hope for caregivers (CG) in rural areas, often facing limited access to facilities and support. This study, conducted from February to August 2021, aimed to comprehensively analyze the need for developing a database system and a mobile application tailored to enhance caregiver support and resource management for long-term dependent individuals in the rural areas of Maha Sarakham province, Thailand. The research followed a rigorous research and development (R & D) approach, specifically the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). Data were collected from 402 caregivers and 10 key informants through surveys and interviews, as well as from 402 caregivers during the implementation and evaluation phases. The application's impact was assessed using a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pre-post-test, and its acceptance was evaluated through the technology acceptance model (TAM). The application significantly improved caregivers' knowledge scores, with a mean increase from 10.49 ± 2.53 to 12.18 ± 2.76 post-intervention. High scores for perceived usefulness (4.36 ± 0.62) and ease of use (4.31 ± 0.59) reassure the audience about the application's effectiveness in providing rapid access to health information, aiding decision-making, and improving care coordination. The system quality was also highly rated, with users appreciating the variety of functions and structural design. This potential for transformation and improvement instills hope and optimism for the future of caregiving in rural areas.

Development of the competency scale for primary care managers in Thailand: Scale development.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of the primary care system requires a competent manager to achieve high-quality healthcare. The existing literature in the field yields little evidence of the tools to assess the competency of primary care administrators. This study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the competency scale for primary care managers in Thailand. METHODS: The scale was developed using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among policy makers, managers, practitioners, village health volunteers, and clients. The specific dimensions were extracted from 35 participants. 123 items were generated from the evidence and qualitative data. Content validity was established through the evaluation of seven experts and the original 123 items were reduced to 84 items. The pilot testing was conducted on a simple random sample of 487 primary care managers. Item analysis, reliability testing, and exploratory factor analysis were applied to establish the scale's reliability and construct validity. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis identified nine dimensions with 48 items using a five-point Likert scale. Each dimension accounted for greater than 58.61% of the total variance. The scale had strong content validity (Indices = 0.85). Each dimension of Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.70 to 0.88. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these analyses, this instrument demonstrated sound psychometric properties and therefore is considered an effective tool for assessment of the primary care manager competencies. The results can be used to improve competency requirements of primary care managers, with implications for health service management workforce development.