Mary K Lam

Mary K Lam


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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LLLawrence T. Lam
Lawrence T. Lam
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam
The association between sleep problems, particularly sleep disorders, and mental health has long been studied and recognized. However, the causal relationship between sleep disorders, particularly during early childhood, on mental health problems in adolescence are yet to be established. From a preventive perspective, it is important to understand the causality of mental health problems in adolescents so that intervention measures can be derived and implemented as early as possible for maximum effectiveness. To provide more precise information on the effect of early childhood sleep disorders on mental health problems during adolescence, a systematic review was conducted on longitudinal and prospective studies reported in the literature. Following the PRISMA guidelines with an extensive search of the literature 26 studies were identified. Seven of these identified studies satisfied all selection criteria with sufficient data on the effect of early childhood sleep disorders and mental health problems in adolescence. Information was extracted and analyzed systematically from each study and tabulated. The overall results obtained from these studies indicate a significant and possible causal relationship between early childhood sleep disorders and the development of mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD in adolescence. These results are discussed with regards to the theoretical and practical implications as well as preventive strategies.

8 November 2023 in JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SASultan Alsahli
Sultan Alsahli
SHSu-Yin Hor
Su-Yin Hor
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of and access to health care have been uniquely challenging, particularly during lockdowns or when dealing with COVID-19 cases. Health care professionals have had to provide patients with the necessary health care. However, delivering health care services while reducing face-to-face interaction puts an immense strain on health systems that are already overburdened. Against this backdrop, it is now more critical than ever to ensure the accessibility of health care services. Such access has been made increasingly available through mobile health (mHealth) apps. These apps have the potential to significantly improve health care outcomes and expectations and address some of the challenges confronting health care systems worldwide. Despite the advantages of mHealth, its acceptance and adoption remain low. Hence, health care organizations must consider the perceptions and opinions of physicians if the technology is to be successfully implemented. Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore and synthesize the scientific literature on the factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of mHealth among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review of the studies published between March 2020 and December 2022 was conducted using the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest databases. The database search yielded an initial sample of 455 potential publications for analysis, of which 9 (2%) met the inclusion criteria. The methodology of this review was based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Results: The factors influencing mHealth acceptance and adoption by physicians were divided into perceived barriers and perceived facilitators, which were further grouped into the following 3 major thematic categories: technological, individual, and organizational barriers and facilitators, respectively. The technological barriers were accessibility, technical issues, usefulness, and data management; individual barriers were perceived patient barriers, time and workload pressure, technical literacy, knowledge of mHealth, and peer support; and organizational barriers were financial factors, management support and engagement, data security, telemonitoring policy, and collaboration. The technological facilitators of uptake were technical factors, clinical usefulness, and data management; individual facilitators were patient-related care, intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and data sharing (individual); and organizational facilitators were workflow-related determinants, organizational financial support, recommendation of mHealth services, and evidence-based guidelines. Conclusions: This review summarized the evidence on the factors influencing mHealth acceptance and adoption by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main findings highlighted the importance of addressing organizational readiness to support physicians with adequate resources, shifting the focus from technological to patient-centered factors, and the seamless integration of mHealth into routine practice during and beyond the pandemic. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022356125; https://tinyurl.com/2mmhn5yu

LLLawrence T. Lam
Lawrence T. Lam
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam
PRPrasuna Reddy
Prasuna Reddy
PWPrudence Wong
Prudence Wong
Work-related burnout is common and has detrimental effects on employees in many industries. The current study aims to examine both environmental and personal factors that are associated with work-related burnout in a population of corporate employees who managed to retain their jobs amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This cross-sectional survey served as the baseline data collection of a phase III wait-listed cluster randomised controlled trial (CRCT) of an intervention program on mental well-being at the workplace. Participants were recruited from six large-size corporations. Work-related burnout was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Moos Work Environment Scale (WES) was used for evaluating the workers’ perspective on the workplace. Information was also collected on demographics and health behaviours. Burnout in this sample was prevalent with 60% of participants rated at a moderate to a high level on emotional exhaustion. Results from the multiple linear regression analyses suggested that different factors were related to different components of burnout. For example, age, work involvement, co-worker cohesion, and work pressure were associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation while others were related to professional accomplishment. The overall results suggested that the work environment is of influential importance to the burnout of employees. However, although the study was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the factors identified as relating to workplace burnout do not differ much from those identified in a crisis time. Implications of the results were discussed.

21 November 2024 in Social Theory & Health
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
TKTrixie Kemp
Trixie Kemp
JAJennifer Ayton
Jennifer Ayton
KBKerryn Butler-Henderson
Kerryn Butler-Henderson
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam

24 January 2025 in Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
KCKate Curtis
Kate Curtis
BKBelinda Kennedy
Belinda Kennedy
JCJulie Considine
Julie Considine
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam
CAChristina Aggar
Christina Aggar
MMMargaret Murphy
Margaret Murphy
Emergency departments have high levels of uncertainty, long wait times, resource shortages, overcrowding and a constantly changing environment. Patient experience and patient safety are directly linked, yet levels of patient experience are stagnant. To improve emergency nursing care and patient experience, an emergency nursing framework HIRAID® (History including Infection risk, Red flags, Assessment, Interventions, Diagnostics, communication, and reassessment) was implemented in 29 Australian emergency departments. To evaluate HIRAID® on patient experience in the emergency department. This modified stepped-wedge cluster randomised control trial was conducted in 29 Australian rural, regional and metropolitan emergency departments and involved over 1300 emergency nurses. A total 2704 (1456 control, 1248 intervention) surveys were completed. We hypothesised implementation of HIRAID® would result in an at least 5% increase in patient experience per Schmidt's Perceptions of Nursing Care Survey and Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question Set. Patients (of all ages) and/or their carers completed a phone interview. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Generalized Estimating Equations approaches. Median (IQR) participant age was 54 (31-67) years. The most common presenting problems were abdominal, chest and respiratory issues. Greater than 5% improvement in all categories of the Schmidt's Perceptions of Nursing Care Survey, and 10 out of 12 Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question Set was achieved. The implementation of the HIRAID® emergency nursing framework in Australian emergency departments significantly improved patient experience with emergency care. Demand for emergency care is increasing. Evaluating what methods work to effectively translate evidence to emergency practice, improve patient experience in the complex emergency setting is crucial. We present how a behaviour change informed implementation strategy enabled maximum, sustained uptake of an intervention that improved patient experience in a variety of emergency settings despite the COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic flooding. ANZCTR, ACTRN12621001456842. 25.10.2021.

11 December 2024 in Health Information Management Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SASultan Alsahli
Sultan Alsahli
SHSu-Yin Hor
Su-Yin Hor
MLMary K Lam
Mary K Lam
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of mobile health applications in the management of health crises. Despite the promising outcomes of these technologies, however, their acceptance and use among physicians in the developing world such as Saudi Arabia are notably low. Objective: The study aimed to explore the factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of mobile health applications by physicians in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The study employed a qualitative research method, guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The study collected data through semi-structured interviews with 16 physicians to delve into the determinants of their readiness to adopt m-health technologies. Data were analysed using template analysis to identify key themes and patterns. Results: In line with the UTAUT, the study identified performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions as significant influencing factors of the acceptance and adoption of mobile health applications by physicians in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic. This study also inquired into context-specific determinants, such as data privacy concerns, patient engagement, organisational support and compatibility with religious and cultural norms, which are especially relevant in Saudi Arabia and similar developing countries, where these factors, alongside the exigencies arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, have shaped the landscape of mobile health applications utilisation. Conclusions: This study enriches the literature by expanding the UTAUT model to include context-specific drivers of acceptance and adoption. It highlights the need for tailored adoption frameworks to fit local contexts for successful m-health integration. Implications: This research broadens the UTAUT model by including cultural compatibility and data privacy concerns, offering deeper insights into mHealth adoption during crises. It highlights the need for policies and practices that support culturally sensitive app design, strengthen data privacy measures and provide improved training and patient engagement to enhance mHealth adoption.