The personal health record (PHR) is a system that enables borderless medical care services by combining technological innovation and human consideration. This study explored factors affecting the adoption of PHR from technical, medical, and social perspectives according to the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. A survey using a structured questionnaire was subsequently conducted, which produced the following results: (1) The PMT and UTAUT were effective at predicting PHR usage behaviors; (2) Perceived ease-of-use was the most decisive factor influencing the use of PHR, followed by self-efficacy and perceived usefulness; and (3) Behavioral intention for PHR was significantly and positively correlated with usage behavior. From the obtained results, this study recommends that health authorities and medical institutions promote self-efficacy in the use of PHR to improve the levels of behavioral intention and usage behavior among the people. Additionally, medical care institutions are recommended to promote health management and preventive healthcare concepts to help improve public acceptance of the PHR system as a means to self-manage their health. Finally, community centers, medical institutions, and health authorities are urged to work together to enhance public medical knowledge and pool resources for the PHR system, both of which are essential for improving the popularity of the PHR, public quality of life, and the effectiveness of health management.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries’ physicians in the world have used telehealth to visit patients via telehealth. The study aimed to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the technology acceptance model (TAM), and self-determination theory (SDT) to explore the adoption behavior of a telehealth system. A convenient sample of residents was drawn from the population of Nantou County in Taiwan and analyzed via structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that attitude, perceived behavioral control, perceived usefulness, and perceived autonomy support jointly have significantly positive effects on continuance intention. Results also confirmed that perceived autonomy support, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness jointly have significantly positive effects on attitude. Furthermore, this study also showed that a crucial mediators’ role is played by perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude. The conclusions and practical implications of the research will hopefully provide health organizations and institutions with some innovative insights and foresights, which in turn will promote better practices and services of telehealth technology.
7 February 2024 in Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is initiated in response to a hypoxic and hypobaric environment at a high altitude. The precise prevalence of AMS in Jade Mountain climbers remained largely unknown, particularly data obtained from real medical consultations. An overnight stay at the Pai-Yun Lodge (3402 m) is usually required before an ascent of the Jade Mountain. Since 2004, a Pai-Yun Clinic has been established in the Pai-Yun Lodge. The Pai-Yun Clinic provided regular and emergency medical service every weekend. We conducted a retrospective study by using medical records from the Pai-Yun Clinic between 2018 and 2019. A total of 1021 patients were enrolled, with 56.2 % males. Different age groups were 3.2 %, 54.5 %, 37.9 %, and 4.4 % in 3000 m) within the last 3 months, first climbing (>3000 m) experience, taking preventive medication, low oxygen saturation, and a high Lake Louise AMS score (LLAMSS). The factors associated with AMS severity included absence of taking preventive medication, low oxygen saturation, and a high LLAMSS. Approximately 15 % of Jade Mountain climbers needed medical service, of which 60 % had AMS. 60 % of patients with AMS must require oxygen supply or medication prescription. Oxygen saturation measure and LLAMSS evaluation are reasonable tools to predict the occurrence and severity of AMS on Jade Mountain.
18 January 2026 in Journal of Infection and Public Health
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a frequent concern for climbers at high altitudes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, questions have emerged regarding whether prior infection increases susceptibility to AMS. We conducted a prospective observational study at the Paiyun Lodge medical station (3402 m) on Jade Mountain (Yushan, 3952 m) between 2023 and 2024. All climbers presenting for medical services were screened. Demographics, comorbidities, ascent characteristics, sleep duration, prophylactic medication, and self-reported COVID-19 history were recorded. AMS was diagnosed clinically and validated using the 2018 Lake Louise AMS Score. Logistic regression and multiple propensity score methods were used to assess associations between COVID-19 history and AMS occurrence and severity. A total of 871 patients were included; 52.4 % were aged 20-40 years, 57.3 % were male, and 74.7 % reported a history of COVID-19 infection. Clinically diagnosed AMS occurred in 64.1 % (n = 558), with 274 mild and 284 severe cases. Although crude analyses suggested a borderline association between COVID-19 history and AMS (OR = 1.36, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.87), this was not statistically significant after multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 0.96-1.88) or propensity score methods. Prior COVID-19 infection was not significantly associated with the occurrence and severity of AMS among climbers who sought medical services on Jade Mountain. These findings suggest that a history of mild COVID-19 does not independently increase AMS susceptibility, providing reassurance to mountaineers and aligning with contemporary expert consensus.