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- van Haarlem, M. P., et al.
(författare)
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LOFAR : The LOw-Frequency ARray
- 2013
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 556, s. 1-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- LOFAR, the LOw-Frequency ARray, is a new-generation radio interferometer constructed in the north of the Netherlands and across europe. Utilizing a novel phased-array design, LOFAR covers the largely unexplored low-frequency range from 10–240 MHz and provides a number of unique observing capabilities. Spreading out from a core located near the village of Exloo in the northeast of the Netherlands, a total of 40 LOFAR stations are nearing completion. A further five stations have been deployed throughout Germany, and one station has been built in each of France, Sweden, and the UK. Digital beam-forming techniques make the LOFAR system agile and allow for rapid repointing of the telescope as well as the potential for multiple simultaneous observations. With its dense core array and long interferometric baselines, LOFAR achieves unparalleled sensitivity and angular resolution in the low-frequency radio regime. The LOFAR facilities are jointly operated by the International LOFAR Telescope (ILT) foundation, as an observatory open to the global astronomical community. LOFAR is one of the first radio observatories to feature automated processing pipelines to deliver fully calibrated science products to its user community. LOFAR’s new capabilities, techniques and modus operandi make it an important pathfinder for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). We give an overview of the LOFAR instrument, its major hardware and software components, and the core science objectives that have driven its design. In addition, we present a selection of new results from the commissioning phase of this new radio observatory.
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- de Vries, Arjen E., et al.
(författare)
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Health Professionals Expectations Versus Experiences of Internet-Based Telemonitoring: Survey Among Heart Failure Clinics
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : Journal of Medical Internet Research / Gunther Eysenbach. - 1438-8871. ; 15:1, s. 73-83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although telemonitoring is increasingly used in heart failure care, data on expectations, experiences, and organizational implications concerning telemonitoring are rarely addressed, and the optimal profile of patients who can benefit from telemonitoring has yet to be defined. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanObjective: To assess the actual status of use of telemonitoring and to describe the expectations, experiences, and organizational aspects involved in working with telemonitoring in heart failure in the Netherlands. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: In collaboration with the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), a 19-item survey was sent to all outpatient heart failure clinics in the Netherlands, addressed to cardiologists and heart failure nurses working in the clinics. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Of the 109 heart failure clinics who received a survey, 86 clinics responded (79%). In total, 31 out of 86 (36%) heart failure clinics were using telemonitoring and 12 heart failure clinics (14%) planned to use telemonitoring within one year. The number of heart failure patients receiving telemonitoring generally varied between 10 and 50; although in two clinics more than 75 patients used telemonitoring. The main goals for using telemonitoring are "monitoring physical condition", "monitoring signs of deterioration" (n=39, 91%), "monitoring treatment" (n=32, 74%), "adjusting medication" (n=24, 56%), and "educating patients" (n=33, 77%). Most patients using telemonitoring were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes II (n=19, 61%) and III (n=27, 87%) and were offered the use of the telemonitoring system "as long as needed" or without a time limit. However, the expectations of the use of telemonitoring were not met after implementation. Eight of the 11 items about expectations versus experiences were significantly decreased (Pandlt;.001). Health care professionals experienced the most changes related to the use of telemonitoring in their work, in particular with respect to "keeping up with current development" (before 7.2, after 6.8, P=.15), "being innovative" (before 7.0, after 6.1, P=.003), and "better guideline adherence" (before 6.3, after 5.3, P=.005). Strikingly, 20 out of 31 heart failure clinics stated that they were considering using a different telemonitoring system than the system used at the time. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: One third of all heart failure clinics surveyed were using telemonitoring as part of their care without any transparent, predefined criteria of user requirements. Prior expectations of telemonitoring were not reflected in actual experiences, possibly leading to disappointment. (J Med Internet Res 2013;15(1):e4) doi:10.2196/jmir.2161
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- de Vries, Arjen E., et al.
(författare)
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Perceived barriers of heart failure nurses and cardiologists in using clinical decision support systems in the treatment of heart failure patients
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. - : BioMed Central. - 1472-6947. ; 13:54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundClinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) can support guideline adherence in heart failure (HF) patients. However, the use of CDSSs is limited and barriers in working with CDSSs have been described as a major obstacle. It is unknown if barriers to CDSSs are present and differ between HF nurses and cardiologists. Therefore the aims of this study are; 1. Explore the type and number of perceived barriers of HF nurses and cardiologists to use a CDSS in the treatment of HF patients. 2. Explore possible differences in perceived barriers between two groups. 3. Assess the relevance and influence of knowledge management (KM) on Responsibility/Trust (R&T) and Barriers/Threats (B&T).MethodsA questionnaire was developed including; B&T, R&T, and KM. For analyses, descriptive techniques, 2-tailed Pearson correlation tests, and multiple regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe response- rate of 220 questionnaires was 74%. Barriers were found for cardiologists and HF nurses in all the constructs. Sixty-five percent did not want to be dependent on a CDSS. Nevertheless thirty-six percent of HF nurses and 50% of cardiologists stated that a CDSS can optimize HF medication. No relationship between constructs and age; gender; years of work experience; general computer experience and email/internet were observed. In the group of HF nurses a positive correlation (r .33, P<.01) between years of using the internet and R&T was found. In both groups KM was associated with the constructs B&T (B=.55, P=<.01) and R&T (B=.50, P=<.01).ConclusionsBoth cardiologists and HF-nurses perceived barriers in working with a CDSS in all of the examined constructs. KM has a strong positive correlation with perceived barriers, indicating that increasing knowledge about CDSSs can decrease their barriers.
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| 8. |
- Nieuwenhuis, Maurice M W, et al.
(författare)
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Factors Associated With Patient Delay in Seeking Care After Worsening Symptoms in Heart Failure Patients
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiac Failure. - : Elsevier. - 1071-9164 .- 1532-8414. ; 17:8, s. 657-663
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To receive optimal treatment and care, it is essential that heart failure (HF) patients react adequately to worsening symptoms and contact a health care provider early. This specific "patient delay" is an important part of the total delay time. The purpose of this study was to assess patient delay and its associated variables in HF patients. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods and Results: In this cross-sectional study, data of 911 hospitalized HF patients from 17 Dutch hospitals (mean age 71 +/- 12 years; 62% male; left ventricular ejection fraction 34 +/- 15%) were analyzed. During the index hospitalization, patient delay and HF symptoms were assessed by interview. Patients completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, knowledge and compliance. Clinical and demographic data were collected from medical charts and interviews by an independent data collector. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine independent associations with patient delay. Median patient delay was 48 hours; 296 patients reported short delay (andlt;12 h) and 341 long delay (andgt;= 168 h). A history of myocardial infarction (MI) (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.34-0.71) or stroke (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24-0.76) was independently associated with short patient delay. Male gender, more HF knowledge, and more HF symptoms were associated with long patient delay. No differences were found between patients with and without a history of HF. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: Patients with a history of a life-threatening event (MI or stroke) had a shorter delay than patients without such an event. Patients without a life-threatening event might need to be educated on the recognition and need for appropriate action in a different way then those with an acute threatening previous experience.
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| 9. |
- Nieuwenhuis, Maurice M W, et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Compliance With Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Patients With Heart Failure
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0002-9149 .- 1879-1913. ; 110:3, s. 392-397
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to examine long-term compliance with nonpharmacologic treatment of patients with heart failure (HF) and its associated variables. Data from 648 hospitalized patients with HF (mean age 69 +/- 12 years, 38% women, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 33 +/- 14%) were analyzed. Compliance was assessed by means of self-report at baseline and 1, 6, 12, and 18 months after discharge. Patients completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, HF knowledge, and physical functioning at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine independent associations with low long-term compliance. From baseline to 18-month follow-up, long-term compliance with diet and fluid restriction ranged from 77% to 91% and from 72% to 89%, respectively. In contrast, compliance with daily weighing (34% to 85%) and exercise (48% to 64%) was lower. Patients who were in New York Heart Association functional class II were more often noncompliant with fluid restriction (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 3.08). A lower level of knowledge on HF was independently associated with low compliance with fluid restriction (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.86) and daily weighing (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.94). Educational support improved compliance with these recommendations. Female gender (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.90), left ventricular ejection fraction andgt;= 40% (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.34), a history of stroke (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.54 to 8.16), and less physical functioning (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99) were associated with low compliance with exercise. In conclusion, long-term compliance with exercise and daily weighing was lower than long-term compliance with advice on diet and fluid restriction. Although knowledge on HF and being offered educational support positively affected compliance with weighing and fluid restriction, these variables were not related to compliance with exercise. Therefore, new approaches to help patients with HF stay physically active are needed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2012;110:392-397)
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| 10. |
- Nieuwenhuis, M. M. W., et al.
(författare)
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Self-reported versus true adherence in heart failure patients: a study using the Medication Event Monitoring System
- 2012
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Ingår i: NETHERLANDS HEART JOURNAL. - : Springer Verlag (Germany). - 1568-5888 .- 1876-6250. ; 20:7-8, s. 313-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adherence to (non)pharmacological treatment is important in heart failure (HF) patients, since it leads to better clinical outcome. Although self-reported and objectively measured medication adherence in HF patients have been compared in previous studies, none of these studies have used an evidence-based cutpoint to differentiate between adherence and non-adherence. In 37 HF patients (mean age 68 +/- 10 years, 27 % female, 40 % NYHA functional class III-IV), medication (ACEi/ARB) adherence was objectively measured using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Adherence to and importance of taking medication was also assessed by self-report using the Revised HF Compliance Questionnaire. All patients reported that adherence was (highly) important to them and that they always took their medication as prescribed (i.e. 100 % adherence). However, when measured by the MEMS, only 76 % of all patients were adherent. Non-adherent patients more often had a complex medication regimen (78 % vs. 21 %, P less than .01), more often depressive symptoms (75 % vs. 29 %, P = .04) and a shorter history of HF (8 vs. 41 months, P = .04), compared with adherent patients. Medication adherence measured by the MEMS was remarkably lower than self-reported adherence. Given the evidence of its importance, further efforts are needed to improve adherence to the pharmacological regimen in HF patients.
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| 11. |
- Nieuwenhuis, Maurice M. W., et al.
(författare)
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The Body of Knowledge on Compliance in Heart Failure Patients We Are Not There Yet
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Aspen Publishers Inc. - 0889-4655 .- 1550-5049. ; 26:1, s. 21-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Noncompliance with diet and fluid restriction is a problem in patients with heart failure (HF). In recent studies, a relationship between compliance with sodium and fluid restriction and knowledge and beliefs regarding compliance was found. In these studies, however, compliance was primarily measured by interview or questionnaire. Objectives: To examine the relationship between compliance with sodium and fluid restriction measured with a nutrition diary and knowledge, beliefs, and other relevant variables in HF patients. Methods: Eighty-four HF patients completed a nutrition diary for 3 days. Patients also completed questionnaires on knowledge, beliefs regarding compliance, and depressive symptoms. Differences in relevant variables between compliant and noncompliant patients were assessed. Results: Compliance with sodium and fluid restriction was 79% and 72%. Although not statistically significant, a higher percentage of patients were compliant with the less stringent restrictions compared with the more stringent restrictions, and in addition, more noncompliant patients perceived difficulty following the regimen compared with their compliant counterparts. In contrast with other studies, no significant differences in knowledge, beliefs, and relevant demographic and clinical variables were found between compliant and noncompliant patients. Conclusion: Perceived difficulty and the amount of the prescribed restriction seem to be relevant concepts that play a role in compliance with sodium and fluid restriction in HF and need to be explored in future research.
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| 12. |
- Spronk, Inge, et al.
(författare)
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Improved and standardized method for assessing years lived with disability after burns and its application to estimate the non-fatal burden of disease of burn injuries in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : BMC. - 1471-2458. ; 20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Burden of disease estimates are an important resource in public health. Currently, robust estimates are not available for the burn population. Our objectives are to adapt a refined methodology (INTEGRIS method) to burns and to apply this new INTEGRIS-burns method to estimate, and compare, the burden of disease of burn injuries in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.Methods: Existing European and Western-Australian health-related quality of life (HRQL) datasets were combined to derive disability weights for three homogenous burn injury groups based on percentage total body surface area (%TBSA) burned. Subsequently, incidence data from Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands from 2010 to 2017 were used to compute annual non-fatal burden of disease estimates for each of these three countries. Non-fatal burden of disease was measured by years lived with disability (YLD).Results: The combined dataset included 7159 HRQL (EQ-5D-3 L) outcomes from 3401 patients. Disability weights ranged from 0.046 (subgroup < 5% TBSA burned > 24 months post-burn) to 0.497 (subgroup > 20% TBSA burned 0-1 months post-burn). In 2017 the non-fatal burden of disease of burns for the three countries (YLDs/100,000 inhabitants) was 281 for Australia, 279 for New Zealand and 133 for the Netherlands.Conclusions: This project established a method for more precise estimates of the YLDs of burns, as it is the only method adapted to the nature of burn injuries and their recovery. Compared to previous used methods, the INTEGRIS-burns method includes improved disability weights based on severity categorization of burn patients; a better substantiated proportion of patients with lifelong disability based; and, the application of burn specific recovery timeframes. Information derived from the adapted method can be used as input for health decision making at both the national and international level. Future studies should investigate whether the application is valid in low- and middle- income countries.
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