Data on COVID-19 Reported by Alice N. T. Wan and Colleagues (Implementation and evaluation of a model-based risk management process and service enhancement for home-based community care services amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: A …): Coronavirus – COVID-19

2023 MAR 22 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Coronavirus - COVID-19 is the subject of a report. According to news originating from Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly challenged all public social services, particularly home-based community care services (HBCCS). Aberdeen Kai-fong Association (AKA) is a non-government organization (NGO) in Hong Kong that systematically manages the challenges to HBCCS.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research, “This paper presents a practical example of the implementation and evaluation of the risk management process for HBCCS. Mixed-method design was used to evaluate the implementation of the risk management process in encountering the challenges from existing and potential problems to maintain and enhance HBCCS in four major areas amidst the pandemic. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey and three qualitative focus group interviews were conducted by AKA from 30 December 2021 to 12 March 2022 to collect staff feedback on the institutional risk management process in four areas. 109 HBCCS staff members (69% aged 40 years or above; 80% female) completed the questionnaire survey. For resource arrangement and staff training, over 90% of the participants agreed (including strongly agreed) that they had sufficient and reliable personal protective equipment and clear infection control guideline and effective training. Over 80% agreed they had safe working space and effective manpower allocation. However, only 75% agreed they had received emotional support from the organization. Over 90% agreed that the basic services were maintained for service continuation and enhancement, the service users and their families trusted the organization, and the provided services were adjusted according to users’ needs. 88% agreed that the organization had obtained support from the neighborhood. For communication among stakeholders, over 80% agreed they had open discussions with the senior management team, and the senior management team was willing to listen. Twenty-six staff members joined the three focus group interviews. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results. Staff appreciated the organisation’s work to enhance staff safety and continue advancing services during this difficult period. Regular in-service training, updated information and guidelines to staff, and proactive phone calls to service users, especially the elderly, were suggested to enhance the quality of services.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “The paper could help NGOs and others encountering management challenges in community social services in diverse settings amidst the pandemic and beyond.”

For more information on this research see: Implementation and evaluation of a model-based risk management process and service enhancement for home-based community care services amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: A mixed-method approach. Frontiers in Public Health, 2023;11:1070182. Frontiers in Public Health can be contacted at: Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Alice N. T. Wan, Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China. Additional authors for this research include Caroline W. L. Yang, Mable C. W. Kwok, Tai-Hing Lam and Agnes Y. K. Lai.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1070182. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

The publisher’s contact information for the journal Frontiers in Public Health is: Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)