Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Relative Bias in Health Estimates from Probability-Based Online Panels: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2025-05-30T03:41:45+02:00

Introduction: Health surveys require the highest data quality, especially when they inform public health policies. With recent technological developments, probability-based online panels (PBOPs) are becoming an attractive cost-effective alternative to traditional surveys. They are also beginning to be used for official health statistics. However, PBOPs still face concerns about bias, especially for health-related estimates.

Method: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of PBOP PBOP health survey data quality, with relative bias (RB) of the estimates as the effect size. We analysed 137 health-related survey items from 14 studies and used a linear regression model to examine factors that moderate RB.

Results: The RB varied considerably across the subjects, and its overall median was 12.7%. The highest RBs were exhibited by disabilities (23.6%), mental illnesses (23.2%), personal mental health conditions (20.8%) and drug use (20.7%), and the lowest, by doctor’s treatment (2.24%). The measurement levels with ordinal scales (25.8%) showed higher RB, and certain country effects were also observed.

Conclusion: This moderate bias of the health estimates raises concerns about the accuracy of PBOP estimates regarding sensitive health topics. Therefore, PBOP should be used cautiously for official health statistics; and when designing PBOP surveys for health subjects, the item and study characteristics should be included as methodological considerations.

Health Psychology Paradigm shift in the Hungarian Rehabilitation Psychology and Clinical Special Education

2025-04-09T01:41:58+02:00

Aim: The aim of this study is to provide readers with insights into the paradigm shift that has occurred and is still ongoing in the field of clinical psychology in Hungary over the past 20 years, particularly in relation to rehabilitation.

Methods: This study is a theoretical overview that offers a new perspective on the relationship between rehabilitation psychology, health psychology and clinical special education. It processes and compares Hungarian-language studies of the past 20 years with some recent English-language studies.

Results: I do not aim to achieve this by describing methods or empirical research but by using examples and insights from practice, primarily from key clinical areas where special educators are involved in rehabilitation teams.

Conclusion: This text demonstrates how current factors can shape professional diversity in the field of clinical rehabilitation, and how the long-discussed issue of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, have become more prominent. These changes, resulting from the paradigm shift, also significantly affect the work of special educators within clinical teams.

Effect of Unilateral Application of Timolol 0.5% on Systemic Cardiovascular Parameters and Intraocular Pressure and Perfusion

2025-03-27T00:22:37+01:00

Aim: To study the effect of unilaterally applied timolol 0.5% on systemic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and translaminar pressure difference (TLPD).

Methods: This is an experimental clinical study of 14 healthy subjects. Ophthalmic examination included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination and autorefractometry. Systemic BP, HR and IOP were taken after the basic examination. Two drops of ophthalmic solution timolol 0.5% were instilled in the right eye (RE) of the subjects. Systemic BP and IOP were measured 30 minutes, one hour, one and a half hour and two hours after the local application. We evaluated the following parameters: systolic blood pressure (SBP) (mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mmHg), mean blood pressure (MBP) (mmHg), HR (bpm), estimated CSFP, IOP (mmHg), estimated TLPD (mmHg) and (OPP) (mmHg).

Results: After unilateral topical application of timolol 0.5%, there was a significant reduction of IOP and TLPD in both eyes (IOP RE p<0.001, IOP LE p=0.006; TLPD RE p<0.001, TLPD LE p=0.006) and a significant decrease of HR (p=0.003). OPP significantly increased only in the treated eye (p=0.021). There was a statistically significant correlation between IOP and HR in both eyes (RE R=0.95, p=0.01; LE R=0.85, p=0.04).

Conclusion: Unilateral application of timolol 0.5% significantly reduced IOP and TLPD in both treated and untreated eyes, but OPP significantly increased only in the treated eye. HR decreased after unilateral application of timolol 0.5% and was significantly associated with IOP reduction.

Prevalence of strabismus in different age groups in Macedonia

2025-01-30T21:37:16+01:00

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of strabismus by age groups in Caucasian Macedonian population.

Methods: A study population of 1900 patients (aged 0-86 years) from the capital city, Skopje, Macedonia, were analysed in a secondary health institution in the central urban area. Ophthalmological examination included: visual acuity, slit- lamp biomicroscopy, autorefraction, and ocular motility examination.

Results: In our retrospective cohort (1900), 60 patients did have strabismus (3.2%). The highest prevalence of strabismus was in primary school children (10-14 years- 20.2 %; 0-4 years- 16.2 %; 15-19 years- 11.8% and 5-9 years- 8.6%). Our adult population showed results similar to Caucasian Danish population with prevalence of strabismus of 0.7% (age group 50-54 years) and 0.8 % (age group 55-59). The most frequently identified subtype was esotropia (73.3%), followed by exotropia (23.4%) and cyclovertical strabismus (3.3 %).

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of strabismus on Macedonian cohort was 3.2%. Our results on primary school children are much higher than other studies on Caucasian and Asian population, but similar to prevalence in the population in Saudi Arabia. The most prevalent type of strabismus was esotropia (73.3%). Regarding gender distribution, both esotropia and exotropia were more frequent in males.

Factors that facilitate or inhibit professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions

2025-01-03T08:44:48+01:00

Introduction: the efficiency, motivation, and involvement of human resources are critical factors in the effectiveness of organizations, particularly educational institutions. This paper explores these factors.

Objectives: the objectives were to identify the factors that facilitate professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions and to identify the factors that inhibit professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions.

Material and Methods: the study employed a scoping review method to identify factors influencing professional self-development motivation among educational institution employees. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, followed by a rigorous screening process to select 19 relevant studies. Data was organized and synthesized qualitatively, with findings validated by independent reviewers and experts in the field.

Results: the study identifies key facilitators of professional self-development motivation in educational institutions, including a personal growth mindset, organizational support, and access to digital resources. In contrast, inhibitors include a lack of self-awareness and organizational challenges like conflicting priorities. Effective leadership and professional development resources significantly enhance employee motivation and performance. Conversely, mismanagement and a lack of support can diminish motivation, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to individual employee needs.

Conclusion: The study's conclusion underscores the necessity for educational institutions to cultivate an environment that is conducive to professional development and motivation to achieve optimal performance.