Informal payments for health care services in Russia: old issue in new realities

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir S. Gordeev ◽  
Milena Pavlova ◽  
Wim Groot
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
South America ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Informal Payment ◽  
Informal Payments ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Important Policy

AbstractInformal payments can be found across Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Despite its hidden nature, they pose an important policy issue. Reported as being widespread, the true scale and scope of informal payment are unknown, and estimations differ among studies. We look at the Russian health care sector where the existence of informal payments has persisted for decades. We present the scale and scope of informal payments, as well as patterns of informal payments and their determinants. We discuss the reasons for discrepancies in estimations and implications for the ongoing reforms.

Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Employees' Turnover Intention in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Health Care Services

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein BaniMelhem ◽  
Hossam M. Abu Elanain ◽  
Matloub Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices ◽  
The Relationship

The article aims to examine the relationship between the human resource practices and employees' turnover intention in United Arab Emirates health care sector. This quantitative study utilized a structure equation model (SEM) technique with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 18 software package to analyze data and to investigate the impact of human resources practices on employees' turnover intention in United Arab Emirates health care services. Results of the study showed that human resources (HRM) practices in health care sector (recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, compensation, and career development) have significant relationship with turnover intention. However, this research was limited to the Public Health Care Sector in UAE and it is recommended to include Private health care sector. Moreover, inclusion of health care workers from different emirates such as Dubai and Sharjah will be needed in future researches. Health care facilities management should have a closer look at the significant human resource practices as an initiative to restructure HRM practices, policies, procedures to increase staff satisfaction, reduce employees' turnover intention and retain its valuable health care professionals. This article is among the first and most exhaustive ones carried out in health care sector in UAE. It explores the relationship between the human resource management practices and the employees' turnover intentions.

scholarly journals Isomorphic Pressures and Innovation Trends in Italian Health Care Organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Stefania De Simone
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Prospective Payment System ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Organizational Models ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Isomorphic Pressures

Over 20 years, hospitals in Italy as well as in other European countries have evolved and changed in response to institutional pressures. With the corporatization, there has been the entrance of new logics and governance structures that contributed to a transformation of the health system. The survival of healthcare organizations is dictated not only by the technical conditions, that allow efficiently and effectively operating, but also by the ability to comply with rules to get legitimacy from external institutional actors. Organizations in a population adapt to their environment, in which operate, so many other organizations adapting to it (isomorphism). The purpose of this paper is to discuss a theoretical framework based on neo-institutional approach that could explain the influence of isomorphic pressures on innovative processes in health care sector. Qualitative data from literature on neo-institutional theory applied to health care sector have been analyzed. Findings reveal institutional pressures stimulate the development of innovations and organizational learning. This concept concerns both the fit of the organization with its environment (strategic matters) and effective implementation of strategies. Hospitals must find ways to increase profit, by improving medical capabilities for payment health care services. One of the most important isomorphic pressure is the prospective payment system for health care that had effects on the choices of organizational models to adopt. The challenge for hospital administrators is to seek consistency between efficiency and quality care.

The Corporate Transformation of Medical Specialty Care: The Exemplary Case of Neonatology

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 790-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor D. Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
American Health Care

With new, effective, and expensive health care services, the American health care sector has become an even greater source of business and wealth opportunities. All kinds of health care providers and suppliers are competing for patients and dollars. The key to wealth in today’s health care sector is the physician. Only physicians can certify to third-party payers that health care services, medical devices, or pharmaceutical products are necessary for patient care. That certification initiates the process by which the item, service, or treatment modality is ordered, delivered, and paid for. Thus, organizations that can exert control over physicians stand to gain financially.

scholarly journals Financial Crisis in Portugal: Effects in the Health Care Sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Morais Nunes ◽  
Diogo Cunha Ferreira ◽  
Adalberto Campos Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Care System

Portugal has faced an economic and financial crisis that began circa FY2009 and whose effects are still ongoing. In FY2011, the Portuguese state and the European triumvirate – composed of the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Central Bank – signed the Memoranda of Understanding. This troika agreement aimed to improve the operational efficiency of public services. This crisis had a considerable impact on the Portuguese citizens’ life and productivity, as well as on the public health care system. Cuts over public expenditures have been made to reduce the risk of noncompliance with budgetary targets, despite their potential impact on quality and access to health care services. We analyzed the main policies and measures undertaken by the Portuguese Ministry of Health with respect to the bailout program associated with the troika agreement. Then, we focused on the budgetary cuts–related risks over the social performance of the care system. Evidence suggests that structural reforms in the health care sector in the troika period had positive effects in terms of drugs administration and consumption, on the one hand, and secondary care expenditures reduction, on the other hand. Nonetheless, we observed some divestitures on infrastructures and the worsening of access to health care services.

scholarly journals Coastal flooding and frontline health care services: challenges for flood risk resilience in the English health care system

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Landeg ◽  
Geoff Whitman ◽  
Kate Walker-Springett ◽  
Catherine Butler ◽  
Angie Bone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Care System

Objectives Our objective was to assess the health care system impacts associated with the December 2013 east coast flooding in Boston, Lincolnshire, in order to gain an insight into the capacity of the health care sector to respond to high-impact weather. Methods Semistructured interviews were held with regional strategic decision makers and local service managers within 1 km of the recorded flood outline to ascertain their experiences, views and reflections concerning the event and its associated health impacts and disruption to health care services. A snowballing sampling technique was used to ensure the study had participants across a broad range of expertise. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data analysis was preformed using NVivo (v10) to apply a thematic coding and develop a framework of ideas. Results The results of this case study provide a vital insight into the health care disruption caused by flooding. All sectors of the health care system suffered disruption, which placed a strain on the whole system and reduced the capacity of the sector to respond to the health consequences of flooding and delivering routine health care. The formal recovery phase in Lincolnshire was stood-down on 4th February 2014. The results of this work indicate limitations in preparedness of the health care system for the reasonable worse-case scenario for an east coast surge event. Conclusions The health care sector appears to have limited capacity to respond to weather-related impacts and is therefore unprepared for the risks associated with a future changing climate. Further work is required to ensure that the health care system continues to review and learn from such events to increase climate resilience.

scholarly journals Informal payments for health care services: The case of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetiana Stepurko ◽  
Milena Pavlova ◽  
Irena Gryga ◽  
Liubove Murauskiene ◽  
Wim Groot
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Informal Payments ◽  
Care Services

scholarly journals Job Satisfaction in the Health Care Sector: Empirical Evidence from Medical Care in Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Gkliati ◽  
Anna Saiti
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Services

It is extremely important for employees in every sector of an economy to be satisfied with their work since job satisfaction contributes significantly to improvements in their productiveness and performance. This paper deals with the very sensitive sector of health care in which medical staff provide citizens with health care services. The job satisfaction of these medical care providers is of particular importance when aiming to improve the quality of their services. Literature on job satisfaction among the providers of medical care is limited since researches have focused mainly on users’ satisfaction with the medical care services provided. In an era in which many countries worldwide are facing uncertainty and the social insurance systems are confronted with serious problems as they strive to respond to a number of changes, the Greek health care sector is no exception. With particular reference to the Greek reality, due to the heavy recession that the country has been facing for a number of years, health care expenditures have been cut dramatically and, as a result, the working conditions in public hospitals have been negatively influenced. Based on the above, the purpose of this paper is, through empirical investigation, to examine the levels of job satisfaction among Greek doctors who work in public hospitals and to determine the factors that may influence the satisfaction they gain from their work.

scholarly journals Informal Payments in Public Hospitals of Malawi - A Case of Kamuzu Central Hospital

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Mphande Namangale ◽  
Isabel Kazanga Chiumia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Central Hospital ◽  
Informal Payments ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Kamuzu Central Hospital

Abstract Background: Informal payments in public health facilities act as a barrier to accessing quality healthcare services especially for the poor people. There is growing evidence that in most low-income countries, most poor people are unable to access quality health care services due to demands for payments for services that should be accessed for free. This research was aimed at investigating informal payments for health care services at Kamuzu Central Hospital, one of the referral public hospitals in Malawi. Results of this study provide evidence on the magnitude and factors influencing informal payments in Malawi so that relevant policies and strategies may be made to address this problem. Methods: The study employed a mixed methods research design. The quantitative study component had a sample size of 295 patients and guardians at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH). The qualitative study included 7 in-depth interviews with key informants (health workers) and 3 focus group discussions with guardians. Each FGD had 10 people. Thus, in total the whole qualitative sample constituted 52 participants. Quantitative data was analyzed using Excel and STATA. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis approach. Results: 80% of patients and guardians at KCH had knowledge of informal payments. About 47% of the respondents admitted paying informally to access health care services at KCH and 87% of the informal payments were made at the request of a health worker. The study identifies lack of knowledge, fear and desperation by patients and guardians, low salary for health workers and lack of effective disciplinary measures as some of the key factors influencing informal payments in the public health sector in Malawi. Conclusion: Informal payments exacerbate inequality in the access of health care services that should be provided for free. Specifically, poor people have limited access to quality health care services when informal payments are demanded. This practice is unethical and it infringes on people’s rights to universal access to health care. There is need to strengthen the public health care system in Malawi by formulating deliberate policies that will deter informal payments.

scholarly journals Private health care sector in Croatia

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-639
Author(s):  
Nevenka Kovač ◽  
Šime Smolić
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Insurance Fund ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Private Health Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Starting Point

This paper investigates the trends in business activity of the private health care sector in Croatia from 2011 to 2018. Databases of Croatian provider of financial and electronic services - Financial Agency (FINA) - have been employed to explore key performance indicators of private health care sector companies, in particular trends in total employment, business revenues and operating profits. In addition, the most important features of voluntary health insurance (VHI) provided by private health insurance companies and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) have been presented. Furthermore, this paper provides both a relevant analysis of the private health care sector as well as private spending on health care in Croatia. The results indicate that users of health care services are willing to pay more to gain faster access and higher quality services. In 2018, expenditures for private health care services reached almost HRK 5 billion. Nearly 60% were out-of-pocket (OOP) payments and 40% were paid through the VHI. Despite the persistent recession, the private health care sector in Croatia experienced an average annual growth rate of 10% in the analysed period. More recently, the trend of introduction of more complex services within private providers can be observed indicating the rise in investments, and competitiveness. In conclusion, private health care sector’s presence in Croatia is a reality that should be addressed adequately. Original findings in this paper might serve as starting point for future discussions regarding the private health care sector role in the overall health care system financing. The paper brings a deeper insight into Croatian private health care sector market using original and most recent microdata thus shedding the light on important part of our health economy. Nevertheless, paper has certain limitations that are mainly reflected in relatively narrow set of indicators used in private health care sector business analysis. This though might be addressed properly in future research.

scholarly journals Co-producing health care - pragmatic principles and an illustration

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Axel Kaehne ◽  
Lucy Bray ◽  
Edmund Horowicz
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Care Services ◽  
What Works ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
Learning Points

Co-production has received increasing attention from managers and researchers in public services. In the health care sector, co-production has become a by-word for the meaningful engagement of patients yet there is still a lack of knowledge around what works when co-producing services. The paper sets out a set of pragmatic principles which may guide anyone embarking on co-producing health care services, and provides an illustration of a co-produced Young People’s Health Research Group in England. We conclude by outlining some learning points which are useful when establishing co-production projects.

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