scholarly journals Access to healthcare during COVID-19 among ageing population in Latvia

2022 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 01008
Author(s):  
Ieva Reine ◽  
Madara Mikelsone ◽  
Andrejs Ivanovs ◽  
Signe Tomsone
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Ageing Society ◽  
Delayed Treatment ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
The Baltic

Medical staff has worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to test and treat coronavirus patients. However, the focus on the virus has caused huge disruption to healthcare services, resulting in delayed treatment for patients with other serious conditions. Additionally, the reasons for forgoing or abstaining healthcare could also relate to individual decisions. We used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), where the respondents aged 50 and older of the Wave 8, version 0, were asked to answer, among other, questions on delayed, postponed or denied healthcare services during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. For comparative reasons also Estonian and Lithuanian data were included in the study with 2 473 627 valid weighted cases in total. Due to the large sample size, in order to evaluate statistically significant result for Pearson’s chi-square test, strength of association (f) was provided. The results show that 12.7% of the respondents forwent and 14% postponed medical treatment in Latvia. Appointment was denied to 5.5% of the respondents. Generally, older people in Latvia had better access to health care services compared to the average in the Baltic countries. We found significant age and gender differences, but they varied depending on the type of treatment and reason for not receiving it. However, further studies are necessary to analyse how limited access to the healthcare for other reasons has affected health of the ageing population. Also, more knowledge is needed about how to maintain public health and wellbeing for the growing part of the ageing society.

Integrating Social and Health Services for People, Communities, Homes, and Places

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-66
Author(s):  
Maddalena Illario ◽  
Vincenzo De Luca ◽  
Regina Roller-Wirnsberger
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Ageing Society ◽  
Regional Policies ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
The Impact

The challenge of an ageing population requires a paradigmatic shift in the way we provide social and healthcare services, demanding the need to prioritize the functionality and independence of older adults. The risk and subsequent fear of falling is one of the most high-risk states for older adults, as it generates a destabilizing effect on their health that is often hard to recover. It is essential to thoroughly address their risk factors and mitigators. This discussion needs to be made in light of a person-centered perspective that goes beyond fragilities to capitalize on the strengths of the older adults. The chapter provides examples of how to connect assessment, interventions, and monitoring to a coherent framework approach that mitigates the risks and the impact of falls on an ageing society. The authors explore how technological innovation, urban planning, and regional policies that are culturally relevant can be incorporated in creating a circular economy while meeting the needs of an aging population and preventing falls and cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Integrative Health Policy for Migrants in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
T. Fritsch ◽  
M. Luliak
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Integration Policy ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Barriers To Healthcare

It is not a new topic for Germany in receiving immigrants from various nations. However, it is thought-provoking how German integration policy is criticized to be exclusionist based on its immigration policies. 1 In Germany, efforts to integrate the current demand and needs of the migrant population into the healthcare system have proved uncoordinated and scattered as much as diversity in policy is slowly under the implementation process. Frequently, immigrants are not facing any complicated legal restrictions but it is reported that they experience extremely challenging access with barriers resulting in the worst results trying to utilize healthcare services. 2 Equal access to health care services is a crucial aspect of Germany's national health policy. Factors contributing to access barriers to healthcare are said to be: cultural differences; education; political issues; the absence of complementary voluntary health insurance. Therefore, this paper will explore the migrants’ health and barriers to healthcare access in Germany

scholarly journals Access to Health Care Services by Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Dhh) in Botswana: Francistown and Tati

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gorgeous Sarah Chinkonono ◽  
Vivian Namuli ◽  
Catherine Atuhaire ◽  
Hamida Massaquoi ◽  
Sourav Mukhopadhyay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) face a lot of challenges when accessing health care services. The main barrier that they face is communication. Despite this, not much research had been carried out in Africa to understand how individuals who are DHH access healthcare services. This study sought to explore experiences of individuals who are DHH in Botswana when accessing healthcare services to propose recommendations towards improving their situation.Methods: This is a qualitative research study using phenomenological approach. Participants were observed at one point in time. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 DHH individuals living in Francistown and Tati, using a semi-structured interview guide and an interpreter. Participants age range was between 18years to 40years. Purposive sampling and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select the participants.Results: The main challenge that individuals who are DHH in Botswana face is communication barrier which has culminated in their reception of poor healthcare services as the healthcare professionals fail to effectively attain to their health needs. This is evident through wrong prescriptions and treatment; poor counselling services, lack of confidentiality; poor maternal health services especially during child delivery; and limited health information. However, individuals who are DHH in Botswana continues to utilise healthcare services.Conclusion: Poor communication between healthcare professionals and individuals who are DHH act as an impediment to acquiring proper healthcare services by individuals who are DHH. This can lead to poor health outcomes for the DHH population as they are not well informed about health issues that they are at risk of and at times do not know where to seek specific healthcare services pertaining to the health problems they are experiencing. Therefore, there is a need to provide sign language interpreters in the healthcare centres to reduce the impact of this problem.

scholarly journals Impact of Language Barriers on Access to Healthcare Services by Immigrant Patients: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Rasi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Language Barriers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Native People ◽  
The Impact

Background: Research has demonstrated lower access to healthcare services by immigrant patients in comparison to native people. Cultural and linguistic differences have been considered as main factors that impede this access and as barriers to creating an effective relationship between immigrant patients and health professionals.  Objective: The aim of this study was to better understand and synthesize the available evidence regarding the impact of immigrant patients’ language proficiency on access to health care. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies published between January 2000 and January 2019 that examined the impact of language proficiency on access to and use of health services by immigrant patients. Only articles in English were included. Cross-referencing of the identified articles was also performed.  Results: A total of 140 publications was identified through online databases. In all 24 studies were reviewed, and the results were reported using four interrelated themes identified from the articles. These reports consistently showed a clear association between inadequate language ability and underuse of health care services, ineffective communication, and increased use of emergency care by immigrant patients. Identifying factors that can influence access to care, applying immigrant-friendly solutions such as provision of professional interpreters, and encouraging culturally and linguistically sensitive education may improve the quality of care and increase access to care. One study recommended utilisation of communication technologies such as telemedicine to bridge the communication gap and increase accessibility of healthcare services by immigrant patients.  Conclusions: All included studies indicated that language barriers hindered access to healthcare services. The data resulting from this study can update policy and practical solutions for language barriers on access to care by immigrant patients and provide an agenda for further investigations. 

Regional Outlook

2021 ◽  
pp. 397-400
Author(s):  
Mare Ainsaar ◽  
Ave Roots
Keyword(s):  
Unmet Need ◽  
Health Financing ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Health Politics ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
Out Of Pocket Payments ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Baltic

The regional outlook for the Baltic countries presents a comparative assessment of the historical development of the healthcare system, health politics, and selected health-related indicators for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, each of which pursued a different path to establishing a new health system after independence in 1991. In terms of health financing, out-of-pocket payments are relatively high, especially in Latvia and Lithuania. But while, as might be expected, unmet need due to cost is quite high in Latvia, it is rather low in Lithuania. Though the political saliency of healthcare has been rather low in the Baltics, it appears to be moving up the political agenda. High health inequalities, low satisfaction with healthcare services, and access are among the problems that have persisted.

Parental Custody Negotiations and Health Insurance Access for Children

2003 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228
Author(s):  
Walter L. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Healthy Development ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Sole Custody ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Logical Regression

Family practitioners who provide divorce education programs should be aware that a child in a sole-custody household (especially one headed by the father) is highly likely to lack insurance coverage for access to health care services for healthy development. Examining 543 divorce records in New Hampshire, the author analyzed coverage across divergent family types following custody negotiations and found that a child in a sole-custody household was at higher risk for lacking coverage than was one in a shared-custody household. These results were confirmed by a chi-square test and logical regression statistical analysis. In a multivariate analysis, the author found that teenagers, children whose parents earned high incomes, and those with working mothers were likely to be covered, although the likelihood was lower in the case of daughters.

scholarly journals Self-medication practice among Yemeni patients in Ibb city: a survey study exploring patients’ perceptives

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Salah Mojali ◽  
Saad Al-Ghanim ◽  
Ahmed Mohammed Alduais ◽  
Bader F. Al-Shabrani
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Background: The main objective of this study was addressing the prevalence of self-medication, its causes, sources of information and medications in Ibb city, the Republic of Yemen.Methods: This study followed a survey-study method where the data was collected using a self-administrated questionnaire with stratified random sampling and simple random sampling procedures to select the study samples. A sample of 500 patients from the three major hospitals at Ibb city (AL-Thawrah, Nasser and Motherhood hospitals) were selected in this study. Both descriptive and referential analyses were used to answer the raised research questions.Results: The results indicated that 85% of the participants practiced self-medication in the last three months prior to data collection. The most reason reported for self-medication is that the drug supply in hospitals was unavailable. The most source of information about self-medication reported by respondents was pharmacists and the most source of medication was private pharmacies. Besides, more than half of the participants indicated prior knowledge regarding the dangers of self-medication. Chi-square analysis indicated that respondents who are urban, married and older than 40 years are more likely to practice self-medication.Conclusions: Educational campaigns and strict legislation measures relating to drugs dispensing from private pharmacies, supplying the governmental hospitals with the medications and facilitate access to health care services are among the necessary intervention(s) that may modify the behavior of individuals and protect them from potential dangers of self-medication.

scholarly journals Regarding

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 2515690X1878800
Author(s):  
James M. Whedon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Care Community ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Integrative Health Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Justice

In the article, “Insurance Reimbursement for Complementary Healthcare Services,” we reported that the likelihood of reimbursement for complementary health care services in New Hampshire was significantly lower as compared with services of primary care physicians. The relatively low likelihood of reimbursement for integrative health care suggests that many patients who want such services must pay for them out of pocket. Affordable access to these services may be similarly limited in other states; certainly the utilization of integrative health care services varies significantly across the US states, and such variation may be tied to likelihood of reimbursement. Unwarranted geographic variation in reimbursement for integrative health care services is likely to compound inequities in access to health care in general, particularly for people of lower socioeconomic status. The aspirational value of Health Justice asserts the obligation of societies to attend to the basic health needs of all, with particular attention to the disadvantaged. A new project under development, The Atlas of Integrative Healthcare, is intended to support the advancement of health justice. The Atlas project is expected to support the policy goals of the integrative health care community with regard to helping patients access the high-value integrative health care services that they need and want.

scholarly journals Sustainability of Health and Care Systems: Modelling the Nursing Employment Dynamics in an Ageing Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-400
Author(s):  
Barbara Grah ◽  
Vlado Dimovski ◽  
Sandra Penger ◽  
Simon Colnar ◽  
David Bogataj
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Systems ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Ageing Society ◽  
Policy System ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Systems Modelling

This study aims to develop an actuarial model to recognise and determine the quality of the healthcare policies, needed to ensure the sustainability of health care systems in terms of a sufficient number of skilled nurses that will cater to the demand of healthcare services from a growing number of older adults in an ageing society and due to pandemics. We have applied the actuarial-mathematical method, which resulted in the proposed multiple decrement model of nurse workforce dynamics. It enables the measurement of the quality of a given national policy system. We built the case of the selected EU economy by applying the proposed model to available statistical data and 15 interviews with nurses, analysed by content analysis. The findings emphasise a lack of nurses in the present as well as a possible lack in the future. It is up to national policies to improve this situation based on the use of the proposed multiple decrement model.

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