Testimonials within health advertising in Australia: an analysis of current policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C. L. Holden
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Status ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Health Consumers ◽  
Future Policy

The advertising of regulated health services to consumers is strictly regulated in Australia. The advertising prohibitions within the National Law that ban the use of testimonials relating to services provided by health practitioners have caused controversy, garnering mixed reactions from the health professions, health consumers and other stakeholders. Advertising that misleads health consumers may promote unnecessary and inappropriate engagement in health services and may therefore negatively affect consumers’ ability to exercise autonomous decisions relating to their care. This article considers policy implications relating to advertising with a focus on the use of testimonials, particularly those that are online. Although there would seem to be appetite for amending the current legislative framework, there is uncertainty as to the form change may take and the effect this could have. What is known about the topic? Testimonials relating to health care are a prohibited form of advertising, but a form still used by non-regulated health providers and those who are regulated but who are either ignorant of the law or defiant of its requirements. Views are split as to whether the restriction on consumer reviews of regulated health services is reasonable; frequently, arguments are put forward stating that the status quo inhibits consumers’ ability to discuss their care. Other jurisdictions outside Australia permit the use of patient reviews and testimonials. What does this paper add? This paper discusses the greater policy implications of the current restrictions within the National Law and analyses the arguments placed forward by different stakeholders from the health professions and those that consume health services. The ethical and market arguments surrounding advertising and testimonials are examined. Suggestions are then made as to the deficits in knowledge that presently exist relating to this area and the actions required before future policy may be developed. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners should be aware of the current restrictions upon advertising within regulated health services. This paper develops an understanding of the complex arguments surrounding advertising and testimonials in health care, as well as when testimonials may be permitted and not subject to the current regulations. Before any amendment to the current legislation is actioned, regulators should consider instead the need to develop an evidence-based approach to understanding the effects of health advertising on the decision making of healthcare consumers.

Case Study E-Tailing Health Services in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 292-308
Author(s):  
Bobby Kurian
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The World

This case study has been developed to promote understanding the e-tailing of health services. E-health web portal provides a new medium for information dissemination, interaction and collaboration among institutions, health professionals, health providers and the public. This case study provides a founders perspective in setting up and running a medical website that offers online health care services to customers across the world. The case study discusses the challenges and issues faced by the founders and also the promoter's perspective on the lucrativeness of offering e-tailing services. Using this case study an attempt is made to stress the importance of a flexible e-tailing business model specific to the services offered and need of periodic assessments to ensure that the business runs profitable.

scholarly journals Upaya Pengobatan Promotif, Preventif, Kuratif, dan Rehabilitatif Demam Berdarah di Kecamatan Bulukerto, Wonogiri

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldona Akhira Susanto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Local Health Care

Background and Objective: Dengue fever is a disease caused by infection from a virus carried by Aedes (Ae.). In Indonesia, dengue fever has high mortality rate. To reduce the risk of dengue fever there are four stages of public health services. These services include promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative efforts. The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation of health services for dengue fever in Bulukerto. Method: This study use qualitative research with data in the form of descriptions. Result: Bulukerto has carried out four stages of health services. These efforts include counseling, GERMAS programs, outpatient or hospitalization, and education to patients. Conclusion: There are still rooms for improvement in local health care to minimalize the risk of dengue fever. Local health providers are expected to be more aware and active in preventing dengue feve. Aside from that, people in this society need more education concerning the risk and steps to prevent dengue fever.

scholarly journals Implementing COVID-19 Surveillance Through Inter-Organizational Coordination: A Qualitative Study of Three Cities in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Turner ◽  
Carolina Segura ◽  
Natalia Niño
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Coordination Strategies

Abstract Introducing comprehensive surveillance is recommended as an urgent public health measure to control and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. However, its implementation has proven challenging as it requires inter-organizational coordination among multiple health care stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of soft and hard mechanisms in the implementation of inter-organizational coordination strategies for COVID-19 surveillance within Colombia, drawing on evidence from the cities of Bogotá, Cali and Cartagena. The study used a case study approach to understand the perspectives of local and national authorities, insurance companies and health providers in the implementation of inter-organizational coordination strategies for COVID-19 surveillance. 81 semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and November 2020. The data was analysed by codes and categorized using New NVivo software. The study identified inter-organizational coordination strategies that were implemented to provide COVID-19 surveillance in the three cities. Both soft (e.g. trust and shared purpose) and hard mechanisms (e.g. formal agreements and regulations) acted as mediators for collaboration and helped to address existing structural barriers in the provision of health services. The findings suggest that soft and hard mechanisms contributed to promoting change among health care system stakeholders and improved inter-organizational coordination for disease surveillance. The findings contribute to evidence regarding practices to improve coordinated surveillance of disease, including the roles of new forms of financing and contracting between insurers and public and private health service providers, logistics regarding early diagnosis in infectious disease, and the provision of health services at the community level regardless of insurance affiliation. Our research provides evidence to improve disease surveillance frameworks in fragmented health systems contributing to public health planning and health system improvement.

scholarly journals Silencing of Voice: An Act of Structural Violence Urban Aboriginal Women Speak Out About Their Experiences with Health Care

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna L. M. Kurtz ◽  
Jessie C. Nyberg ◽  
Susan Van Den Tillaart ◽  
Buffy Mills ◽  
The Okanagan Urban Aboriginal Health Res (OUAHRC)
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Structural Violence ◽  
Women's Voices ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Aboriginal Populations ◽  
The Status ◽  
Women's Stories ◽  
The Many

This article reports some of the preliminary findings of an ongoing participatory research study exploring the provision of health and social services for urban Aboriginal communities in the Okanagan Valley. In particular, the article examines how colonial structures and systems have worked to silence Aboriginal women’s voices and how this has affected the ways in which urban Aboriginal women seek out health services. The article addresses these issues through the voices of the Aboriginal women in the study. The women’s stories reveal the many assumptions and inequities that contribute to their marginalization. They describe how their voices are often silenced when they access health services and how this can cause them to either delay seeking needed health advice or accept the status quo. The women’s stories are used to stress the importance and power of voice. This is most evident in their experiences accessing the health services offered through community-based Friendship Centres, where many felt they had more control over the care they received. In the context of this article, the impacts of colonization and the silencing of women’s voices are viewed as acts of structural violence. The women’s stories provide crucial insights into how health care provision can be changed to help prevent these acts of violence, thus leading the way to improved health for all urban Aboriginal populations.

scholarly journals 'It's whanaungatanga and all that kind of stuff': Maori cancer patients’ experiences of health services

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Slater ◽  
Anna Matheson ◽  
Cheryl Davies ◽  
Huia Tavite ◽  
Triny Ruhe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Maori Health ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION: There are unacceptable ethnic differences in cancer survival in Aotearoa/New Zealand. For people with cancer, quality of life and survival are shaped by access to care, but research on Maori access to, and through, cancer care is limited. Internationally, research has shown that primary care plays an important role in providing patient-centred, holistic care and information throughout the cancer care journey. Additionally, Maori health providers provide practical support and facilitate access to all levels of health care. Here we describe the cancer journeys of Maori patients and whanau and identify factors that may facilitate or inhibit access to and through cancer care services. METHODS: Twelve Maori patients affected by cancer and their whanau (family) in the lower North Island took part in face-to-face semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences of cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, survival and palliative care. FINDINGS: Three key areas were identified that impacted upon the cancer care journey: the experience of support; continuity of care; and the impact of financial and geographic determinants. CONCLUSION: Primary care plays a key role in support and continuity of care across the cancer journey. Alongside interpersonal rapport, a long-term relationship with a primary health provider facilitated a more positive experience of the cancer care journey, suggesting that patients with a ‘medical home’ are happier with their care and report less problems with coordination between services. Positive, longstanding relationships with general practitioners and Maori health providers assisted patients and whanau with the provision and understanding of information, alongside practical support. KEYWORDS: Cancer; family; health services, indigenous; Maori health; primary health care cancer

Preisbildung bei ambulant und stationär erbrachten Gesundheitsleistungen / Pricing of Ambulatory and Stationary Health Services

2007 ◽  
Vol 227 (5-6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Neubauer ◽  
Florian Pfister
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Price Competition ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Care Market ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Health Insurers

SummaryIn all health care systems exists governmental regulation, as the market for health is unanimously regarded as imperfect. The German health care market is a good example for a strongly regulated market in nearly each submarket, partially the determination of prices. Reimbursement of health goods and services is overwhelmingly collectively contracted between the health insurers and healthcare providers. In this article, we begin with the description of central functions of prices in the health care sector and components of reimbursement systems. After the general thoughts follows an overview of the concrete reimbursement reality in Germany’s ambulatory and stationary care. We identify and discuss pro and contra the trend towards single prices for identical health services in all of Germany. Another, in someway opposite, trend is less collective bargaining between health insurers and associations of health providers, which gets increasingly substituted with selective contracting. Another issue we cover is the relationship between price competition and quality competition.

Traditional Health Practitioners as Primary Health Care Workers

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilbur Hoff
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners

The author conducted a field study in 1993 to evaluate the effectiveness of four projects that were training traditional health practitioners (THPs) to provide primary health care (PHC) services in Ghana, Mexico, and Bangladesh. The study, funded by a grant from the World Health Organization, Division of Strengthening Health Services, concluded that incorporating trained THPs in PHC programmes can be cost effective in providing essential and culturally relevant health services to communities. The main objective of the study was to evaluate how effective the training projects were and to determine what impacts they might have upon the communities served. A qualitative field evaluation was performed using data collected from project documents, observations, and field interviews with a selection of health agency staff, THPs, and community members. A summary of results is presented from the four field studies. For details refer to the full report1.

scholarly journals Mental Health

1965 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Donald A. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Specialized Services

There is an increasing responsibility on the health professions in the local communities. In previous years they did not need to know much about mental health services, since these were not available. Now, since the focus of these services is moving gradually back to the mainstream of other health care, all professional personnel will need to become increasingly familiar with the specialized services, and the part they play in promoting mental health care for their clientele.

The Concept and Usefulness of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions as Indicators of Quality and Access to Primary Health Care

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Ambulatory Care ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Proxy Indicators ◽  
Ambulatory Care Sensitive ◽  
Sensitive Conditions

The purpose of this review is to introduce health services researchers, especially in the area of primary health care, to the meaning and concept of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). More specifically, this review explores the validity of ACSC admissions as proxy indicators of access to primary health care, provides a description of the factors that cause variations in ACSC admission rates, and presents a discussion of the potential usefulness and policy implications of these indicators for primary health care. Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) methodology was used to review the literature on ACSC admissions indicators. Medline and Australasian Medical Index were searched for English language articles published between 1970 and August 2005. The results were supplemented by an internet search of the World Wide Web, further augmented by manual scans of material from deeper levels within the sites. Main finding from the review indicates that ACSC admissions are valid proxy indicators of access to primary health care. Socioeconomic factors are most important in explaining variations in ACSC admissions. Several uses and policy implications of ACSC admission indicators are discussed, including their potential for identifying gaps in the primary health care system and providing opportunities for targeted public health and health services interventions.

scholarly journals Mental Health Practitioners’ Immediate Practical Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Questionnaire Study

10.2196/21237 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e21237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon E Reilly ◽  
Katherine L Zane ◽  
William T McCuddy ◽  
Zachary A Soulliard ◽  
David M Scarisbrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Future ◽  
Therapeutic Services

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased psychological distress, signaling the need for increased mental health services in the context of stay-at-home policies. Objective This study aims to characterize how mental health practitioners have changed their practices during the pandemic. The authors hypothesize that mental health practitioners would increase tele–mental health services and that certain provider types would be better able to adapt to tele–mental health than others. Methods The study surveyed 903 practitioners, primarily psychologists/doctoral-level (Psych/DL) providers, social workers/master’s-level (SW/ML) providers, and neuropsychologists employed in academic medical centers or private practices. Differences among providers were examined using Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and one-way Bonferroni-adjusted analyses of covariance. Results The majority of the 903 mental health practitioners surveyed rapidly adjusted their practices, predominantly by shifting to tele–mental health appointments (n=729, 80.82%). Whereas 80.44% (n=625) were not using tele–mental health in December 2019, only 22.07% (n=188) were not by late March or early April 2020. Only 2.11% (n=19) reported no COVID-19–related practice adjustments. Two-thirds (596/888, 67.10%) reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns. Neuropsychologists were less likely and Psych/DL providers and SW/ML providers were more likely than expected to transition to tele–mental health (P<.001). Trainees saw fewer patients (P=.01) and worked remotely more than licensed practitioners (P=.03). Despite lower rates of information technology service access (P<.001), private practice providers reported less difficulty implementing tele–mental health than providers in other settings (P<.001). Overall, the majority (530/889, 59.62%) were interested in continuing to provide tele–mental health services in the future. Conclusions The vast majority of mental health providers in this study made practice adjustments in response to COVID-19, predominantly by rapidly transitioning to tele–mental health services. Although the majority reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns, only a small subset endorsed offering such services to medical providers. This has implications for future practical directions, as frontline workers may begin to seek mental health treatment related to the pandemic. Despite differences in tele–mental health uptake based on provider characteristics, the majority were interested in continuing to provide such services in the future. This may help to expand clinical services to those in need via tele–mental health beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

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