scholarly journals Evaluation designs of outpatient health centres focusing on vulnerable patient groups

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Winkler ◽  
I Reinsperger
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Health Institutions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Homeless and non-insured persons experience worse physical and mental health than comparable populations. Outpatient (public) health institutions, which are easily accessible, contribute considerably to the medical treatment of vulnerable patient groups. Sound evaluation methods, indicators and instruments are necessitated to target patients’ needs and to enable strategic health and social policy planning. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search in several databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO etc.) for studies from 2000 to 2019 reporting on evaluations in outpatient health institutions for homeless and/ or non-insured patients. In addition, we contacted 5 Austrian public health/ research institutions dealing with complex interventions for relevant publications. Results 12 evaluation studies and 7 evaluation reports met our inclusion criteria. Evaluation designs mostly considered various target groups and nearly all assessments pursued a ’mixed-method’ approach. 13 publications assessed socio-demographic data, 11 the use of health and social services and 7 patients’ health status. Further indicators related to ’satisfaction issues’ such as patients’ satisfaction with the provided range of health and social services (n = 7). 6 publications reported on health economic indicators. In total, 7 out of 19 studies reported on evaluation instruments; most instruments (n = 6) were on patients’ mental health status. Conclusions Patients represented the major target group in the included evaluations. There is little research on evaluation indicators directing on health professionals. Evaluations focusing on the intersectional levels (e.g. the impact of health programmes for vulnerable groups on various institutions) are lacking. Key messages Evaluation designs involving ‘hardly to reach populations’ shall consider a ‘participatory assessment approach’ to avoid drop-outs and to create a trustworthy evaluation situation. Hence, evaluation indicators shall be commonly selected and adequately reflect patients’ realities.

Depression in the Developing World

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Minas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Culturally Informed ◽  
Global Understanding

This chapter provides an overview of what is known about prevalence, social determinants, treatment, and course and impact of depression in developing, or low- and middle-income, countries. The importance of culture in depression and in the construction and application of diagnostic classifications and in health and social services is highlighted, with a particular focus on the applicability of ‘Western’ diagnostic constructs and service systems in developing country settings. The role of international organizations, such as WHO, and international development programs, such as the SDGs, in improving our understanding of depression and in developing effective and culturally appropriate responses is briefly examined. There is both a need and increasing opportunities in developing countries for greater commitment to mental health of populations, increased investment in mental health and social services, and culturally informed research that will contribute to improved global understanding of mental disorders in general and depression in particular.

scholarly journals Working conditions and health status of 6,317 front line public health workers across five provinces in China during the COVID-19 epidemic: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinghua Li ◽  
Jingdong Xu ◽  
Huan Zhou ◽  
Hua You ◽  
Xiaohui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Public Health Workers

ABSTRACT Background Public health workers at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and primary health care institutes (PHIs) were among the main workers who implemented prevention, control, and containment measures. However, their efforts and health status have not been well documented. We aimed to investigate the working conditions and health status of front line public health workers in China during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods Between 18 February and 1 March 2020, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of 2,313 CDC workers and 4,004 PHI workers in five provinces across China experiencing different scales of COVID-19 epidemic. We surveyed all participants about their work conditions, roles, burdens, perceptions, mental health, and self-rated health using a self-constructed questionnaire and standardised measurements (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder scale). To examine the independent associations between working conditions and health outcomes, we used multivariate regression models controlling for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and poor self-rated health was 21.3, 19.0, and 9.8%, respectively, among public health workers (27.1, 20.6, and 15.0% among CDC workers and 17.5, 17.9, and 6.8% among PHI workers). The majority (71.6%) made immense efforts in both field and non-field work. Nearly 20.0% have worked all night for more than 3 days, and 45.3% had worked throughout the Chinese New Year holiday. Three risk factors and two protective factors were found to be independently associated with all three health outcomes in our final multivariate models: working all night for >3 days (multivariate odds ratio [ORm]=1.67~1.75, p<0.001), concerns about infection at work (ORm=1.46~1.89, p<0.001), perceived troubles at work (ORm=1.10~1.28, p<0.001), initiating COVID-19 prevention work after January 23 (ORm=0.78~0.82, p=0.002~0.008), and ability to persist for > 1 month at the current work intensity (ORm=0.44~0.55, p<0.001). Conclusions Chinese public health workers made immense efforts and personal sacrifices to control the COVID-19 epidemic and faced the risk of mental health problems. Efforts are needed to improve the working conditions and health status of public health workers and thus maintain their morale and effectiveness during the fight against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Following COVID-19 Public Health Measures on People Living With Dementia and Carers

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872199681
Author(s):  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Hilary Tetlow ◽  
Kym Ward ◽  
Justine Shenton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Social Support Services ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: To date, there appears to be no evidence on the longer-term impacts caused by COVID-19 and its related public health restrictions on some of the most vulnerable in our societies. The aim of this research was to explore the change in impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the mental wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. Method: Semi-structured, follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with PLWD and unpaid carers between June and July 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of accessing social support services during the pandemic, and the impact of restrictions on their daily lives. Results: 20 interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed, which produced 3 primary themes concerning emotional responses and impact to mental health and wellbeing during the course of the pandemic: 1) Impact on mental health during lockdown, 2) Changes to mental health following easing of public health, and 3) The long-term effect of public health measures. Conclusions: The findings from this research shed light on the longer-term psychological impacts of the UK Government’s public health measures on PLWD and their carers. The loss of social support services was key in impacting this cohort mentally and emotionally, displaying a need for better psychological support, for both carers and PLWD.

scholarly journals Impact of the Affordable Care Act’s Dependent Coverage Expansion on the Health Care and Health Status of Young Adults: What Do We Know So Far?

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Breslau ◽  
Bradley D. Stein ◽  
Bing Han ◽  
Shoshanna Shelton ◽  
Hao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
The Public ◽  
Behavioral Health Treatment ◽  
Coverage Expansion ◽  
Dependent Coverage ◽  
The Impact

The dependent coverage expansion (DCE), a component of the Affordable Care Act, required private health insurance policies that cover dependents to offer coverage for policyholders’ children through age 25. This review summarizes peer-reviewed research on the impact of the DCE on the chain of consequences through which it could affect public health. Specifically, we examine the impact of the DCE on insurance coverage, access to care, utilization of care, and health status. All studies find that the DCE increased insurance coverage, but evidence regarding downstream impacts is inconsistent. There is evidence that the DCE reduced high out-of-pocket expenditures and frequent emergency room visits and increased behavioral health treatment. Evidence regarding the impact of the DCE on health is sparse but suggestive of positive impacts on self-rated health and health behavior. Inferences regarding the public health impact of the DCE await studies with greater methodological diversity and longer follow-up periods.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Sars Cov-2 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Seniors in Social Care Facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
Z. Budayova ◽  
L. Ludvigh Cintulova
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

The research study analyses the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and identifies changes in the life satisfaction of seniors in social services facilities. The research sample consisted of 79 seniors in social services facilities, the sample consisted of ten participants, data collection took place in the period from November 2020 to April 2021, where the method of qualitative research was used in empirical research, through semi-structured interviews to determine the impact of Covid-19 on We collected the data collected by open coding and pointed to those dimensions of the lives of seniors that were most marked by pandemic measures against the spread of Covid-19.

scholarly journals Aftercare: who attends section 117 meetings?

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-107
Author(s):  
Rosemary Lethem
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Hospital Department ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Legal Duty

The purpose of aftercare is to enable patients to return to their home or accommodation other than a hospital or nursing home, and to minimse the need for future in-patient care. Under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, local health and social services authorities have a legal duty to provide aftercare for certain categories of patients when they leave hospital (Department of Health and Welsh Office, 1993).

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