Access to Healthcare in Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
André den Exter ◽  
Keith Syrett
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
European Healthcare ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

This chapter describes the main features of European healthcare systems. The chapter identifies key characteristics of these systems: the organisation, financing, and delivery of health services, and the main actors. It then questions what the systems cover, who are eligible to receive healthcare, when patients receive healthcare, and the physician’s duty to provide care. In addition to highlighting the applicable regulatory framework, this chapter also describes some general trends.

scholarly journals Chains, trains and automobiles: Medical transport for prisoners in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
pp. 147737082098883
Author(s):  
Sophie Haesen ◽  
Helene Merkt ◽  
Bernice Elger ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Older Prisoners ◽  
Medical Transport ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Limit Access

Imprisoned persons are transported for several purposes including transfers to a different prison, legal-procedural reasons such as court hearings, and to receive medical treatments. The availability and acceptability of transportation may limit access to healthcare if health services cannot be provided within the prison grounds. The aim of this article is to examine the conditions of medical transport for older prisoners in Switzerland and to assess whether or not these practices are in line with international recommendations. Interviews with experts working in the prison context and with older prisoners were conducted. Results show that handcuffing practices and space restrictions during medical transport are not adapted to prisoners’ health condition. Older prisoners risk being exposed and humiliated by transport conditions. The reasons for delayed medical transport can be administrative constraints or erroneous medical judgement. Switzerland’s cantonal system results in a variety of regulations for transports, so that cantonal differences, administrative constraints and inappropriate conditions can delay access to necessary healthcare and increase suffering.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Broken Windows Theory in Terms of Patient Safety

2020 ◽  
pp. 266-284
Author(s):  
Erkan Turan Demirel ◽  
Eda Emul
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Medical Errors ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Broken Windows ◽  
Effective Solution ◽  
Broken Windows Theory ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

The broken windows theory introduces an approach applicable to different fields of discipline insofar as it explains how disorder (crime, etc.) occurs in a community and provides a basis from which solutions can be developed to prevent it. Considering the complexity of healthcare systems, irregularities, and rule violations that commonly mark them and put human health at risk, it is important to produce more effective solutions by taking advantage of different perspectives. This study evaluates the applicability of the broken windows theory to patient safety. As this theory can be an effective solution to the medical errors, neglect and rule violations that commonly occur in the delivery of health services, it is important that further research on this subject be performed.

scholarly journals Building trust and enhancing localization to improve access to women’s health services in Afghanistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F R Rab ◽  
S S Stranges ◽  
A D Thind ◽  
S S Sohani
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Time Trend ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Delivery Of Healthcare ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

Abstract Background Over 34 million people in Afghanistan have suffered from death and devastation for the last four decades as a result of conflict. Women and children have borne the brunt of this devastation. Afghanistan has some of the poorest health indicators in the world for women and children. In the midst of armed conflict, providing essential healthcare in remote regions in the throws of conflict remains a challenge, which is being addressed the Mobile Health Teams through Afghan Red Crescent (ARCS). To overcome socio-cultural barriers, ARCS MHTs have used local knowledge to hire female staff as part of the MHTs along with their male relatives as part of MHT staff. The present study was conducted to explore the impact of engaging female health workers as part of MHTs in conflict zones within Afghanistan on access, availability and utilization of maternal and child health care. Methods Quantitative descriptive and time-trend analysis were used to evaluate impact of introduction of female health workers. Qualitative data is being analyzed to assess the possibilities and implications of engaging female health workers in the delivery of health services. Results Preliminary results show a 96% increase in uptake of services for expectant mothers over the last four years. Average of 18 thousand services provided each month by MHTs, 70% for women and children. Service delivery for women and children significantly increased over time (p < 0.05) after inclusion of female health workers in MHTs. Delivery of maternity care services showed a more significant increase (p < 0.001). Time trend and qualitative analyses is ongoing. Conclusions Introduction of female health workers significantly improved uptake of health care services for women and children especially in extremely isolated areas controlled by armed groups in Afghanistan. Engaging with local stakeholders is essential for delivery of health services for vulnerable populations in fragile settings like Afghanistan. Key messages Understanding cultural norms results in socially acceptable solutions to barriers in delivery of healthcare services and leads to improvements in access for women and children in fragile settings. Building local partnerships and capacities and using local resources result in safe, efficient and sustainable delivery of healthcare services for vulnerable populations in fragile settings.

scholarly journals How Do Patients with Life-Limiting Illness and Caregivers Want End-Of-Life Prognostic Information Delivered? A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ebony T. Lewis ◽  
Kathrine A. Hammill ◽  
Maree Ticehurst ◽  
Robin M. Turner ◽  
Sally Greenaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Delivery Format ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
To Receive

We aimed to identify the level of prognostic disclosure, type of prognostic information and delivery format of prognostic communication that older adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or caregivers prefer to receive. We developed and pilot tested an open-ended survey to 15 older patients and caregivers who had experience in health services for life-limiting illness either for a relative, friend or themselves. Five hypothetical clinical scenarios of prognostic options were presented to ascertain preferences. The preferred format to receive prognostic information was verbal delivery by the clinician with a written summary. Photos and videos were less favoured, and a table with numbers/percentages was least preferred. Distress levels to the prognostic scenarios were low, with the exception of a photo. We conclude that older patients/caregivers want end-of-life prognostic information delivered the traditional way, verbally by clinicians. Options to deliver prognostic information may vary across patient groups but empower clinicians in introducing end-of-life discussions with patients/caregivers. Our study illustrates the feasibility of involving terminal patients and caregivers in research that contributes to eliciting prognostic preferences. Further research is needed to understand whether the prognostic preferences of hospitalized patients with life-limiting illness differ.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document