scholarly journals The practice of integrated healthcare and the experiences of people in Ghana’s Ashanti region

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene G. Ampomah ◽  
Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Theophilus I. Emeto
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
National Health System ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Integrated Healthcare ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome ◽  
Integrated Health

Abstract Background The Ghanaian government has implemented interventions that integrate traditional medicine (TM) into its national health system in response to the high prevalence of TM use. However, empirical evidence of the experiences of service users and the practice of integrated health in Ghana is scanty. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of people with TM integration into the formal health system in Ashanti region using an adapted TM integration framework. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design comprising survey administration and in-depth interviews for data collection was utilised to address the research objective. Framework analysis was used in analysing the qualitative data and for triangulation of results. Results Participants were aware of licensing and training of TM practitioners in a science-based university in Ghana. However, knowledge of the existence of TM units in selected hospitals in the region was minimal. Integration knowledge was largely influenced by sex, marital status, household size and residential status, where males and urban dwellers were more familiar with the process than females and rural dwellers. Low patronage of integrated health services in the region was attributable to weak cross referrals. However, service users who had engaged with the integrated system recounted a satisfactory outcome. Conclusion Service users’ unfamiliarity with the presence of integrated facilities in Ghana could be an impediment to the practice of integrated healthcare. Sensitisation of the public about the practice of an integrated system could refine the Ghanaian integrated system. Regular evaluation of patient satisfaction and outcome measures might also serve as an effective strategy for improving health services delivery since evaluation is becoming an important component of health service design and implementation. There is the need for future studies to focus on exploring the perceptions and experiences of health practitioners and hospital administrators regarding the practice of integrated health in Ghana.

Differences in Antimicrobial Susceptibility Among Hospitals in an Integrated Health System

2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 379-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa J. Lubowski ◽  
John L. Woon ◽  
Patricia Hogan ◽  
Ching-Chang Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Integrated Healthcare ◽  
Susceptibility Data ◽  
Integrated Health ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns

AbstractWe evaluated the differences in antimicrobial susceptibility among hospitals in three different integrated healthcare systems. Each system provided antibiogram-susceptibility reports from representative hospitals. Reports were analyzed for statistically significant differences between hospitals in a given system for nine important organisms. We found numerous significant interhospital differences in antimicrobial-susceptibility patterns within health systems. For this reason, the practice of combining antibiotic-susceptibility data into a systemwide antibiogram should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Effective Health Services Planning and Delivery: A Qualitative Case Study Exploring Health Services Users’ Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marme G
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Health Services Planning ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

Introduction: Healthcare service is an essential determinant of population health. This qualitative case study aims to explore health service users’ perspectives of effective health services delivery and the current challenges affecting the management and delivery of health services at a primary healthcare facility in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

scholarly journals Effective health service planning and delivery: A qualitative case study exploring health service users perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gigil Marme
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

Abstract Introduction: Healthcare service is an essential determinant to population health. This qualitative case study aims to explore health service users’ perspective of effective health services delivery and the current challenges affecting the management and delivery of health services at a primary healthcare facility in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Methods: Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with key informants (KI) representing academics, undergraduate students, administration staff, patients and healthcare workers. The interviews covered three main areas: users’ views of effective health services, current challenges affecting effective planning and management of primary healthcare services, and interventions to improve health services planning and delivery. Results: The services users associated effective health services delivery with increased availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality healthcare. Many factors exist to influence the effective planning and delivery of health services. The results show that health systems and personal factors have a major influence on the planning and health services delivery. Conclusion: The findings from this study call for an evaluation of the current healthcare system, particularly at the primary healthcare level, as the primary point of contact to the formal healthcare system, and the need for developing a contextual model of healthcare that meet the needs of the service users. We concluded that if health services users’ perspectives are considered in health policy, the local community may experience significant improvement in health status.

DESIGNING AN INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE STRATEGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-76
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Dymyt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Integrated Health Care ◽  
Integrated Healthcare ◽  
Care Integration ◽  
Integrated Health ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

The article concerns the strategic dimension of the integration of health care. The concept of integrated health care plays a key role in the improvement of health systems. The complexity of the health care system makes a coherent, comprehensive and coordinated approach to health services necessary. The integration of health care consists in the management and delivery of health services in such a way that patients receive continuity of health care, coordinated at various levels, within and outside the health sector and as needed throughout their lives. The purpose of the article is to present the essence of health care integration and key aspects of the design of integrated healthcare strategy, identify its assumptions and main elements.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Integrated Health Systems in Africa: A Systematic Review

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
Irene G. Ampomah ◽  
Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Aduli E.O. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Theophilus I. Emeto
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Orthodox Medicine ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
Integrated Health ◽  
Critical Appraisal Tool

Background and objective: Traditional medicine (TM) was integrated into health systems in Africa due to its importance within the health delivery setup in fostering increased health care accessibility through safe practices. However, the quality of integrated health systems in Africa has not been assessed since its implementation. The objective of this paper was to extensively and systematically review the effectiveness of integrated health systems in Africa. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted from October, 2019 to March, 2020 using Ovid Medline, Scopus, Emcare, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and Google Scholar, in order to retrieve original articles evaluating the integration of TM into health systems in Africa. A quality assessment of relevant articles was also carried out using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATDSS) critical appraisal tool. Results: The results indicated that the formulation and execution of health policies were the main measures taken to integrate TM into health systems in Africa. The review also highlighted relatively low levels of awareness, usage, satisfaction, and acceptance of integrated health systems among the populace. Knowledge about the existence of an integrated system varied among study participants, while satisfaction and acceptance were low among orthodox medicine practitioners. Health service users’ satisfaction and acceptance of the practice of an integrated health system were high in the countries assessed. Conclusion: The review concluded that existing health policies in Africa are not working, so the integration of TM has not been successful. It is critical to uncover the barriers in the health system by exploring the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders, in order to develop solutions for better integration of the two health systems.

scholarly journals Health services delivery in Asir, Saudi Arabia: regional experience of integration

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
Abdul Aziz M. Al Khuzayem ◽  
Ahmed A. Mahfouz ◽  
Abdalla I. Shehata ◽  
Reda A. G. Al Erian
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Recent Past ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Local Experience ◽  
System Changes ◽  
Management Functions

Thispaper presents the local experience of the General Directorate of Health Affairs in Asir, Saudi Arabia, regarding integration of health services. The geographical, sociodemographic and administrative situations of the region necessitate this approach. A historical background of the development of health services in the region in the recent past is presented. Restructuring of the health system, changes in management functions and advantages of integration of health services are discussed

scholarly journals Combating health care fragmentation through integrated health services delivery networks

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Ramagem ◽  
Soledad Urrutia ◽  
Tephany Griffith ◽  
Mario Cruz ◽  
Ricardo Fabrega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Integrated Health ◽  
Delivery Networks ◽  
Care Fragmentation ◽  
Integrated Health Services

scholarly journals Health system influences on potentially avoidable hospital admissions by secondary mental health service use: A national ecological study

2021 ◽  
pp. 135581962110367
Author(s):  
Charlotte Woodhead ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
David Osborn ◽  
Helen Barratt ◽  
Rosalind Raine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Objectives Potentially avoidable hospital admissions (PAAs) are costly to health services and potentially harmful for patients. This study aimed to compare area-level PAA rates among people using and not using secondary mental health services in England and to identify health system features that may influence between-area PAA variation. Methods National ecological study using linked English hospital admissions and secondary mental health services data (2016–2018). We calculated two-year average age-sex standardised area-level PAA rates according to primary admission diagnoses for 12 physical conditions, among, first, secondary mental health service users with any non-organic diagnosis, and, second, people not in contact with secondary mental health services. We used penalised regression analyses to identify predictors of area-level variation in PAA rates. Results Area-level PAA rates were over four times greater in the mental health group, at 7,594 per 100,000 population compared to 1,819 per 100,000 in the comparator group. Common predictors of variation were greater density of older age groups (lower PAA rates), higher underlying population morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and, to a lesser extent, urbanity (higher PAA rates). For both groups, health system factors such as the number of general practitioners per capita or ambulance despatch rates were significant but weak predictors of variation. Mental health diagnosis data were available for half of secondary mental health care records only and sensitivity analyses found that urbanity remained the sole significant predictor for PAAs in this group. Conclusions Findings support the need for improved management of physical conditions for secondary mental health service users. Understanding and predicting variation in PAAs among mental health service users is constrained by availability of data on mental health diagnosis, physical health care and needs.

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