scholarly journals Recommendations to improve insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran: a multi criteria decision-making approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Dimitrios Skempes ◽  
Masoud Behzadifar ◽  
Reza Tabrizi ◽  
Behrooz Nazari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Aging ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers

Abstract Background High toll of traffic-related injuries, climate change, natural disasters, population aging, as well as chronic diseases have all made considerable demands on receiving physiotherapy services in Iran. Nevertheless, there is an assortment of complications facing utilization of such services, particularly poor insurance coverage. Therefore, the present study investigated and identified gaps in insurance coverage in order to inform future policy reforms and the design of a more comprehensive and universal benefits package for physiotherapy services in Iran. Methods This project was carried out in Iran, using a mix-methods (viz. qualitative-quantitative) approach. Within the first phase, a qualitative study was completed to find policy recommendations. Such recommendations were then prioritized through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), in the second phase, based on effectiveness, acceptability, cost, fairness, feasibility, and time. Results Within the first phase, a total number of 30 semi-structured interviews with health policy-makers, health insurers, faculty members, rehabilitation experts, and physiotherapists were completed. Several policy recommendations were also proposed by the study participants. Following the second phase, prioritized recommendations were provided to promote stewardship (e.g., informing policy-makers about physiotherapy services), collection of funds (e.g., placing value-added taxes on luxury goods and services), pooling of funds (e.g., moving allocated resources towards insurance (viz. third-party) mechanism), purchasing (e.g., using strategic purchasing), and benefit package (e.g., considering preventive interventions) as the main components of insurance coverage. Conclusion The study findings provided a favorable ground to improve insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran. As well, decision- and policy-makers can place these recommendations on the agenda in the health sector to protect population health status, especially that of groups with disabilities.

scholarly journals Recommendations to improve insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran: A multi-criteria decision making approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
Kamran Bagheri Lankarani ◽  
Leila Zarei
Keyword(s):  
Population Aging ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Goods And Services

Abstract Background: High toll of traffic-related injuries, climate change, natural disasters, population aging, as well as chronic diseases have all made considerable demands on receiving physiotherapy services in Iran. Nevertheless, there is an assortment of complications facing utilization of such services, particularly poor insurance coverage. Therefore, the present study investigated and prioritized potential policy recommendations to improve insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran.Methods: This project was carried out in Iran, using a mix-methods (viz. qualitative-quantitative) approach. Within the first phase, a qualitative study was completed to find policy recommendations. Such recommendations were then prioritized through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), in the second phase, based on effectiveness, acceptability, cost, fairness, feasibility, and time. Results: Within the first phase, a total number of 30 semi-structured interviews with health policy-makers, health insurers, faculty members, rehabilitation experts, and physiotherapists were completed. Several policy recommendations were also proposed by the study participants. Following the second phase, prioritized recommendations were provided to promote stewardship (e.g. informing policy-makers about physiotherapy services), collection of funds (e.g. placing value-added taxes on luxury goods and services), pooling of funds (e.g. moving allocated resources towards insurance [viz. third-party] mechanism), purchasing (e.g. using strategic purchasing), and benefit package (e.g. considering preventive interventions) as the main components of insurance coverage. Conclusion: The study findings provided a favorable ground to improve insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran. As well, decision- and policy-makers can place these recommendations on the agenda in the health sector to protect population health status, especially that of groups with disabilities.

scholarly journals Recommendations to improve the insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran A multi-criteria decision making approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
Kamran Bagheri Lankarani ◽  
Leila Zarei
Keyword(s):  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Third Party ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Goods And Services

Abstract Background High rate of traffic injuries, climate changes, natural disasters, aging, and chronic diseases have been resulted in a considerable demand for receiving physiotherapy in Iran. However, there are various complications in utilization of physiotherapy services, especially poor insurance coverage. This study investigated and prioritized potential policy recommendations to improve the insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran. Methods The present project was carried out using mix-method (qualitative-quantitative) approach in Iran. In the first phase, a qualitative study was conducted to find the policy recommendations and in the second phase, obtained policy recommendations were prioritized based on the effectiveness, acceptability, cost, fairness, feasibility, and time using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Results In the first phase, 30 semi-structured interviews with health policy-makers, health insurers, faculty members, rehabilitation experts, and physiotherapists were conducted. Several policy recommendations were proposed by participants. Following the second phase, prioritized recommendations were provided to promote stewardship (e.g. informing the policy-makers about physiotherapy services), collection of funds (e.g. value-added tax on luxury goods and services), pooling of funds (e.g. moving the allocated resources to insurance (third party) mechanism), purchasing (e.g. using strategic purchasing), and benefit package (e.g. considering the preventive interventions) as main components of insurance coverage. Conclusion The findings of this study will be provided a favorable ground to improve the insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in Iran, and decision- and policy-makers can place these recommendations at their agenda settings in the health sector to protect the health status of population, especially disabled groups.

The benefits of logistics clustering

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Rivera ◽  
David Gligor ◽  
Yossi Sheffi
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rich Description ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Job Growth

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the benefits of logistics clustering, with the intent to explain their growth and popularity among private agents and policy makers during the last decade. Design/methodology/approach – Because of limited knowledge about the benefits of logistics clustering a main objective of this paper is theory building. The authors employed a grounded theory approach and conducted 135 open and semi structured interviews with logistics executives, government officials, academics, and chambers of commerce representatives. Findings – Study results revealed that, the agglomeration of logistics firms provides several key benefits to companies. Specifically, it was found that logistics clustering facilitates collaboration-related benefits, offering of value added services, career mobility for the logistics workforce within the cluster, and promotes job growth at multiple levels within the cluster. The authors offer a rich description of these benefits and the mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. Research limitations/implications – This paper uses a qualitative approach. Further research using a quantitative approach to measure the magnitude of the impacts and benefits of logistics clusters would be desirable. Originality/value – This paper identifies the benefits associated with logistics clustering and thus provides justification for public authorities and private agents to invest in this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Cultura, turismo e desenvolvimento: reflexões acerca do potencial arqueológico no município de Carnaúba dos Dantas (RN)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilker Ricardo de Mendonça Nóbrega ◽  
Francineide Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Rock Art ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Cultural Relevance ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Photographic Recording ◽  
Collection Methods

O principal objetivo deste trabalho é identificar as possibilidades e entraves para o desenvolvimento do turismo arqueológico na região do Seridó Potiguar, sobretudo no município de Carnaúba dos Dantas. O turismo arqueológico quando planejado e organizado pode ser um instrumento capaz de proteger, promover e potencializar o patrimônio arqueológico de uma determinada região. A metodologia do trabalho constituiu-se de um estudo exploratório, realizado por meio de duas pesquisas, a pesquisa bibliográfica, envolvendo conceitos associados à temática em questão, e em seguida, a segunda etapa caracterizou-se de um levantamento de dados por meio de uma pesquisa de campo, utilizando-se como instrumentos de coleta de dados, a observação direta, entrevistas e registro fotográfico. Os resultados apontaram que Carnaúba dos Dantas apresenta um significativo potencial para o desenvolvimento do turismo arqueológico, dentre elas a existência de atrativos que podem ser planejados para visitas organizadas de forma sistemática. Todavia, evidenciou-se como principal entrave para o desenvolvimento deste segmento turístico a falta de conhecimento e informação dos proprietários das áreas rurais acerca da relevância histórica e cultural dos registros rupestres. Acredita-se que se o segmento do turismo arqueológico for trabalhado de forma sinérgica entre os atores públicos, privados e do terceiro setor, a região poderia ter uma outra alternativa econômica além da pecuária, agricultura e mineração. Culture, tourism and development: insights on the potential exploration of archeological rock art in Carnaúba dos Dantas (RN, Brazil) ABSTRACT The primary objective of this study was to identify opportunities and bottlenecks for the development of archeological tourism in the Seridó Potiguar region, particularly in the municipality of Carnaúba dos Dantas. Archeological tourism, when well planned and organized, can serve as an instrument for protecting, promoting and potentiating the archeological heritage of a determined region. The methodology used in this study consisted of a literature review involving concepts associated with the topic in question, followed by a second phase involving data collection through fieldwork using the following data collection methods: participant observation, semi-structured interviews and photographic recording. The results indicate that there is a significant potential in Carnaúba dos Dantas to develop archeological tourism such as the existence of attractions that can be planned for organized visits in a systematic way. By contrast, it was observed a lack of knowledge and information among residents of the rural area in respect to the historical and cultural relevance of the rock art and this represents the primary bottleneck to development of this tourism segment. These findings suggest that, if the archeological tourism segment is approached in synergy among public, private and third party stakeholders, it could serve as an economic alternative to cattle raising, agriculture and mining for residents of the region. KEYWORDS: Tourism Development; Cultural and Archeological Heritage; Carnaúba dos Dantas.

Governing healthcare in India: a policy capacity perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 002085232110014
Author(s):  
Azad Singh Bali ◽  
M. Ramesh
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Capacity

After decades of neglect, in 2008, the Indian government launched a national health insurance programme to address the needs of the bulk of the population that could not afford healthcare. This was followed by the launch of another national programme in 2018 that further expanded insurance coverage. These schemes envision a large single-payer, insurance-based system covering about 110 million families. The central objective of this article is to assess the government’s capacity to implement these ambitious programmes. We employ the policy capacity framework developed by Wu et al. to examine the types of capacities needed to achieve desired objectives in the health sector. The central argument of the article is that there are critical capacity deficits, especially along operational dimensions. Our conclusions are generalisable to other middle-income countries currently in the process of implementing similar prospective-payment health policy reforms. Points for practitioners This article highlights the need for governments to prioritise the capacity for implementing health policy reforms. Efforts to achieve and sustain universal healthcare are contingent not only on appropriate policy design, mobilising required resources and building political support, but also on overcoming capacity deficits in implementation. The framework presented in this article serves as a useful tool for governments to diagnose strengths and weaknesses in the specific types of capacities (analytical, operational, and political) needed for universal health coverage.

UK Temporary Staffing: Industry Structure and Evolutionary Dynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 889-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Ward
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Value Added ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industry Structure ◽  
Third Party ◽  
National Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Temporary Staffing ◽  
The Uk

During the 1990s the UK temporary staffing industry experienced almost unbroken year-on-year growth. Alongside this quantitative expansion the type of business performed by some UK temporary staffing agencies has begun to change, as some larger agencies have attempted to move out of the clerical and light industrial segments and into higher value-added markets. Other agencies have sought to add human resource services to their more-traditional recruitment and placement functions. All in all, the UK industry—the second largest in the world after the United States—has undergone widespread restructuring in the last decade. I argue that the recent growth in the UK industry constitutes a regularisation of flexible employment, as casual and fixed-term contracts are replaced by more formal arrangements involving a third party—the temporary staffing agency. Drawing upon global and national data and forty semi-structured interviews with agency owners and managers in the United Kingdom, I analyse the multidimensional growth and restructuring of the UK temporary staffing industry. I argue that as the UK industry ‘matures’ we are witnessing a degree of deepening in relations between temporary staffing agencies and client firms. More broadly, I argue that the growth of the temporary staffing industry has conceptual implications for how economic geographers theorise ‘the firm’ and explore the globalisation of service activities.

Between a business and a social enterprise

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 530-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durdana Islam ◽  
Fikret Berkes
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Community Economic Development ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Commercial Fishery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the function of an Indigenous commercial fishery at Norway House Cree Nation as a social enterprise, and to examine its potential to enhance community economic development. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted in three phases, and the outcome of each phase was used as an input for the next phase. In the first phase, questionnaire surveys were administered among commercial fishing households. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants, and in the third, with fisheries experts, food development experts and government officials. Findings Norway House Fisherman’s Co-op functions as a social enterprise mainly because commercial fishers contribute to local food security by sharing fish, and the Co-op operates additional businesses which contribute to job creation and community economic development. Research limitations/implications The study was carried out in only one community and commercial fishery from northern Manitoba, and the results will not be directly applicable elsewhere. Practical implications This research provides recommendations for further development of commercial fisheries at Norway House: fuller use of existing fish resources, value-added economic development and creative use of regulatory options. Originality/value The Co-op is identified as the engine of community development. It functions well, but there are additional opportunities for development, such as reducing the discard of lower value fish, which is consistent with indigenous Cree cultural values of not wasting resources.

scholarly journals Physical rehabilitation financing in Iran: a policy analysis using Kingdon’s multiple streams

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Parviz Mojgani ◽  
Hosein Shabaninejad ◽  
Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy ◽  
Masoud Behzadifar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Physical Rehabilitation ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Multiple Streams ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Factors Affecting

Abstract Background Adequate financing is a crucial function, securing that physical rehabilitation services (i.e., physiotherapy, occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics) are available with no financial hardship. Like many other countries, despite the adoption of various policies and strategies in recent decades, Iran enjoys no desirable physical rehabilitation financing (PRF). Accordingly, this qualitative study aimed to explore the PRF-related strategies and issues as well as their impacts on relevant policies in Iran. Methods An analysis of PRF-related policies was conducted in Iran using semi-structured interviews and policy documents review. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select key informants, including health-policy makers, civil society, rehabilitation-policy makers, university professors, and practitioners. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The analysis was framed within Kingdon’s multiple streams. Results The hindering factors for desirable financing were weak insurance coverage, lack of sustainable financial resources, fragmented financing, lack of split between provider and financer, high-cost of physical rehabilitation services, low engagement of relevant experts in policy-making processes, and corrupt activities. In the policy stream, the following factors were highlighted: involvement of sustainable financial resources, the use of external revenue sources, allocated resources’ earmarking, the integration of the current funds to have better pooling, the use of incentive and timely payment mechanisms, the implementation of strategic purchasing principals, and the employment of effective rationing strategies. Moreover, parliament support, changes in administrations, international effects, pressures from interest campaigns and NGOs, and international sanctions were found as factors affecting the politics stream. Conclusion The study findings revealed that a variety of national and international factors affect PRF-related issues in Iran. The recently enacted laws indicate that the PRF policies have already been on the national health political agenda. The study reflected the multifaceted nature of barriers to optimal PRF in Iran.

scholarly journals Smart Cities in Turkey: Approaches, Advances and Applications with Greater Consideration for Future Urban Transport Development

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Bıyık
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Future Vision

The smart city transport concept is viewed as a future vision aiming to undertake investigations on the urban planning process and to construct policy-pathways for achieving future targets. Therefore, this paper sets out three visions for the year 2035 which bring about a radical change in the level of green transport systems (often called walking, cycling, and public transport) in Turkish urban areas. A participatory visioning technique was structured according to a three-stage technique: (i) Extensive online comprehensive survey, in which potential transport measures were researched for their relevance in promoting smart transport systems in future Turkish urban areas; (ii) semi-structured interviews, where transport strategy suggestions were developed in the context of the possible imaginary urban areas and their associated contextual description of the imaginary urban areas for each vision; (iii) participatory workshops, where an innovative method was developed to explore various creative future choices and alternatives. Overall, this paper indicates that the content of the future smart transport visions was reasonable, but such visions need a considerable degree of consensus and radical approaches for tackling them. The findings offer invaluable insights to researchers inquiring about the smart transport field, and policy-makers considering applying those into practice in their local urban areas.

scholarly journals Reluctance to Accept Palliative Care and Recommendations for Improvement: Findings From Semi-Structured Interviews With Patients and Caregivers

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110126
Author(s):  
Valeria Cardenas ◽  
Anna Rahman ◽  
Yujun Zhu ◽  
Susan Enguidanos
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Palliative Care Services

Background: Despite some insurance plans now paying for home-based palliative care, recent reports have suggested that insurance coverage for palliative care may be insufficient in expanding patient access to home-based palliative care. Aim: To identify patients’ and caregivers’ perceived barriers to home-based palliative care and their recommendations for overcoming these barriers. Design: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews. Our interview protocol elicited participants’ perspectives on home-based palliative care services; positive and negative aspects of the palliative program explanation; and suggestions for improving messaging around home-based palliative care. Setting/Participants: Twenty-five participants (patients, proxies, and their caregivers) who were eligible for a randomized controlled trial of home-based palliative care were interviewed by telephone. Results: Themes related to home-based palliative care referral barriers included reluctance to have home visits, enrollment timing, lack of palliative care knowledge, misconceptions about palliative care, and patients’ self-perceived health condition. Themes related to recommendations for overcoming these obstacles included ensuring that palliative care referrals come from healthcare providers or insurance companies and presenting palliative care services more clearly. Conclusion: Findings reinforce the need for additional palliative care education among patients with serious illness (and their caregivers) and the importance of delivering palliative care information and referrals from trusted sources.

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