scholarly journals Quality in crisis: a systematic review of the quality of health systems in humanitarian settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keely Jordan ◽  
Todd P. Lewis ◽  
Bayard Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
System Level ◽  
System Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Quality Health

Abstract Background There is a growing concern that the quality of health systems in humanitarian crises and the care they provide has received little attention. To help better understand current practice and research on health system quality, this paper aimed to examine the evidence on the quality of health systems in humanitarian settings. Methods This systematic review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The context of interest was populations affected by humanitarian crisis in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). We included studies where the intervention of interest, health services for populations affected by crisis, was provided by the formal health system. Our outcome of interest was the quality of the health system. We included primary research studies, from a combination of information sources, published in English between January 2000 and January 2019 using quantitative and qualitative methods. We used the High Quality Health Systems Framework to analyze the included studies by quality domain and sub-domain. Results We identified 2285 articles through our search, of which 163 were eligible for full-text review, and 55 articles were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review. Poor diagnosis, inadequate patient referrals, and inappropriate treatment of illness were commonly cited barriers to quality care. There was a strong focus placed on the foundations of a health system with emphasis on the workforce and tools, but a limited focus on the health impacts of health systems. The review also suggests some barriers to high quality health systems that are specific to humanitarian settings such as language barriers for refugees in their host country, discontinued care for migrant populations with chronic conditions, and fears around provider safety. Conclusion The review highlights a large gap in the measurement of quality both at the point of care and at the health system level. There is a need for further work particularly on health system measurement strategies, accountability mechanisms, and patient-centered approaches in humanitarian settings.

scholarly journals Quality indicators of dental health care in Serbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Svetlana Jovanović ◽  
Maja Milošević ◽  
Irena Aleksić-Hajduković ◽  
Jelena Mandić
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Health System ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Health Care Quality ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Quality Health

Summary Health care has witnessed considerable progresses toward quality improvement over the past two decades. More precisely, there have been global efforts aimed to improve this aspect of health care along with experts and decision-makers reaching the consensus that quality is one of the most significant dimensions and features of health system. Quality health care implies highly efficient resource use in order to meet patient’s needs in terms of prevention and treatment. Quality health care is provided in a safe way while meeting patients’ expectations and avoiding unnecessary losses. The mission of continuous improvement in quality of care is to achieve safe and reliable health care through mutual efforts of all the key supporters of health system to protect patients’ interests. A systematic approach to measuring the process of care through quality indicators (QIs) poses the greatest challenge to continuous quality improvement in health care. Quality indicators are quantitative indicators used for monitoring and evaluating quality of patient care and treatment, continuous professional development (CPD), maintaining waiting lists, patients and staff satisfaction, and patient safety.

scholarly journals High quality health systems in the SDG era: Country-specific priorities for improving quality of care

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e1002946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gagan Thapa ◽  
Manoj Jhalani ◽  
Sebastián García-Saisó ◽  
Address Malata ◽  
Sanam Roder-DeWan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Country Specific

scholarly journals Measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in hyperhidrosis: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Gabes ◽  
Helge Knüttel ◽  
Gesina Kann ◽  
Christina Tischer ◽  
Christian J. Apfelbacher
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome Measures ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Evidence ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Quality Evidence

Abstract Purpose To critically appraise, compare and summarize the quality of all existing PROMs that have been validated in hyperhidrosis to at least some extend by applying the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology. Thereby, we aim to give a recommendation for the use of PROMs in future clinical trials in hyperhidrosis. Methods We considered studies evaluating, describing or comparing measurement properties of PROMs as eligible. A systematic literature search in three big databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science) was performed. We assessed the methodological quality of each included study using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Furthermore, we applied predefined quality criteria for good measurement properties and finally, graded the quality of the evidence. Results Twenty-four articles reporting on 13 patient-reported outcome measures were included. Three instruments can be further recommended for use. They showed evidence for sufficient content validity and moderate- to high-quality evidence for sufficient internal consistency. The methodological assessment showed existing evidence gaps for eight other PROMs, which therefore require further validation studies to make an adequate decision on their recommendation. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Measure-Axillary (HDSM-Ax) and the short-form health survey with 36 items (SF-36) were the only questionnaires not recommended for use in patients with hyperhidrosis due to moderate- to high-quality evidence for insufficient measurement properties. Conclusion Three PROMs, the Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL), the Hyperhidrosis Questionnaire (HQ) and the Sweating Cognitions Inventory (SCI), can be recommended for use in future clinical trials in hyperhidrosis. Results obtained with these three instruments can be seen as trustworthy. Nevertheless, further validation of all three PROMs is desirable. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020170247

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Radiofrequency Ablation and Pulsed Radiofrequency for Management of Cervicogenic Headache

2015 ◽  
Vol 2;18 (2;3) ◽  
pp. E109-E130
Author(s):  
Amit Asopa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Cervicogenic Headache ◽  
Pulsed Radiofrequency ◽  
Rf Ablation ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Level Of Evidence

Background: Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache that has a source in the upper cervical spine. There is a small but growing body of evidence to establish effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy, and the pulsed RF (PRF) procedure for management of cervicogenic headache. Objective: To investigate the clinical utility of RF neurotomy, and PRF ablation for the management of cervicogenic headache. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: The review included relevant literature identified through searches of PubMed, Cochrane, Clinical trials, U.S. National Guideline Clearinghouse and EMBASE from 1960 to January 2014.The quality assessment and clinical relevance criteria utilized were the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group criteria for randomized control trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria for observational studies. The level of evidence was classified as good, fair, and poor based on the quality of evidence. Outcomes Measured: The primary outcome measures were reduction in pain scores and improvement in quality of life. Results: The primary outcome measures were headache relief and improved quality of life. Twenty five studies were identified for full text review of these, 9 studies met inclusion criteria. There were 5 non-randomized, among them 4/5 were of moderate quality, 3/5 showed RF ablation and 1/5 showed PRF as an effective intervention for cervicogenic headache. There were 4 randomized trials among them 2/4 were of high quality, 3/4 investigated RF ablation as an intervention for CHA, 1/4 investigated PRF ablation as an intervention for CHA and none of the randomized studies showed strong evidence for RF and PRF ablation as an effective intervention for CHA. Limitations: In the selected studies there were inconsistencies between randomized trials, flaws in trial design, and gaps in the chain of evidence. Conclusion: There is limited evidence to support RF ablation for management of CHA as there are no high quality RCTs and/ or multiple consistent non-RCTs without methodological flaws. There is poor evidence to support PRF for CHA as there are no high quality RCTs or Non-RCTs. Key Words: Chronic pain, cervicogenic headache, radiofrequency (rf) neurotomy, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) ablation, reduction in pain, improvement in quality of life, level of evidence

scholarly journals Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Momo Kadia ◽  
Christian Akem Dimala ◽  
Noah T. Fongwen ◽  
Adrian D. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Health System ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
System Level ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Introduction Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) even after integration of HIV and TB treatment. This study assessed ART uptake, its barriers and enablers in programmes integrating TB and HIV treatment in SSA. Method A systematic review was performed. Seven databases were searched for eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published from March 2004 through July 2019. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of ART uptake. A thematic approach was used to analyse and synthesise data on barriers and enablers. Results Of 5139 references identified, 27 were included in the review: 23/27 estimated ART uptake and 10/27 assessed barriers to and/or enablers of ART uptake. The pooled ART uptake was 53% (95% CI: 42, 63%) and between-study heterogeneity was high (I2 = 99.71%, p < 0.001). WHO guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities and sample size were associated with heterogeneity. There were statistically significant subgroup effects with high heterogeneity after subgroup analyses by region, guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities, study design, and sample size. The most frequently described socioeconomic and individual level barriers to ART uptake were stigma, low income, and younger age group. The most frequently reported health system-related barriers were limited staff capacity, shortages in medical supplies, lack of infrastructure, and poor adherence to or lack of treatment guidelines. Clinical barriers included intolerance to anti-TB drugs, fear of drug toxicity, and contraindications to antiretrovirals. Health system enablers included good management of the procurement, supply, and dispensation chain; convenience and accessibility of treatment services; and strong staff capacity. Availability of psychosocial support was the most frequently reported enabler of uptake at the community level. Conclusions In SSA, programmes integrating treatment of TB and HIV do not, in general, achieve high ART uptake but we observe a net improvement in uptake after WHO issued the 2012 guidelines on collaborative TB/HIV activities. The recurrence of specific modifiable system-level and patient-level factors in the literature reveals key intervention points to improve ART uptake in these programmes. Systematic review registration: CRD42019131933.

Quality

2020 ◽  
pp. 166-183
Author(s):  
Julie Sin
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Services Quality ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
System Level ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Provider Perspective ◽  
Multidimensional Concept

This chapter looks at the topic of health services quality from a commissioning and whole population perspective. Quality is noted to be a multidimensional concept and dimensions of quality are considered. The role of the commissioner in maintaining and improving quality of services is explored, and this is seen within a wider backdrop of a health system with commissioner and provider functions (if there are such distinctions in the system). Commissioners need to know whether they are securing quality care for their population for the money spent. They also need an understanding of how this dovetails with the provider perspective on this topic. Commissioners also need to be able to articulate what they wish to assess in practice under the guise of quality. Finally, at a system level there are also bearings on how to compile and interpret a picture of a population’s health if needed.

Medical visit time and predictors in health facilities: a mega systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakineh Hajebrahimi ◽  
Ali Janati ◽  
Morteza Arab-Zozani ◽  
Mobin Sokhanvar ◽  
Elaheh Haghgoshayie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Visit Time ◽  
Medical Visit ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meta Analyses

Purpose Visit time is a crucial aspect of patient–physician interaction; its inadequacy can negatively impact the efficiency of treatment and diagnosis. In addition, visit time is a fundamental demand of patients, and it is one of the rights of every patient. The purpose of this paper is to determine factors influencing the consultation length of physicians and to compare consultation length in different countries. Design/methodology/approach MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched. In addition, references of references were checked, and publication lists of individual scholars in the field were examined. We used data sources up to June 2018, without language restriction. We used a random-effects model for the meta-analyses. Meta-analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version (CMA) 3.0. Findings Of 16,911 identified studies, 189 studies were assessed of which 125 cases (67 percent) have been conducted in the USA. A total of 189 studies, 164 (86.77 percent) involved face-to face-consultations. The effects of three variables, physician gender, patient gender, and type of consultation were analyzed. According to moderate and strong evidence studies, no significant difference was found in the consultation lengths of female and male doctors (Q=42.72, df=8, I2=81.27, p=0.891) and patients’ gender (Q=55.98, df=11, I2=80.35, p=0.314). In addition, no significant difference was found in the telemedicine or face-to-face visits (Q=41.25, df=5, I2=87.88, p=0.170). Originality/value In this systematic review and meta-analysis, all of physicians’ visits in 34 countries were surveyed. The evidence suggests that specified variables do not influence the length of consultations. Good relationship is essential to a safe and high-quality consultation and referral process. A high-quality consultation can improve decisions and quality of visits, treatment effectiveness, efficiency of service, quality of care, patient safety and physician and patient satisfaction.

scholarly journals Study reporting quality among interventions to reduce antibiotic use is a barrier to evidence-informed policymaking on antimicrobial resistance: systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1091-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Rogers Van Katwyk ◽  
J M Grimshaw ◽  
M Nkangu ◽  
M Mendelson ◽  
M Taljaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
System Level ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Sufficient Detail ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Background Countries are currently seeking evidence-informed policy options to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While rigorous evaluations of AMR interventions are the ideal, they are far from the current reality. Additionally, poor reporting and documentation of AMR interventions impede efforts to use evidence to inform future evaluations and policy interventions. Objectives To critically evaluate reporting quality gaps in AMR intervention research. Methods To evaluate the reporting quality of studies, we conducted a descriptive synthesis and comparative analysis of studies that were included in a recent systematic review of government policy interventions aiming to reduce human antimicrobial use. Reporting quality was assessed using the SQUIRE 2.0 checklist of 18 items for reporting system-level interventions to improve healthcare. Two reviewers independently applied the checklist to 66 studies identified in the systematic review. Results None of the studies included complete information on all 18 SQUIRE items (median score = 10, IQR = 8–11). Reporting quality varied across SQUIRE items, with 3% to 100% of studies reporting the recommended information for each SQUIRE item. Only 20% of studies reported the elements of the intervention in sufficient detail for replication and only 24% reported the mechanism through which the intervention was expected to work. Conclusions Gaps in the reporting of impact evaluations pose challenges for interpreting and replicating study results. Failure to improve reporting practice of policy evaluations is likely to impede efforts to tackle the growing health, social and economic threats posed by AMR.

The Effect of Prehospital Epinephrine in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (05) ◽  
pp. 532-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.T. Ng ◽  
W.Y. Teoh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Return Of Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

AbstractIntroduction:Epinephrine has been recommended for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation for nearly one century, but its efficacy and safety remain unclear in the literature. The primary aim of this review was to determine whether epinephrine increases the return of spontaneous circulation in OHCA patients.Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, from their inception until October 2018. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Observational studies, case reports, case series, and non-systematic reviews were excluded.Results:Two trials including 8,548 patients were eligible for inclusion in the data synthesis. In patients who received epinephrine during OHCA, the incidence of return of spontaneous circulation was increased, with an odds ratio (95%CI) of 4.25 (3.79-4.75), P &lt;.001, high-quality of evidence. The number of patients transported to hospital was increased in patients who had prehospital epinephrine, with an odds ratio (95%CI) of 2.31 (2.11-2.53), P &lt;.001, high-quality of evidence. The prehospital use of epinephrine was associated with an increased survival to hospital discharge, the odds ratio (95%CI) being 1.43 (1.10-1.87), P = .008, moderate-quality of evidence. No significant effect was noted on the favorable neurologic state of patient at hospital discharge, with an odds ratio (95%CI) of 1.21 (0.90-1.64), P = .21, moderate-quality of evidence.Conclusions:This meta-analysis suggests that the prehospital use of epinephrine increases return of spontaneous circulation, transport of patients to hospital, and survival to hospital discharge for OHCA. However, no significant effects on favorable neurologic function at hospital discharge were demonstrated. The general quality of evidence ranged from moderate to high.

scholarly journals Built to last? The sustainability of health system improvements, interventions and change strategies: a study protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e018568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Braithwaite ◽  
Luke Testa ◽  
Gina Lamprell ◽  
Jessica Herkes ◽  
Kristiana Ludlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Full Text ◽  
English Language ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Sustainable Health

IntroductionThe sustainability of healthcare interventions and change programmes is of increasing importance to researchers and healthcare stakeholders interested in creating sustainable health systems to cope with mounting stressors. The aim of this protocol is to extend earlier work and describe a systematic review to identify, synthesise and draw meaning from studies published within the last 5 years that measure the sustainability of interventions, improvement efforts and change strategies in the health system.Methods and analysisThe protocol outlines a method by which to execute a rigorous systematic review. The design includes applying primary and secondary data collection techniques, consisting of a comprehensive database search complemented by contact with experts, and searching secondary databases and reference lists, using snowballing techniques. The review and analysis process will occur via an abstract review followed by a full-text screening process. The inclusion criteria include English-language, peer-reviewed, primary, empirical research articles published after 2011 in scholarly journals, for which the full text is available. No restrictions on location will be applied. The review that results from this protocol will synthesise and compare characteristics of the included studies. Ultimately, it is intended that this will help make it easier to identify and design sustainable interventions, improvement efforts and change strategies.Ethics and disseminationAs no primary data were collected, ethical approval was not required. Results will be disseminated in conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and among policymaker bodies interested in creating sustainable health systems.

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