The implications of providing patient-friendly letters in the outpatient clinic

During the past decade the government has implemented several schemes to modernise health care provision to the general public. One such initiative has been to increase patient involvement in the health care they receive. The NHS Plan in 2000 demonstrated a commitment to empower patients through increased communication with the health care professionals, stating that 'letters between clinicians about an individual patient's care will be copied to the patient as of right' from April 2004.

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Epidemiological Evaluation of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Asian Journal of Research in Computer Science ◽

10.9734/ajrcos/2020/v6i430165 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 27-34

Author(s):

Nwafor E. Odumegwu ◽

Umeh M. Ngozi ◽

Ebere U. Chidi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

General Public ◽

Death Rate ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Patient Response ◽

Epidemiological Evaluation ◽

The Government ◽

And Control

This research presents the epidemiological evaluation and statistical analysis COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria after three months of its first incidence. The aim is to assess the performance of the medical professionals, Nigerian Center for Disease and Control (NCDC), the Governments and the general public respectively in the fight against COVID-19 in the last three months of the first incidence case. This was done using the data collected from the NCDC and analyzed using the Microsoft BI analyzer. From the evaluation, it was observed that after three months, a total number of 8077 cases have been recorded. Of this, 68.5% are active cases, receiving treatment in the hospital, 28.6% have recovered while 2.9% have died with majority of them over 50 years in age and have cardiac related cases before the virus struck. The implication of this result shows that the health care professionals and NCDC are doing their best having recorded a very low death rate so far compared to the total recorded cases. However the government needs to support and properly equip the hospitals with enough health care resources to help optimize patient response to treatment. Finally it was observed that despite the low death rate recorded, that the rate of increased new cases is alarming. The implication is that the general public is not very supportive in this fight of COVID-19. Hence more public awareness and recommended to educate the public on the safety measures required to prevent the spread of this virus and ensure public safety.

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A qualitative review of maternal health care provision for migrant and refugee women

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Kasper ◽

L-M Mohwinkel ◽

A C Nowak

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Communication Barriers ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Training Courses

Abstract Background The number migrants increased worldwide. Pregnant migrant/refugee women are considered a vulnerable group. How do professionals manage their care? The aim was to summarize the current evidence regarding maternal health care provision for migrant/refugee women. Methods We conducted a systematic review and searched the databases PubMed (MEDLINE); CINAHL; PSYNDEX, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. Studies were judged for eligibility: a study had to address maternal health care provision for migrant/refugee women who immigrated to an OECD member state. Publication date was restricted to 1990-2019, and language to English or German. Results 16 primary (qualitative) studies were included. Heterogeneity of the included studies exists regarding e.g. origin of the women, migration background, receiving country. Nevertheless, synthesis can provide valuable information on challenges and how to deal with migrant/refugee women in maternal health care. Communication difficulties pose challenges on professionals (15 studies). Possibilities to deal with them: bridge-languages, non-verbal communication and interpreters. In addition, finding one's way in the unknown health care system is a barrier for women, which professionals can meet by informing the women and coordinating care (8 studies). The perceived diversity of women can lead to conflicts in care (10 studies). While some studies recommend 'cultural recipes', other authors emphasize the individuality of women and prefer a holistic care approach. Conclusions Professionals face different barriers when providing maternal health care to migrant/refugee such as communication barriers, coordinating care and handling women's diversity. Initiating and enhancing public health activities such as training courses for professionals that convey general principles such as woman-centered care, communication techniques are valuable opportunities to improve migrant/refugee women's maternal health care provision. Key messages Maternal health care professionals face different barriers when providing maternal health care to migrant/refugee such as communication barriers, coordinating care and handling women's diversity. Initiating and enhancing public health activities such as training courses for maternal health care professionals are valuable opportunities to improve migrant/refugee women’s maternal care.

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The Impact of Refugee Women’s Accommodation on Maternal Health Care Provision

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.176 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

A Kasper

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Special Focus ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Refugee Women ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background About 1/3 of the persons seeking asylum in Germany are female. The majority of all refugee women in Germany are currently of childbearing age. The maternity period requires specialized care. Maternal health care professionals monitor the physiological processes of maternity and the psychosocial well-being in order to allow an uncomplicated transition to maternity. On arriving in Germany there are different types of accommodation for refugee women: 1) shared reception centers (e.g. tents, containerbuildings, gyms), 2) collective shelters for particularly vulnerable refugees and 3) private apartments. Depending on the woman’s accommodation maternal health care professionals are confronted with different situations and conditions in providing care for these women. The aim is to analyze the impact of refugee women’s accommodation on maternal health care provision and professional’s actions. Methods Structured expert interviews were conducted with maternal health care professionals. The interviews were analyzed following the standards of qualitative thematic analysis with a special focus on refugee women’s accommodation and its impact on maternal health care provision. Results The accommodation situation does impact the provision of maternal health care as well as the actions and doings of maternal health care professionals. On the one hand there is a change in tasks, which are no subject to original maternal health care, such as organizing transportation. On the other hand there are challenges in actually executing particular maternal health care actions, such as taking the medical history or performing examinations where there is no or little privacy. Conclusions Accommodation conditions impact maternal health care provision in various ways. Therefore an enhancement of housing for refugee women may improve maternal health care provision and therefore maternal health for refugee women.

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Maternal health care provision for refugee women

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.859 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Kasper

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Professional Practices ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Refugee Women

Abstract Background In the recent past, the number of forcibly displaced people increased worldwide. About 1/3 of the persons seeking asylum in Germany are female. The majority of all refugee women who are coming to Germany are currently of childbearing age. Refugee women are considered a highly vulnerable refugee subgroup, as they frequently experience physical strains and psychological burdens while fleeing their home countries and being pregnant at the same time. Moreover, pregnancy and the following period require specialized care and support in order to allow a transition to maternity without complications. The aim of this project is to analyze maternal health care services for refugee women on the level of interaction with maternal health care professionals in Germany. Methods Maternal health care professionals in outpatient and clinical settings with experiences of caring for refugee women were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analyzed following the standards of qualitative thematic analysis. Results Maternal health care professionals face challenges in implementing and providing maternal health care concerning their professional practices and interventions. Due to a lack of resources (e.g. translators, time) and other conditions, gynaecologists and midwives are forced to find new solutions that maintain (medical care), adapt (vaginal examination) or miss out on (informed consent) ordinary professional practices. Key messages Maternal health care professionals face different barriers when providing maternal health care to migrant/refugee such as communication barriers and problems in relationship building. The identification of challenges and opportunities for professionals in maternal health care provision may contribute to improve maternal health (care) for refugee women.

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Analysis of needs, expectations and capacities of health and social care professionals in order to provide culturally adapted care

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.262 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

A Lebano ◽

S Hamed ◽

H Bradby ◽

A Gil-Salmerón ◽

J Garcés-Ferrer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Health Care Access ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Service Providers ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Care Providers ◽

Care Access ◽

Health And Social Care

Abstract The Mig-HealthCare consortium conducted a qualitative study of the health care needs of vulnerable migrants/refugees in Europe. The research was conducted between Fall 2017 and Spring 2018. In total, 20 focus group discussions or, where necessary individual interviews (19), were organised with health care professionals and service providers; policymakers; and representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations - NGOs. Thematic qualitative analysis was employed. The main results of the analysis show that: Health care provision for migrants is uneven throughout the EU and variations exist even within the same country. Health care providers and NGOs agree that health care for migrants is inadequate and biased in favour of particular conditions and cases (minors, pregnant women and acute conditions). Challenges faced by different countries vary; while in some countries the main issue is legal access, in other basic needs such as sanitation and basic infrastructure were emphasised. Austerity measures following the 2008 financial crisis have negatively affected the health care system in general, which in turn has negatively affected the provision of health care for migrants/refugees. Discrimination linked to socio-economic and ethnic conditions is reported as a barrier to equal health care access. Knowledge, language and communication on both the demand and the supply side of health care provision emerge as crucial to ensure equal access for migrants/refugees. Gender may act as a barrier with women tending to be more marginalised in the host country, in terms of language proficiency and health literacy, lowering health care access. One of the main challenges for providing equal health care access for migrants has to do with the ability to balance a universal right to health with the particular means of achieving it. The evidence collected here shows how this tension between end and means is at work in different moments of the provision of health care for migrants/refugees.

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