scholarly journals Barriers to epilepsy care in central Uganda, a qualitative interview and focus group study involving PLWE and their caregivers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kaddumukasa ◽  
Haddy Nalubwama ◽  
Martin N Kaddumukasa ◽  
Samden Lhatoo ◽  
Nelson Sewankambo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disease with substantial impact on the subject and their caretakers. This exploratory study identified barriers to care for persons living with epilepsy (PLWE) to develop a culturally acceptable nurse led self-management intervention for PLWE previously developed in the United States. Methods The study involving 48 participants (31 PLWE and 17 caregivers) with in depth interviews and focus groups was conducted. We obtained insights into barriers to care in PLWE and their caregivers. Using a thematic analytic procedure emphasizing the dominant themes the qualitative responses were analyzed. Median age of PLWE was 24 years (IQR 19–30), and10 (52.6%) were male. The median age of epilepsy onset was 12 years (IQR 6 – 18), range of 1 -37 years. The median age of caregivers was 50 years (IQR 45 – 50.5), with a range of 18 -78 years. Seventy five percent of caregivers (6/8) were females. Results Three major areas of perceived barriers involving individual, family or community and provider and healthcare system barriers to epilepsy care emerged. Individual factors like limited epilepsy knowledge and medication non-adherence were reported to be key barriers to epilepsy care. Caregiver burden and lack of family support as well as poor health care access were identified from the family and health care systems. Conclusions The main barrier to epilepsy care is limited epilepsy knowledge in PLWE and their caregivers. Improving epilepsy care awareness and knowledge within communities and appropriate health care provider service for epilepsy would help reduce epilepsy barriers and improve care.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kaddumukasa ◽  
Haddy Nalubwama ◽  
Martin N Kaddumukasa ◽  
Samden Lhatoo ◽  
Nelson Sewankambo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disease with substantial impact on the subject and their caretakers. This exploratory study identified barriers to care for persons living with epilepsy (PLWE) to develop a culturally acceptable nurse led self-management intervention for PLWE previously developed in the United States. Methods The study involving 48 participants (31 PLWE and 17 caregivers) with in depth interviews and focus groups was conducted. We obtained insights into barriers to care in PLWE and their caregivers. Using a thematic analytic procedure emphasizing the dominant themes the qualitative responses were analyzed. Median age of PLWE was 24 years (IQR 19–30), and10 (52.6%) were male. The median age of epilepsy onset was 12 years (IQR 6 – 18), range of 1 -37 years. The median age of caregivers was 50 years (IQR 45 – 50.5), with a range of 18 -78 years. Seventy five percent of caregivers (6/8) were females. Results Three major areas of perceived barriers involving individual, family or community and provider and healthcare system barriers to epilepsy care emerged. Individual factors like limited epilepsy knowledge and medication non-adherence were reported to be key barriers to epilepsy care. Caregiver burden and lack of family support as well as poor health care access were identified from the family and health care systems. Conclusions The main barrier to epilepsy care is limited epilepsy knowledge in PLWE and their caregivers. Improving epilepsy care awareness and knowledge within communities and appropriate health care provider service for epilepsy would help reduce epilepsy barriers and improve care.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kaddumukasa ◽  
Haddy Nalubwama ◽  
Martin N Kaddumukasa ◽  
Samden Lhatoo ◽  
Nelson Sewankambo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disease with substantial impact on the subject and their caretakers. This exploratory study identified barriers to care for persons living with epilepsy (PLWE) to develop a culturally acceptable nurse led self-management intervention for PLWE previously developed in the United States. Methods The study involving 48 participants (31 PLWE and 17 caregivers) with in depth interviews and focus groups was conducted. We obtained insights into barriers to care in PLWE and their caregivers. Using a thematic analytic procedure emphasizing the dominant themes the qualitative responses were analyzed. Median age of PLWE was 24 years (IQR 19–30), and10 (52.6%) were male. The median age of epilepsy onset was 12 years (IQR 6 – 18), range of 1 -37 years. The median age of caregivers was 50 years (IQR 45 – 50.5), with a range of 18 -78 years. Seventy five percent of caregivers (6/8) were females. Results Three major areas of perceived barriers involving individual, family or community and provider and healthcare system barriers to epilepsy care emerged. Individual factors like limited epilepsy knowledge and medication non-adherence were reported to be key barriers to epilepsy care. Caregiver burden and lack of family support as well as poor health care access were identified from the family and health care systems. Conclusions The main barrier to epilepsy care is limited epilepsy knowledge in PLWE and their caregivers. Improving epilepsy care awareness and knowledge within communities and appropriate health care provider service for epilepsy would help reduce epilepsy barriers and improve care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
Mindaugas Stankunas ◽  
Mark Avery ◽  
Richard Olley ◽  
Gaery Barbery

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1159-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Travassos

The Introduction outlines this issue's special Forum on equity in access to health care, including three Articles and a Postscript. The Forum represents a continuation of the debates raised during a seminar organized by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2006, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, the WHO Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, and the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. The authors approach health care access and equity from a comprehensive and contemporaneous perspective, introducing a new conceptual framework for access, in which information plays a central role. Trust is proposed as an important value for an equitable health care system. Unethical practices by health administrators and health care professionals are highlighted as hidden critical aspects of inequities in health care. As a whole, the articles represent a renewed contribution for understating inequalities in access, and for building socially just health care systems.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E Scott ◽  
Anna Lee

There is an urgent need to develop global e-health policy in order both to facilitate and to manage the potential of e-health. As part of the Universitas 21 (U21) project in e-health, an evaluation of the status of global e-health policy was performed using a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). The analysis showed that the greatest threat to global e-health policy is the autonomous nature of domestic health-care systems. The greatest opportunity may be the prospect for nations and individuals to work together in establishing mechanisms necessary to offer health-care access through global e-health – a new 'global public good'. Full integration of e-health into existing health-care systems could be achieved in both a practical and a policy sense through global e-health policy initiatives that facilitate integration across jurisdictions. There is a pressing need to resolve a range of e-health policy issues, and a concomitant need for research that will inform and support the process. A process that adopts a global approach is recommended.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (27) ◽  
pp. 4149-4153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R. Berry ◽  
Chaim M. Bell ◽  
Peter A. Ubel ◽  
William K. Evans ◽  
Eric Nadler ◽  
...  

Purpose Oncologists in the United States and Canada work in different health care systems, but physicians in both countries face challenges posed by the rising costs of cancer drugs. We compared their attitudes regarding the costs and cost-effectiveness of medications and related health policy. Methods Survey responses of a random sample of 1,355 United States and 238 Canadian medical oncologists (all outside of Québec) were compared. Results Response rate was 59%. More US oncologists (67% v 52%; P < .001) favor access to effective treatments regardless of cost, while more Canadians favor access to effective treatments only if they are cost-effective (75% v 58%; P < .001). Most (84% US, 80% Canadian) oncologists state that patient out-of-pocket costs influence their treatment recommendations, but less than half the respondents always or frequently discuss the costs of treatments with their patients. The majority of oncologists favor more use of cost-effectiveness data in coverage decisions (80% US, 69% Canadian; P = .004), but fewer than half the oncologists in both countries feel well equipped to use cost-effectiveness information. Majorities of oncologists favor government price controls (57% US, 68% Canadian; P = .01), but less than half favor more cost-sharing by patients (29% US, 41% Canadian; P = .004). Oncologists in both countries prefer to have physicians and nonprofit agencies determine whether drugs provide good value. Conclusion Oncologists in the United States and Canada generally have similar attitudes regarding cancer drug costs, cost-effectiveness, and associated policies, despite practicing in different health care systems. The results support providing education to help oncologists in both countries use cost-effectiveness information and discuss drug costs with their patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e10
Author(s):  
Kristen Schorpp Rapp ◽  
Vanessa V. Volpe ◽  
Hannah Neukrug

Objectives. To quantify racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic women in the United States. Methods. We merged a multidimensional state-level sexism index compiled from administrative data with the national Consumer Survey of Health Care Access (2014–2019; n = 10 898) to test associations between exposure to state-level sexism and barriers to access, availability, and affordability of health care. Results. Greater exposure to state-level sexism was associated with more barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, but not non-Hispanic White women. Affordability barriers (cost of medical bills, health insurance, prescriptions, and tests) appeared to drive these associations. More frequent need for care exacerbated the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to care for Hispanic women. Conclusions. The relationship between state-level sexism and women’s barriers to health care access differs by race/ethnicity and frequency of needing care. Public Health Implications. State-level policies may be used strategically to promote health care equity at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 2, 2021: e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306455 )


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherrie B Boyer ◽  
Charlotte A Gaydos ◽  
Amy B Geller ◽  
Eric C Garges ◽  
Sten H Vermund

ABSTRACT To address the ongoing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) conducted a consensus study on STI control and prevention in the United States to provide recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of County and City Health Officials. The culminating report identified military personnel as one of the priority groups that require special consideration given the high prevalence of STIs and their associated behaviors (e.g., concurrent sexual partners and infrequent condom use) that occur during active duty service. Universal health care access, the relative ease and frequency of STI screening, and the educational opportunities within the military are all assets in STI control and prevention. The report offers a comprehensive framework on multiple and interrelated influences on STI risk, prevention, health care access, delivery, and treatment. It also provides an overview of the multilevel risk and protective factors associated with STIs that could be applied using a sexual health paradigm. The military context must integrate the multilevel domains of influences to guide the effort to fill current gaps and research needs. The Department of Defense, with its large clinical and preventive medicine workforce and its well-established universal health care system, is well positioned to enact changes to shift its current approach to STI prevention, treatment, and control. STI control based on highlighting behavioral, social, cultural, and environmental influences on service members’ sexual health and wellness may well drive better STI care and prevention outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ηλίας Γορανίτης

The Greek NHS, thirty years after its establishment, faces important performance deficiencies. With an ongoing economic crisis placing a further burden, a call for national health care reform is urgent. This doctoral thesis drawing upon (a) political theories of change, (b) institutional, political and administrative developments in Greece as well as (c) international experience, aims to provide a framework, in terms of planning and implementation process, for health care reform in Greece. The existing order of things, in every public policy system, impedes change and forces policies along specific paths, the deviation from which to a new policy paradigm is extremely difficult. The Greek NHS has never deviated from this path indicating the existence of strong interest groups, institutions with high set-up cost and limited political willingness or ability for strategic approach to overcome the ‘veto points’ of the reform in the system. In this thesis the way forward in reforming fragmented and path-dependent health care systems like the Greek NHS has been identified. By addressing big questions such as: How the Greek NHS reached this low performing level? What are the ingredients of a well performing health care system? What factors impede or promote successful reforms? How health care reforms in systems with multiple ‘veto points’ should be implemented? Political science and international experience from Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States provide important insights to our study.


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