scholarly journals COVID-19 Associated Contact Restrictions in Germany: Marked Decline in Children’s Outpatient Visits for Infectious Diseases without Increasing Visits for Mental Health Disorders

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Mara Barschkett ◽  
Berthold Koletzko ◽  
C. Katharina Spiess
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Statutory Health Insurance ◽  
Office Visit ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Work Time ◽  
Outpatient Visits ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
Marked Decline ◽  
Lost Work Time

Children have a low risk for severe COVID-19 infections, but indirect consequences of the pandemic may affect their health. We evaluated nationwide data on children’s outpatient visits before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Data from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for all children with statutory health insurance and at least one physician’s office visit between January 2019 and June 2020 were evaluated for total visits and selected diagnoses for the 2nd quarter of 2019 (8.29 million children, controls) and the 2nd quarter of 2020 (8.5 million, pandemic). Outpatient visits per child fell by 18% during the first wave of the pandemic. Outpatient visits associated with diagnosed infections fell markedly by 51%, particularly for children up to age 5 years for gastroenteritis (73%), otitis media (71%), and streptococcal angina (78%). Outpatient visits for diagnosed chronic physical disorders (diabetes, celiac disease, and hay fever) and mental and behavioral disorders showed little change. Reduced contact between children appears to markedly reduce infection transmission. Infection risks in educational settings should be attenuated after the pandemic through targeted education and counseling and appropriate relationship prevention measures to improve quality of life and opportunities for children and to reduce stress and lost work time for parents.

Health Insurance Demand and the Generosity of Benefits: Fixed Effects Estimates of the Price Elasticity

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Price Elasticity ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Office Visit ◽  
Limited Effect ◽  
Insurance Cost ◽  
Hospital Expenses ◽  
Demand For Health ◽  
Over Time

This paper explores a central question in health economics: How sensitive is worker demand for health insurance? After controlling for variables omitted in other analyses, such as the generosity of plan coverage and aspects of worker demand that are constant within firms over time, I estimate a price elasticity (between -0.014 and -0.017) which is smaller than previous estimates. The analysis also finds that employees are more likely to take-up policies with greater insurance protection from hospital expenses, but not for increased coverage for prescription drug or provider office visit expenses. Taken together, increases in worker-paid premiums explain about 60 percent of the fall in take-up of employer policies over time, whereas increases in insurance cost-sharing explain about 10 percent of that change. Changes in employer contributions for health insurance had a limited effect on take-up compared with the amounts employees paid out-of-pocket for premiums. An implication of these findings is that policies which attempt to subsidize employee-paid portions of the premium would be an expensive and potentially ineffective strategy for achieving greater coverage, particularly if the quality of that coverage is not perceived as worthwhile.

Hämophiliebehandlung als ganzheitliches Konzept der Patientenversorgung

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (S 01) ◽  
pp. 25-S28
Author(s):  
H. Rott ◽  
G. Kappert ◽  
S. Halimeh
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
International Research ◽  
Statutory Health Insurance ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Legal Basis ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Innovative Treatment ◽  
Social Law ◽  
Treatment Concepts

SummaryA top quality, effective treatment of haemophilia requires an integrated therapeutical concept and an excellent cooperation of an interdisciplinary team. Since years different models are discussed in Germany in order to enlarge the offers for a suitable care of patients with hard to treat diseases. The healthpolitical targets are expressed in the changes of the Code of Social Law number V (SGB V) and in innovations in the statutory health insurance. This new legal basis provides opportunities to implement innovative treatment concepts outside university hospitals and paves the way for ambulant haemophilia centres to offer an integral care, all legally saved by a contract.The Coagulation Centre Rhine-Ruhr reveals as an example how haemophilia treatment in accordance with guidelines and with the latest results of international research can be realise in an ambulatory network.

393-P: Association of Hypoglycemia Prevention Measures with Quality of Life: A Retrospective Analysis of Electronically-Reported Patient Data

Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 393-P
Author(s):  
KHAWLA F. ALI ◽  
LIMA LAWRENCE ◽  
LAUREN A. BUEHLER ◽  
RONALD R. GAMBINO ◽  
MARWAN HAMATY
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Prevention Measures

scholarly journals Occupational groups and its physical and mental health correlates: results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeswari Sambasivam ◽  
Anitha Jeyagurunathan ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Saleha Shafie ◽  
Sherilyn Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
World Health ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Physical Disorders

Abstract Purpose The physical and mental wellbeing of an individual is impacted by the type occupation one does. This study aims to establish the prevalence of mental and physical disorders, the association of occupational groups and health-related quality of life, and the extent of work-loss and work-cut back in past 30 days among the employed in the Singapore resident population. Methods Data from a population-based, epidemiological survey of a representative sample of Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 18 years and above were used. Lifetime diagnosis of select mental disorders was established using the World Health Organization’s Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (WHO-CIDI 3.0). Data on nicotine dependence, work productivity, quality of life and socio-demographics were obtained via self-report. Ten major occupational groups based on the Singapore Standard Occupational Classification were included in the analysis. Results The sample comprised 4021 employed individuals who were predominantly males (54.7%) and aged 35–49 years (35.4%). ‘Service and sales workers’ (22.6%), ‘Professionals’ (17.3%) and ‘Legislators, senior officials and managers’ (16.4%) were the three largest occupational groups. Socio-demographic characteristics differed significantly (p < 0.001) across all occupational groups. Lifetime prevalence of mood disorders among the employed was 8.4% and the most prevalent physical disorder was chronic pain (18.9%). No significant differences were observed in work productivity loss across the occupational groups. Conclusions The disparities in the socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of mental and physical disorders across occupational categories provide policymakers with vital information to pilot effective interventions that can improve the psychosocial and physical conditions at work.

scholarly journals Patient’s Satisfaction With Quality of Care at a National Health Insurance Clinic at a Tertiary Center, South-South Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352098147
Author(s):  
Temitope Esther Olamuyiwa ◽  
Foluke Olukemi Adeniji
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Tertiary Center

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is a commonly used indicator for measuring the quality of health care. This study assessed patients’ satisfaction with the quality of care at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) clinic in a tertiary facility. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 379 systematically selected participants completed an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Bivariate analysis was performed using Pearson χ2 with a P value set at ≤ .05. Results: The study found out that about half (193, 50.9%) of the respondents were satisfied with the availability of structure. Patients were not satisfied with waiting time in the medical records, account, laboratory, and pharmacy sections. Overall, 286 (75.5%) of the respondents were satisfied with the outcome of health care provided at the NHIS clinic. A statistically significant association ( P = .00) was observed between treatment outcome and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: There is a need to address structural deficiencies and time management at the clinic.

scholarly journals Perceived family cohesion, social support, and quality of life in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders compared with patients with mental and physical disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente Birkeland ◽  
Bente Weimand ◽  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Darryl Maybery ◽  
John-Kåre Vederhus
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Family Cohesion ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
Patient Groups

Abstract Purpose Support from family and other social network elements can be important in helping patients to cope with practical and emotional consequences of diseases. The aim of the study was to examine perception of family and social support and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We compared them with patients in treatment for mental disorders (MDs) and physical disorders (PDs). Methods We used data from a national multicenter study that recruited patients (N  =  518) from three treatment domains; SUD treatment units, MD treatment units, and PD treatment units (severe neurological conditions or cancer). Data on family cohesion, social support, and QoL were compared across patient groups. In addition, data on health variables was collected. We used a multiple linear regression procedure to examine how health and support variables were associated with QoL. Results Family cohesion and social support in the SUD and MD groups were rated at similarly low levels, substantially lower than in the PD group. The SUD group exhibited a somewhat lower QoL than did the PD group, but their QoL was still in the near-to-normal range. In contrast, the MD group had markedly low QoL. When examining factors associated with QoL, we found that greater family cohesion and social support were positively associated with QoL. Mental distress was the strongest factor, and was negatively associated with QoL (beta − 0.15, 95% CI  =  − 0.17/− 0.14, p  <  0.001). Conclusion Service providers need to be aware of the weaker networks and less regulatory family and/or social support available to patients with SUDs. Providers should focus consistently on the social networks of patients and include patients’ families in treatment processes.

scholarly journals A qualitative inquiry of access to and quality of primary healthcare in seven communities in East and West Africa (SevenCEWA): perspectives of stakeholders, healthcare providers and users

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soter Ameh ◽  
Bolarinwa Oladimeji Akeem ◽  
Caleb Ochimana ◽  
Abayomi Olabayo Oluwasanu ◽  
Shukri F. Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
East And West ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background Universal health coverage is one of the Sustainable Development Goal targets known to improve population health and reduce financial burden. There is little qualitative data on access to and quality of primary healthcare in East and West Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the viewpoints of healthcare users, healthcare providers and other stakeholders on health-seeking behaviour, access to and quality of healthcare in seven communities in East and West Africa. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in four communities in Nigeria and one community each in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2018. Purposive sampling was used to recruit: 155 respondents (mostly healthcare users) for 24 focus group discussions, 25 healthcare users, healthcare providers and stakeholders for in-depth interviews and 11 healthcare providers and stakeholders for key informant interviews. The conceptual framework in this study combined elements of the Health Belief Model, Health Care Utilisation Model, four ‘As’ of access to care, and pathway model to better understand the a priori themes on access to and quality of primary healthcare as well as health-seeking behaviours of the study respondents. A content analysis of the data was done using MAXQDA 2018 qualitative software to identify these a priori themes and emerging themes. Results Access to primary healthcare in the seven communities was limited, especially use of health insurance. Quality of care was perceived to be unacceptable in public facilities whereas cost of care was unaffordable in private facilities. Health providers and users as well as stakeholders highlighted shortage of equipment, frequent drug stock-outs and long waiting times as major issues, but had varying opinions on satisfaction with care. Use of herbal medicines and other traditional treatments delayed or deterred seeking modern healthcare in the Nigerian sites. Conclusions There was a substantial gap in primary healthcare coverage and quality in the selected communities in rural and urban East and West Africa. Alternative models of healthcare delivery that address social and health inequities, through affordable health insurance, can be used to fill this gap and facilitate achieving universal health coverage.

scholarly journals Delivering Personalized Care at a Distance: How Telemedicine Can Foster Getting to Know the Patient as a Person

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Janet Record ◽  
Roy Ziegelstein ◽  
Colleen Christmas ◽  
Cynthia Rand ◽  
Laura Hanyok
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Office Visit ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Patient Centeredness ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Personalized Care ◽  
High Satisfaction

The promise of precision medicine is based on the use of new technologies to better characterize patients by defining individuals in the areas of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other aspects of biologic variability. Wise application of modern technology can similarly transform health visits with patients, allowing for better characterization of the patient’s individual life circumstances than possible in a traditional office visit. The use of, and experience with, telemedicine have increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and clinicians report high satisfaction with telemedicine, and the quality of communication and patient-centeredness experienced in this setting are both rated highly. In this article, we explore the benefits offered by telemedicine in facilitating personalized care with particular focus on telemedicine delivered by video platforms. We propose strategies and skills specific to the effective implementation of personalized telemedicine, drawing on literature in patient-centered communication and home visits. While traditional in-person office visits continue to offer important opportunities such as thorough physical examination and the potential for enhanced non-verbal communication, telemedicine offers many important advantages that can facilitate the process of getting to know the patient as a person.

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