scholarly journals How Structural Compensation Facilitates Health Care for the Homeless. A Comparative View on Four European Union Member States

Author(s):  
Ursula Trummer ◽  
Sonja Novak-Zezula ◽  
Mariola Chrzanowska ◽  
Christos Michalakelis ◽  
Roido Mitoula ◽  
...  

There is robust evidence that homelessness and the associated life conditions of a homeless person may cause and exacerbate a wide range of health problems, while healthcare for the homeless is simultaneously limited in accessibility, availability, and appropriateness. This article investigates legal frameworks of health care provision, existing knowledge on numbers of homeless to be considered, and current means of health care provision for four EU countries with different economic and public health background: Austria, Greece, Poland, and Romania. National experts investigated the respective regulations and practices in place with desk research. The results show differences in national frameworks of inclusion into health care provision and knowledge on the number of people experiencing homelessness, but high similarity when it comes to main actors of actual health care provision for homeless populations. In all included countries, despite their differences in economic investments and universality of access to public health systems, it is mainly NGOs providing health care to those experiencing homelessness. This phenomenon fits into conceptual frameworks developed around service provision for vulnerable population groups, wherein it has been described as “structural compensation,” meaning that NGOs compensate a structural inappropriateness that can be observed within public health systems.

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIRGINIE DIAZ PEDREGAL ◽  
BLANDINE DESTREMAU ◽  
BART CRIEL

AbstractThis article analyses the design and implementation process of arrangements for health care provision and access to health care in Cambodia. It points to the complexity of shaping a coherent social policy in a low-income country heavily dependent on international aid.At a theoretical level, we confirm that ideas, interests and institutions are all important factors in the construction of Cambodian health care schemes. However, we demonstrate that trying to hierarchically organise these three elements to explain policy making is not fruitful.Regarding the methodology, interviews with forty-eight selected participants produced the qualitative material for this study. A documentary review was also an important source of data and information.The study produces two sets of results. First, Cambodian policy aimed at the development of health care arrangements results from a series of negotiations between a wide range of stakeholders with different objectives and interests. International stakeholders, such as donors and technical organisations, are major players in the policy arena where health policy is constructed. Cambodian civil society, however, is rarely involved in the negotiations.Second, the Cambodian government makes political decisions incrementally. The long-term vision of the Cambodian authorities for improving health care provision and access is quite clear, but, nevertheless, day-to-day decisions and actions are constantly negotiated between stakeholders. As a result, donors and non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the field find it difficult to anticipate policies.To conclude, despite real autonomy in the decision-making process, the Cambodian government still has to prove its capacity to master a number of risks, such as the (so far under-regulated) development of the private health care sector.


Author(s):  
Jane Duckett ◽  
Neil Munro

Abstract Context: Over the last two decades a growing body of research has shown authoritarian regimes trying to increase their legitimacy by providing public goods. But there has so far been very little research on whether or not these regimes are successful. Methods: This article analyzes data from a 2012–2013 nationally representative survey in China to examine whether health care provision bolsters the communist regime’s legitimacy. Using multivariate ordinal logistic regression, we test whether having public health insurance and being satisfied with the health care system are associated with separate measures of the People’s Republic of China’s regime legitimacy: support for “our form of government” (which we call “system support”) and political trust. Findings: Having public health insurance is positively associated with trust in the Chinese central government. Health care system satisfaction is positively associated with system support and trust in local government. Conclusions: Health care provision may bolster the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes, with the clearest evidence showing that concrete benefits may translate into trust in the central government. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between trends in provision and legitimacy over time and in other types of authoritarian regime.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Rashidian ◽  
Nader Jahanmehr ◽  
Farshad Farzadfar ◽  
Ardeshir Khosravi ◽  
Mohammad Shariati ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The present study has been undertaken with the aim to evaluate performance and ranking of various universities of medical sciences that are responsible for providing public health services and primary health care in Iran. Methods Four models; Weighted Factor Analysis (WFA), Equal Weighting (EW), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) have been applied for evaluating the performance of universities of medical sciences. This study was commenced based on the statistical reports of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) census data from the Statistical Center of Iran, indicators of Vital Statistics, results of Multiple Indicator of Demographic and Health Survey 2010, and results of the National Survey of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases. Results The average performance scores in WFA, EW, SFA, and DEA methods for the universities are 0.611, 0.663, 0.736 and 0.838, respectively. Based on the ranking of Gilan University, with an average score of 4.75, and Rafsanjan University, with an average score of 0.41, these universities have obtained the first and the last rank in the performance of their primary health care and public health systems, respectively. According to the results of all four models, the Universities of Gilan, Ardebil, and Bojnourd were the strongest ranking in this regard and the Universities of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Ahvaz, and Jiroft ranked weakest in performance. Conclusions The average performance of the universities of medical sciences is not acceptable at the present level in which they stand in Iran. Of course, this condition is not prevalent in all universities and there is much dispersion in the performance of universities at the country level today. Designing the evaluation system and annual ranking of universities of medical sciences by using the methodology of the present study can lead to the improvement of performance of this system and, consequently, the improvement of heath indicators, by attracting the society and attention of policymakers to the domain of primary and public health care and creating a healthy competition among different regions of the country.


Complementary therapies 154 Regulation and training 156 Complementary therapies are gaining popularity with both the public and health professionals and as a result are finding a more substantial place in a number of areas of mainstream health care provision. One of these areas is that of cancer care. Patients are accessing a wide range of therapies including acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage. Complementary therapies are used in addition to, and complementing, conventional therapies for cancer or other illnesses. Increasingly, the term ...


Author(s):  
K.V. Pocheniuk

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common human diseases that lead to disability and death. According to the reports of Ministry of Health, in Ukraine at the end of 2018 there were about 1,300,000 diabetic patients and 9,000 of them were children under 18 years of age. The sooner a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the more likely he/she is to save from the complications that cause disability and premature death. Solving issues on diabetes is one of the top priorities of national health systems. Purpose. The paper is aimed at the study of current health care provision for children with diabetes. Methods and Material. The steps in organization of health care provision for children with diabetes in Ukraine have been studied. The following methods have been used: bibliosemantic: for the analysis of scientific literature; content-analysis: to study the regulatory framework; system analysis: to analyze the organizational provision of health care for children with diabetes. Results. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of beta cells, which leads to absolute insulin deficiency. About 75% of all type 1 diabetes cases are diagnosed in people under 18 years of age. Children and adolescents are assigned to a special category of patients who need more attention from physicians. Children find it difficult to understand what negative manifestations and the development of specific complications, leading to early disability, can be caused by a persistent and long-term decompensation of the disease. Based on the Adapted Clinical Guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes, the Working Group has developed Unified Clinical Protocols for Type 1 Diabetes in Young People and Adults and Type 1 Diabetes in Children, using evidence-based provisions for the effectiveness of medical interventions, which also served as the basis for identifying quality indicators for the health care provision for patients with type 1 diabetes. The main directions of the developed therapeutic and rehabilitation approach to medical assistance for patients with type 1 diabetes are the provision of medical, psychological and social assistance by multidisciplinary teams, involving an endocrinologist, specialists (therapist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, nephrologist, pediatrician), a social worker, a guidance counselor at the Diabetes School, a nurse. First of all, it is necessary to raise the awareness of physicians, especially at the primary level. The improvement of outpatient and in-patient care for children with diabetes, involving children themselves and their parents is also relevant. It is important to organize and provide an effective school for diabetes awareness and self-control. It is indisputably necessary to constantly and continuously monitor the state of clinical and metabolic compensation of diabetes. Attention should be paid to the need for more active use of the advanced technologies, such as pump insulin therapy. The main components of treatment are diet and insulin therapy, which the child must keep to throughout the whole life to compensate his/her health state. The role of the international diabetes movement in overcoming the diabetes epidemic in Ukraine and worldwide is noteworthy, since it called on all nations to adopt National Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Programs. Consequently, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, together with international and national experts, has developed a number of fundamental legal acts that initiate structural changes in the health care system. Conclusion. Ukraine is one of the countries with the highest incidence of diabetes. Currently, there is a very significant increase in the incidence of diabetes among children of preschool and school age. Therefore, solving issues on diabetes is one of the top priorities of national health systems. Consequently, the life of a sick child depends on the level of organization of medical and social assistance. It is crucial that awareness and support for diabetes self-management, drug therapy and psychosocial assistance be provided from the time of diagnosis and regularly thereafter. Living a long life with diabetes is possible in proper disease control and prevention. In recent years, diabetes treatment has improved, though it has not solved all the problems. The novel modes of treatment are being actively implemented, namely, insulin analogues and insulin pumps.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kasper ◽  
L-M Mohwinkel ◽  
A C Nowak

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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