scholarly journals Rethinking developed nations’ health systems through a social sustainability perspective in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A viewpoint

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Macassa ◽  
Gianpaolo Tomaselli

This viewpoint paper argues for the need for more socially sustainable care systems that can better contribute to equitable utilization of health care in a post-pandemic era. Health care systems in developed nations need to rethink their role, particularly with regard to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) as well as becoming more sustainable societies. Socially sustainable care systems will recognize that systemic factors and processes (social, economic, environmental, cultural) need to be addressed simultaneously in order to achieve health equity. Moreover, these systems are likely to be of paramount importance for post-COVID-19, because of the potential increase in demand for health care due to forgone health care and the increased burden of chronic diseases as spillover effects related to COVID-19 mitigation interventions.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Hansen ◽  
Anders Anell ◽  
Ulf-G Gerdtham ◽  
Carl Hampus Lyttkens

Health care systems around the globe are facing great challenges. The demand for health care is increasing due to the continuous development of new medical technologies, changing demographics, increasing income levels, and greater expectations from patients. The possibilities and willingness to expand health care resources, however, are limited. Consequently, health care organizations are increasingly required to take economic restrictions into account, and there is an urgent need for improved efficiency. It is reasonable to ask whether the health economics field of today is prepared and equipped to help us meet these challenges. Our aim with this article is twofold: to introduce the fields of behavioral and experimental economics and to then identify and characterize health economics areas where these two fields have a promising potential. We also discuss the advantages of a pluralistic view in health economics research, and we anticipate a dynamic future for health economics.Published: Online May 2015. In print December 2015.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-135
Author(s):  
KALLOL K. BAGCHI ◽  
Godwin J. Udo

e-Health, in form of websites that contain information on health, is emerging as an important resource for common people in some developed nations. The purpose of the study is to explore the critical factors that drive the e-Health infrastructure of nations and its usage. Research data from a set of more than 40 developed and developing nations were gathered from 8,000 websites to allow analysis of factors driving the e-Health growth. The results suggest that at a national level, cost of health care per capita and perception of health are significant in e-Health infrastructure regression, explaining more than 32-41% of the variability in e-Health infrastructure. Confidence in health care systems, perception of good health, health care costs, and human development index and health infrastructure also explain over 69-78% of the variability in e-Health use.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Birch

AbstractModels for projecting the demand for and supply of health care workers are generally based on objectives of meeting demands for health care and assumptions of status quo in all but the demographic characteristics of populations. These models fail to recognise that public intervention in health care systems arises from market failure in health care and the absence of an independent demand for health care. Hence projections of demand perpetuate inefficiencies in the form of overutilisation of services on the one hand and unmet needs for care on the other. In this paper the problems with basing workforce policy on projected demand are identified and the consequences for health care system sustainability explored. Integrated needs-based models are offered as alternative approaches that relate directly to the goals of publicly funded health care systems and represent an important element of promoting sustainability in those systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 3876
Author(s):  
Tunde A. Oyebamiji

Since its introduction about 2 decades ago, surgical robots are becoming increasingly used in many surgical operations. The emerging technology has increased the efficiency, reliability and precision of surgical procedures. It has minimized overall post-operative complications and led to faster patient recovery. Although there are some limitations to robotic surgery, its many advantages have generated great excitement within the surgical community. Thus, there is an exponential growth in the use of the surgical robot across numerous surgical specialties and in many developed nations of the world. In Africa, the robotic surgical system has only been adopted in South Africa and Egypt for limited surgical cases. However, there has been no documented use in Nigeria. The implementation of robotic surgery in Nigeria is been hampered by low budget allocation to health, a regressive health care financing model, epileptic power supply and most of all, poor leadership make the implementation of robotic surgery in Nigeria challenging. The cost of acquiring and maintaining the surgical robot will gradually become cheaper as more robotic surgical manufacturers enter the marketplace, thereby making it more affordable and accessible in low- and middle-income countries. Effective leadership and critical investment in health care systems and human capital, will increase the possibility of implementing a robotic surgical program in the future.


2004 ◽  
Vol 171 (4S) ◽  
pp. 42-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yair Latan ◽  
David M. Wilhelm ◽  
David A. Duchene ◽  
Margaret S. Pearle

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