scholarly journals Quality of Health Assistants in primary Health centres in Rural Maharashtra, India

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. HSI.S11226
Author(s):  
Enakshi Ganguly ◽  
Bishan S. Garg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Centres ◽  
Quality Assurance Mechanism ◽  
Health Centres

Introduction Health assistants are important functionaries of the primary health care system in India. Their role is supervision of field-based services among other things. A quality assurance mechanism for these health assistants is lacking. The present study was undertaken with the objectives of developing a tool to assess the quality of health assistants in primary health centres (PHCs) and to assess their quality using this tool. Methodology Health assistants from three PHCs in the Wardha district of India were observed for a year using a tool developed from primary health care management Aavancement program modules. Data was collected by direct observation, interview, and review of records for quality of activities. Results Staff strength of health assistants was 87.5%. None of the health assistants were clear about their job descriptions. A supervisory schedule for providing supportive supervision to auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) was absent; most field activities pertaining to maternal and child health received poor focus. Monthly meetings lacked a clear agenda, and comments on quality improvement of services provided by the ANMs were missing. Conclusion Continuous training with sensitization on quality issues is required to improve the unsatisfactory quality.

scholarly journals Quality of Service of Primary Health Centres: Insights from a Field Study

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Rameshan ◽  
Shailendra Singh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Centres ◽  
Health Centres

This paper provides an evaluation of the quality of services and customer orientation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) against the backdrop of the changed environment in the country with customer focus and efficiency emerging as the cornerstones of economic transactions in private and public sectors alike. It focuses on ten selected PHCs of Uttar Pradesh and covers the following stakeholders: Customers including patients who use the health care facilities of PHCs as well as the relatives and their personal attendants. Community members covering the village public, local shopkeepers, local government functionaries, local intelligentsia such as teachers and others having an interest or stake in PHC activities. Doctors and staff of the PHCs. District Medical Officials responsible for controlling and monitoring the PHC activities. The paper draws, among others, the following conclusions: The customers and community members of the villages perceived the facilities and services of PHCs to be deficient in many respects. Neither doctors and PHC staff nor the district officials are able to refute adequately the issues raised by villagers about the quality of service of PHCs. While villagers do not like the panchayat (local government) coming into the picture for improving the services of PHCs, district officials totally discount privatization as a means for providing effective primary health care in rural areas. While it is not very easy to solve the primary health care problems of the Indian villagers, yet the policy-makers can take recourse to the following measures to improve the facilities and services of PHCs in future: Form village committees to monitor PHC facilities, resources, and services. Identify industry patrons/sponsors for each PHC for developing infrastructure, facilities, and logistics without straining the scarce government resources. Constitute district-level user committees to monitor not only the PHC activities of a district but also the activities of the District Medical Offices. Enable panchayat and district administration to perform monitoring and supporting functions to ensure multiple checks on activities of the PHCs and District Medical Offices.

scholarly journals How context affects implementation of the Primary Health Care approach: an analysis of what happened to primary health centres in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. e001381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudha Ramani ◽  
Muthusamy Sivakami ◽  
Lucy Gilson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Private Practitioners ◽  
Patient Interviews ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Centres ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Care Approach

IntroductionIn this paper, we elucidate challenges posed by contexts to the implementation of the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach, using the example of primary health centres (rural peripheral health units) in India. We first present a historical review of ‘written’ policies in India—to understand macro contextual influences on primary health centres. Then we highlight micro level issues at primary health centres using a contemporary case study.MethodsTo elucidate macro level factors, we reviewed seminal policy documents in India and some supporting literature. To examine the micro context, we worked with empirical qualitative data from a rural district in Maharashtra—collected through 12 community focus group discussions, 12 patient interviews and 34 interviews with health system staff. We interpret these findings using a combination of top–down and bottom–up lenses of the policy process.ResultsPrimary health centres were originally envisaged as ‘social models’ of service delivery; front-line institutions that delivered integrated care close to people’s homes. However, macro issues of chronic underfunding and verticalisation have resulted in health centres with poor infrastructure, that mainly deliver vertical programmes. At micro levels, service provision at primary health centres is affected by doctors’ disinterest in primary care roles and an institutional context that promotes risk-averseness and disregard of outpatient care. Primary health centres do not meet community expectations in terms of services, drugs and attention provided; and hence, private practitioners are preferred. Thus, primary health centres today, despite having the structure of a primary-level care unit, no longer embody PHC ideals.ConclusionsThis paper highlights some contextual complexities of implementing PHC—considering macro (pertaining to ideologies and fiscal priorities) and micro (pertaining to everyday behaviours and practices of actors) level issues. As we recommit to Alma-Ata, we must be cautious of the ceremonial adoption of interventions, that look like PHC—but cannot deliver on its ideals.

scholarly journals Availability of personnel, facilities and services in Primary Health Care Centres in a Local Government Area in Benin City, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Yakubu Adam ◽  
Joy Chinyere Nwaogwugwu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Local Government Area ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Essential Drugs ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Centres ◽  
Health Centres

Background: Effective delivery of healthcare services especially at the Primary Health Care level requires availability of adequate infrastructure, basic diagnostic medical equipment, drugs and well-trained medical personnel. Quality Primary Health Care initiatives have been recognized as fundamental to improving health outcomes. This study assessed the resources available for Primary Health Care delivery in a Local Government Area in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. All the public primary health centres in Egor LGA, Benin City, Nigeria were assessed for availability of personnel, facilities/ equipment and services using an adapted observational checklist. Results: All the 10 public primary health centres were assessed. The primary health centres had inadequate skilled-manpower: only 1 (10.0%) had a medical officer, Community Health Officers and nurse/midwives were adequate in only 2 (20.0%), and none of them (0.0%) had a medical record officer and pharmacy technician. Basic equipment for examination of clients were available in 3 of the health facilities (30.0%). All 10 of the health centres (100.0%) offered basic services but not for 24 hours. Essential drugs were not regularly available in all the facilities. Conclusions: Basic healthcare services were rendered but not for 24 hours. Several challenges such as inadequate skilled health personnel, lack of basic amenities, and shortage of essential drugs affect the primary health centres. Basic hospital facilities/equipment needed to enhance 24 hours’ service delivery at the primary health centres should be provided by the Local Government.

scholarly journals Using mHealth to Improve Timeliness and Quality of Maternal and Newborn Health in the Primary Health Care System in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Yimechew Nigussie ◽  
Nebreed Fesseha Zemicheal ◽  
Gizachew Tadele Tiruneh ◽  
Yibeltal Tebekaw Bayou ◽  
Getnet Alem Teklu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn ◽  
Care System

scholarly journals Analysis of hospitalizations for Parkinson’s disease and the role of primary health care in patient care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Ramalho de Sousa ◽  
Beatriz da Silva Ávila ◽  
Caique Nunes Moreira ◽  
Carla Resende Vaz Oliveira ◽  
Laura dos Santos de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
World Health ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Primary Health

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that affects the dopamine-producing neurons and affects the patient’s movements. According to the World Health Organization, about 1% of the world’s population aged 65 years or older has PD. The study aims to analyze the hospitalizations for Parkinson’s disease in Brazil and highlight the importance of primary health care (PHC) in the care of these patients. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, using articles from the Pubmed and Medline databases, as well as the DATASUS database from January 2017 to January 2021. The descriptors used were: “Parkinson’s Disease”; “Comprehensive Health Care”; “Patient-Centered Care”. Results: In the period analyzed there were 3.536 hospitalizations for PD in Brazil with spending of R$14,937,372.3 highlighting the Southeast region that represents 49% of the total of these. Regarding sex, age and self-reported color/race, the most affected are men with 60.6%, individuals between 60 and 69 years (26.3%) and whites (49.9%). A total of 218 deaths were registered, with a mortality rate of 6.1%. Discussion: The PHC is responsible for part of the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with PD, being a central part in the coordination of care. It acts through the levels of care and improves the quality of life of its users through health actions, thus improving their quality of life. Conclusion: Basic health units must improve themselves through the continuous training of the professionals involved, thus resulting in a decrease in the mortality rate.

scholarly journals Patients’ expectations of general practitioners

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Ewa Warchoł-Sławińska ◽  
Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽  
Marta Sławińska ◽  
Krzysztof Włoch ◽  
Marek Kos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Medical Documentation ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Care System

Abstract Introduction. General practitioner (GP) plays an important role in the health care system as he is the first person that a patient turns to with his health related problem. The crucial role of the primary health care system is to control risk factors contributing to civilization diseases such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Aim. The aim of the research was the assessment of the selected aspects of patients’ satisfaction with a GP’s care. Conducted study provided answers to questions about the level of patient’s satisfaction, his expectations and needs in the field of doctor’s care within the primary health care system. Material and methods. Diagnostic poll was used as a method to study public opinion. The poll was based on the research technique in the form of the original questionnaire consisting of 23 closed-ended questions. Study group consisted of 99 primary health care patients from lubelskie voivodship. Results. The majority of the studied group assessed the quality of general practitioners’ services both in cities and rural areas as high. Respondents declared their satisfaction with the availability of diagnostic tests (73%), quality of information about health condition and treatment provided by the doctor (80%), information about how the medicine should be taken and about further treatment (65%) and respect for privacy and dignity (82%). Minority of the researched group was dissatisfied with the quality of general practitioner’s services mainly because of the limited access to diagnostic tests (27%), low quality of information provided by the doctor about method of taking medicine (35%), short time of the doctor’s visit (38%), suggested method of treatment (36%), disrespect for privacy and dignity of a patient (18%) and limited access to medical documentation (24%). Conclusions. There is a need to implement actions that will increase patients’ satisfaction with the medical services provided by general practitioners, especially in the following fields: length of the doctor’s visit, quality of information provided by the doctor, improvement in the patient – doctor relation, full access to medical documentation and promotion of health by doctors.

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