Have Health Human Resources Become More Equal Between Rural and Urban Areas after the New Reform?
Qian
Yang
Center for Health Policy Studies, Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou,
Zhejiang, China
author
Hengjin
Dong
Center for Health Policy Studies, Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou,
Zhejiang, China
author
text
article
2014
eng
The lack of health human resources is a global issue. China also faces the same issue, in addition to the equity of human resources allocation. With the launch of new healthcare reform of China in 2009, have the issues been improved? Relevant data from China Health Statistical Yearbook and a qualitative study show that the unequal allocation of health human resources is getting worse than before.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
359
360
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2928_1929e17220efa360d096d2ef9805c484.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.129
On Health Policy and Management (HPAM): Mind the Theory-Policy-Practice Gap
David
Chinitz
Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
author
Victor
Rodwin
Wagner School of Public
Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
author
text
article
2014
eng
We argue that the field of Health Policy and Management (HPAM) ought to confront the gap between theory, policy, and practice. Although there are perennial efforts to reform healthcare systems, the conceptual barriers are considerable and reflect the theory-policy-practice gap. We highlight four dimensions of the gap: 1) the dominance of microeconomic thinking in health policy analysis and design; 2) the lack of learning from management theory and comparative case studies; 3) the separation of HPAM from the rank and file of healthcare; and 4) the failure to expose medical students to issues of HPAM. We conclude with suggestions for rethinking the field of HPAM by embracing broader perspectives, e.g. ethics, urban health, systems analysis and cross-national analyses of healthcare systems.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
361
363
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2919_39cc81079e4f6a09446da27799778bd2.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.122
Essential Drugs Production in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS): Opportunities and Challenges
Zoheir
Ezziane
Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain, UAE
author
text
article
2014
eng
The objective of this work is to elucidate various essential drugs in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries. It discusses the opportunities and challenges of the existing biotech infrastructure and the production of drugs and vaccines in member states of the BRICS. This research is based on a systematic literature review between the years 2000 and 2014 of documents retrieved from the databases Embase, PubMed/Medline, Global Health, and Google Scholar, and the websites of relevant international organizations, research institutions and philanthropic organizations. Findings vary from one member state to another. These include useful comparison between the BRICS countries in terms of pharmaceuticals expenditure versus total health expenditure, local manufacturing of drugs/vaccines using technology and know-how transferred from developed countries, and biotech entrepreneurial collaborations under the umbrella of the BRICS region. This study concludes by providing recommendations to support more of inter collaborations among the BRICS countries as well as between BRICS and many developing countries to shrink drug production costs. In addition, this collaboration would also culminate in reaching out to poor countries that are not able to provide their communities and patients with cost-effective essential medicines.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
365
370
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2917_93957259544ea86037d24ed55bc6d135.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.118
Morality and Markets in the NHS
Barnabas
Gilbert
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
author
Emma
Clarke
Green Templeton College,
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
author
Laurence
Leaver
Green Templeton College,
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
author
text
article
2014
eng
Since its establishment in 1948, the history of the National Health Service (NHS) has been characterized by organisational turbulence and system reform. At the same time, progress in science, medicine and technology throughout the western world have revolutionized the delivery of healthcare. The NHS has become a much loved, if much critiqued, national treasure. It is against this backdrop that the role of this state-funded health service has been brought into moral question. Certainly, the challenges facing healthcare policy-makers are numerous and complex, but in the wake of the Health and Social Care Act (2012), no issue is more divisive than that of market-based reform. Here we explore the turbulent history of the NHS, from its foundation to the birth of the healthcare marketplace. We explore arguments for and against the healthcare market and resolve that, amid an evolving economic and moral framework, the NHS must ensure that its original tenets of equity and autonomy remain at its core. We propose a values-explicit, systems-based approach to renew focus on both the processes and the outcomes of care.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
371
376
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2921_bf419e7bacdf439fade685014bda81f7.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.123
Factors Affecting Family Physicians’ Drug Prescribing: A Cross-Sectional Study in Khuzestan, Iran
Mohammad
Arab
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
Amin
Torabi Pour
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
Abbas
Rahimifrooshani
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
Arash
Rashidian
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
Nayeb
Fadai
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
Roohollah
Askari
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
author
text
article
2014
eng
Background Rational prescription is a considerable issue which must be paid more attention to assess the behavior of prescribers. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting family physicians’ drug prescribing. Methods We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study in Khuzestan province, Iran in 2011. Nine hundred eighty-six prescriptions of 421 family physicians (including 324 urban and 97 rural family physicians) were selected randomly. A multivariate Poisson regression was used to investigate potential determinants of the number of prescribed drug per patient. Results The mean of medication per patient was 2.6 ± 1.2 items. In the majority (91.9%) of visits a drugs was prescribed. The most frequent dosage forms were tablets, syrups and injection in 30.1%, 26.9%, and 18.7% of cases respectively. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics were 29.7% and 17.1% of prescribed drugs respectively. The tablets were the most frequent dosage forms (38.6% of cases) in adult’s patients and syrups were the most frequent dosage forms (49% of cases) in less than 18 years old. Paracetamols were popular form of NSAIDs in two patients groups. The most common prescribed medications were oral form. Conclusion In Khuzestan, the mean of medication per patient was fewer than national average. Approximately, pattern of prescribed drug by family physicians (including dosage form and type of drugs) was similar to other provinces of Iran.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
377
381
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2902_848c9b74a26775dec8554fe781049540.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.103
Cholecystectomy and Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs): Patient Classification and Hospital Reimbursement in 11 European Countries
Gerli
Paat-Ahi
PRAXIS Centre for Policy Studies, Tallinn, Estonia
author
Ain
Aaviksoo
PRAXIS Centre for Policy Studies, Tallinn, Estonia
author
Maria
Świderek
Department of City and Regional Management, Faculty of Management, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
author
text
article
2014
eng
Background As part of the EuroDRG project, researchers from eleven countries (i.e. Austria, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Spain) compared how their Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) systems deal with cholecystectomy patients. The study aims to assist surgeons and national authorities to optimize their DRG systems. Methods National or regional databases were used to identify hospital cases with a procedure of cholecystectomy. DRG classification algorithms and indicators of resource consumption were compared for those DRGs that individually contained at least 1% of cases. Six standardised case vignettes were defined, and quasi prices according to national DRG-based hospital payment systems were ascertained and compared to an index case. Results European DRG systems vary widely: they classify cholecystectomy patients according to different sets of variables into diverging numbers of DRGs (between two DRGs in Austria and Poland to nine DRGs in England). The most complex DRG is valued at four times more resource intensive than the index case in Ireland but only 1.3 times more resource intensive than the index case in Austria. Conclusion Large variations in the classification of cholecystectomy patients raise concerns whether all systems rely on the most appropriate classification variables. Surgeons, hospital managers and national DRG authorities should consider how other countries’ DRG systems classify cholecystectomy patients in order to optimize their DRG systems and to ensure fair and appropriate reimbursement.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
383
391
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2920_1adfaf40fd69e21d1a9feeba435f17a5.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.121
‘Only Systems Thinking Can Improve Family Planning Program in Pakistan’: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Saira
Zafar
Health Systems & Policy Department, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
author
Babar
Shaikh
Health Systems & Policy Department, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
author
text
article
2014
eng
Background Family Planning (FP) program in Pakistan has been struggling to achieve the desired indicators. Despite a well-timed initiation of the program in late 50s, fertility decline has been sparingly slow. As a result, rapid population growth is impeding economic development in the country. A high population growth rate, the current fertility rate, a stagnant contraceptive prevalence rate and high unmet need remain challenging targets for population policies and FP programs. To accelerate the pace of FP programs and targets concerned, it is imperative to develop and adopt a holistic approach and strategy for plugging the gaps in various components of the health system: service delivery, information systems, drugs-supplies, technology and logistics, Human Resources (HRs), financing, and governance. Hence, World Health Organization (WHO) health systems building blocks present a practical framework for overall health system strengthening. Methods This descriptive qualitative study, through 23 in-depth interviews, explored the factors related to the health system, and those responsible for a disappointing FP program in Pakistan. Provincial representatives from Population Welfare and Health departments, donor agencies and non-governmental organizations involved with FP programs were included in the study to document the perspective of all stakeholders. Content analysis was done manually to generate nodes, sub-nodes and themes. Results Performance of FP programs is not satisfactory as shown by the indicators, and these programs have not been able to deliver the desired outcomes. Interviewees agreed that inadequate prioritization given to the FP program by successive governments has led to this situation. There are issues with all health system areas, including governance, strategies, funding, financial management, service delivery systems, HRs, technology and logistic systems, and Management Information System (MIS); these have encumbered the pace of success of the program. All stakeholders need to join hands to complement efforts and to capitalize on each other’s strengths, plugging the gaps in all the components of FP programming. Conclusion All WHO health system building blocks are interrelated and need to be strengthened, if the demographic targets are to be achieved. With this approach, the health system shall be capable of delivering fair and responsive FP services.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
393
398
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2922_0c50c9470275bdf35d19b8874bf3df19.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.119
Constraints to Applying Systems Thinking Concepts in Health Systems: A Regional Perspective from Surveying Stakeholders in Eastern Mediterranean Countries
Fadi
El-Jardali
Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon
author
Taghreed
Adam
Alliance for Health Policy and
Systems Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
author
Nour
Ataya
Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon
author
Diana
Jamal
Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon
author
Maha
Jaafar
Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon
author
text
article
2014
eng
Background Systems Thinking (ST) has recently been promoted as an important approach to health systems strengthening. However, ST is not common practice, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This paper seeks to explore the barriers that may hinder its application in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and possible strategies to mitigate them. Methods A survey consisting of open-ended questions was conducted with a purposive sample of health policymakers such as senior officials from the Ministry of Health (MoH), researchers, and other stakeholders such as civil society groups and professional associations from ten countries in the region. A total of 62 respondents participated in the study. Thematic analysis was conducted. Results There was strong recognition of the relevance and usefulness of ST to health systems policy-making and research, although misconceptions about what ST means were also identified. Experience with applying ST was very limited. Approaches to designing health policies in the EMR were perceived as reactive and fragmented (66%). Commonly perceived constraints to application of ST were: a perceived notion of its costliness combined with lack of the necessary funding to operationalize it (53%), competing political interests and lack of government accountability (50%), lack of awareness about relevance and value (47%), limited capacity to apply it (45%), and difficulty in coordinating and managing stakeholders (39%). Conclusion While several strategies have been proposed to mitigate most of these constraints, they emphasized the importance of political endorsement and adoption of ST at the leadership level, together with building the necessary capacity to apply it and apply the learning in research and practice.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
399
407
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2924_1c7862be2a2460f19ec87df5e9c49db3.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.124
On the Cost of Shame; Comment on “Nudging by Shaming, Shaming by Nudging”
Emma
Tieffenbach
Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
author
text
article
2014
eng
In his editorial, Nir Eyal argues that a nudge can exploit our propensity to feel shame in order to steer us toward certain choices. We object that shame is a cost and therefore cannot figure in the apparatus of a nudge.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
409
411
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2923_c5434349d7d9eedf2a8674300923a7e2.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.125
Localization of Determinants of Fertility through Measurement Adaptations in Developing-Country Settings: The Case of Iran; Comment on “Analysis of Economic Determinants of Fertility in Iran: A Multilevel Approach”
Amir
Erfani
Department of Sociology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
author
text
article
2014
eng
Studies investigating fertility decline in developing countries often adopt measures of determinants of fertility behavior developed based on observations from developed countries, without adapting them to the realities of the study setting. As a result, their findings are usually invalid, anomalous or statistically non-significant. This commentary draws on the research article by Moeeni and colleagues, as an exemplary work which has not adapted measures of two key economic determinants of fertility behavior, namely gender inequality and opportunity costs of childbearing, to the realities of Iran’s economy. Measurement adaptations that can improve the study are discussed.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
413
415
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2926_9ed3515e5981cba70d6cbf5821175d81.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.127
Preventing the Emergence of Ebola Disease in Unaffected Countries: Necessity of Preparedness
Saurabh
Shrivastava
Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kancheepuram, TamilNadu, India
author
Prateek
Shrivastava
Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kancheepuram, TamilNadu, India
author
Jegadeesh
Ramasamy
Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kancheepuram, TamilNadu, India
author
text
article
2014
eng
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2322-5939
3
v.
7
no.
2014
417
418
https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2914_7d519d2a3efdce4be2ee502c65ac21b2.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2014.117