Kerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101A Call for a Backward Design to Knowledge Translation15293810.15171/ijhpm.2015.10ENFadiEl-JardaliDepartment of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences,
American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonKnowledge to Policy (K2P)
Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonCenter for Systematic
Reviews in Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American
University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology
and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton,
Ontario, CanadaRachaFadlallahCenter for Systematic
Reviews in Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American
University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonJournal Article20141122Despite several calls to support evidence-informed policy-making, variations in uptake of evidence into policy persist. This editorial brings together and builds on previous Knowledge Translation (KT) frameworks and theories to present a simple, yet, holistic approach for promoting evidence-informed policies. The proposed conceptual framework is characterized by its impact-oriented approach and its view of KT as a continuum from the evidence synthesis stage to uptake and evaluation, while highlighting capacity and resource requirement at every step. A practical example is given to guide readers through the different steps of the framework. With a growing interest in strengthening evidence-informed policy-making, there is a need to continuously develop theories to understand and improve the science of KT and its implementation within the field of policy-making.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2938_f83560f497c9cb32516034f932731d4d.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Shanghai Rising: Health Improvements as Measured by Avoidable Mortality since 2000712293510.15171/ijhpm.2015.07ENMichael K.GusmanoThe Hasting Center, Garrison, New York, USAVictor G.RodwinRobert Wagner School of
Public Service, New York, USAChunfangWangVital Statistics Division, Shanghai Municipal
Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Shanghai, ChinaDanielWeiszThe International
Longevity Center, Columbia University, New York, USALiLuoSchool of Public
Health, Shanghai, ChinaFuHuaSchool of Public
Health, Shanghai, ChinaJournal Article20141116Over the past two decades, Shanghai, the largest megacity in China, has been coping with unprecedented growth of its economy and population while overcoming previous underinvestment in the health system by the central and local governments. We study the evolution of Shanghai’s healthcare system by analyzing “Avoidable Mortality” (AM) – deaths amenable to public health and healthcare interventions, as previously defined in the literature. Based on analysis of mortality data, by cause of death, from the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, we analyze trends over the period 2000–10 and compare Shanghai’s experience to other mega-city regions – New York, London and Paris. Population health status attributable to public health and healthcare interventions improved dramatically for Shanghai’s population with permanent residency status. The age-adjusted rate of AM, per 1,000 population, dropped from 0.72 to 0.50. The rate of decrease in age-adjusted AM in Shanghai (30%) was comparable to New York City (30%) and Paris (25%), but lower than London (42%). Shanghai’s establishment of the Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention and its upgrading of public health and health services are likely to have contributed to the large decrease in the number and rate of avoidable deaths, which suggests that investments in public health infrastructure and increasing access to health services in megacities – both in China and worldwide – can produce significant mortality declines. Future analysis in Shanghai should investigate inequalities in avoidable deaths and the extent to which these gains have benefitted the significant population of urban migrants who do not have permanent residency status.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2935_3710a292d9fe849132372c2a8c851705.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Adherence to Informed Consent Standards in Shiraz Hospitals: Matrons Perspective1318290510.15171/ijhpm.2014.104ENAlirezaMohsenian SisakhtStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranNajmeKaramzade ZiaratiStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranFaridehKouchakDepartment of Community Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IranMehrdadAskarianDepartment of Community Medicine, Shiraz Nephrourology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,
IranJournal Article20140604Background <br />Informed consent is an important part of the patients’ rights and hospitals are assigned to obtain informed consent before any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Obtaining an informed consent enables patients to accept or reject their care or treatments and prevent future contentions among patients and medical staff. <br /> <br />Methods <br />This survey was carried out during 2011-2. We assessed adherence of 33 Shiraz hospitals (governmental and non-governmental) to informed consent standards defined by Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation, USA. The questionnaire was designed using the Delphi method and then filled out by hospital matrons. We calculated valid percent frequency for each part of the questionnaire and compared these frequencies in governmental and nongovernmental hospitals using analytical statistics. <br /> <br />Results <br />Considering 63% of the hospitals that filled out the questionnaire, no statistically significant difference was observed between the governmental and non-governmental hospitals in adherence to informed consent standards. <br /> <br />Conclusion <br />This study shows a relatively acceptable adherence to standards about informed consent in Shiraz hospitals but the implementation seems not to be as satisfactory.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2905_50b1330a044a3903dc392f74cd46f5ff.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Planning and Developing Services for Diabetic Retinopathy in Sub-Saharan Africa1928293210.15171/ijhpm.2015.04ENSophiePooreRoyal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UKAllenFosterInternational Centre for Eye Health, International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UKMarciaZondervanVISION 2020 LINKS Programme, International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UKKarlBlanchetInternational Centre for Eye Health, International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UKJournal Article20140921Background <br />Over the past few decades diabetes has emerged as an important non-communicable disease in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). Sight loss from Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) can be prevented with screening and early treatment. The objective of this paper is to outline the required actions and considerations in the planning and development of DR screening services. <br /> <br /><br />Methods <br />A multiple-case study approach was used to analyse five DR screening services in Botswana, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. Cases included: two regional screening programmes, two hospital-based screening services and one nationwide screening service. Data was collected using qualitative methodologies including: document analysis, indepth interviews and observation. The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Systems Framework was adopted as the conceptual framework for analysis. <br /> <br />Results <br />Planning for a sustainable and integrated DR screening programme demanded a health systems approach. Collaboration with representatives from a variety of ministerial departments and professional bodies was required. Evolution of DR screening services may occur in a variety of ways including: increasing geographical coverage, integration into the general healthcare system, and stepwise progression from a passive, opportunistic service to one that systematically and proactively seeks to prevent DR. Lessons learned from the implementation of cervical cancer prevention programmes in resource-poor settings may assist the development of DR programmes in similar settings. <br /> <br />Conclusion <br />To promote good planning of DR screening services and ensure limited resources are used effectively, there is a need to learn from screening programmes in other medical specialities and a need to share experiences between newly-developing DR programmes in resource-poor countries. The WHO Health Systems Framework presents an invaluable tool to ensure a systematic approach to planning DR screening services.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2932_9797962f6c95b283104e741a7bf13748.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Inequity in Hospitalization Care: A Study on Utilization of Healthcare Services in West Bengal, India2938293310.15171/ijhpm.2015.05ENMontuBosePublic Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, IndiaArijitaDuttaDepartment of Economics,
University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, IndiaJournal Article20140715Background <br />Out of eight commonly agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDG), six are related to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) throughout the globe. This universalization of health status suggests policies to narrow the gap in access and benefit sharing between different socially and economically underprivileged classes with that of the better placed ones and a consequent expansion of subsidized healthcare appears to be a common feature for most of the developing nations. The National Health Policy in India (2002) suggests expansion of market-based care for the affording class and subsidized care for the deserving class of the society. So, the benefit distribution of this limited public support in health sector is important to examine to study the welfare consequences of the policy. This paper examines the nature of utilizationto inpatient care by different socio-economic groups across regions and gender in West Bengal (WB), India. The benefit incidence of public subsidies across these socio-economic groups has also been verified for different types of services like medicines, diagnostics and professional care etc. <br /> <br />Methods <br />National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) has collected information on all hospitalized cases (60th round, 2004) with a recall period of 365 days from the sampled households through stratified random sampling technique. The data has been used to assess utilization of healthcare services during hospitalization and the distribution of public subsidies among the patients of different socio-economic background; a Benefit Incidence Analysis (BIA) has also been carried out. <br /> <br />Results <br />Analysis shows that though the rate of utilization of public hospitals is quite high, other complementary services like medicine, doctor and diagnostic tests are mostly purchased from private market. This leads to high Out-of-Pocket (OOP) expenditure. Moreover, BIA reveals that the public subsidies are mostly enjoyed by the relatively better placed patients, both socially and economically. The worse situation is observed for gender related inequality in access and benefit from public subsidies in the state. <br /> <br />Conclusion <br />Focused policies are required to ensure proper distribution of public subsidies to arrest high OOP expenditure. Drastic change in policy targeting is needed to secure equity without compromising efficiency.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2933_91a5e2715c399ca764ace1b4f5baa471.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Addressing Geriatric Oral Health Concerns through National Oral Health Policy in India3942292510.15171/ijhpm.2014.126ENAbhinavSinghDepartment of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Bhopal, IndiaBharathi MPurohitPeople’s College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal, IndiaJournal Article20140829There is an escalating demand for geriatric oral healthcare in all developed and developing countries including India. Two-thirds of the world’s elderly live in developing countries. This is a huge population that must receive attention from policy-makers who will be challenged by the changing demands for social and health services including oral health services. Resources are limited thus rather than being aspirational in wanting to provide all treatment needed for everybody, this critique presents a road map of how we might answer the present and future geriatric oral health concerns in a most efficient manner in a developing country. Viewing the recent Indian demographic profile and the trends in oral health, pertinent policy subjects have been discussed concerning the oral health needs of the elderly and also the associated challenges which include strategies to improve quality of life, strategies to train and educate the dental workforce and above all the role of healthcare systems towards realization of better aged society in India and other developing countrieshttps://www.ijhpm.com/article_2925_cbcf5668eae9b838fdb43092967658a2.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Responsibilising Managers and Clinicians, Neglecting System Health? What Kind of Healthcare Leadership Development Do We Want?; Comment on “Leadership and Leadership Development in Healthcare Settings - A Simplistic Solution to Complex Problems?”4344293010.15171/ijhpm.2015.02ENGraham P.MartinDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UKJournal Article20141125Responding to Ruth McDonald’s editorial on the rise of leadership and leadership development programmes in healthcare, this paper offers three arguments. Firstly, care is needed in evaluating impact of leadership development, since achievement of organisational goals is not necessarily an appropriate measure of good leadership. Secondly, the proliferation of styles of leadership might be understood in part as a means of retaining control over public services while distributing responsibility for their success and failure. Thirdly, it makes a plea for the continued utility of good administrative skills for clinicians and managers, which are likely to become all-the-more important given recent developments in healthcare policy and governance.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2930_07e4aedafc359ad89770b33386628f9f.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Who Doesn’t Want to be a Leader? Leaders Are Such Wonderful People; Comment on “Leadership and Leadership Development in Healthcare Settings - A Simplistic Solution to Complex Problems?”4547293110.15171/ijhpm.2015.03ENMarkLearmonthDurham University, Durham, UKJournal Article20141128Leadership, as McDonald (1)argues, is a phenomenon which many people involved in healthcare around the globe put great emphasis on today; some even see the improvement of leadership as a panacea for all the ills of their healthcare system. This brief commentary on her work seeks to supplement the points she makes by emphasising the personalattractions leadership enjoys, at least in the eyes of many of those who exercise power in healthcare. It also endeavours to highlight some of the ironies and absurdities which arise as a result of the conflicts about what terms we should use to describe the “leaders” (or, alternatively perhaps, those who seek to enjoy supremacy) within healthcare.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2931_c5a74330b934593b0fefdfd63332c552.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Will Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Lead to the Freedom to Lead Flourishing and Healthy Lives?; Comment on “Inequities in the Freedom to Lead a Flourishing and Healthy Life: Issues for Healthy Public Policy”4951293710.15171/ijhpm.2015.09ENDonMathesonCentre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Palmerston North, New ZealandJournal Article20141123The focus on public policy and health equity is discussed in reference to the current global health policy discussion on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This initiative has strong commitment from the leadership of the international organizations involved, but a lack of policy clarity outside of the health financing component may limit the initiative’s impact on health inequity. In order to address health inequities there needs to be greater focus on the most vulnerable communities, subnational health systems, and attention paid to how communities, civil society and the private sector engage and participate in health systems.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2937_31933121ca970bd8d28d72275ae003bd.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Nudge, Embarrassment, and Restriction—Replies to Voigt, Tieffenbach, and Saghai5354292910.15171/ijhpm.2015.01ENNirEyalHarvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health & Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics, Boston, MA, USAJournal Article20141127https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2929_1588871e36d88a9ae77e733a7acac385.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59394120150101Ebola Treatment and Prevention are not the only Battles: Understanding Ebola-related Fear and Stigma5556292710.15171/ijhpm.2014.128ENMohammadKaramouzianSchool of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaRegional Knowledge
Hub, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures
Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranCelestinHategekimanaSchool of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaMaternal, Newborn and Child Health in Rwanda (MNCHR), Kigali, RwandaJournal Article20141110https://www.ijhpm.com/article_2927_2d1eb3cf3020f694394a560cb4971ed2.pdf