scholarly journals INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN REDUCING THE WAITING TIME FOR PLANNED MEDICAL CARE: THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLYING THIS EXPERIENCE IN RUSSIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-158
Author(s):  
Anna Akhmetova ◽  
◽  
Elena Shevchenko ◽  
Taras Sharamko ◽  
Tatyana Aleshina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
State Policy ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Time Limits ◽  
Foreign Experience ◽  
Demand For Health

The imbalance between the demand for health services and their supply leads to a decrease in the availability of health care. The aim of the study is to analyze the key mechanisms of the policy on reducing the waiting time for planned medical care. The issues of ensuring the guarantee for maximum time limits are studied; the foreign experience of managing waiting times for medical care is reviewed, the possibility of applying it in Russian practice is analyzed; the possibilities of reducing waiting times at the level of medical organizations are considered. The review of foreign experience shows a purposeful state policy to reduce waiting times, and allows us to determine the most effective measures. In Russia, the guaranteed maximum patient waiting times are shorter than in most of the countries reviewed, however, state resources do not support these guarantees; there is no unified state approach for monitoring, and no well-thought-out mechanism for their regulation, based on both system capabilities and social needs. Taking into account the studied international and Russian experience, the recommendations for creating a system for managing the waiting time for planned medical care in Russia are proposed.

scholarly journals Waiting Time as an Indicator for Health Services Under Strain: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 004695802091030
Author(s):  
Daniel McIntyre ◽  
Clara K. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Emergency Department Care

As pressure increases on public health systems globally, a potential consequence is that this is transferred to patients in the form of longer waiting times to receive care. In this review, we overview what waiting for health care encompasses, its measurement, and the data available in terms of trends and comparability. We also discuss whether waiting time is equally distributed according to socioeconomic status. Finally, we discuss the policy implications and potential approaches to addressing the burden of waiting time. Waiting time for elective surgery and emergency department care is the best described type of waiting time, and it either increases or remains unchanged across multiple developed countries. There are many challenges in drawing direct comparisons internationally, as definitions for these types of waiting times vary. There are less data on waiting time from other settings, but existing data suggest waiting time presents a significant barrier to health care access for a range of health services. There is also evidence that waiting time is unequally distributed to those of lower socioeconomic status, although this may be improving in some countries. Further work to better clarify definitions, identify driving factors, and understand hidden waiting times and identify opportunities for reducing waiting time or better using waiting time could improve health outcomes of our health services.

scholarly journals Preferences and Perceptions of Patients Attending Emergency Departments with Low Acuity Problems in Hong Kong

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA Graham ◽  
WO Kwok ◽  
YL Tsang ◽  
TH Rainer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Waiting Area

Objective To explore why patients in Hong Kong seek medical advice from the emergency department (ED) and to identify the methods by which patients would prefer to be updated on the likely waiting time for medical consultation in the ED. Methods The study recruited 249 semi-urgent and non-urgent patients in the ED of Prince of Wales Hospital from 26th September 2005 to 30th September 2005 inclusive. A convenience sample of subjects aged ≥15 years old in triage categories 4 or 5 were verbally consented and interviewed by research nurses using a standardized questionnaire. Results From 1715 potential patients, 249 were recruited ad hoc (mean age 44 years [SD18]; 123 females). About 63% indicated that an acceptable ED waiting time was less than or equal to two hours, and 88% felt that having individual number cards and using a number allocation screen in the ED waiting area would be useful. Perceived reasons for attending the ED rather than other health care providers such as primary health care or the general outpatient clinic (GOPC) included: a desire for more detailed investigations (56%); a perception that more professional medical advice was given in the ED (35%); patients were under the continuing care of the hospital (19%); and patients were referred to the ED by other health care professionals (11%). Notably, 26% of participants had considered attending the GOPC prior to attending the ED. Patients educated to tertiary level expected a shorter waiting time than those educated to lesser degrees (p=0.026, Kruskal-Wallis test). Suggestions were made on how to provide a more pleasant ED environment for the wait for consultations, which included the provision of a television screen with sound in the waiting area (43%), more comfortable chairs (37%) and health care promotion programs (32%). Conclusion Patients chose ED services because they believed they would receive more detailed investigations and more professional medical advice than available alternatives. Clear notification of the likely waiting times and enhancement of comfort before consultation are considered desirable by patients. Enhanced public education about the role of the ED and making alternatives to ED care more accessible may be useful in reducing inappropriate ED attendances in Hong Kong.

scholarly journals Harmonization of European and Russian standards of evaluation of the quality of delivery of health care in educational organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
V. R. Kuchma ◽  
Svetlana B. Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
School Health ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Medical Aid ◽  
Care Workers

Harmonization of European and Russian standards of the quality of the delivery of school health services and competencies for school health professionals allowed to justify the concept of the evaluation of the quality of the delivery of medical help to students in educational institutions. The concept does not prescribe a concrete methodfor the organizing school health services, unified process of the activity of health professionals. The concept consists of 7 groups of indices of quality and competences of health care workers. Quality criteria include the presence of a regulatory framework, indices of benevolence towards children, social equity and access to health care for students, requirements for premises, equipment of medical rooms in schools, cooperation with the administration and teachers of schools, parents and children, the medical community, the requirements for health care workers, a minimum list of services, covering both population and individual needs of students, the secure storage, the management and use ofpersonal medical data of children and adolescents. The competences of the staff of medical units are determined by provided medical services and technologies of the work. Properly medical competences of workers of medical care units for the delivery of medical aid to students are contributed by willingness to ensure the rights of children in the process of health care delivery in the educational organization, skills in the field of communication, sharing of information with children, parents and teachers, cooperation with colleagues, planning and coordination of the organization of medical care, the provision of sanitary epidemiological well-being of students, informational-elucidative activity for shaping of healthy lifestyle, research activity. Concept is the basis of the algorithm of the evaluation of the quality of the delivery of medical aid to students and quality assessment technology as well by medical organizations and institutions, as in the form of an independent audit of the quality of the delivery of medical aid to students in educational institutions.

scholarly journals Satisfaction of clients with disabilities with services offered at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mlenzana ◽  
R. Mwansa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health

To establish satisfaction level of persons with disabilitiesregarding health services at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia.Key stakeholders views on satisfaction of services is an important componentof service rendering thus obtaining information is important in assistingwith the evaluation of health care service delivery. This will assist in improvingeffectiveness and availability of health care services to persons with physicaldisabilities.All persons with disabilities attending both rehabilitation centres andprimary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia, were targeted for this study. Willing participants were convenientlyselected to take part in the study.A cross sectional, descriptive study design using quantitative methods of data collection was used. The GeneralPractice Assessment Questionnaire was adjusted, piloted for Ndola population and used in this study to establishsatisfaction of participants. The study was ethically cleared at the University of the Western Cape and Zambia.Information and consent forms were signed by participants.Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and was reported in percentages.In the current study there were 191 participants of whom 56% were male and 44% were female with age rangefrom 18-65 years. Fifty-two percent of the participants presented with learning disabilities and 38% of persons withphysical disabilities. Majority of clients (54%) were dissatisfied with availability of services and health care servicesat the health care centres. Areas that clients were dissatisfied with were accessibility, consultation with health professionals,waiting times and opening hours of the health care centres.Clients with disabilities who accessed health care services from selected health centres in Ndola were dissatisfiedwith aspects of health services. Accessibility, consultation with health professionals, waiting times and opening hoursof the health care centres were the origin of client dissatisfaction. Other clients were satisfied with thoroughness ofhealth care providers regarding symptoms, feelings, reception and treatment received at the primary health care centre.Understanding the views of the clients is essential in improving health delivery services and could impact on thecompliance of people attending primary health care services.

scholarly journals The role of triage to reduce waiting times in primary health care facilities in the North West province of South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Therese Swart ◽  
Catherina E. Muller ◽  
Tinda Rabie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Score System ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Cape Triage Score

Background: Worldwide, patients visiting health care facilities in the public health care sector have to wait for attention from health care professionals. In South Africa, the Cape Triage Score system was implemented successfully in hospitals’ emergency departments in the Cape Metropole. The effective utilisation of triage could improve the flow of primary health care (PHC) patients and direct the patients to the right health care professional immediately.Aim: No literature could be traced on the implementation of triage in PHC facilities in South Africa. Consequently, a study addressing this issue could address this lack of information, reduce waiting times in PHC facilities and improve the quality of care.Setting: PHC facilities in a sub-district of the North West province of South Africa.Method: A quantitative, exploratory, typical descriptive pre-test–post-test design was used. The study consisted of two phases. During phase 1, the waiting time survey checklist was used to determine the baseline waiting times. In phase 2, the Cape Triage Score system that triaged the patients and the waiting time survey checklist were used.Results: Data were analysed using Cohen’s effect sizes by comparing the total waiting times obtained in both phases with the waiting time survey checklist. Results indicated no reduction in the overall waiting time; however, there was a practical significance where triage was applied. Referral was much quicker to the correct health professional and to the hospitals.Conclusion: Although the results indicated no reduction in the overall waiting time of patients, structured support systems and triage at PHC facilities should be used to make referral quicker to the correct health professional and to the hospitals.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With Patient Waiting Time at a Medical Outpatient Clinic: A Case Study of University of Nairobi Health Services

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 915-918
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bisanju Wafula (BSCN, MSCHSM) ◽  
Dr. Richard Ayah (MBCHB, MSC, PHD)
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Waiting Time ◽  
Patient Waiting

Background: Long waiting time in outpatient clinics is a constant challenge for patients and the health care providers. Prolonged waiting times are associated with poor adherence to treatment, missed appointment and failure or delay in initiation of treatment and is a major factor towards the perception of the patient towards the care received. Objective: To determine the waiting time and associated factors among out patients attending staff clinic at University of Nairobi health services. Method: A cross-sectional study design was used and data collected from 384 ambulatory patients over a period of four weeks using an interviewer administered pretested structured exit questionnaire with a time-tracking section. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents in a walk- in outpatient clinic set up. Data was cleaned and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), and cross tabulation was used to establish associations between the independent variable and dependent variables. Results: In total 384 patients were tracked and interviewed. The average patient waiting time was 55.3mins.Most respondents (52%) suggested that improving availability of staff at their stations would help to reduce patient waiting time. In this study, gender (P=0.005) and availability of doctors (p=0.000) were found to affect patient waiting time with women waiting longer than the male patients. Conclusion: Majority of the patients spent about an hour at the facility to be served. Inadequate number of health workers was the main cause of long waiting time.

The role of regional health systems on the waiting time inequalities in health care services: Evidences from Italy

2020 ◽  
pp. 095148482092830
Author(s):  
Stefano Landi ◽  
Enrico Ivaldi ◽  
Angela Testi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Regional Health ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Regional Health Authorities

Inequalities in effective access to healthcare are present among countries and within the same country. Despite in Italy exist the principle of equity in access to health system, there are evidence of different access rates in the form of unequal waiting time within the country. Waiting times are an instruments to ration healthcare services dealing with resource scarsity. Theoretically, it is a fair tool because waiting times should depend only on health needs and not on the ability to pay. However, a growing literature has pointed out that belonging to a particular socioeconomic status leads to waiting times inequalities for healthcare services. Many countries have socioeconomic disparities among regions, and healthcare organizations need to take into account these differences. The increasing power of Regional Health Authorities in decentralized health systems, as in the case of Italy, has generated different organizational ways to provide health care, possibly leading to different access rates in the form of unequal waiting time within the country. This paper aims to understand if the administrative area (Regional Health Authorities) in charge of health services affects waiting times lowering or strengthening health care access inequalities. Using a series of logistic regression models, this work suggests the presence of two vectors: socioeconomic inequalities and regional inequalities. Health organizations need to implement different kinds of answers for each vectors of inequalities.

Consumer Behavior for Health Services: A Psychological Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-367
Author(s):  
Arshi Naim ◽  
Mohammad Faiz Khan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Medical Organization ◽  
Financial Outcomes ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Fitness And Health

The objective of the research is to understand Psychographic aspect of Consumer Behavior for health services and accordingly effort to understand how proactive behavior can be inculcate amongst consumers. Data was collected from primary source which are Medical Practitioners, Medical Representatives and Patients. Research method is adaptive as it tries to influence present psychographic consumer behavior towards health and fitness and to measure responses likert scale is used. To do optimal health and financial outcomes to fitness the research method is both Qualitative as well as Quantitative. Structured and unstructured questionnaires are used for all primary sources and for measuring some responses tabulations are graphed for conclusive and descriptive findings. Consumers confidently choose products that provide the best value for the money. When it comes to choosing medicines and care, they often find themselves confused. Consumer organizations such as Consumers Union, Medical Organization can design program or medical aid campaign to help consumers select options that will provide optimal health and financial outcomes to fitness and health care so that Consumers can have information about medical care as well as financial solutions to acquire fitness and health care. This research has contributed in two ways, one to know consumer behavior for health services for medical service providers so that they can develop communication programs and secondly consumer awareness regarding medical care and financial aid.

Primary Care of Previously Institutionalized Retarded Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-540
Author(s):  
Edward L. Schor ◽  
Kathleen A. Smalky ◽  
John M. Neff
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
System Of Care ◽  
Medical Experience ◽  
Multidisciplinary Clinics

Medical care of retarded children is a responsibility of pediatricians that is seldom discussed. Past practices of isolating these children in institutions and caring for them in special multidisciplinary clinics are fading. The medical experience with 48 retarded children, the problems that they present, and the system of care that was developed to meet their special needs are described. Previous medical care was often found to be lacking or inappropriate. The spectrum of morbidity resembles that of a general pediatric population although chronic conditions are much more prevalent. Utilization of primary care and consultative services is much higher than for a nonretarded population. Much time is required for their care; a great deal of time is devoted to advising caretakers and schools and to coordinating health services. A prepaid system of care using a health associate as the primary provider was developed, and has been an effective means of providing health care to these children.

Administrative and legal aspects of the state policy of ensuring the national security of Ukraine in the field of health care at the present stage

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Komisarov ◽  
Yuriy Shvets
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
National Security ◽  
Health Care Reform ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
State Policy ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
The State ◽  
Medical Reform ◽  
Care System

The article considers the main administrative and legal aspects of the state policy of national security of Ukraine in the field of health care. On this theoretical basis, the current challenges of medical reform are identified and proposals are developed to find the best ways to prevent and optimize them. Under the administrative and legal support of health care, we understand a set of organizational and legal forms and mechanisms to ensure socio-economic, health, anti-epidemic measures carried out by specialized organizations, the purpose of which is to preserve, strengthen and maintain human health, provide professional, high-quality and high-tech medical care to all who need it, as well as ensuring the availability of such care. It is concluded that the state policy of national security of Ukraine in the field of health care is aimed at creating such conditions for the health care system that allow for health education, disease prevention, provide medical care to citizens, conduct scientific research in the field of health care and training of medical and pharmaceutical workers, to maintain and develop the material and technical base of the health care system. Today in Ukraine the directions of the state policy of national security of Ukraine in the field of health care are determined by the European integration directions of our state and the commitments made by Ukraine in connection with the signing in June 2014 of the Association Agreement between Ukraine, on the one hand, and The EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, on the other hand. However, the concept of health care reform in terms of its implementation to meet the relevant obligations has significant differences with the constitutional principle of free medical care, and therefore needs further refinement and improvement. It is substantiated that the highlighted topical issues of administrative and legal provision of health care should be taken into account in the implementation of the second stage of medical reform, which started on April 1, 2020. In addition, the experience of preventing and counteracting the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus infection should be an important aspect of health care reform.

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