Changing the current health system's vision for disease prevention and health promotion.

AIM: Using the case of Israel, we examine the confluence of current philosophies of health care along with the historical trends of health promotion/disease prevention services to consider strategies for increasing inclusiveness and for updating and improving their service delivery. BACKGROUND: Health services in Israel are at a crossroads. Plans to integrate the historic, nurse-operated, nationwide programme, providing health promotion/disease prevention services to pregnant women and young children for all residents (Tipat Halav) into the National Health Service System's existing Sickness Funds are under discussion. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Using a discourse approach, this paper examines the current and historical context of health promotion/disease prevention services. Our history shows an increasingly treatment-based perspective and dwindling support for inclusive services. In the current health system, Tipat Halav nurses solely provide inclusive health promotion/disease prevention services to pregnant women and young children. Informed by the World Health Organization, a reorientation to health promotion/disease prevention is essential in an ageing society where chronic rather than infectious diseases are the reigning health problems. CONCLUSION: Israel needs to reorganize the health system using a public health approach that both incorporates existing structures and establishes new ones, such as creating a network to elicit community input, and instituting nurse-operated clinics designed to provide health promotion/disease prevention services for all ages and all residents. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND NURSING POLICY: The newly created health system framework demands activism among all health professionals to legislate for an inclusive, holistic orientation. Master's level clinical programmes in community health nursing are vital to ensure the provision of optimal health promotion/disease prevention services.

Quality of life improves with integrated behavioral health services in pediatric new-onset epilepsy.

The current study compared differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between youth with new-onset epilepsy with and without elevated psychological symptoms at time of epilepsy diagnosis within an integrated behavioral health and epilepsy service. Patients received both behavioral health and epilepsy care during clinic visits. A retrospective chart review was conducted between July 2011 and December 2015. Caregivers completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2: Parent Rating Scale (BASC-2: PRS) to assess psychological symptoms at the diagnostic visit, along with completing the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0) at the diagnostic visit and each subsequent epilepsy clinic visit during the first year of treatment. Latent growth curve modeling was used to identify HRQOL changes over the first year of treatment. Health-related quality of life was significantly lower for youth with elevated psychological symptoms at diagnosis and over the first year of treatment compared with those without psychological symptoms. For those with elevated internalizing, inattention, withdrawal, and atypical symptoms at diagnosis, greater HRQOL improvements were detected over the first year of treatment compared with those without elevated psychological symptoms at the diagnostic visit. Within integrated behavioral health and epilepsy routine care, targeted psychological interventions can improve HRQOL over the first year of treatment, particularly for those with premorbid psychological symptoms.

Kaumatua Mana Motuhake: A study protocol for a peer education intervention to help Maori elders work through later-stage life transitions.

BACKGROUND: The Aotearoa/New Zealand population is ageing and numerous studies demonstrate with this phenomenon comes increases in non-communicable diseases, injuries and healthcare costs among other issues. Further, significant inequities exist between Maori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) and non-Maori around poor ageing and health. Most research addressing these issues is deficit oriented; however, the current research project takes a strengths-based approach that highlights the potential of kaumatua (elders) by asserting mana motuhake (autonomy, identity and self-actualisation). We believe that the esteem of elders in Maori culture signals transformative potential. Specifically, this project utilises a 'tuakana-teina' (older sibling/younger sibling) peer-educator model, where kaumatua work with other kaumatua in relation to health and wellbeing. The objectives of the project are (a) to develop the capacity of kaumatua as peer educators, whilst having positive impacts on their sense of purpose, health and wellbeing; and (b) to enhance the social and health outcomes for kaumatua receiving the intervention. METHODS: The research is grounded in principles of Kaupapa Maori and community-based participatory research, and brings together an Indigenous community of kaumatua, community health researchers, and academic researchers working with two advisory boards. The project intervention involves an orientation programme for tuakana peer educators for other kaumatua (teina). The research design is a pre- and post-test, clustered staggered design. All participants will complete a baseline assessment of health and wellbeing consistent with Maori worldviews (i.e., holistic model). The tuakana and teina participants will be divided into two groups with the first group completing the intervention during the first half of the project and the second group during the second half of the project. All participants will complete post-test assessments following both interventions allowing comparison of the two groups along with repeated measures over time. DISCUSSION: The findings will provide an evidence base for the importance and relevancy of kaumatua knowledge to create contextually based and culturally safe age-friendly environments that facilitate engagement and participation by kaumatua for kaumatua. If the model is effective, we will seek to facilitate the dissemination and scalability of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ( ACTRN12617001396314 ); Date Registered: 3 October 2017 (retrospectively registered).

Keratinocyte cancers in South Australia: incidence, geographical variability and service trends.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, multiplicity, geographical variability and service trends of keratinocyte cancers (KC) in South Australia (SA). METHODS: Medicare Australia data with a unique identifier were used to assess the number of people treated over years 2010-2014. A maximum of one KC service claim per year was used to determine incidence. Age-standardised rates were estimated as were KC service activity trends. RESULTS: There were 497,581 services to 204,183 SA residents for KC, solar keratoses, locally aggressive skin tumours or suspicious skin lesions. Of these, n=159,137 services were for KC (77,502 people). The five-year (2010-2014) age-standardised rate of KC in SA was 1,466.6 (95%CI 1,458.3-1,474.8) per 100,000. Forty per cent of people had more than one KC removed. Men accounted for more incident cases (59.2%). Age-specific rates showed least variability over time in the youngest age group (15-44 years). For 26 geographical areas, higher age-standardised ratios of KC were seen in coastal and agricultural areas. There was a 59% increase in services for KC from 2000 to 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Age-standardised rates for KC are relatively stable in SA, but regional variations are evident. Services for KC continue to rise. Implications for public health: This is the first systematic report of KC in SA. We demonstrate the utility of using validated Medicare data for assessing KC incidence and trends.

A longitudinal, observational study of the features of transitional healthcare associated with better outcomes for young people with long-term conditions.

BACKGROUND: Most evidence about what works in transitional care comes from small studies in single clinical specialties. We tested the hypothesis that exposures to nine recommended features of transitional healthcare were associated with better outcomes for young people with long-term conditions during transition from child-centred to adult-oriented health services. METHODS: This is a longitudinal, observational cohort study in UK secondary care including 374 young people, aged 14-18.9 years at recruitment, with type 1 diabetes (n = 150), cerebral palsy (n = 106) or autism spectrum disorder with an associated mental health problem (n = 118). All were pre-transfer and without significant learning disability. We approached all young people attending five paediatric diabetes centres, all young people with autism spectrum disorder attending four mental health centres, and randomly selected young people from two population-based cerebral palsy registers. Participants received four home research visits, 1 year apart and 274 participants (73%) completed follow-up. Outcome measures were Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Mind the Gap Scale (satisfaction with services), Rotterdam Transition Profile (Participation) and Autonomy in Appointments. RESULTS: Exposure to recommended features was 61% for 'coordinated team', 53% for 'age-banded clinic', 48% for 'holistic life-skills training', 42% for 'promotion of health self-efficacy', 40% for 'meeting the adult team before transfer', 34% for 'appropriate parent involvement' and less than 30% for 'written transition plan', 'key worker' and 'transition manager for clinical team'. Three features were strongly associated with improved outcomes. (1) 'Appropriate parent involvement', example association with Wellbeing (b = 4.5, 95% CI 2.0-7.0, p = 0.001); (2) 'Promotion of health self-efficacy', example association with Satisfaction with Services (b = - 0.5, 95% CI - 0.9 to - 0.2, p = 0.006); (3) 'Meeting the adult team before transfer', example associations with Participation (arranging services and aids) (odds ratio 5.2, 95% CI 2.1-12.8, p < 0.001) and with Autonomy in Appointments (average 1.7 points higher, 95% CI 0.8-2.6, p < 0.001). There was slightly less recruitment of participants from areas with greater socioeconomic deprivation, though not with respect to family composition. CONCLUSIONS: Three features of transitional care were associated with improved outcomes. Results are likely to be generalisable because participants had three very different conditions, attending services at many UK sites. Results are relevant for clinicians as well as for commissioners and managers of health services. The challenge of introducing these three features across child and adult healthcare services, and the effects of doing so, should be assessed.

Comparing Medical Ecology, Utilization, and Expenditures Between 1996-1997 and 2011-2012.

PURPOSE: This study compared ecology (number of individuals using a service), utilization (number of services used), and expenditures (dollars spent) for various categories of medical services between primarily 1996-1997 and 2011-2012. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study was performed using nationally representative data mainly from the 1996, 1997, 2011, and 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). These data were augmented with the 2002-2003 MEPS as well as the 1999-2000 and 2011-2012 National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey. Individuals (number per 1,000 people), utilization, and expenditures during an average month in 1996-1997 and 2011-2012 were determined for 15 categories of services. RESULTS: The number of individuals who used various medical services was unchanged for many categories of services (total, outpatient, outpatient physician, users of prescribed medications, primary care and specialty physicians, inpatient hospitalization, and emergency department). It was, however, increased for others (optometry/podiatry, therapy, and alternative/complementary medicine) and decreased for a few (dental and home health). The number of services used (utilization) largely mirrored the findings for individual use, with the exception of an increase in the number of prescribed medications and a decrease in number of primary care physician visits. There were large increases in dollars spent (expenditures) in every category with the exception of primary care physician and home health; the largest absolute increases were in prescribed medications, specialty physicians, emergency department visits, and likely inpatient hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of individuals with visits during an average month and the total utilization of medical services were largely unchanged between the 2 time periods, total expenditures increased markedly. The increases in expenditure varied dramatically by category.

Programa de Atención Integral al Enfermo Mental en las prisiones españolas (paiem ). Valoración tras cuatro años de funcionamiento / Comprehensive Care Program for the Mentally ill in spanish prisons (paiem ). Assessment after four years operation

Objetivo: Evaluar el programa de atención integral a los enfermos mentales (PAIEM) implantado desde hace 3 años en las prisiones españolas, con el fin de mejorar su funcionamiento y resultados. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de los datos recogidos en un cuestionario anónimo cumplimentado por los miembros del equipo PAIEM de los centros penitenciarios. Se obtuvieron distribuciones de frecuencia de todas las variables acerca de hechos, actitudes, opiniones, experiencias, situaciones y procesos del PAIEM. Resultados: Han respondido el 91,2% de los equipos del PAIEM. Psicólogos, educadores, médicos y trabajadores sociales son los profesionales que colaboran más activamente en el PAIEM (73%-84%) y los que con más frecuencia ejercen como tutores. Los enfermos mentales se ubican habitualmente en módulos ordinarios (80%). Las actividades más utilizadas para su rehabilitación psicosocial son autocuidados (73%) y educación para la salud, preparación para la vida diaria y habilidades sociales con más del 60%. Las intervenciones con las familias son básicamente por contacto telefónico (79%). En el análisis bivariante se demuestra que los PAIEM que mejor funcionan son los que tienen una buena coordinación con el resto de los equipos técnicos, los que preparan la derivación con más de seis meses previos a la libertad y en los que las ONG’s tramitan las derivaciones. Más del 71% de los profesionales observan mejoras en carencias y discapacidades en más de la mitad de los enfermos y están mayoritariamente satisfechos (3,4/5) de su participación, aunque reconocen mayor carga de trabajo. Conclusiones: Las actividades del PAIEM son adecuadas, en especial en las fases de detección precoz, estabilización y rehabilitación y menos en la fase de reincorporación social que mejora cuando interviene el tercer sector en las derivaciones del enfermo a la red sociosanitaria extrapenitenciaria (AU)

Objective: To assess the comprehensive care program for the mentally ill in prison (PAIEM), which has been implemented for 3 years in Spanish prisons with the aim of improving processes and results. Methods: Descriptive study of the data gathered from an anonymous questionnaire completed by members of the PAIEM team in prisons. Frequency distributions were obtained of all the variables relating to facts, attitudes, opinions, experiences, situations and processes of the PAIEM. Results: 91.2% of the PAIEM teams responded. Psychologists, educators, doctors and social workers were the professionals that collaborated most actively in the PAIEM (73%-84%) and were the ones to act most frequently as tutors. The mentally ill are usually located in ordinary modules (80%). The most commonly used activities for their psycho-social rehabilitation are self care (73%), education for health, preparation for daily life and social skills (more than 60%). Interventions with families are basically by telephone (79%). Bivariate analysis showed that the PAIEMs that operate most effectively are those that coordinate well with other technical teams, that prepare referral more than six months prior to release and ones where the NGOs process the referrals. Over 71% of the professionals observed improvements of disabilities and needs in over half the patients more than half of the professionals involved are satisfied (3.4/5) with their participation, although they acknowledge that there is a greater work load. Conclusions: The activities of the PAIEM are adequate, especially in the phases of early detection, stabilisation and rehabilitation and less so in the social incorporation phase, which improves when the third sector intervenes in referrals of patients to the social health care network outside prison (AU)

Edmundo Granda Ugalde. La salud y la vida / Edmundo Granda Ugalde. Health and life

Los primeros artículos de investigación nos transportan a sus enseñanzas que nos llevaron a muchos y muchas a la fascinación sobre el arte de investigar. La construcción del concreto del pensamiento, en un primer momento, tenía la fuerza del determinismo, para luego permitir ­apoyado por Maturana­ una reelaboración y afirmarnos que lo que se investiga se transforma a la luz de la acción de los sujetos. Los recursos humanos fueron otra de sus pasiones a través de la cual desarrolló y fortaleció algunas de las escuelas de salud pública y medicina social en Latinoamérica. Éste fue su núcleo de acción política más importante desde la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Nos place contar que la edición de este libro coincide con el reconocimiento de la Biblioteca y Centro Informático de las Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Nuevo México que, en su honor, decidió poner el nombre de Edmundo Granda a su colección amplia de trabajos sobre medicina social latinoamericana. Finalmente se incorporan diversos artículos que alimentan la discusión del quehacer en salud y la reforma del sector, que intentaban, en la vorágine del neoliberalismo, establecer propuestas para una transformación del sector salud, con nuevos elementos para cambiar, como la medicina tradicional como herramienta para caminar en la interculturalidad o elementos para una nueva epidemiología. Esta última no suficientemente explotada en el quehacer público. Este libro incluye 16 artículos que hacen un recorrido por todos esos tópicos. Algunos artículos son fruto de una elaboración colectiva, en cuyo caso constan los nombres de los coautores, a los que Edmundo incluyó con toda la honestidad y generosidad que le caracterizó. (AU)

The impact of the SARS epidemic on the utilization of medical services: SARS and the fear of SARS.

Using interrupted time-series analysis and National Health Insurance data between January 2000 and August 2003, this study assessed the impacts of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic on medical service utilization in Taiwan. At the peak of the SARS epidemic, significant reductions in ambulatory care (23.9%), inpatient care (35.2%), and dental care (16.7%) were observed. People's fears of SARS appear to have had strong impacts on access to care. Adverse health outcomes resulting from accessibility barriers posed by the fear of SARS should not be overlooked.

Impact of targeted programs on health systems: a case study of the polio eradication initiative.

The results of 2 large field studies on the impact of the polio eradication initiative on health systems and 3 supplementary reports were presented at a December 1999 meeting convened by the World Health Organization. All of these studies concluded that positive synergies exist between polio eradication and health systems but that these synergies have not been vigorously exploited. The eradication of polio has probably improved health systems worldwide by broadening distribution of vitamin A supplements, improving cooperation among enterovirus laboratories, and facilitating linkages between health workers and their communities. The results of these studies also show that eliminating polio did not cause a diminution of funding for immunization against other illnesses. Relatively little is known about the opportunity costs of polio eradication. Improved planning in disease eradication initiatives can minimize disruptions in the delivery of other services. Future initiatives should include indicators and baseline data for monitoring effects on health systems development.

Estagio da terapia ocupacional no programa da saude da familia: reflexoes sobre a parceria didatico-assistencial entre o Reata/USP e o PSF/Qualis-SP / Probation of ocupational therapy in the family health program: reflections about a didatic-assistential parneship between the Reata/USP and the PSF/Qualis-SP

Em sintonia com as mais recentes propostas de atencao a saude e reabilitacao das pessoas com deficiencia, em 2001, o curso de...

[Integration of activities of regional hospitals and territorial medical institutions]. / Integratsiia deiatel'nosti oblastnykh bol'nits s meditsinskimi uchrezhdeniiami territorii.

Medical and economic efficiency of regional therapeutic and prophylactic institutions is to develop in integration with therapeutic and prophylactic institutions of administrative territories of a subject of the federation, which necessitates modifications in the functions and organizational structure of organization and methodology departments of regional, central, and municipal hospitals.

Evaluación del uso hospitalario según el aep (protocolo de evaluación de la adecuación) en un servicio de cirugía general / Evaluation of hospital utilization in a general surgery department according to the AEP (appropriateness evaluation protocol)

Introducción. La evaluación del uso hospitalario ha cobrado gran interés por su posible utilidad a la hora de reducir el gasto sanitario sin disminuir la calidad de la asistencia. Una de las aproximaciones más usadas cuando se revisa el uso hospitalario es el estudio retrospectivo de las historias clínicas con instrumentos objetivos como el protocolo de evaluación de la adecuación (AEP). Este trabajo trata de estudiar mediante dicho método la adecuación de los ingresos y días de estancia de los pacientes ingresados en un servicio de cirugía general durante un mes, así como las principales causas de inadecuación. Pacientes y métodos. Se calcularon dos muestras, una de ingresos y otra de estancias a estudiar, ambas para una precisión del 7 por ciento y un error alfa del 5 por ciento. La muestra de ingresos fue de 66 pacientes y la de estancias de 125. En ambas la selección se llevó a cabo de manera aleatoria. Resultados. Se estudiaron 66 ingresos, 29 programados y 37 urgentes. La adecuación de la admisión en los ingresos programados fue del 72,4 por ciento, mientras que la adecuación en la oportunidad del ingreso fue del 86,2 por ciento. El 97,3 por ciento de los ingresos urgentes fueron adecuados, siendo la principal causa de inadecuación que las pruebas se podrían haber realizado de manera ambulatoria. La estancia media del conjunto de pacientes estudiados fue de 7,9 días (DE = 5,8). El 50 por ciento de los pacientes tuvieron una estancia igual o inferior a 6 días. De las 125 estancias estudiadas, resultaron adecuadas 90 (72 por ciento) e inadecuadas 35 (28 por ciento). La causa más frecuente de inadecuación de la estancia fue que el paciente estuviera pendiente de resultados de pruebas diagnósticas o terapéuticas, seguida de la permanencia hospitalaria del paciente cuando éste ya no recibía o requería los servicios de un centro de agudos y de la inexistencia de un plan de diagnóstico y/o tratamiento. Conclusiones. El AEP (protocolo de la evaluación de la adecuación) es un sistema válido a la hora de valorar el uso hospitalario. De entre los resultados del estudio que hemos realizado destacan la mayor adecuación de ingresos urgentes respecto a los programados y la significación que existió entre la mayor inadecuación en la estancia prequirúrgica respecto a la posquirúrgica (AU)