Assessing a national policy on strengthening chronic care in primary care settings of a middle-income country using patients' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: To improve care for patients with chronic diseases, a recent policy initiative in Thailand focused on strengthening primary care based on the concept of Chronic Care Model (CCM). This study aimed to assess the perception of patients about the health care services after the implementation. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 4071 patients with hypertension and/or diabetes registered with 27 primary care units and 11 hospital non-communicable diseases (NCDs) clinics in 11 provinces. The patients were interviewed using a validated questionnaire of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care. Upgraded primary care units (PCUs) were ordinary PCUs with the multi-professional team including a physician. Trained upgraded PCUs were upgraded PCUs with the training input. Structural equation modeling was used to create subscale scores for CCM and 5 A model characteristics. Mixed effect logistic models were employed to examine the association of subscales (high vs low score) of patient perception of the care quality with type of PCUs. RESULTS: Compared to hospital NCD clinics, ordinary PCUs were the best in the odds of receiving high score for every CCM subscale (ORs: 1.46-1.85; p < 0.05), whereas the trained upgraded PCUs were better in terms of follow-up (ORs:1.37; p < 0.05), and the upgraded PCU did not differ in all domains. According to the 5 A model subscales, patient assessment also revealed better performance of ordinary PCUs in all domains compared to hospital NCD clinics whereas upgraded PCUs and trained upgraded PCUs did so in some domains. Seeing the same doctor on repeated visits (ORs: 1.82-2.17; p < 0.05) or having phone contacts with the providers (ORs:1.53-1.99; p < 0.05) were found beneficial using CCM subscales and the 5A model subscales. However, patient assessment by both subscales did not demonstrate a statistically significant association across health insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: The policy implementation might not satisfy the patients' perception on quality of chronic care according to the CCM and the 5A model subscale. However, the arrangement of chronic care with patients seeing the same doctors or patients having telephone contact with healthcare providers may satisfy the patients' perceived needs.

Paradox of sustainability in tobacco control in Thailand: A comprehensive assessment of three-decade experiences.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 3 decades of tobacco control, Thailand has gained international recognition as a middle-income country with sustained achievement of declining smoking prevalence. However, the number of key Framework Convention on Tobacco Control measures implementation is still far away from the highest-level implementation. As a result, we aim to explore explanatory factors for the paradoxical phenomenon of sustainability in tobacco control in Thailand, to understand what the paradox means, why it happens, and how to take further steps in minimizing the paradox. METHODS: We used a mixed-method approach comprising qualitative (review of literature and documents plus Program Sustainability Assessment Tool [PSAT] guided key informant interviews) and semi-quantitative methods (PSAT scoring, Theory of Change [TOC], and causal-loop diagram [CLD]) to synthesize all the findings from the qualitative data. RESULTS: Across all eight domains, sustainability scores at the local level are lower than the national level. The highest total score was in three domains: political support, partnership, and organizational capacity. The lowest total score was for the strategic planning domain. We propose a set of key strategic elements and drivers for future strategic planning. DISCUSSION: Using CLD, we capture a high-level view of tobacco control with dynamic interactions between contexts, mechanisms, interventions, and outcomes. We believe the deep understanding of tobacco control and the proposed strategy to counteract transnational tobacco companies in Thailand will guide future sustainable actions to reduce the prevalence of smoking, especially in the strategic planning domain that has the lowest PSAT score.

Assessing system-based trainings for primary care teams and quality-of-life of patients with multimorbidity in Thailand: patient and provider surveys.

BACKGROUND: Strengthening primary care is considered a global strategy to address non-communicable diseases and their comorbidity. However, empirical evidence of the longer-term benefits of capacity building programmes for primary care teams contextualised for low- and middle-income countries is scanty. In Thailand, a series of system-based capacity building programmes for primary care teams have been implemented for a decade. An analysis of the relationship between these systems-based trainings in diverse settings of primary care and quantified patient outcomes was needed. METHODS: Facility-based and community-based cross-sectional surveys were used to obtain data on exposure of primary care team members to 11 existing training programmes in Thailand, and health profiles and health-related quality of life of their patients measured in EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) scale. Using a multilevel modelling, the associations between primary care provider's training and patient's EQ-5D score were estimated by a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). RESULTS: While exposure to training programmes varied among primary care teams nationwide, District Health Management Learning (DHML) and Contracting Unit of Primary Care (CUP) Leadership Training Programmes, which put more emphasis on bundling of competencies and contextualising of applying such competencies, were positively associated with better health-related quality of life of their multimorbid patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our report provides systematic feedback to a decade-long investment on system-based capacity building for primary care teams in Thailand, and can be considered as new evidence on the value of human resource development in primary care systems in low- and middle-income countries. Building multiple competencies helps members of primary care teams collaboratively manage district health systems and address complex health problems in different local contexts. Coupling contextualised training with ongoing programme implementation could be a key entity to the sustainable development of primary care teams in low and middle income countries which can then be a leverage for improving patients outcomes.

Assessment of nationwide emergency systems in Thailand, a middle-income country setting with UHC.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has been limited regarding broader emergency systems assessment in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of the present study was to provide the empirical evidence of Thai emergency department (ED) workforce vis-à-vis workload on a national scale, the availability of services for selected high-priority health burdens, and the governance obstacles in addressing the workforce management. METHOD: One hundred thirty public Thai EDs that provide 24-hour emergency medical care were identified across Thailand as meeting the inclusion criteria. The mailed questionnaires were administered to collect data related to the objectives of the research study. RESULT: Responses were received from 91 of 130 (70%) hospitals. The median number of patients visiting hospital EDs was 51 221 per year with 32.8% considered nonurgent (ESI levels 4-5). University hospital EDs were staffed with a higher number of ER professionals than EDs of service-based secondary care and tertiary care hospitals under Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). Almost all hospitals expressed concerns about the deficiency of doctors and nurses especially emergency physician (EP) and emergency nurses. The percentage of hospitals reporting the availability of coronary artery catheterization (34%) and thrombolytic infusion for acute thrombotic stroke (24%) was limited. The governance obstacles to manage emergency systems were considered. CONCLUSION: ED staffing seems to positively correlate with workloads except university hospitals, in our study, which may suggest the influence of teaching status on the allocation of the human resource. Among the governance obstacles in ED management, a better response to nonurgent patients requires flexibility for hospitals to set financial disincentives or mobilization and management of human resources.

Copayment and recommended strategies to mitigate its impacts on access to emergency medical services under universal health coverage: a case study from Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Although bodies of evidence on copayment effects on access to care and quality of care in general have not been conclusive, allowing copayment in the case of emergency medical conditions might pose a high risk of delayed treatment leading to avoidable disability or death. METHODS: Using mixed-methods approach to draw evidence from multiple sources (over 40,000 records of administrative dataset of Thai emergency medical services, in-depth interviews, telephone survey of users and documentary review), we are were able to shed light on the existence of copayment and its related factors in the Thai healthcare system despite the presence of universal health coverage since 2001. RESULTS: The copayment poses a barrier of access to emergency care delivered by private hospitals despite the policy proclaiming free access and payment. The copayment differentially affects beneficiaries of the major 3 public-health insurance schemes hence inducing inequity of access. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified 6 drivers of the copayment i.e., 1) perceived under payment, 2) unclear operational definitions of emergency conditions or 3) lack of criteria to justify inter-hospital transfer after the first 72 h of admission, 4) limited understanding by the service users of the policy-directed benefits, 5) weak regulatory mechanism as indicated by lack of information systems to trace private provider's practices, and 6) ineffective arrangements for inter-hospital transfer. With demand-side perspectives, we addressed the reasons for bypassing gatekeepers or assigned local hospitals. These are the perception of inferior quality of care and age-related tendency to use emergency department, which indicate a deficit in the current healthcare systems under universal health coverage. Finally, we have discussed strategies to address these potential drivers of copayment and needs for further studies.

A Participatory Randomized Controlled Trial in Knowledge Translation (KT) to Promote the Adoption of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in An Urban District of Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To examine effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in glycemic control for poor control diabetes patients, and test whether the glycemic outcome for those with the 7-point SMBG was better than those with 5-point SMBG or usual care. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomized-controlled trial (RCT) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 30 years or older HbA1c > 7. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups; 7-point SMBG 5-point SBMG and control group. Differences in HbA1c at 6 months and baseline were compared among groups. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients with poor control of diabetes were included. Compared with baseline, at 6 months, average change in HbAlc among control, 7-point, and 5-point SMBG were -0.38, -0.87, and -0.99 (p = 0.04), respectively. The corresponding percentages of patients with reduced HbA1c were 57.1%, 77.6% and 75.5%, respectively (p = 0.03). Using different cut-off values for HbA1c (< 7 and < 7.5) resulted in different percentage distribution of T2DM patients among the 3 groups, yet the differences were not statistically significant. Reductions in body weight were observed in both SMBG groups but not in the control group. CONCLUSION: Using RCT on participatory basis, SMBG with individual dietary counseling was effective in short term. Further engagement with the provider team, the patients/care takers and the health care financing agency to integrate SMBG in the care protocol for poor control diabetes should be considered.

Risk prediction score for death of traumatised and injured children.

BACKGROUND: Injury prediction scores facilitate the development of clinical management protocols to decrease mortality. However, most of the previously developed scores are limited in scope and are non-specific for use in children. We aimed to develop and validate a risk prediction model of death for injured and Traumatised Thai children. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study included 43,516 injured children from 34 emergency services. A risk prediction model was derived using a logistic regression analysis that included 15 predictors. Model performance was assessed using the concordance statistic (C-statistic) and the observed per expected (O/E) ratio. Internal validation of the model was performed using a 200-repetition bootstrap analysis. RESULTS: Death occurred in 1.7% of the injured children (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.57-1.82). Ten predictors (i.e., age, airway intervention, physical injury mechanism, three injured body regions, the Glasgow Coma Scale, and three vital signs) were significantly associated with death. The C-statistic and the O/E ratio were 0.938 (95% CI: 0.929-0.947) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.70-1.02), respectively. The scoring scheme classified three risk stratifications with respective likelihood ratios of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.25-1.27), 2.45 (95% CI: 2.42-2.52), and 4.72 (95% CI: 4.57-4.88) for low, intermediate, and high risks of death. Internal validation showed good model performance (C-statistic = 0.938, 95% CI: 0.926-0.952) and a small calibration bias of 0.002 (95% CI: 0.0005-0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simplified Thai pediatric injury death prediction score with satisfactory calibrated and discriminative performance in emergency room settings.

An assessment on Thai emergency medical services performance: the patient perspective.

BACKGROUND: Emergency medical services (EMS) have been steadily developed in Thailand. However the patient perspective has not been explicitly considered in performance assessment thus far although it is a key consideration for quality improvement in public organizations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Thai patient experience in EMS and emergency departments (ED) and help Thai leaders guide future improvements. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was a survey of selected ED of 14 public hospitals in four geographical regions. Five hundred fifty patients from each hospital were interviewed between June and July 2009. The data were collected by medical records review and face-to-face interview. RESULTS: Six thousand four hundred forty four patients [average age of 36.01 years (range: 0-98), almost 50% female, 95% local residents] participated in the survey. Ambulances staffed with paramedics or trained volunteers transported 7.28% of the patients. Of those, 80% to 95% were satisfied, rating the service as 'safe'. Volunteer transfers had lower satisfaction scores. Patients spent an average of 63.8 minutes in the ED. Almost all patients were satisfied and would recommend the services to their friends or relatives. The most common factors contributing to dissatisfaction were with waiting time for consultation and pain management. CONCLUSION: There is high patient satisfaction with emergency services in public hospitals. Nonetheless, the lower satisfaction for volunteer ambulance service, the concern about waiting time, and pain management highlights opportunity for improvement. The rapid, low-cost patient surveys combined with paper-based medical record review can yield useful information for quality improvements

Factors Predicting Successful Vaginal Delivery Following Induction of Labor in Term Pregnancy.

PURPOSE: This study was proposed to evaluate factors predicting a successful vaginal delivery following labor induction and develop induction prediction model in term pregnancy among Thai pregnant women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic medical records of 23,833 deliveries from April 2010 to July 2021 at tertiary care university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Univariate regression was performed to identify the association of individual parameters to successful vaginal delivery. Multiple logistic regression analysis of all possible variables from univariate analysis was performed to develop a prediction model with statistically significant of p value <0.05. RESULTS: Of the total 809 labor-induced pregnancies, the vaginal delivery rate was 56.6%. Among predicting variables, history of previous vaginal delivery (aOR 5.75, 95% CI 3.701-8.961), maternal delivery BMI <25 kg/m2 (aOR 2.010, 95% CI 1.303-3.286), estimated fetal weight <3500 g (aOR 2.193, 95% CI 1.246-3.860), and gestational age ≤39 weeks (aOR 1.501, 95% CI 1.038-2.173) significantly increased the probability of a successful vaginal delivery following labor induction. The final prediction model has been internally validated. Model calibration and discrimination were satisfactory with Hosmer-Lemeshow test P = 0.21 and with AUC of 0.756 (95% CI 0.695-0.816). CONCLUSION: This study determined the pragmatic predictors for successful vaginal delivery following labor induction comprised history of previous vaginal delivery, maternal delivery BMI <25 kg/m2, estimated fetal weight <3500 g, and gestational age ≤39 weeks. The final induction prediction model was well-performing internally validated prediction model to estimate individual probability when undergoing induction of labor. Despite restricted population, the predicting factors and model could be useful for further prospective study and clinical practice to improve induction outcomes.

Intervening alcohol marketing to reduce harmful alcohol use and lessons learned from the theory of changes: Case studies in Thailand.

Objectives: Globally, the burden of disease caused by alcohol use has been steadily increasing, including in Thailand. In this study, we aim to test the effectiveness of Anderson et al.'s suggested three approaches to change the collective social norms, which comprise of: (1) providing information and an understanding about alcohol use behaviour, its causes and distribution; (2) focusing strategies on groups rather than individuals; and (3) strengthening supportive laws, regulations and approaches. Study design: We employed a mixed-methods approach. Evidence was gathered from literature review and in-depth interviews with key individuals who are responsible for community-based interventions to alcohol marketing strategies in Thailand. Methods: We chose to focus on two case studies in Nan and Surin provinces, where hospital-based longitudinal data (8 years) were available. Changes in casualties related to the harmful use of alcohol, resulting from interactions between community-based interventions and alcohol marketing during the time of annual festivals were investigated. We employed the theory of change (ToC) defined by Vogel to guide the data collection and analysis. We reviewed literature from online databases and grey literature to generate causal-loop diagrams. Results: We created a causal-loop diagram to describe the complexity of harmful alcohol use, its related factors, context, interventions and outcomes. Over the decade between 2006 and 2015, community-based strategies led to a substantial reduction of casualties (initially a 50% reduction, rising to an 80-90% reduction by the end of the study period) during the time of the festivals. Conclusions: The reduction in injuries and fatalities could be a result of the concerted actions, including legal sanctions of alcohol beverage sales and advertisement, and public education to raise awareness and impart knowledge of the harmful use of alcohol. The actions were organised by a coalition of civil society, health professionals, public authorities and community leaders using hospital-based data on the adverse effects of harmful alcohol use to mobilise political support at the provincial level. The availability of long-term financial support as a catalytic source of funds and the presence of a comprehensive alcohol control act enabled framing and mobilisation of local resources and political support.

Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors in five regions of Thailand: InterASIA data.

BACKGROUND: Age- and sex- standardized mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was high in Bangkok and central Thailand in the year 2000. This may partially be related to differences in risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalence of CVD risk factors among regions in Thailand in the same period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From a survey in 2000 (InterASIA) which involved 5 regions in Thailand, conventional CVD risk factors were compared multivariate-wise among regions and subsequently aligned with CVD deaths obtained within similar regions from the registry. RESULTS: Bangkok and a central province had a higher prevalence of the following: hypertension, elevated body mass index, large waist circumference, elevated lipid associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol and diabetes mellitus. The Northeast had a higher prevalence of smoking, low values of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglyceride. CONCLUSION: Definite regional differences existed of CVD risks and death in Thailand in 2000. Some of the metabolic risk factors may be more important than smoking in the link with CVD death in Thailand

A comparative study of risk factors of femoral neck and intertrochanteric fracture in Thai men.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the risk factors related to hip fracture between intertrochanteric fracture and femoral neck fracture in Thai men. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted in Bangkok and its vicinity from July 1997 to September 1998. The cases were recruited and matched with the controls by age and sex. Multilogit model was performed for finding the significant factors associated to each type of hip fracture. RESULTS: There were 73 femoral neck fractures, 144 intertrochanteric fractures, and 177 controls. It was found that both types of hip fracture were associated with the physical activity and the cerebrovascular accident. However, the Chinese parent race was significantly related to the femoral neck only (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21, 5.54) whereas the walking disability was specifically associated with the intertrochanteric fracture (adjusted OR 3.23, 95% CI: 1.29, 8.08). CONCLUSION: Types of hip fracture should be concerned for strategic prevention in men since they have significant difference of risk factors.

Different risk magnitudes of femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures in Thai women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors associated of femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures in Thai women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A case,control study was conducted in Bangkok and its vicinity between 1997 and 1998 to compare factors related to each type of hip fracture in Thai women. Cases, aged > or =51 years old, were diagnosed as intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture and were matched with controls by age and sex. Multinomial logistic regression was performed for significant associated factors. RESULTS: Recent physical activity and steroid-containing traditional medicine were strongly associated with intertrochanteric fractures (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.17 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.42) and 6.50 (95% CI: 1.93, 21.82), respectively) when compared to femoral neck fractures. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was more related to femoral neck fractures when compared to intertrochanteric fractures (adjusted OR 8.63 (95% CI: 2.28, 32.66), and 4.79 (95% CI: 1.19, 19.29), respectively). CONCLUSION: Intertrochanteric fracture could be minimized more by encouraging physical activities and avoidance of steroid use while the reduction of femoral neck fracture should be achieved more by CVA prevention.

Relevance of using length of stay as a key indicator to monitor emergency department performance: Case study from a rural hospital in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The present study explores factors related to length of stay (LOS) in a rural public hospital in Thailand and assesses the feasibility of using LOS as an ED key performance indicator. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative methods (in-depth interviews, patients' chart review and participatory observations) were used to guide and elaborate findings from quantitative analysis of 555 electronic ED records. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that age, Emergency Severity Index score and number of laboratory tests were significantly associated with LOS. The qualitative approach provided contradicting evidence on the linkage between LOS and patient outcomes. On the one hand, considering the 4 h rule, a child with asthma was referred to a tertiary care hospital because of deterioration after 4 h of ED care. On the other hand, a woman with sepsis was hospitalised with improved condition despite 7 h of ED care. Interviews revealed the waiting time to see doctors was probably the top priority issue for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to LOS in a rural hospital in Thailand are similar and in contrast to those of a previous study in a medical school setting. Reasons for the discrepancy of findings and implications for improving ED services were discussed. Our data support the notion of controversy in using LOS as a key indicator of ED performance in this rural hospital setting. Thus, it is imperative to not rely on any single throughput or process indicators to monitor ED performance, but to take into account a set of indicators including patient outcomes.

Prehospital prediction of severe injury in road traffic injuries: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To develop and validate a risk stratification model of severe injury (SI) and death to identify and prioritize road traffic injury (RTI) patients for transportation to an appropriate trauma center (TC). METHODS: A 2-phase multicenter-cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was collaboratively conducted using 9 dispatch centers (DC) across Thailand. Among the 9 included DC, 7 and 2 DCs were used for development and validation, respectively. RTI patients who were treated and transported to hospitals by advanced life support (ALS) response units were enrolled. Multiple logistic regression was used to derive risk prediction score of death in 48 h and SI (new injury severity score ≥ 16). Calibration/discrimination performances were explored. RESULTS: A total of 5359 and 2097 RTIs were used for development and external validation, respectively. Seven and 9 predictors among demographic data, mechanism of injury, physic data, EMS operation, and prehospital managements were significant predictors of death and SI, respectively. Risk prediction models fitted well with the developed data (O/E ratios of 1.00 (IQR: 0.69, 1.01) and 0.99 (IQR: 0.95, 1.05) for death and SI, respectively); and the C statistics of 0.966 (0.961, 0.972) and 0.913 (0.905, 0.922). The risk scores were further stratified as low, moderate and high risk. The derive models did not fit well with external data but they were improved after recalibrating the intercepts. However, the model was externally good/excellent discriminated with C statistics from 0.896 (0.871, 0.922) to 0.981 (0.971, 0.991). CONCLUSION: Risk prediction models of death and SI were developed with good calibration and excellent discrimination. The model should be useful for ALS response units in proper allocation of patients.

Trend analysis of smoking-attributable hospitalizations in Thailand, 2007-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is a major preventable risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases. Smoking-attributable mortality has been well described. However, the prevalence of smoking-attributable hospitalization (SAH) and associated costs have been less documented, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to estimate the number of hospital admissions and expenditure attributable to tobacco use during 2007-2014 in Thailand. METHODS: Hospitalization data between 2007 and 2014 were used for the analysis. SAHs were derived by applying smoking-attributable fractions, based on Thailand's estimates of smoking prevalence data and relative risks extracted from the published literature, to hospital admissions related to smoking according to the International Classification of Diseases version 10. Age-adjusted SAHs among adults age 35 and older were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to detect changes in trends among genders and geographical areas, based on annual per cent change (APC) and average annual per cent change (AAPC). Costs related to SAHs were also estimated. RESULTS: During 2007-2014, among adults age 35 years and older, smoking accounted for almost 3.6 million hospital admissions, with attributable hospital costs calculated at more than US$572 million annually, which represents 16.8% of the national hospital budget. While the age-adjusted rate of SAHs had been relatively stable (AAPC=1.12), the age-adjusted rate of SAHs due to cancers increased significantly for both sexes (AAPC=2.33). Cardiovascular diseases related to smoking increased significantly among men (AAPC=2.5), whereas, COPD, the most common smoking-related conditions decreased significantly during 2011-2014 (APC= -7.21). Furthermore, more provinces in the northeastern and the southern regions where smoking prevalence was higher than the national average have a significantly higher AAPC of SAH than other parts of the country. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking remains a significant health and economic burden in Thailand. Findings from this study pose compelling evidence for Thailand to advance tobacco control efforts to reduce the financial and social burden of diseases attributable to smoking.

Closing the Equity Gap of Access to Emergency Departments of Private Hospitals in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Previous policy implementation in 2012 to incentivize private hospitals in Thailand, a country with universal health coverage, to provide free-of-charge emergency care using DRG-based payment resulted in an equity gap of access and copayment. To bridge the gap, strategic policies involving financial and legal interventions were implemented in 2017. This study aims to assess whether this new approach would be able to fill the gap. METHODS: We analyzed an administrative dataset of over 20,206 patients visiting private hospital EDs from April 2017 to October 2017 requested for the preauthorization of access to emergency care in the first 72 hours free of charge. The association between types of insurance and the approval status was explored using logistic regression equation adjusting for age, modes of access, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and Glasgow coma scores. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The strategic policies implementation resulted in reversing ED payer mix from the most privileged scheme, having the major share of ED visit, to the least privileged scheme. The data showed an increasing trend of ED visits to private hospitals indicates the acceptance of the financial incentive. Obvious differences in degrees of urgency between authorized and unauthorized patients suggested the role of preauthorization as a barrier to the noncritical patient visiting the ED. Furthermore, our study depicted the gender disparity between authorized and unauthorized patients which might indicate a delay in care seeking among critical female patients. Lessons learned for policymakers in low-and-middle income countries attempting to close the equity gap of access to private hospital EDs are discussed.

Payment Reforms for Prehospital Care Services in a Middle Income Country: Assessing Implementation and Patient Outcomes Using a Mixed-Methods Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Financing health systems constitutes a key element of well-functioning healthcare system. Prior to 2015, two new financial arrangements (direct-pay and E-claim systems) were introduced on a voluntary basis which aimed to pool more financial resources and improve cash flow of prehospital care systems. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the effects of direct-pay system in terms of (a) timeliness of reimbursement to EMS agencies, (b) changes in clinical care processes, and (c) the outcomes of patient care as compared to previous system; (2) identify the reasons for or against EMS agencies to participate in direct-pay system mechanisms; (3) identify the emerging issues with potential to significantly further the advancement of EMS systems. Using a mixed-methods approach, retrospective datasets of 3,769,399 individual records of call responses from 2015 to 2017 were analyzed which compared EMS units with the direct-pay system against those without in terms of time flow of claim data and patient outcomes. For qualitative data, in-depth interviews were conducted. RESULTS: EMS units participating in both systems had the highest percentages of financial claim being made in time as compared to those not participating in any (p=0.012). However, there were not any practically meaningful differences between EMS units participating and not participating in either of the payment systems in terms of patient care such as appropriateness of response time, airway management, and outcome of treatment. Analysis of data from focus-group and individual interviews ended up with a causal loop diagram demonstrating potential explanatory mechanisms for those findings. CONCLUSION: It is evident that progress has been made in terms of mobilising more financial inputs and improving financial information flow. However, there is no evidence of any changes in patient outcomes and quality of care. Furthermore, whether the progress is meaningful in filling the gaps of financial demands of the prehospital care systems is still questionable. Room for future improvement of prehospital care systems was discussed with implications for other countries.

Estimation of non-fatal road traffic injuries in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam using capture-recapture method.

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are increasing in developing countries where accurate routine data are usually not available. Although a capture-recapture technique has increasingly been employed in studies of human populations to provide reliable estimates of the magnitude of problems, it has rarely been used in road traffic injury research. We applied two sample capture-recapture methods using hospital and traffic police records to estimate non-fatal road traffic injuries in Thai Nguyen City during the years 2000-2004. We generated a conservative adjusted estimate of non-fatal RTIs using data from the two sources matched by name, surname, sex of victims and at least one of the other matching variables, of age, address of victim and date of injuries. We then compared the estimated rates with those reported based on police and hospital data. The results show that during years 2000-2004, the police reported 1,373 non-fatal RTIs, while hospital records revealed 6,069 non-fatal RTIs. Most reported victims on both hospital and police reports were males (67.3 % and 74.4%, respectively). More than half the victims on both hospital and police reports were drivers (77.5% and 66.1%, respectively) or pedestrians (10.6% and 7.1%, respectively). Youth and young adults (ages 15-34) constituted the majority of the victims on the hospital and police reports (52.8% and 63.7%, respectively). The capture-recapture analysis estimated that 11,140 (95% CI: 10,626-11,654) subjects were involved in RTIs during the study period. In comparison to the estimated figure, official sources accounted for only 21.9 to 60.1% of total non-fatal RTIs. Estimated rates of non-fatal RTIs were 105.5 injuries/10,000 population per year and 393 injuries/10,000 vehicles. Given the fact that under reporting of RTIs has been a major limitation of routine official data sets in developing countries, we suggested the capture-recapture method be used as a tool to provide affordable and reliable estimates of RTIs in resource-poor countries.

Effectiveness of Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) in a randomized controlled trial with 12 months of follow-up in a community hospital. METHODS: A total of 224 eligible patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to the SMBP (n = 111) and usual care groups (n = 113). Each patient in the SMBP group was provided with a blood pressure (BP) monitor for home BP measurement. Mixed model regression was used to compare changes in BP at months 6 and 12 and compare between groups. RESULTS: At month 12, compared with usual care, the SMBP group had average systolic BP decreased by 2.5 mm Hg. The benefit of the SMBP was found in those aged ≥60 years, which significantly decreased by -8.9 mm Hg (95% CI = -15.1 to -2.7) compared with those in the usual care. For individuals aged 60 years and older in the SMBP group, the proportion of those with uncontrolled BP decreased from 90.9% at baseline to 38.2% at month 12 (P < .05). However, among those aged <60 years, SMBP did not perform better than the usual care group. CONCLUSION: For primary care setting in urban area, the SMBP resulted in lower BP in the older persons with hypertension at 12 months. Further study on effectiveness of SMBP in other settings may be warranted.