The role of private medical practitioners and their interactions with public health services in Asian countries.
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This paper aims to review the role of private practitioners and their interactions with public health services in developing countries, focusing largely on the Asian region. Evidence on the distribution of health facilities, manpower, health expenditures and utilization rates shows that private practitioners are significant health care providers in many Asian countries. Limited information has been published on interactions between public and private providers despite their co-existence. Issues related to enforcement of regulations, human resources, patient referrals and disease notifications, are examined. (+info)
The contribution of interagency collaboration to the promotion of young people's sexual health.
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This paper employs a case study approach in order to examine the contribution of interagency working to the delivery of education and services in the difficult field of young people's sexual health. It reports on a collaborative UK initiative involving teachers, community health practitioners, health promotion staff, and youth and community workers. The provision included school-based sex education, drop-in advice and information facilities, 'detached' street work, and a young person's clinic. A qualitative study was completed involving detailed interviews with 25 staff from the different agencies involved. The findings suggest that interagency collaboration can enhance the work of each organization, and can achieve a comprehensive response to young people's sexual health needs by making positive use of the distinctive roles, skills, knowledge and approaches of the different agencies. The potential that such a collaboration will have a significant impact on young people's sexual health is discussed. (+info)
The relationship and tensions between vertical integrated delivery systems and horizontal specialty networks.
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This activity is designated for physicians, medical directors, and healthcare policy makers. GOAL: To clarify the issues involved with the integration of single-specialty networks into vertical integrated healthcare delivery systems. OBJECTIVES: 1. Recognize the advantages that single-specialty networks offer under capitated medical care. 2. Understand the self-interests and tensions involved in integrating these networks into vertical networks of primary care physicians, hospitals, and associated specialists. 3. Understand the rationale of "stacking" horizontal networks within a vertical system. (+info)
The myths of emergency medical care access in the managed care era.
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In this paper, we examine the perception that emergency care is unusually expensive. We discuss the myths that have fueled the ineffective and sometimes deleterious efforts to limit access to emergency care. We demonstrate the reasons why these efforts are seriously flawed and propose alternate strategies that aim to improve outcomes, including cooperative ventures between hospitals and managed care organizations. We challenge managed care organizations and healthcare providers to collaborate and lead the drive to improve the cost and clinical effectiveness of emergency care. (+info)
Improving access to disability benefits among homeless persons with mental illness: an agency-specific approach to services integration.
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OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a joint initiative of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve access to Social Security disability benefits among homeless veterans with mental illness. METHODS: Social Security personnel were colocated with VA clinical staff at 4 of the VA's Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) programs. Intake assessment data were merged with SSA administrative data to determine the proportion of veterans who filed applications and who received disability awards at the 4 SSA-VA Joint Outreach Initiative sites (n = 6709) and at 34 comparison HCHV sites (n = 27 722) during the 2 years before and after implementation of the program. RESULTS: During the 2 years after the initiative began, higher proportions of veterans applied for disability (18.9% vs 11.1%; P < .001) and were awarded benefits (11.4% vs 7.2%, P < .001) at SSA-VA Joint Initiative sites. CONCLUSION: A colocation approach to service system integration can improve access to disability entitlements among homeless persons with mental illness. Almost twice as many veterans were eligible for this entitlement as received it through a standard outreach program. (+info)
HRSA's Models That Work Program: implications for improving access to primary health care.
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The main objective of the Models That Work Campaign (MTW) is improving access to health care for vulnerable and underserved populations. A collaboration between the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and 39 cosponsors--among them national associations, state and federal agencies, community-based organizations, foundations, and businesses--this initiative gives recognition and visibility to innovative and effective service delivery models. Models are selected based on a set of criteria that includes delivery of high quality primary care services, community participation, integration of health and social services, quantifiable outcomes, and replicability. Winners of the competition are showcased nationally and hired to provide training to other communities, to document and publish their strategies, and to provide onsite technical assistance on request. (+info)
Retail trade incentives: how tobacco industry practices compare with those of other industries.
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OBJECTIVES: This study compared the incentive payments for premium shelf space and discounts on volume purchases paid to retailers by 5 types of companies. METHODS: Merchants were interviewed at 108 randomly selected small retail outlets that sell tobacco in Santa Clara County, California. RESULTS: Significantly more retailers reported receiving slotting/display allowances for tobacco (62.4%) than for any other product type. An average store participating in a retailer incentive program received approximately $3157 annually from all sampled product types, of which approximately $2462 (78%) came from tobacco companies. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should assess the impact of tobacco industry incentive programs on the in-store marketing and sales practices of retailers. (+info)
The impact of relational activities on HMO organizational outcomes.
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OBJECTIVE: To report the findings of an empirical study of health maintenance organization (HMO) organizational outcomes and relational activities in HMO-pharmaceutical manufacturer relations. STUDY DESIGN: A mailed survey of a national random sample of 273 HMOs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from 111 HMOs regarding their inter-organizational relations with a pharmaceutical manufacturer. Respondents reported on 3 relational activities (initiating behavior, flexibility, bidirectional communication) and 4 HMO organizational outcomes (long-term orientation, equity in sharing costs and benefits, commitment between partners, financial performance). Also, 3 control variables were assessed: number of enrolled beneficiaries, HMO type, and estimated annual acquisition costs of pharmaceuticals. Four multiple regression analyses were performed, each with one organizational outcome variable as the dependent variable. Measures of relational activities and the control variables were the independent variables in the regressions. RESULTS: The response rate was 40.7%. All 3 relational activities showed significant associations with HMO organizational outcomes. Two relational activities (bidirectional communication, initiating behavior) showed significant and positive associations with a long-term orientation. Independent practice association (IPA)-model HMOs were less likely to report a long-term orientation toward a pharmaceutical manufacturer than other types of HMOs (adjusted R2 = 0.40). Bidirectional communication and flexibility were significantly and positively associated with the equity of costs and benefits (adjusted R2 = 0.29). Commitment had significant positive associations with all 3 relational activities (adjusted R2 = 0.50). All 3 relational activities had significant positive associations with financial performance. HMOs with an annual acquisition cost > $2 million were less likely to report favorable financial performance associated with a pharmaceutical manufacturer than were HMOs with lower costs (adjusted R2 = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Relational activities, such as initiating behavior, flexibility, and bidirectional communication, can facilitate positive outcomes for HMOs. It is important for all parties interested in healthcare to recognize that managing care creates a tension between achieving patient outcomes and organizational outcomes. (+info)