The role of local context for managers' strategies when adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic in Norwegian homecare services: a multiple case study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on healthcare systems around the world, and lack of resources, lack of adequate preparedness and infection control equipment have been highlighted as common challenges. Healthcare managers' capacity to adapt to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to ensure safe and high-quality care during a crisis. There is a lack of research on how these adaptations are made at different levels of the homecare services system and how the local context influences the managerial strategies applied in response to a healthcare crisis. This study explores the role of local context for managers' experiences and strategies in homecare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative multiple case study in four municipalities with different geographic locations (centralized and decentralized) across Norway. A review of contingency plans was performed, and 21 managers were interviewed individually during the period March to September 2021. All interviews were conducted digitally using a semi-structured interview guide, and data was subjected to inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed variations in managers' strategies related to the size and geographical location of the homecare services. The opportunities to apply different strategies varied among the municipalities. To ensure adequate staffing, managers collaborated, reorganized, and reallocated resources within their local health system. New guidelines, routines and infection control measures were developed and implemented in the absence of adequate preparedness plans and modified according to the local context. Supportive and present leadership in addition to collaboration and coordination across national, regional, and local levels were highlighted as key factors in all municipalities. CONCLUSION: Managers who designed new and adaptive strategies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic were central in ensuring high-quality Norwegian homecare services. To ensure transferability, national guidelines and measures must be context-dependent or -sensitive and must accommodate flexibility at all levels in a local healthcare service system.

Building health service management workforce capacity in the era of health informatics and digital health - A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Health informatics and digital health, two rapidly growing disciplines, are becoming increasingly important to the sustainability of health service provision, highlighted especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. To maximise the benefits of the adoption and growth of health informatics and digital health, health service managers play a critical role in leading and managing the implementation and transformation of the system, both strategically and operationally, whilst still needing to manage 'business as usual'. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the paper are to present and discuss the findings from a scoping review identifying: 1) competencies required for health service managers leading the implementation and transformation of informatics and digital technology in the health sector; and 2) factors that are critical to building the management workforce capacity in the era of health informatics and digital health. METHODS: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in 2020 focussing on identifying empirical articles published in the English language since the year 2000 using a number of keywords such as 'health informatics', 'digital health', 'electronic health', 'competencies', 'capability', 'proficiency', 'qualification', 'certification', 'health manager', 'health executive' and 'health administrator'. The literature search was guided by a PRISMA approach searching within eight databases: Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations. RESULTS: After duplicates were removed, 941 publications were included for title screening as the result of an initial review. Title screening selected 185 articles to be included for abstract screening by two reviewers confirming 19 papers relevant to the focus of the current paper which were included in data extraction and content analysis. The analysis identified the additional competency of 'information and data management' be included as a core competency for health service managers. The analysis also confirmed additional elements for the following four core management competencies that are important to health service managers working in the digital health context, including: 1) leadership; 2) operational and resource management; 3) personal, interpersonal and professional qualities, and 4) understanding the industry and environment. Factors that are critical to developing the system and organization capacity in the use of health informatics and digital health technology, and leading and managing the adoption in the healthcare organizations were identified in three categories: 1) policy/system; 2) organizational structure and processes; and 3) people factors. CONCLUSIONS: This paper has taken an important step in confirming the competency requirements for health services managers that are relevant to leading and managing in the health informatics and digital health space, consequently indicating the directions for developing a competent workforce in meeting the existing and emerging healthcare delivery challenges, both now and in the future.

Patient public involvement (PPI) in health literacy research: Engagement of adults with literacy needs in the co-creation of a hospital-based health literacy plan.

BACKGROUND: People with literacy needs can experience many challenges in accessing, understanding and using health services and health information. Such challenges can adversely impact patient-provider interactions and ultimately, health outcomes. Healthcare providers need to be aware of health literacy (HL) to address the demands of healthcare systems, improve their interactions with communities and patients and promote patient engagement for improved health outcomes. METHODS: This paper reports on a process of patient and public involvement (PPI) with participants in an adult literacy programme acting as PPI contributors to identify priority areas for a local hospital HL action plan and to develop a protocol for a PPI process with other groups. A qualitative community-based participatory research study design informed by principles of PPI was undertaken, drawing on the tools of participatory and visual methods, open discussion and workshop format to facilitate a process of co-creation. Three workshops with six PPI contributors took place to identify issues to be included in the hospital action plan. PPI contributors identified issues and grouped these into priority areas using discussion and ranking procedures. RESULTS: Key areas prioritised for HL action by the PPI contributors were: verbal communication, emphasising the patient's right to understand, and improved understanding of medication use. These were incorporated into the action plan. The workshop format and process were deemed acceptable to the group and input on improvements will be incorporated into further work in this area. CONCLUSION: PPI acts as a lever in the knowledge translation process. Genuine engagement with service users can meaningfully contribute to relevant and sustainable changes to services as well as foster the empowerment of service users. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Members of the public with literacy needs actively participated in the co-creation of a HL action plan for a local hospital and in the development of a protocol for a patient and public process for HL research.

Illicit Online Pharmacies: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review presents the extent and nature of the body of literature on illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) and identifies research gaps. Using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PsycInfo to retrieve relevant studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The search strategy identified forty-three articles that met the inclusion criteria. Ten themes were identified and categorized into five clusters: patient risk, healthcare providers, marketing and supply chain, public health and society, and policy and regulation. Research into these clusters has evolved over time and has focused increasingly on issues related to specific drugs rather than the overall phenomenon. Data collection has been dominated by convenience sampling, online searches, content analysis and surveys. Data analysis remains primarily descriptive. Gaps within the extant literature suggest an agenda for future research into regulation and enforcement; public health awareness and education; healthcare services; risks to patients and public health; patient-, price- and product-related issues; website design; social media promotion; and supply chains and logistics. We conclude that IOPs are vastly understudied and suggest an urgent need for further empirical and conclusive research.

The Commodification of Health Services: an Alternative for the Marginalized Population of Mexico City.

The Doctor's Office Adjacent to Pharmacies (DAP) model has grown exponentially in Mexico. Its proliferation is due to two factors. The first is the high cost of medical consultations in private hospitals, and the second is that public health services are insufficient. To gauge the importance this model has acquired, it is necessary to analyze the pattern of distribution and operation of this type of doctors' offices and determine whether they are responding to the unmet demand of a population that is socio-territorially marginalized from health infrastructure. A database was created with updated, geo-referenced information on the precise location of DAP throughout Mexico City and its metropolitan area. Information was obtained on the location, condition and type of franchise, and the infrastructure of each establishment. The analysis found that the distribution pattern of DAP satisfies an unmet need in areas with the highest demand for health services. This situation occurs particularly in areas inhabited by the most marginalized population.

[Strategies for health services in women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries of Americas]. / Estrategias de servicios de salud en mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en países de las Américas.

The article analyzes the perceived challenges and strategies implemented in five Latin American and Caribbean countries to ensure continuity of care and access to health services for women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study corresponds to a quick assessment based on semi-structured interviews with key informants in countries selected by convenience: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic. Interviews were conducted with 23 key informants: (a) decision makers at the national and/or subnational level, (b) healthcare professionals, and (c) representatives of civil society organizations; from December 2020 to January 2021. Among the findings, at the beginning of the pandemic, priority was given to the COVID-19 care, with measures to limit the flow of people to health facilities in the countries involved, closing or limiting outpatient visits and restricting care schedule. For women, this affected family planning services and access to contraceptive methods, implying a reduction in prenatal check-ups. As a result of this deinstitutionalization of care, among newborns, a decrease in pediatric check-ups, a decrease in timely immunization and late detection of pathologies or growth problems were reported. Among adolescents, a strong restriction of family planning services, the limitation of other friendly counseling spaces and difficulties in accessing contraceptives were observed.

El artículo analiza los desafíos percibidos y las estrategias implementadas en cinco países de América Latina y el Caribe para garantizar la continuidad de los cuidados y el acceso a servicios de salud de mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia por COVID-19. El estudio corresponde a una evaluación rápida basada en entrevistas semi-estructuradas a informantes clave de países seleccionados por conveniencia: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Granada y República Dominicana. Se realizaron entrevistas con 23 informantes clave: (a) referentes de la toma de decisión a nivel nacional y/o subnacional, (b) referentes de servicios de salud, y (c) representantes de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, durante diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021. Entre los hallazgos, al inicio de la pandemia se priorizó la atención del COVID-19, con medidas para limitar la afluencia de personas a los establecimientos de salud en los países involucrados, procediendo al cierre o limitación de consultas externas y restricción de horarios de atención. Para las mujeres, esto impactó en los servicios de planificación familiar y el acceso a métodos anticonceptivos, e implicó una reducción de los controles prenatales. Por esta desinstitucionalización de la atención, entre recién nacidos/as fue reportada una disminución de los controles pediátricos, una disminución de su vacunación oportuna y una detección tardía de patologías o problemas de crecimiento. Entre adolescentes, se señaló una fuerte restricción de los servicios de planificación familiar, la limitación de otros espacios amigables de consejería y dificultades para acceder a anticonceptivos.

O artigo analisa os desafios observados e as estratégias implementadas em cinco países da América Latina e do Caribe para garantir a continuidade do atendimento e o acesso aos serviços de saúde para mulheres, recém-nascidos/as, crianças e adolescentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O estudo é uma avaliação rápida baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas com informantes-chave em países selecionados por conveniência: Colômbia, Equador, Guatemala, Granada e República Dominicana. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 23 informantes-chave: (a) tomadores de decisão em nível nacional e/ou subnacional, (b) prestadores de serviços de saúde e (c) representantes de organizações da sociedade civil; durante dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. Entre as conclusões encontrou-se que, no início da pandemia, foi dada prioridade à COVID-19, com medidas para limitar o fluxo de pessoas às instalações de saúde nos países envolvidos, fechando ou limitando as consultas ambulatoriais e restringindo o horário de atendimento. Para as mulheres, a medida impactou os serviços de planejamento familiar e o acesso à contracepção, significando uma redução nos check-ups pré-natais. Como resultado desta desinstitucionalização dos cuidados, uma diminuição dos check-ups pediátricos, uma diminuição das vacinações no período correto e uma detecção tardia de patologias ou problemas de crescimento foram relatados entre os/as recém-nascidos/as. Entre os adolescentes, foi observada uma restrição severa dos serviços de planejamento familiar, a limitação de acesso a espaços de aconselhamento amigável e dificuldades de acesso a contraceptivos.

Enacting Mana Maori Motuhake during COVID-19 in Aotearoa (New Zealand): "We Weren't Waiting to Be Told What to Do".

Maori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), were at the centre of their country's internationally praised COVID-19 response. This paper, which presents the results of qualitative research conducted with 27 Maori health leaders exploring issues impacting the effective delivery of primary health care services to Maori, reports this response. Against a backdrop of dominant system services closing their doors or reducing capacity, iwi, hapu and ropu Maori ('tribal' collectives and Maori groups) immediately collectivised, to deliver culturally embedded, comprehensive COVID-19 responses that served the entire community. The results show how the exceptional and unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19 provided a unique opportunity for iwi, hapu and ropu Maori to authentically activate mana motuhake; self-determination and control over one's destiny. Underpinned by foundational principles of transformative Kaupapa Maori theory, Maori-led COVID-19 responses tangibly demonstrated the outcomes able to be achieved for everyone in Aotearoa when the wider, dominant system was forced to step aside, to be replaced instead with self-determining, collective, Indigenous leadership.

Associations between the stringency of COVID-19 containment policies and health service disruptions in 10 countries.

BACKGROUND: Disruptions in essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported in several countries. Yet, patterns in health service disruption according to country responses remain unclear. In this paper, we investigate associations between the stringency of COVID-19 containment policies and disruptions in 31 health services in 10 low- middle- and high-income countries in 2020. METHODS: Using routine health information systems and administrative data from 10 countries (Chile, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand) we estimated health service disruptions for the period of April to December 2020 by dividing monthly service provision at national levels by the average service provision in the 15 months pre-COVID (January 2019-March 2020). We used the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) index and multi-level linear regression analyses to assess associations between the stringency of restrictions and health service disruptions over nine months. We extended the analysis by examining associations between 11 individual containment or closure policies and health service disruptions. Models were adjusted for COVID caseload, health service category and country GDP and included robust standard errors. FINDINGS: Chronic disease care was among the most affected services. Regression analyses revealed that a 10% increase in the mean stringency index was associated with a 3.3 percentage-point (95% CI -3.9, -2.7) reduction in relative service volumes. Among individual policies, curfews, and the presence of a state of emergency, had the largest coefficients and were associated with 14.1 (95% CI -19.6, 8.7) and 10.7 (95% CI -12.7, -8.7) percentage-point lower relative service volumes, respectively. In contrast, number of COVID-19 cases in 2020 was not associated with health service disruptions in any model. CONCLUSIONS: Although containment policies were crucial in reducing COVID-19 mortality in many contexts, it is important to consider the indirect effects of these restrictions. Strategies to improve the resilience of health systems should be designed to ensure that populations can continue accessing essential health care despite the presence of containment policies during future infectious disease outbreaks.

Country learning on maintaining quality essential health services during COVID-19 in Timor-Leste: a qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This case study examines the enabling factors, strengths, challenges and lessons learnt from Timor-Leste (TLS) as it sought to maintain quality essential health services (EHS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A qualitative case study triangulated information from 22 documents, 44 key informant interviews and 6 focus group discussions. The framework method was used to thematically examine the factors impacting quality EHS in TLS. SETTING: National, municipal, facility levels in Baucau, Dili and Ermera municipalities in TLS. RESULTS: Based on the TLS National Health Statistics Reports, a reduction in outpatient, emergency department and primary care service delivery visits was observed in 2020 when compared with 2019. However, in contrast, maternal child health services simultaneously improved in the areas of skilled birth attendants, prenatal coverage and vitamin A distribution, for example. From the thematic analysis, five themes emerged as contributing to or impeding the maintenance of quality EHS including (1) high-level strategy for maintaining quality EHS, (2) measurement for quality and factors affecting service utilisation, (3) challenges in implementation of quality activities across the three levels of the health system, (4) the impact of quality improvement leadership in health facilities during COVID-19 and (5) learning systems for maintaining quality EHS now and for the future. CONCLUSION: The maintenance of quality EHS is critical to mitigate adverse health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. When quality health services are delivered prior to and maintained during public health emergencies, they build trust within the health system and promote healthcare-seeking behaviour. Planning for quality as part of emergency preparedness can facilitate a high standard of care by ensuring health services continue to provide a safe environment, reduce harm, improve clinical care and engage patients, facilities and communities.

Financing of health services for undocumented immigrants in Iran: common challenges and potential solutions.

INTRODUCTION: Iran is host to one of the largest urban refugee populations worldwide, about two million of whom are undocumented immigrants (UIs). UIs are not eligible to enroll in the Iranian health insurance scheme and have to pay out-of-pocket to access most health services. This increases the likelihood that they will delay or defer seeking care, or incur substantial costs if they do seek care, resulting in worse health outcomes. This study aims to improve understanding of the financial barriers that UIs face in utilizing health services and provide policy options to ensure financial protection to enhance progress towards UHC in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in 2022. A triangulation approach, including interviews with key informants and comparing them with other informative sources to find out the complementary findings, was applied to increase data confirmability. Both purposive and snowball sampling approaches were used to select seventeen participants. The data analysis process was done based on the thematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: The findings were explained under two main themes: the financial challenges in accessing health services and the policy solutions to remove these financial barriers, with 12 subthemes. High out-of-pocket payments, high service prices for UIs, fragmented financial support, limited funding capacity, not freeing all PHC services, fear of deportation, and delayed referral are some of the barriers that UIs face in accessing health care. UIs can get insurance coverage by using innovative ways to get money, like peer financing and regional health insurance, and by using tools that make it easier, like monthly premiums without policies that cover the whole family. CONCLUSION: The formation of a health insurance program for UIs in the current Iranian health insurance mechanism can significantly reduce management costs and, at the same time, facilitate risk pooling. Strengthening the governance of health care financing for UIs in the form of network governance may accelerate the inclusion of UIs in the UHC agenda in Iran. Specifically, it is necessary to enhance the role of developed and rich regional and international countries in financing health services for UIs.

The Use of Digital Health Services Among Patients and Citizens Living at Home: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The development of digital health services reflects not only the technical development of services but also a change in attitude and the way of thinking. It has become a cornerstone for engaging and activating patients and citizens in health management while living at home. Digital health services are also aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of services, while simultaneously providing services more cost-effectively. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated worldwide the development and use of digital services in response to requirements for social distancing and other regulations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to identify and summarize how digital health services are being used among patients and citizens while living at home. METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews was used as guidance. A search conducted in 3 databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus) resulted in 419 papers. The reporting was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping review (PRISMA-ScR), and the analysis of the included papers was performed using a framework consisting of 5 clusters describing the use of digital health services. After screening and excluding papers that did not match the inclusion criteria, 88 (21%) papers from 2010 to 2022 were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that digital health services are used in different situations and among different kinds of populations. In most studies, digital health services were used in the form of video visits or consultations. The telephone was also used regularly for consultations. Other services, such as remote monitoring and transmitting of recorded information and the use the of internet or portals for searching information, were observed as well. Alerts, emergency systems, and reminders were observed to offer possibilities of use, for example, among older people. The digital health services also showed to have potential for use in patient education. CONCLUSIONS: The development of digital services reflects a shift toward the provision of care regardless of time and place. It also reflects a shift toward emphasis on patient-centered care, meaning activating and engaging patients in their own care as they use digital services for various health-related purposes. Despite the development of digital services, many challenges (eg, adequate infrastructure) still prevail worldwide.

A characterization of cross-border use of health services in a transborder population at the Mexico-Guatemala border, September-November 2021.

BACKGROUND: Cross-border use of health services is an important aspect of life in border regions. Little is known about the cross-border use of health services in neighboring low- and middle-income countries. Understanding use of health services in contexts of high cross-border mobility, such as at the Mexico-Guatemala border, is crucial for national health systems planning. This article aims to describe the characteristics of the cross-border use of health care services by transborder populations at the Mexico-Guatemala border, as well as the sociodemographic and health-related variables associated with use. METHODS: Between September-November 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using a probability (time-venue) sampling design at the Mexico-Guatemala border. We conducted a descriptive analysis of cross-border use of health services and assessed the association of use with sociodemographic and mobility characteristics by means of logistic regressions. RESULTS: A total of 6,991 participants were included in this analysis; 82.9% were Guatemalans living in Guatemala, 9.2% were Guatemalans living in Mexico, 7.8% were Mexicans living in Mexico, and 0.16% were Mexicans living in Guatemala. 2.6% of all participants reported having a health problem in the past two weeks, of whom 58.1% received care. Guatemalans living in Guatemala were the only group reporting cross-border use of health services. In multivariate analyses, Guatemalans living in Guatemala working in Mexico (compared to not working in Mexico) (OR 3.45; 95% CI 1.02,11.65), and working in agriculture/cattle, industry, or construction while in Mexico (compared to working in other sectors) (OR 26.67; 95% CI 1.97,360.85), were associated with cross-border use. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-border use of health services in this region is related to transborder work (i.e., circumstantial use of cross-border health services). This points to the importance of considering the health needs of migrant workers in Mexican health policies and developing strategies to facilitate and increase their access to health services.

Assessing capacities and resilience of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from use of rapid key informant surveys.

This article is part of the Research Topic: 'Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict.' Problem: Many countries lacked rapid and nimble data systems to track health service capacities to respond to COVID-19. They struggled to assess and monitor rapidly evolving service disruptions, health workforce capacities, health products availability, community needs and perspectives, and mitigation responses to maintain essential health services. Method: Building on established methodologies, the World Health Organization developed a suite of methods and tools to support countries to rapidly fill data gaps and guide decision-making during COVID-19. The tools included: (1) a national "pulse" survey on service disruptions and bottlenecks; (2) a phone-based facility survey on frontline service capacities; and (3) a phone-based community survey on demand-side challenges and health needs. Use: Three national pulse surveys revealed persisting service disruptions throughout 2020-2021 (97 countries responded to all three rounds). Results guided mitigation strategies and operational plans at country level, and informed investments and delivery of essential supplies at global level. Facility and community surveys in 22 countries found similar disruptions and limited frontline service capacities at a more granular level. Findings informed key actions to improve service delivery and responsiveness from local to national levels. Lessons learned: The rapid key informant surveys provided a low-resource way to collect action-oriented health services data to inform response and recovery from local to global levels. The approach fostered country ownership, stronger data capacities, and integration into operational planning. The surveys are being evaluated to inform integration into country data systems to bolster routine health services monitoring and serve as health services alert functions for the future.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and neonatal health services in three referral hospitals in Guinea: an interrupted time-series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited evidence on the COVID-19 health-related effect from front-line health provision settings. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine maternal and neonatal health services in three referral hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational study using aggregate monthly maternal and neonatal health services routine data for two years (March 2019-February 2021) in three referral hospitals including two maternities: Hôpital National Ignace Deen (HNID) in Conakry and Hôpital Regional de Mamou (HRM) in Mamou and one neonatology ward: Institut de Nutrition et de Santé de l'Enfant (INSE) in Conakry. We compared indicators of health service utilisation, provision and health outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods. An interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) was performed to assess the relationship between changes in maternal and neonatal health indicators and COVID-19 through cross-correlation. RESULTS: During COVID-19, the mean monthly number (MMN) of deliveries decreased significantly in HNID (p = 0.039) and slightly increased in HRM. In the two maternities, the change in the MMN of deliveries were significantly associated with COVID-19. The ITSA confirmed the association between the increase in the MMN of deliveries and COVID-19 in HRM (bootstrapped F-value = 1.46, 95%CI [0.036-8.047], p < 0.01). We observed an increasing trend in obstetric complications in HNID, while the trend declined in HRM. The MMN of maternal deaths increased significantly (p = 0.011) in HNID, while it slightly increased in HRM. In INSE, the MMN of neonatal admissions significantly declined (p < 0.001) and this decline was associated with COVID-19. The MMN of neonatal deaths significantly decreased (p = 0.009) in INSE and this decrease was related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The pandemic negatively affected the maternal and neonatal care provision, health service utilisation and health outcomes in two referral hospitals located in Conakry, the COVID-19 most-affected region.

Disabled people's experiences accessing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Disruptions to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic are well-recognised problems. However, a dearth of research exists on disabled people's experiences with accessing these services. A scoping review was undertaken to identify and explore research on the experience of disabled people in accessing healthcare services between 2020 and 6 February 2023. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and OVID were employed to search for research that included the voice of disabled people, or their parents or caregivers. Over two distinct phases, a total of 2,201 articles were reviewed according to article titles, keywords, and abstracts. Eighty-one studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria; these were reviewed in full. RESULTS: Eighteen studies specifically described the experiences of accessing healthcare or disability services, and sixty-three raised healthcare challenges as a secondary consideration. Many disabled people struggled to access healthcare services and felt they were invisible; as a result, individuals' mental health was negatively affected. Disabled people with compounding vulnerabilities were at the most risk of experiencing a lack of healthcare access. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for research and policy that is responsive to disabled people's access to healthcare during the pandemic; currently many health policies are 'disability-blind' and exclude these members of the global community. Furthermore, to assist in creating disability-responsive research, funding needs to prioritise researchers within the disabled community.