Segmentation and fragmentation of health systems and the quest for universal health coverage: conceptual clarifications from the Mexican case.

Health systems are complex entities. The Mexican health system includes the private and public sectors, and subsystems that target different populations based on corporatist criteria. Lack of unity and its consequences can be better understood using two concepts, segmentation and fragmentation. These reveal mechanisms and strategies that impede progress toward universality and equity in Mexico and other low- and middle-income countries. Segmentation refers to separation of the population by position in the labour market. Fragmentation refers to institutions, and to financial aspects, health care levels, states' systems of care, and organizational models. These elements explain inequitable allocation of resources and packages of health services offered by each institution to its population. Overcoming segmentation will require a shift from employment to citizenship as the basis for eligibility for public health care. Shortcomings of fragmentation can be avoided by establishing a common package of guaranteed benefits. Mexico illustrates how these two concepts characterize a common reality in low- and middle-income countries.

The Roles of the Nurses in Family Physician Team: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Background: There are various approaches in primary health care regarding the key role of nurses. This systematic review investigates the roles of nurses, as part of the family medicine team. Materials and Methods: All published articles related to the role of nurses in the family medicine team from January 2000 to March 2022 were the subjects of this study. The eligibility criteria included original articles published in English or Persian in the last two decades. International credible scholarly databases (PubMed, Scopus, Magiran, IranMedex, and SID) were searched using keywords and syntax. Some of the keywords included "Family Health Nurse," "Nurses in Primary Care," "Family Medicine," "Family Physician Care Program," "General Physician Program," "Role," and "Nurse." Data were extracted based on Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type (SPIDER) technique and reported based on the structure of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Of 147 identified publications by the search strategy, eight eligible empirical studies were included. The results showed that besides providing nursing care, nurses play vital roles in communication and teamwork, assessment, securing health services relevant to communities' needs, education, empowerment, clinical practice, health promotion, prevention, reflective research practice, and counseling. Conclusions: This study identified different roles nurses could play in providing primary health care. These findings are helpful for the replanning or reform of primary health care in countries, which aimed to expand the Family Physician Program (FPP) in their countries, including Iran.

[Gender perspectives in mental health plans in Spain: a pending task?] / Perspectiva de género en los planes de salud mental en España: ¿una asignatura pendiente?

OBJECTIVE: To develop a gender sensitivity index and analyse the regional mental health plans in force in 2021 in terms of their gender sensitivity. METHOD: We reviewed the regional mental health plans in force in 2021 using an ad hoc questionnaire design based on a review of documents and reports on gender sensitivity in health policies. We construct an index based on both the symbolic and operative sensibility of plans. RESULTS: Of the seven plans reviewed, four scored less than 13 out of 26. The maximum score was 18 and the minimum 2. Symbolic gender sensitivity was higher than operational sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health plans have a low or very low degree of gender sensitivity. Not considering gender as a determinant of mental health in the formulation of specific health plans may reduce the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing gender inequalities in mental health.

Perspectiva de género en los planes de salud mental en España: ¿una asignatura pendiente? / Gender perspectives in mental health plans in Spain: a pending task?

Objetivo: Elaborar un índice de sensibilidad de género y determinar el grado de sensibilidad de género de los planes de salud mental autonómicos vigentes en 2021. Método: Se revisaron los planes de salud mental autonómicos vigentes en 2021 utilizando un cuestionario ad hoc diseñado a partir de una revisión de documentos e informes sobre la sensibilidad de género en políticas de salud. Se construyó un índice basado en la sensibilidad simbólica y operativa de los planes. Resultados: Se revisaron siete planes y la mayoría obtuvieron una puntuación menor de 13 sobre 26. La puntuación máxima fue 18 y la mínima 2. La sensibilidad de género simbólica fue mayor que la operativa. Conclusiones: Los planes de salud mental tienen un grado bajo o muy bajo de sensibilidad de género. No tener en cuenta el género como determinante de la salud mental en la formulación de los planes de salud específicos impedirá la puesta en marcha de intervenciones enfocadas a reducir las desigualdades de género en salud mental.(AU)

Objective: To develop a gender sensitivity index and analyse the regional mental health plans in force in 2021 in terms of their gender sensitivity. Method: We reviewed the regional mental health plans in force in 2021 using an ad hoc questionnaire design based on a review of documents and reports on gender sensitivity in health policies. We construct an index based on both the symbolic and operative sensibility of plans. Results: Of the seven plans reviewed, four scored less than 13 out of 26. The maximum score was 18 and the minimum 2. Symbolic gender sensitivity was higher than operational sensitivity. Conclusions: Mental health plans have a low or very low degree of gender sensitivity. Not considering gender as a determinant of mental health in the formulation of specific health plans may reduce the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing gender inequalities in mental health.(AU)

Asynchronous Remote Communication as a Tool for Care Management in Primary Care: A Rapid Review of the Literature.

Aim: To review the available evidence on asynchronous communication models between primary care professionals and patients in different countries around the world in order to analyse the added value that this model brings to patients and professionals. Design: A rapid literature review was conducted using the World Health Organisation guidance to include a variety of studies on the concept of asynchronous communications between primary care and patients in different countries. Data sources: The search for articles was carried out in PubMed and Google Academics and with the contribution of telemedicine experts from the Catalan Institute of Health. Selection of studies: The review included 271 articles. The inclusion criteria were: publications from 2010 onwards, in English, Spanish or Catalan, focused on asynchronous communications between primary care professionals and patients to improve patient management. After discarding duplicates and applying the exclusion criteria (255 articles), 16 were included for further review. Data extraction: The rapid literature review was conducted by an evaluator; detecting 5 main general themes: reduction of face-to-face visits, available services and most frequent uses, characteristics and perceptions of primary care professionals, characteristics and perceptions of users, and barriers and facilitators for the implementation of asynchronous teleconsultation. Results: A total of sixteen studies were included, including seven quantitative studies, seven qualitative studies and two mixed studies. Conclusions: The high degree of satisfaction of both users and professionals, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the effectiveness and efficiency of asynchronous remote communications are key factors for the implementation and improvement in the management of the different healthcare systems across the world.

Delineating natural catchment health districts with routinely collected health data from women's travel to give birth in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Health service areas are essential for planning, policy and managing public health interventions. In this study, we delineate health service areas from routinely collected health data as a robust geographic basis for presenting access to maternal care indicators. METHODS: A zone design algorithm was adapted to delineate health service areas through a cross-sectional, ecological study design. Health sub-districts were merged into health service areas such that patient flows across boundaries were minimised. Delineated zones and existing administrative boundaries were used to provide estimates of access to maternal health services. We analysed secondary data comprising routinely collected health records from 32,921 women attending 27 hospitals to give birth, spatial demographic data, a service provision assessment on the quality of maternal healthcare and health sub-district boundaries from Eastern Region, Ghana. RESULTS: Clear patterns of cross border movement to give birth emerged from the analysis, but more women originated closer to the hospitals. After merging the 250 sub-districts in 33 districts, 11 health service areas were created. The minimum percent of internal flows of women giving birth within any health service area was 97.4%. Because the newly delineated boundaries are more "natural" and sensitive to observed flow patterns, when we calculated areal indicator estimates, they showed a marked improvement over the existing administrative boundaries, with the inclusion of a hospital in every health service area. CONCLUSION: Health planning can be improved by using routine health data to delineate natural catchment health districts. In addition, data-driven geographic boundaries derived from public health events will improve areal health indicator estimates, planning and interventions.

Comparison of professional pharmacy degrees and health systems in United States, Canada, Spain and Mexico / Comparación del grado profesional de farmacia y los sistemas de salud en Estados Unidos, Canadá, España y México

Introduction: It is known that in countries like United States, Canada or Spain, pharmacists are well recognized as important members of the healthcare team, in both community and hospital settings, due to their vital role in caring for patients’ medication safety. In Mexico, just a short time ago, pharmacists were recognized in this manner. The objective to this study is to compare professional pharmacy training programs and healthcare systems in the United States, Canada, Spain and Mexico.Methods: A convenience sample of four universities were selected due to the authors’ extensive knowledge of the content and development of the profession.Results: Pharmacy curricula in the United States and Canada are very similar. They have many clinical pharmacy subjects, such as pharmacotherapy, therapeutics, pharmaceutical care, drug calculations and skills-based lab courses. In Spain and Mexico, however, while some of the coursework is similar, Spain has an experiential rotation program and Mexico does not. Mexican universities allow students practice in workshops to simulate pharmacy practice.Conclusion: It will be important to develop pharmacist training programs in Mexico (químico, farmacéutico biólogo), with more clinical pharmacy subjects as well as patient-centered communication skills to strengthen the profession and be able to contribute within the health team and provide better patient care. (AU)

Introducción: Es sabido que en países como Estados Unidos, Canadá o España, el farmacéutico es reconocido como un elemento importante en el equipo de salud, ya sea en la farmacia comunitaria u hospitalaria, teniendo un papel importante en la seguridad de la medicación del paciente. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los planes de estudio de farmacia y los sistemas de salud de Estados Unidos, Canadá, España y México.Métodos: Se tomó una muestra a conveniencia de cuatro universidades, las cuales fueron seleccionadas por el amplio conocimiento de los autores del contenido de los programas y el desarrollo de la profesión.Resultados: La currícula de farmacia de Estados Unidos y Canadá son muy similares, sus programas contienen gran cantidad de materias relacionadas a farmacia clínica como farmacoterapia, terapéutica, cuidado farmacéutico, cálculos de medicamentos y habilidades con el paciente. España y México, varias de sus materias son similares, con la diferencia de que en España, como en los otros dos países ellos tienen programas de rotaciones en farmacias comunitarias u hospitalarias. En México, la mayoría de las universidades aborda por talleres en estos temas.Conclusión: Sería importante enriquecer los programas de químico, farmacéutico biólogo en México con un mayor número de materias en el área de farmacia clínica, así como habilidades de comunicación con el paciente para fortalecer la profesión y tener la capacidad de participar dentro del equipo de salud, así como informar de una mejor manera al paciente sobre su medicación. (AU)

[Planning for health equity in the Americas: an analysis of national health plansPlanejamento para equidade em saúde nas Américas: uma análise dos planos nacionais de saúde]. / Planificación para la equidad en la salud en la Región de las Américas: análisis de los planes nacionales de salud.

There is growing recognition that health and well-being improvements have not been shared across populations in the Americas. This article analyzes 32 national health sector policies, strategies, and plans across 10 different areas of health equity to understand, from one perspective, how equity is being addressed in the region. It finds significant variation in the substance and structure of how the health plans handle the issue. Nearly all countries explicitly include health equity as a clear goal, and most address the social determinants of health. Participatory processes documented in the development of these plans range from none to extensive and robust. Substantive equity-focused policies, such as those to improve physical accessibility of health care and increase affordable access to medicines, are included in many plans, though no country includes all aspects examined. Countries identify marginalized populations in their plans, though only a quarter specifically identify Afro-descendants and more than half do not address Indigenous people, including countries with large Indigenous populations. Four include attention to migrants. Despite health equity goals and data on baseline inequities, fewer than half of countries include time-bound targets on reducing absolute or relative health inequalities. Clear accountability mechanisms such as education, reporting, or rights-enforcement mechanisms in plans are rare. The nearly unanimous commitment across countries of the Americas to equity in health provides an important opportunity. Learning from the most robust equity-focused plans could provide a road map for efforts to translate broad goals into time-bound targets and eventually to increasing equity.

É cada vez mais aceito que os avanços em saúde e bem-estar não são partilhados por todas as populações nas Américas. Neste artigo são analisadas 32 políticas, estratégias e planos nacionais de saúde em 10 áreas distintas de equidade em saúde com o objetivo de entender, de uma única perspectiva, como a equidade está sendo contemplada na região. Existem diferenças consideráveis na forma e conteúdo do enfoque dado a esta questão nos planos de saúde. Quase todos os países estabelecem explicitamente a equidade em saúde como uma meta clara e a maioria aborda os determinantes sociais da saúde. O processo participativo documentado na elaboração dos planos também é variável, desde inexistente a amplo e decidido. Muitos planos contêm políticas concretas com foco central em equidade, por exemplo, políticas para melhorar a acessibilidade física à assistência de saúde e o acesso a medicamentos a preços razoáveis, mas nenhum país inclui todos os aspectos aqui examinados. Os países identificam as populações marginalizadas nos seus planos, porém, apenas um quarto distingue especificamente os afrodescendentes e mais da metade não contempla os povos indígenas, mesmo onde as populações indígenas são em grande número. Quatro países consideram a atenção aos migrantes. Embora existam metas de equidade em saúde e dados relativos a iniquidades de base, menos da metade dos países incorpora em seus planos metas com prazos definidos para reduzir as desigualdades absolutas ou relativas em saúde. Instrumentos claros de responsabilidade como educação, prestação de contas ou respeito aos direitos são raramente vistos. O compromisso praticamente unânime dos países das Américas com a equidade em saúde oferece uma oportunidade importante. Os planos mais bem fundados com enfoque em equidade poderiam servir de exemplo para guiar os esforços de converter metas gerais em metas com prazos definidos e, em última instância, aumentar a equidade.

Planning for health equity in the Americas: an analysis of national health plans.

There is growing recognition that health and well-being improvements have not been shared across populations in the Americas. This article analyzes 32 national health sector policies, strategies, and plans across 10 different areas of health equity to understand, from one perspective, how equity is being addressed in the region. It finds significant variation in the substance and structure of how the health plans handle the issue. Nearly all countries explicitly include health equity as a clear goal, and most address the social determinants of health. Participatory processes documented in the development of these plans range from none to extensive and robust. Substantive equity-focused policies, such as those to improve physical accessibility of health care and increase affordable access to medicines, are included in many plans, though no country includes all aspects examined. Countries identify marginalized populations in their plans, though only a quarter specifically identify Afro-descendants and more than half do not address Indigenous people, including countries with large Indigenous populations. Four include attention to migrants. Despite health equity goals and data on baseline inequities, fewer than half of countries include time-bound targets on reducing absolute or relative health inequalities. Clear accountability mechanisms such as education, reporting, or rights-enforcement mechanisms in plans are rare. The nearly unanimous commitment across countries of the Americas to equity in health provides an important opportunity. Learning from the most robust equity-focused plans could provide a road map for efforts to translate broad goals into time-bound targets and eventually to increasing equity.

Cada vez es mayor el reconocimiento de que las mejoras en cuanto a la salud y el bienestar no han llegado por igual a todos los segmentos de la población en la Región de las Américas. En este artículo se analizan 32 políticas, estrategias y planes nacionales del sector de la salud con respecto a diez áreas distintas relativas a la equidad en la salud. El objetivo es comprender, desde una perspectiva, cómo se está abordando la equidad en la Región. Se ha encontrado una variación significativa, tanto en sustancia como en estructura, sobre la manera en que se maneja el tema en los planes de salud. Casi todos los países incluyen explícitamente la equidad en la salud como una meta clara y la mayoría abordan los determinantes sociales de la salud. En la formulación de estos planes se ha documentado desde ningún proceso participativo hasta procesos participativos exhaustivos y sólidos. En muchos planes se han incluido políticas sustantivas centradas en la equidad, como aquellas para mejorar la accesibilidad física a la atención de salud y el acceso a medicamentos asequibles, pero en ningún país se incorporan todos los aspectos analizados. Si bien los países contemplan a los grupos marginados en sus planes, solo una cuarta parte identifica específicamente a las personas afrodescendientes y más de la mitad de los países no considera a las personas indígenas, incluso en el caso de algunos países con una población indígena grande. Cuatro países contemplan la atención médica a los migrantes. A pesar de que existen metas sobre la equidad en la salud y datos de línea de base sobre las inequidades, menos de la mitad de los países incluyen metas con plazos para reducir las inequidades en la salud absolutas o relativas. No son habituales tampoco en los planes los mecanismos de rendición de cuentas claros, como educación, presentación de informes o cumplimiento de los derechos. Los países de la Región de las Américas muestran un compromiso casi unánime con la equidad en la salud, lo cual brinda una oportunidad importante. Aprender de los planes para la equidad más sólidos podría proporcionar una hoja de ruta para las iniciativas que tratan de traducir algunas metas amplias en metas con plazos específicos que puedan eventualmente mejorar la equidad.

É cada vez mais aceito que os avanços em saúde e bem-estar não são partilhados por todas as populações nas Américas. Neste artigo são analisadas 32 políticas, estratégias e planos nacionais de saúde em 10 áreas distintas de equidade em saúde com o objetivo de entender, de uma única perspectiva, como a equidade está sendo contemplada na região. Existem diferenças consideráveis na forma e conteúdo do enfoque dado a esta questão nos planos de saúde. Quase todos os países estabelecem explicitamente a equidade em saúde como uma meta clara e a maioria aborda os determinantes sociais da saúde. O processo participativo documentado na elaboração dos planos também é variável, desde inexistente a amplo e decidido. Muitos planos contêm políticas concretas com foco central em equidade, por exemplo, políticas para melhorar a acessibilidade física à assistência de saúde e o acesso a medicamentos a preços razoáveis, mas nenhum país inclui todos os aspectos aqui examinados. Os países identificam as populações marginalizadas nos seus planos, porém, apenas um quarto distingue especificamente os afrodescendentes e mais da metade não contempla os povos indígenas, mesmo onde as populações indígenas são em grande número. Quatro países consideram a atenção aos migrantes. Embora existam metas de equidade em saúde e dados relativos a iniquidades de base, menos da metade dos países incorpora em seus planos metas com prazos definidos para reduzir as desigualdades absolutas ou relativas em saúde. Instrumentos claros de responsabilidade como educação, prestação de contas ou respeito aos direitos são raramente vistos. O compromisso praticamente unânime dos países das Américas com a equidade em saúde oferece uma oportunidade importante. Os planos mais bem fundados com enfoque em equidade poderiam servir de exemplo para guiar os esforços de converter metas gerais em metas com prazos definidos e, em última instância, aumentar a equidade.

The Role of Health Insurance in Patient Reported Satisfaction with Bladder Management in Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Due to Spinal Cord Injury.

PURPOSE: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is a significant source of morbidity for individuals with spinal cord injury and is managed with a range of treatment options that differ in efficacy, tolerability and cost. The effect of insurance coverage on bladder management, symptoms and quality of life is not known. We hypothesized that private insurance is associated with fewer bladder symptoms and better quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 1,226 surveys collected as part of the prospective Neurogenic Bladder Research Group SCI Registry. We included patients with complete insurance information, which was classified as private or public insurance. The relationship between insurance and bladder management, bladder symptoms and quality of life was modeled using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Spinal cord injury quality of life was measured by the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score. RESULTS: We identified 654 privately insured and 572 publicly insured individuals. The demographics of these groups differed by race, education, prevalence of chronic pain and bladder management. Publicly insured patients were more likely to be treated with indwelling catheters or spontaneous voiding and less likely to take bladder medication compared to those with private insurance. On multivariate analysis insurance type was not associated with differences in bladder symptoms (total Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score) or in urinary quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between insurance coverage and the type of bladder management used following spinal cord injury, as publicly insured patients are more likely to be treated with indwelling catheters. However, insurance status, controlling for bladder management, did not impact bladder symptoms or quality of life.

Planning for health equity in the Americas: an analysis of national health plans / La planificación para lograr la equidad en la salud en la Región de las Américas: un análisis de los planes nacionales de salud / Planejamento para equidade em saúde nas Américas: uma análise dos planos nacionais de saúde

ABSTRACT There is growing recognition that health and well-being improvements have not been shared across populations in the Americas. This article analyzes 32 national health sector policies, strategies, and plans across 10 different areas of health equity to understand, from one perspective, how equity is being addressed in the region. It finds significant variation in the substance and structure of how the health plans handle the issue. Nearly all countries explicitly include health equity as a clear goal, and most address the social determinants of health. Participatory processes documented in the development of these plans range from none to extensive and robust. Substantive equity-focused policies, such as those to improve physical accessibility of health care and increase affordable access to medicines, are included in many plans, though no country includes all aspects examined. Countries identify marginalized populations in their plans, though only a quarter specifically identify Afro-descendants and more than half do not address Indigenous people, including countries with large Indigenous populations. Four include attention to migrants. Despite health equity goals and data on baseline inequities, fewer than half of countries include time-bound targets on reducing absolute or relative health inequalities. Clear accountability mechanisms such as education, reporting, or rights-enforcement mechanisms in plans are rare. The nearly unanimous commitment across countries of the Americas to equity in health provides an important opportunity. Learning from the most robust equity-focused plans could provide a road map for efforts to translate broad goals into time-bound targets and eventually to increasing equity.

RESUMEN Cada vez es mayor el reconocimiento de que las mejoras en cuanto a la salud y el bienestar no han llegado por igual a todos los segmentos de la población en la Región de las Américas. En este artículo se analizan 32 políticas, estrategias y planes nacionales del sector de la salud con respecto a diez áreas distintas relativas a la equidad en la salud. El objetivo es comprender, desde una perspectiva, cómo se está abordando la equidad en la Región. Se ha encontrado una variación significativa, tanto en sustancia como en estructura, sobre la manera en que se maneja el tema en los planes de salud. Casi todos los países incluyen explícitamente la equidad en la salud como una meta clara y la mayoría abordan los determinantes sociales de la salud. En la formulación de estos planes se ha documentado desde ningún proceso participativo hasta procesos participativos exhaustivos y sólidos. En muchos planes se han incluido políticas sustantivas centradas en la equidad, como aquellas para mejorar la accesibilidad física a la atención de salud y el acceso a medicamentos asequibles, pero en ningún país se incorporan todos los aspectos analizados. Si bien los países contemplan a los grupos marginados en sus planes, solo una cuarta parte identifica específicamente a las personas afrodescendientes y más de la mitad de los países no considera a las personas indígenas, incluso en el caso de algunos países con una población indígena grande. Cuatro países contemplan la atención médica a los migrantes. A pesar de que existen metas sobre la equidad en la salud y datos de línea de base sobre las inequidades, menos de la mitad de los países incluyen metas con plazos para reducir las inequidades en la salud absolutas o relativas. No son habituales tampoco en los planes los mecanismos de rendición de cuentas claros, como educación, presentación de informes o cumplimiento de los derechos. Los países de la Región de las Américas muestran un compromiso casi unánime con la equidad en la salud, lo cual brinda una oportunidad importante. Aprender de los planes para la equidad más sólidos podría proporcionar una hoja de ruta para las iniciativas que tratan de traducir algunas metas amplias en metas con plazos específicos que puedan eventualmente mejorar la equidad.

RESUMO É cada vez mais aceito que os avanços em saúde e bem-estar não são partilhados por todas as populações nas Américas. Neste artigo são analisadas 32 políticas, estratégias e planos nacionais de saúde em 10 áreas distintas de equidade em saúde com o objetivo de entender, de uma única perspectiva, como a equidade está sendo contemplada na região. Existem diferenças consideráveis na forma e conteúdo do enfoque dado a esta questão nos planos de saúde. Quase todos os países estabelecem explicitamente a equidade em saúde como uma meta clara e a maioria aborda os determinantes sociais da saúde. O processo participativo documentado na elaboração dos planos também é variável, desde inexistente a amplo e decidido. Muitos planos contêm políticas concretas com foco central em equidade, por exemplo, políticas para melhorar a acessibilidade física à assistência de saúde e o acesso a medicamentos a preços razoáveis, mas nenhum país inclui todos os aspectos aqui examinados. Os países identificam as populações marginalizadas nos seus planos, porém, apenas um quarto distingue especificamente os afrodescendentes e mais da metade não contempla os povos indígenas, mesmo onde as populações indígenas são em grande número. Quatro países consideram a atenção aos migrantes. Embora existam metas de equidade em saúde e dados relativos a iniquidades de base, menos da metade dos países incorpora em seus planos metas com prazos definidos para reduzir as desigualdades absolutas ou relativas em saúde. Instrumentos claros de responsabilidade como educação, prestação de contas ou respeito aos direitos são raramente vistos. O compromisso praticamente unânime dos países das Américas com a equidade em saúde oferece uma oportunidade importante. Os planos mais bem fundados com enfoque em equidade poderiam servir de exemplo para guiar os esforços de converter metas gerais em metas com prazos definidos e, em última instância, aumentar a equidade.

Equity policies in health plans: accessibility and something more? / Políticas de equidad en los planes de salud: accesibilidad ¿y algo más?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To examine the approach adopted by the health plans of the autonomous communities of Spain, verifying the weight given to the concept of equity; to detect referenced communities or situations, as well as to distinguish the perspective of approaching it, from access, equity or equalization. METHODS: Qualitative study, of content analysis using Nvivo12, carried out in 2020 on health plans in force since 2019 in the different regions (autonomous communities) of Spain. Sixteen current regional health plans were compiled to establish base categories (equity, accessibility and equality) and determine associated terms using Nvivo12, from which a content analysis was performed. RESULTS: The concept of equity is not emphasized in the regional health plans and its relevance is surpassed by the concepts of accessibility and equality. The use of these three concepts is associated with various categories indicating circumstances, conditions or groups to which the plans give greater attention. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained coincide with previous studies on the contents and orientation of health plans, revealing a discrete presence of the concept of equity in the approaches adopted, although this does not undermine the alignment of health policies with the visions emanating from transnational organizations. It is detected the existence of a group to which special attention is given from the accessibility approach, the population with functional diversity.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO: Examinar el enfoque adoptado por los planes de salud de las comunidades autónomas de España verificando el peso otorgado al concepto de equidad; detectar a qué colectivos o situaciones se hace referencia; así como distinguir la perspectiva de abordaje del mismo, desde el acceso, la igualación o la equiparación. MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo, de análisis de contenido mediante Nvivo12, realizado en 2020 sobre planes de salud en vigencia a fecha de 2019 en las diferentes regiones (comunidades autónomas) de España. Se han recopilado 16 planes de salud regionales vigentes para establecer categorías base (equidad, accesibilidad e igualdad) y determinar términos asociados a través de Nvivo12, a partir de los que se realizó un análisis de contenido. RESULTADOS: El concepto de equidad no resulta destacado por los planes de salud autonómicos y su relevancia es superada por los conceptos de accesibilidad e igualdad. El empleo de estos tres conceptos está asociado a diversas categorías que connotan circunstancias, condiciones o colectivos a los que los planes prestan mayor atención. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados obtenidos coinciden con estudios previos sobre los contenidos y orientación de los planes de salud, revelando una presencia discreta del concepto de equidad en los enfoques adoptados, sin que ello menoscabe el alineamiento de las políticas de salud respecto de las visiones emanadas de organizaciones transnacionales. Se detecta la existencia de un colectivo al que se presta especial atención desde el enfoque de accesibilidad, la población con diversidad funcional.

The universal eye health imperative for Canada: an inescapable reality of unmet need.

Universal eye health is a component of universal health care, which member states of the World Health Organization have supported in principle through their endorsement of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment (2014-2019). While much of the world's attention has been on addressing the needs of developing countries which suffer significant shortcomings in terms of effective and accessible eye care services, similar access inequities exist in developed nations such as Canada. The Canadian health system is based on the principle of universal health coverage; yet, for the majority of the population, access to primary eye care services such as an eye examination and spectacles is an out-of-pocket expense. Therefore, despite the global call for universal eye health, Canada has still not made relevant policy shifts in terms of addressing the structural barriers to all its citizens accessing primary eye care services within its health system, despite active advocacy efforts of key stakeholder groups in eye health. There is, therefore, an inescapable reality of unmet eye care needs, which Canada must address if it is to meet the World Health Organization's goals of universal eye health.

Maternal and child health care: adequacy index in public health services / Asistencia a la salud materno-infantil: índice de adecuación en servicios públicos de salud / Assistência à saúde materno-infantil: índice de adequação em serviços públicos de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the adequacy of maternal and child-care in prenatal care, childbirth and the puerperal period, in the public health service. Methods: longitudinal study carried out in a city in Paraná with 357 puerperal women in a public maternity ward, outpatient clinic for immediate puerperal return and home visit 42 days postpartum. Four care domains were grouped (1 - Prenatal, 2 - Maternity, 3 - Immediate puerperal return, 4 - Late puerperal return). Mean, median, standard deviation and coefficient of variance were calculated considering adequate assistance when ≥ 70%; and inadequate, inferior. Results: lowest suitability average in Domain 3 (39.37%) and highest for Domain 4 (74.82%); median of 50.00% at 3 and 76.90% at 4. The largest standard deviation, in Domain 3 (25.18%); and high coefficient of variance for 1 and 3. Conclusions: in maternal and child follow-up, rates close to adequate in maternity care and higher in late puerperal return, meanwhile prenatal and immediate puerperal return were below the recommended in the health care network.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la adecuación de la asistencia materno-infantil en el prenatal, parto y período puerperal, en el servicio público de salud. Métodos: estudio longitudinal realizado en ciudad de Paraná con 357 puérperas en maternidad pública, ambulatorio de retorno puerperal inmediato y visita domiciliar 42 días postparto. Se ha agrupado cuatro dominios de asistencia (1 - Prenatal, 2 - Maternidad, 3 - Retorno puerperal inmediato, 4 - Retorno puerperal tardío). Se ha calculado media, mediana, desvío estándar y coeficiente de desviación considerando asistencia adecuada cuando ≥ 70%; y inadecuada, inferior. Resultados: menor media de adecuación en el Dominio 3 (39,37%) y mayor para 4 (74,82%); mediana de 50,00% en 3 y 76,90% en 4. El desvío estándar mayor, en el Dominio 3 (25,18%); y coeficiente de desviación alta para 1 y 3. Conclusiones: en el seguimiento materno infantil, índices próximos al adecuado en la atención en la maternidad y superior en el retorno puerperal tardío, entretanto prenatal y retorno puerperal inmediato se presentaron lejos del preconizado en la red de atención a la salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a adequação da assistência materno-infantil no pré-natal, parto e período puerperal, no serviço público de saúde. Métodos: estudo longitudinal realizado em cidade do Paraná com 357 puérperas em maternidade pública, ambulatório de retorno puerperal imediato e visita domiciliar 42 dias pós-parto. Agruparam-se quatro domínios de assistência (1 - Pré-natal, 2 - Maternidade, 3 - Retorno puerperal imediato, 4 - Retorno puerperal tardio). Calculou-se média, mediana, desvio-padrão e coeficiente de variância considerando assistência adequada quando ≥ 70%; e inadequada, inferior. Resultados: menor média de adequação no Domínio 3 (39,37%) e maior para o 4 (74,82%); mediana de 50,00% no 3 e 76,90% no 4. O desvio-padrão maior, no Domínio 3 (25,18%); e coeficiente de variância alta para 1 e 3. Conclusões: no seguimento materno-infantil, índices próximos ao adequado no atendimento na maternidade e superior no retorno puerperal tardio, entretanto pré-natal e retorno puerperal imediato se apresentaram aquém do preconizado na rede de atenção à saúde.

Maternal and child health care: adequacy index in public health services / Asistencia a la salud materno-infantil: índice de adecuación en servicios públicos de salud / Assistência à saúde materno-infantil: índice de adequação em serviços públicos de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the adequacy of maternal and child-care in prenatal care, childbirth and the puerperal period, in the public health service. Methods: longitudinal study carried out in a city in Paraná with 357 puerperal women in a public maternity ward, outpatient clinic for immediate puerperal return and home visit 42 days postpartum. Four care domains were grouped (1 - Prenatal, 2 - Maternity, 3 - Immediate puerperal return, 4 - Late puerperal return). Mean, median, standard deviation and coefficient of variance were calculated considering adequate assistance when ≥ 70%; and inadequate, inferior. Results: lowest suitability average in Domain 3 (39.37%) and highest for Domain 4 (74.82%); median of 50.00% at 3 and 76.90% at 4. The largest standard deviation, in Domain 3 (25.18%); and high coefficient of variance for 1 and 3. Conclusions: in maternal and child follow-up, rates close to adequate in maternity care and higher in late puerperal return, meanwhile prenatal and immediate puerperal return were below the recommended in the health care network.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la adecuación de la asistencia materno-infantil en el prenatal, parto y período puerperal, en el servicio público de salud. Métodos: estudio longitudinal realizado en ciudad de Paraná con 357 puérperas en maternidad pública, ambulatorio de retorno puerperal inmediato y visita domiciliar 42 días postparto. Se ha agrupado cuatro dominios de asistencia (1 - Prenatal, 2 - Maternidad, 3 - Retorno puerperal inmediato, 4 - Retorno puerperal tardío). Se ha calculado media, mediana, desvío estándar y coeficiente de desviación considerando asistencia adecuada cuando ≥ 70%; y inadecuada, inferior. Resultados: menor media de adecuación en el Dominio 3 (39,37%) y mayor para 4 (74,82%); mediana de 50,00% en 3 y 76,90% en 4. El desvío estándar mayor, en el Dominio 3 (25,18%); y coeficiente de desviación alta para 1 y 3. Conclusiones: en el seguimiento materno infantil, índices próximos al adecuado en la atención en la maternidad y superior en el retorno puerperal tardío, entretanto prenatal y retorno puerperal inmediato se presentaron lejos del preconizado en la red de atención a la salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a adequação da assistência materno-infantil no pré-natal, parto e período puerperal, no serviço público de saúde. Métodos: estudo longitudinal realizado em cidade do Paraná com 357 puérperas em maternidade pública, ambulatório de retorno puerperal imediato e visita domiciliar 42 dias pós-parto. Agruparam-se quatro domínios de assistência (1 - Pré-natal, 2 - Maternidade, 3 - Retorno puerperal imediato, 4 - Retorno puerperal tardio). Calculou-se média, mediana, desvio-padrão e coeficiente de variância considerando assistência adequada quando ≥ 70%; e inadequada, inferior. Resultados: menor média de adequação no Domínio 3 (39,37%) e maior para o 4 (74,82%); mediana de 50,00% no 3 e 76,90% no 4. O desvio-padrão maior, no Domínio 3 (25,18%); e coeficiente de variância alta para 1 e 3. Conclusões: no seguimento materno-infantil, índices próximos ao adequado no atendimento na maternidade e superior no retorno puerperal tardio, entretanto pré-natal e retorno puerperal imediato se apresentaram aquém do preconizado na rede de atenção à saúde.

Barreras y facilitadores en la implementación de la estrategia de atención primaria en salud en Palmira, Colombia / Barriers and facilitators in the implementation of the primary health care strategy in Palmira, Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo Conocer las barreras y facilitadores para la continuidad en la implementación de la estrategia de Atención Primaria en Salud en Palmira. Métodos Se tomó la experiencia de Atención Primaria en Salud (APS) del ente territorial de salud del Municipio de Palmira, Colombia, un territorio de aproximadamente 283 431 habitantes. Se usó el enfoque metodológico cualitativo mediante el análisis de contenido temático. La población objeto fueron los informantes clave, individuos con un papel potencialmente significativo en la formulación y desarrollo de la estrategia de APS, elegidos con un enfoque no probabilístico por conveniencia. La información se obtuvo de fuentes primarias y secundarias y se utilizó el software informático de análisis cualitativo Atlas Ti V7, como herramienta de apoyo para el manejo de datos. Resultados El análisis de barreras y facilitadores para la continuidad de la estrategia de APS identificó las principales características de la estrategia y una serie de temas recurrentes al momento de analizar las posibles barreras y facilitadores en los componentes de proceso, actores, contenido y contexto. Cada uno de estos temas presentó comportamientos diversos según la percepción de los participantes. Algunos temas fueron percibidos como facilitadores, barreras o como ambos. Conclusión Al comparar las barreras y facilitadores, se encontró que, a nivel global, son mayores las barreras que los facilitadores, comportamiento reflejado en la teoría, que indica que la población con algún tipo de vulnerabilidad presenta mayor cantidad de barreras frente a los servicios de salud y que la estrategia de APS hace especial énfasis en este tipo de población.

ABSTRACT Objective To know the barriers and facilitators for the continuity in the implementation of the Primary Health Care strategy in Palmira. Methods The Primary Health Care (PHC) experience was taken from the territorial health entity of the Municipality of Palmira, Colombia, which is a territory approximately with 283,431 habitants. The qualitative methodological approach was used through thematic content analysis. The target population was the key informants, individuals with a potentially significant role in the formulation and development of the PHC strategy, chosen with a non-probabilistic approach for convenience. The information was obtained from primary and secondary sources and the qualitative analysis computer software Atlas Ti V7 was used as a support tool for data management. Results The analysis of barriers and facilitators for the continuity of the PHC strategy, identified the main characteristics of the strategy and a series of recurring themes when analyzing the possible barriers and facilitators in the process components, actors, content, and context. Each of these themes presented different behaviors according to the perception of the participants, where some themes were perceived as facilitators, barriers, or both. Conclusión When comparing barriers and facilitators, it was found that globally the barriers are greater than facilitators, a behavior reflected in the theory since it indicates that the vulnerable population presents a greater number of barriers compared to health services and the strategy of APS places special emphasis on this type of population.

Evaluación de percepción de competencias de trabajadores respecto del Modelo Integral de Atención en Salud / Perception of competencies of health workers related to the integrated health care model

Resumen Introducción: Santander es pionero en atención primaria y lidera la implementación del nuevo Modelo Integral de Atención en Salud (MIAS) en Colombia. Este proceso requiere fortalecer las competencias del recurso humano encargado de atender los usuarios del sistema de salud. Objetivo: Identificar la percepción de los trabajadores de salud del primer nivel, y sus supervisores, respecto a sus competencias para desempeñarse dentro del MIAS. Metodología: Estudio transversal. Se construyó y validó un cuestionario de competencias en el saber Ser, Conocer y Hacer, basado en lineamientos del MIAS e instrumentos de competencias de profesionales de medicina y enfermería; se aplicó en línea a profesionales de siete profesiones de salud y auxiliares de enfermería. Se realizó un análisis por grupo de trabajadores y se compararon las percepciones de éstos y sus supervisores. Resultados: Participaron 359 trabajadores y 102 supervisores. En el Ser hubo menores puntajes dados por los supervisores en competencias de liderazgo profesional, trabajo en equipo y autonomía profesional. En el Conocer observamos menor percepción en competencia sobre Rutas Integrales de Atención en Salud (RIAS), priorización de grupos de riesgo, niveles y redes de prestadores, planes de beneficios, actores del sistema, y actividades a realizar en los entornos definidos por el MIAS. En el Hacer las competencias con menores puntajes fueron actividades de investigación en salud pública y ejecución de programas intersectoriales. Conclusiones: Múltiples competencias se deben fortalecer en los trabajadores de salud del primer nivel de atención, para implementar el MIAS.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Santander is pioneer in primary health care and is leading the implementation of the new comprehensive health care model (CHCM) in Colombia. This process requires to strength the competences of the health system's workers. Objective: To identify the primary health care workers' perception, and their supervisor's perception, regarding their competences for working in the framework of the new CHCM. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in health professionals and technicians, and their supervisors, working in primary health care centers. We built and validated a questionnaire for the assessment of the three competences dimensions (attitude, knowledge, skills) based on the CHCM conceptual documents and questionnaires of competences for physicians and nurses. We stratified results by health profession and then, the worker and supervisors' perceptions were compared. Results: Participants were 359 health workers and 102 supervisors. In the attitude dimension, scores of leadership, teamwork, and professional autonomy were lower in supervisors than workers. In the knowledge dimension, the items with lower perception were those related to the new healthcare delivery's routes, risk prioritization's mechanisms, health services' network, plans of benefits and health system's structure. In the skills dimension, the competences with lower scores were the ones related to public health research and interdisciplinary work. Conclusions: We identify specific competencies that should be strengthened in primary healthcare workers, in order to achieve the expected performance in the new healthcare model in Colombia.

Measuring Core Health Indicators in the South-East Asia Region 2014

Today, all countries have access to computers and other communication tools to send, receive, store and retrieve data in a convenient manner, and the number of information and communications technology (ICT) applications is increasing at great speed. However, within changing health scenarios, the questions often asked by both ICT providers and users are : what data needs to be collected at service delivery level, and what minimum essential data should be forwarded for international statistical reporting. To address these issues, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia assists in strengthening national health information systems, and maintains and regularly updates a database on a set of core indicators of health and its determinants for all countries in the South-East Asia Region. These data are presented in a brochure accompanying this publication. It is important to note that data only become information once they are processed, analysed, interpreted and available for decision-making. Thus, this publication presents-in the form of graphs, charts, text and table-the information gleaned from the data provided in the brochure.Those interested in gauging progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the countries of the Region may refer to "The Health-related Millennium Development Goals 2014", a brochure and analytical information kit published by the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.

Resultados del estudio de percepciones de actores sociales sobre salud, promoción de la salud, participación social, y de planes municipales región central de occidente, Costa Rica - 2011 / Results of the study of perceptions of stakeholders on health, health promotion, social participation, and municipal plans central west, Costa Rica - 2011

La salud representa un derecho humano fundamental y se constituye a su vez en un componente indispensable para la vida. Además, es el resultado de la interacción de determinantes sociales, económicos, ambientales, espirituales, políticos; por consiguiente, debe abordarse desde un enfoque integral en el que se articulen esfuerzos individuales, colectivos e intersectoriales en procura de alcanzar propósitos comunes desde el enfoque de promoción de la salud. En este sentido, los gobiernos locales tienen un rol protagónico por ser los responsables de gestar políticas, impulsar la formulación e implementación de programas y proyectos de manera concertada. Por lo anterior, la Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central de Occidente del Ministerio de Salud, realizó en el año 2011 un estudio de línea base a fin de dar respuesta a los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Cuáles son las percepciones sobre salud, promoción de la salud y participación social que tienen los actores sociales municipales y cuáles son las principales acciones en salud integradas en los planes estratégicos de alcaldías de las municipalidades que conforman la Región Central de Occidente, Costa Rica? El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo y exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, que permitió el acercamiento a los actores sociales para obtener los datos mencionados y fuentes documentales de las municipalidades de la Región Central de Occidente. En este marco, el presente artículo recopila referentes teóricos-metodológicos utilizados, los principales hallazgos, las conclusiones y algunas recomendaciones generales derivadas del estudio. Los resultados obtenidos representan un insumo valioso para redefinir estrategias de negociación y abogacía así como procesos rectores que fomenten el posicionamiento del enfoque en el quehacer de los gobiernos locales y por ende, favorecer la construcción de una nueva cultura de salud desde una lógica positiva, proactiva e innovadora.

Health represents a fundamental human right and, at the same time, constitutes an indispensable component for life. In addition, it is the result of the interaction of social, economic, environmental, spiritual and political determinants; therefore, it must be addressed from an integral approach in where the individual, collective and cross-sectorial efforts are articulated in order to achieve common purposes from a promotion of health approach. In this sense, the local governments play a leading role because they are the responsible for developing policies, promoting the formulation and implementation of programs and projects on an agreed way. Therefore, the Regional Directorate of Health Rectory of the Central West of the Health Ministry conducted a baseline study in 2011 to provide answers to the following questions: What are the perceptions of health, health promotion and social participation that municipal stakeholders have and what are the main health actions integrated in their strategic mayor plans of the municipalities that constitute the Central West Region in Costa Rica? It was a descriptive and exploratory study with qualitative approach which enabled the approach to stakeholders to obtain the mentioned data and documentary sources of the municipalities in the Central West Region. In this context, this article collects theoretical-methodological referents, the main findings, conclusions and some general recommendations derived from the study. The obtained results definitely represent a valuable input to redefine negotiation and advocacy strategies as well as directing processes that encourage the positioning of the approach in the work of the local governments and therefore, promote the construction of a new culture of health from a positive, proactive and innovative logic.

Seguimiento de cobertura sanitaria universal con equidad en Chile entre 2000 y 2011 usando las Encuestas CASEN / Universal health coverage assessment based on national socioeconomic characterization surveys

Background: The Chilean health reform aimed to expand universal health coverage (UHC) with equity. Aim: To analyze progress in health system affiliation, attended health needs (health visit for a recent problem) and direct payment for services, between 2000 and 2011. Material and Methods: We evaluated these outcomes for adults aged 20 years or older, analyzing databases of five National Socioeconomic Characterization Surveys. Using logistic regression models for no affiliation and unattended needs, we estimated odds ratios (OR) and prevalences, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. Results: The unaffiliated population decreased from 11.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.6-11.4) in 2000 to 3.0% (95% CI 2.8-3.2) in 2011. According to the model, self-employed workers had a higher adjusted prevalence of no affiliation: 27.4% (95% CI 24.1-30.6) in 2000 and 7.8% (95% CI: 5.9-9.7) in 2011. The level of unmet needs decreased from 33.5% (95% CI 31.8-35.1) to 9.1% (95% CI 8.1-10.1) in this period. Not being affiliated to the health system was associated with higher unmet needs in the adjusted model. Indigent affiliates, entitled to free care in the public system, reported payments for general and specialist visits in a much lower proportion than other groups. However, direct payments for visits increased for this group during the decade. Conclusions: Concurrent with the introduction of new health and social policies, we observed significant progress in health system enrolment and attended health needs. However, the percentage of impoverished people who made direct payments for services increased.