Development of a program theory for clinical pathways in hospitals: protocol for a realist review.

Background: Despite the increased utilization of clinical pathways (CPWs) as a strategy to improve patient and system outcomes in hospitals, there remain ongoing challenges with their conceptualization, implementation, and evaluation. Theories that explain how CPWs work in hospitals are lacking, making it difficult to identify important factors for sustaining changes arising from CPWs implemented in hospitals. The objective of this realist review is to develop a program theory for CPWs in hospitals.

Association between patient attachment to a regular doctor and self-perceived unmet health care needs in Canada: A population-based analysis of the 2013 to 2014 Canadian community health surveys.

Background: Although Canada operates a universal health care insurance system, equitable access to required health care services when needed still poses a challenge for some. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between patient attachment to a family physician and self-perceived unmet health care needs (UHN) in Canada, after adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors of the behavioral model of health services use.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Canadian Community Health Surveys, cycle 2013 to 2014.

What is a clinical pathway? Refinement of an operational definition to identify clinical pathway studies for a Cochrane systematic review.

Clinical pathways (CPWs) are a common component in the quest to improve the quality of health. CPWs are used to reduce variation, improve quality of care, and maximize the outcomes for specific groups of patients. An ongoing challenge is the operationalization of a definition of CPW in healthcare.

Lean management in health care: definition, concepts, methodology and effects reported (systematic review protocol).

Background: Lean is a set of operating philosophies and methods that help create a maximum value for patients by reducing waste and waits. It emphasizes the consideration of the customer's needs, employee involvement and continuous improvement. Research on the application and implementation of lean principles in health care has been limited.

Determinants of Mortality among Adult HIV-Infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in a Rural Hospital in Southeastern Nigeria: A 5-Year Cohort Study.

Background. Study examined the determinants of mortality among adult HIV patients in a rural, tertiary hospital in southeastern Nigeria, comparing mortality among various ART regimens. Methods.