How do citizens with low health insurance literacy choose a health insurance policy in the Netherlands? An interview study.

Various countries have implemented a choice-based health insurance system. For such systems to function as intended, it is crucial that all citizens have the opportunity to make well-informed decisions with regard to their health insurance policy. There is, however, ample research evidence to suggest that many citizens may lack the required skills to do so, thus increasing the likelihood of suboptimal insurance choices and incurring unexpected costs.

Primary prevention in hospitals in 20 high-income countries in Europe - A case of not "Making Every Contact Count"?

This article provides a snapshot of primary prevention activities in hospitals in 20 European high-income countries, based on inputs from experts of the Observatory's Health Systems and Policies Monitor (HSPM) network using a structured questionnaire. We found that in the vast majority of countries (15), there are no systematic national policies on primary prevention in hospitals. Five countries (Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom) reported systematic primary prevention activities in hospitals, although in one of them (Cyprus) this was due to the fact that small hospitals in rural areas or less populated districts host providers of primary care.

Development of the Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) conceptual framework to monitor and improve the performance of primary care for people living with chronic conditions.

Unlabelled: BackgroundThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) initiative aims to support countries in improving care for people living with chronic conditions by collecting information on how people experience the quality and performance of primary and (generalist) ambulatory care services. This paper presents the development of the conceptual framework that underpins the rationale for and the instrumentation of the PaRIS survey.

Methods: The guidance of an international expert taskforce and the OECD Health Care Quality Indicators framework (2015) provided initial specifications for the framework.

A comparison of social prescribing approaches across twelve high-income countries.

Background: Social prescribing connects patients with community resources to improve their health and well-being. It is gaining momentum globally due to its potential for addressing non-medical causes of illness while building on existing resources and enhancing overall health at a relatively low cost. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the need for policy interventions to address health-related social issues such as loneliness and isolation.

Dietary cystine restriction increases the proliferative capacity of the small intestine of mice.

Currently, over 88 million people are estimated to have adopted a vegan or vegetarian diet. Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid, which availability is largely dependent on dietary intake of meat, eggs and whole grains. Vegan/vegetarian diets are therefore inherently low in cysteine.

How is enrollees' trust in health insurers associated with choosing health insurance?

In a healthcare system based on managed competition, health insurers are intended to be the prudent buyers of care on behalf of their enrollees. Equally, citizens are expected to be critical consumers when choosing a health insurance policy. The choice of a health insurance policy may be related to trust in the health insurer, as enrollees must believe that the health insurer will make the right choices for them when it comes to purchasing care.

A scoping review into the explanations for differences in the degrees of shared decision making experienced by patients.

Objectives: In order to improve the degree of shared decision making (SDM) experienced by patients, it is necessary to gain insight into the explanations for the differences in these degrees.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature on the explanations for differences in the degree of SDM experienced by patients was conducted. We assessed 21,329 references.

The role of health insurance literacy in the process and outcomes of choosing a health insurance policy in the Netherlands.

In several countries, citizens are expected to be critical consumers when choosing a health insurance policy. However, there are indications that citizens do not always have the sufficient skills, so called health insurance literacy (HIL), to do this. We investigated whether the level of HIL among Dutch citizens is related to the way in which they experience the process of choosing a policy, and furthermore whether it is related to their health insurance choices.

Social context matters: The role of social support and social norms in support for solidarity in healthcare financing.

In many European countries, including the Netherlands, the healthcare system is financed according to the principles of solidarity. It is important, therefore, that public support for solidarity in healthcare financing is sufficient in order to ensure that people remain willing to contribute towards solidarity-based systems. The high willingness to contribute to the healthcare costs of others in the Netherlands suggests that support is generally high.

Regional practice variation in induction of labor in the Netherlands: Does it matter? A multilevel analysis of the association between induction rates and perinatal and maternal outcomes.

Background: Practice variation in healthcare is a complex issue. We focused on practice variation in induction of labor between maternity care networks in the Netherlands. These collaborations of hospitals and midwifery practices are jointly responsible for providing high-quality maternity care.

Defining practice variation and exploring influencing factors on needs assessment in home care nursing: A Delphi study.

Aim: To describe a Delphi study regarding practice variation in needs assessment by Dutch home care nurses, to define practice variation in home care nursing and explore which factors may have a role in this needs assessment.

Design: A Delphi study was conducted with the participation of home care representatives.

Method: A Delphi questionnaire was developed, preceded by literature research and an expert meeting.

Preferred Conversation Topics with Respect to Treatment Decisions Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: Greater knowledge of individuals' needs and preferences can enhance shared decision-making, which is associated with improved quality of decisions and increased satisfaction. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the attributes (ie conversation topics) that individuals with type 2 diabetes find it most important to discuss with their healthcare provider regarding treatment decisions.

Patients And Methods: First, small group interviews were organized with adults with type 2 diabetes (N=8) treated in primary care to identify the attributes that they find important to discuss regarding treatment decisions.

Has public support for solidarity in healthcare financing in the Netherlands changed over time? A repeated cross-sectional study.

It is argued that solidarity-based healthcare systems are under pressure and that public support is decreasing. It can, therefore, be expected that support for solidarity in healthcare financing has diminished over time. However, little research has been conducted into this.

The relation between trust and the willingness of enrollees to receive healthcare advice from their health insurer.

Background: In a healthcare system based on managed competition, it is important that health insurers are able to channel enrollees to preferred providers. This results in incentives for healthcare providers to improve the quality and reduce the price of care. One of the instruments to guide enrollees to preferred providers is by providing healthcare advice.

Measures to improve patient needs assessments and reduce practice variation in Dutch home care organizations.

Aim: Worldwide, long-term care tends to shift from institutional care towards home care. In order to deliver high-quality and adequate care, the type, amount and cost of care is determined by a patient needs assessment. However, there are indications that this patient needs assessment varies between comparable patients.

Measuring health insurance literacy in the Netherlands - First results of the HILM-NL questionnaire.

Background: There are several indications that citizens in the Netherlands struggle to make critical, well-considered decisions about which insurance policy best fits their needs and preferences. This can lead to citizens being sub-optimally insured, facing unexpected costs or suffering inadequate coverage. This study aims to examine how health insurance literacy (HIL) is distributed among citizens in the Netherlands; and to find out whether there are certain groups who have more difficulty choosing and using a health insurance policy.

Public engagement in decision-making regarding the management of the COVID-19 epidemic: Views and expectations of the 'publics'.

Background: In the management of epidemics, like COVID-19, trade-offs have to be made between reducing mortality and morbidity and minimizing socioeconomic and political consequences. Traditionally, epidemic management (EM) has been guided and executed attentively by experts and policymakers. It can, however, still be controversial in the public sphere.

Health insurance literacy in the Netherlands: The translation and validation of the United States' Health Insurance Literacy Measure (HILM).

An important criterion for the proper functioning of a managed competition healthcare system, such as operates in the Netherlands, is that all citizens can make well-informed decisions regarding their health insurance policy. In order to achieve this, citizens need certain health insurance literacy skills. It is not known how far citizens in the Netherlands have these skills.

Associations between Demographics, Tinnitus Specific-, Audiological-, General- and Mental Health Factors, and the Impact of Tinnitus on Daily Life.

Our objective was to study associations between demographics, tinnitus specific-, audiological-, general- and mental health characteristics, and impact of tinnitus in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study in the Dutch population, data were prospectively gathered. Tinnitus impact was assessed with the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).

To what degree are health insurance enrollees in the Netherlands aware of the restrictive conditions attached to their policies?

Background: Within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition, health insurers can contract healthcare providers selectively. Enrollees who choose a health insurance policy with restrictive conditions will have to make a co-payment if they consult a non-contracted provider. This study aims to gain insight into enrollees' awareness of the conditions of such health insurance policies.

Does supplementary health insurance play a role in the switching behaviour of citizens in the Netherlands?

Background: Several healthcare systems have elements of managed competition in which citizens can choose between multiple insurers. In order for this principle to function properly, all citizens should have equal opportunities to switch insurer. Studies, conducted around 2015, have shown that the supplementary insurance policy is perceived by citizens as a barrier to switching, which could have negative consequences for the intended goals of the system.

The Importance of Choosing a Health Insurance Policy and the Ability to Comprehend That Choice for Citizens in the Netherlands.

Background: In a health insurance system based on managed competition, such as in the Netherlands, it is important that all citizens can make well-informed decisions on which policy fits their needs and preferences best. However, partly due to the large variety of health insurance policies, there are indications that a significant group of citizens do not make rational decisions when choosing a policy.

Objective: This study aimed to provide more insight into (1) how important it is for citizens in the Netherlands to choose a health insurance policy and (2) how easy it is for them to comprehend the information they receive.

To what extent do home care nurses feel free to assess the care that is needed for their patients? A nationwide survey in the Netherlands.

Background And Aims: Patients receiving nursing care at home require a needs assessment. There are indications that practice variation exists in needs assessments performed by Dutch home care nurses. One possible cause is that nurses are differentially influenced by others when performing needs assessments.