Improving Health System Efficiency: Perspectives of Decision-Makers.

While improving health system efficiency, or value for money, is a priority in Canada, there is little information about optimal approaches for improvement in the Canadian context. Through interviews with senior health system decision-makers from two provinces, this study conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information identified the following five main themes along with actions that can be taken to improve health system efficiency in Canada: performance monitoring for accountability and decision-making, system-level integration in governance and care delivery, partnerships outside the health sector to improve population health, physician engagement and remuneration and flexible funding. Future work could apply this framework to assess and compare progress towards health system efficiency in other jurisdictions.

The effects of social capital and neighborhood characteristics on intimate partner violence: a consideration of social resources and risks.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing public health problem, and gaps exist in knowledge with respect to appropriate prevention and treatment strategies. A growing body of research evidence suggests that beyond individual factors (e.g.

Prevention of bicycle-related injuries in children and youth: a systematic review of bicycle skills training interventions.

Background: Bicycling is a popular means of recreation and transportation for children; however, it is a leading cause of recreational injury. Bicycle skill development and safety education are important methods of bicycle injury prevention.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of bicycle skills training programmes in reducing bicycle-related injuries in children and youth.

Referral to health and social services for intimate partner violence in health care settings: a realist scoping review.

Efficient and coordinated health care responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) are essential, given that health care settings are a major entry point for abused women who seek professional services. However, there is a lack of evidence on how IPV referrals are effectively made within health care settings. In order to help program planners and providers across sectors to address the complex and chronic issue of IPV, a greater understanding of the post-IPV identification referral process is essential.