Background: Problems of accessibility to healthcare services notably affect certain population groups such as poor and unemployed people, migrants and minorities, thus having a negative impact on their health. The aim of this study was to investigate these problems from the perspective of health professionals and to formulate empirically informed suggestions to solve the issue.
Methods: Primary data were collected in 2010-2011 by using a panel of 36 experienced health professionals around Greece. A two-round Delphi method was undertaken to achieve the objectives of the study. The first questionnaire investigated the factors that hinder accessibility to health services. The second round aimed at determining the relative importance of each of the factors emerging in the first round.
Results: The group of experts identified 345 factors in the first round, which were grouped in 55 statements. Consensus was achieved in 22 statements. The study revealed important issues, and health professionals proposed a number of actions to eliminate the accessibility problems.
Conclusions: The use of medical interpreters and cultural mediators, transcultural education and stronger linkages among medical facilities are important to reduce accessibility problems. Restructuring primary healthcare and better documenting of the beneficiaries could also improve the quality of provided healthcare services.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2115 | DOI Listing |
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
January 2025
Department of Learning and Workforce Development, The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Soesterberg, Netherlands.
Background: Wearable sensor technologies, often referred to as "wearables," have seen a rapid rise in consumer interest in recent years. Initially often seen as "activity trackers," wearables have gradually expanded to also estimate sleep, stress, and physiological recovery. In occupational settings, there is a growing interest in applying this technology to promote health and well-being, especially in professions with highly demanding working conditions such as first responders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Med Educ
January 2025
Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), University Hospital and University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Background: Research shows that trauma team formation could potentially improve effectiveness of injury care in rural settings. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of rural trauma team training amongst medical trainees and traffic law enforcement professionals in Uganda.
Methods: Prospective multi-centre interrupted time series analysis of an interventional training based on the 4th edition of rural trauma team development course of the American College of Surgeons.
BMC Nurs
January 2025
Department of Orthopedic, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the medical-seeking behavior of Osteogenesis Imperfecta(OI) children in Southwest China, summarize and analyze the issues in their medical process, and propose corresponding improvement strategies.
Methods: A phenomenological study involving semi-structured interviews with 20 OI caregivers at a tertiary centre for children from March to August 2021 was analyzed thematically, following Anderson's model.
Results: We identified eight themes in the data: 1)Regional disparities of OI management, 2)Big economic burden, 3)High-risk population, 4)Lack of health education, 5)Multiple treatments,6)Strict treatment indications,7)Disappointing therapeutic outcomes,8)Effective or ineffective treatment results.
Diabetol Metab Syndr
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University,Internal Medicine Diabetes and Endocrinology Department, Cairo, Egypt.
For patients considering bariatric surgery, it is essential to have clear answers to common questions to ensure the success of the procedure. Patients should understand that surgery is not a quick fix but a tool that must be complemented by lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and regular physical activity. The procedure carries potential risks that should be weighed against the potential benefits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med
January 2025
Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 21 Rue du Bugnon, BH 09, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Background: The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) grade the severity of injuries and are useful for trauma audit and benchmarking. However, AIS coding is complex and requires specifically trained staff. A simple yet reliable scoring system is needed.
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