Defining informal payments in healthcare: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To explore the literature for the definitions of informal payments in healthcare and critically analyze the proposed definitions. This will serve in the process of getting to a coherent definition of informal payments, which will further support acknowledging and addressing them globally.

METHODS

A search strategy was developed to identify papers addressing informal payments on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Econlit, EconPapers and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

2225 papers were identified after a first search. 61 papers were included in the systematic review. Out of all definitions provided, we selected three definitions as being original. All other definitions either cite these definitions or do not provide new insight into the topic of informal payments. Although informal payments have been nominated by various terms over the years, there is a tendency in recent years towards an agreement to use this singular term. Definitions differ in terms of the relation of informal payments with other informal activities, their legality and the motivation behind them.

CONCLUSIONS

The variety of forms which informal payments may take makes it difficult to define them in a comprehensive manner. However, we identified a definition that could serve as a beginning in this process. More effort is needed to build on it and get to a commonly accepted and shared definition of informal payments.

[The fiscal position of medical specialists]

Independent medical specialists in the Netherlands are treated as entrepreneurs for tax purposes and therefore enjoy tax benefits. A change in the legal relationship between medical specialists and hospitals is foreseen in 2015. Independent medical specialists will then no longer be considered to be entrepreneurs. This could negatively affect their tax position. The Dutch government has adopted a policy aimed at controlling expenses arising from medical specialists' fees. According to this policy, the formation of regional practices or mega-practices of specialists will be discouraged. In contrast, the current fiscal legislation encourages medical specialists to incorporate their practice into regional practices or mega-practices or to become shareholders of their hospitals. It has been proposed that fiscal benefits be linked to certain aspects of entrepreneurship, such as investing in medical equipment or employing medical personnel.

[Preliminary analysis of management for hospitalized elders with hip fractures]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze various clinical parameters of elderly hip fractures so as to improve the management of elder hip fractures in China.

METHODS

The data of elder patients with hip fracture (primary diagnosis was fracture of femoral neck or intertrochanter) admitted into our department between 2002 to 2010 were collected. And the relevant clinical parameters included case number, age, ratio of concurrent chronic disease and duration and cost of hospitalization. The software of SAS was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1626 patients (M/F = 547/1079) ≥ 65 yr old with femoral neck fracture were admitted. Average age was 74.7 ± 6.4 yr (65 - 99) and annual average increasing rate 0.5% (-0.1% - 1.8%). The ratio of concurrent chronic disease was 53.3%. Average duration of hospitalization was 18.3 ± 10.9 days (1 - 114) and annual average increasing rate was -6.3% (-19.2% - 8.4%). Average cost of hospitalization was 38 758.04 ± 24 558.15 yuan (76.8 - 339 987.49) and annual average increasing rate 6.4% (-8.7% - 40.0%). A total of 892 patients (M/F = 362/530) ≥ 65 yr with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were admitted. Average age was 76.7 ± 6.8 yr (65 - 105) and annual average increasing rate 1.3% (-1.8% - 4.3%). The ratio of concurrent chronic disease was 55.8%. Average duration of hospitalization was 15.7 ± 8.7 days (1 - 78) and annual average increasing rate -4.5% (-22.1% - 8.0%). Average cost of hospitalization was 35 183.45 ± 21 427.47 yuan (75.3 - 148 150.41) and annual average increasing rate 18.3% (-3.7% - 79.9%).

CONCLUSION

The number, age and therapeutic cost of elder patients with hip fracture are increasing continuously. Elderly hip fracture is becoming a serious problem of public health.