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Kaspar H, Abegg A, Reddy S. Of odysseys and miracles: A narrative approach on therapeutic mobilities for ayurveda treatment. Soc Sci Med 2023; 334:116152. [PMID: 37678112 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, health care has become a global market and transnational practice. An emerging body of literature examines the astounding variety of drivers, conditions, and experiences. However, the question of how traveling abroad for treatment emerges as an option and takes shape in people's illness trajectories has gained little attention thus far. This article attends to this gap by following the stories of people with chronic conditions who travel to India for Ayurveda treatment out of dissatisfaction with local biomedical health care. This study expands the focus of current research on transnational therapeutic mobilities in three ways: (1) by shifting the attention from being a foreign patient or medical traveler to becoming one, (2) by integrating quests for other-than-biomedical therapies, and (3) by applying a narrative approach to the field. Results show that apart from social, human, and financial resources, it takes certain patient-subjectivities to mobilize patients across borders and healing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Kaspar
- Bern University of Applied Sciences, Competence Center Participatory Health Care, Murtenstrasse 10, CH-3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alwin Abegg
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Careum School of Health, Switzerland
| | - Sunita Reddy
- Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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2
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Abou Fayad A, Rizk A, El Sayed S, Kaddoura M, Jawad NK, Al-Attar A, Dewachi O, Nguyen VK, Sater ZA. Antimicrobial resistance and the Iraq wars: armed conflict as an underinvestigated pathway with growing significance. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 7:bmjgh-2022-010863. [PMID: 36781284 PMCID: PMC9933488 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Abou Fayad
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology & Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Anthony Rizk
- Anthropology and Sociology, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva (IHEID), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samya El Sayed
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Malak Kaddoura
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Adel Al-Attar
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Omar Dewachi
- Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Vinh Kim Nguyen
- Global Health Center, Graduate Institute of Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zahy Abdul Sater
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Baatz RK, Ekzayez A, Meagher K, Bowsher G, Patel P. Cross-border strategies for access to healthcare in violent conflict – a scoping review. J Migr Health 2022; 5:100093. [PMID: 35373166 PMCID: PMC8971640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The geographical reconfiguration of healthcare systems in times of violent conflict is increasingly being recognised in academic literature. This includes conflict-induced, cross-border travel for medical treatment. Yet the conceptual approach to this healthcare-seeking behaviour, by a population here referred to as cross-border population, remains poorly understood. This scoping review identifies academic literature on cross-border populations to map the current approach to cross-border populations and to propose a research agenda. Methods The study used a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review methodology. We included articles on conflicts between 1980 and 2019. Results A total of 53 articles met the inclusion criteria. From these articles, we distinguished four types of studies on cross-border healthcare: Direct analysis, implicit analysis, clinical research, and identification. The 45 articles belonging to the first three categories were then searched for themes specifically relevant to healthcare for cross-border populations and linked with sub-themes such as border crossing time and the types of healthcare available. These themes were structured into three main areas: access to care; quality of care; and governance of care. Our analysis then describes the available knowledge, documented practices, and challenges of cross-border healthcare specifically in conflict settings. Conclusions A better understanding of cross-border healthcare systems is required to inform local practices and develop related regional and international policies. While the reviewed literature provides some highlights on various practices of cross-border healthcare, there are many gaps in available knowledge of this topic. To address these gaps, our study proposes a research framework outlining key themes and research questions to be investigated by signposting where major research and operational gaps remain. This facilitates well-directed future work on cross-border therapeutic geographies in the context of armed conflict and furthers understanding of a hitherto largely ignored area of the international healthcare system.
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Skelton M, Alameddine R, Saifi O, Hammoud M, Zorkot M, Daher M, Charafeddine M, Temraz S, Shamseddine A, Mula-Hussain L, Saleem M, Namiq KF, Dewachi O, Abu Sitta G, Abdul-Sater Z, Telvizian T, Faraj W, Mukherji D. High-Cost Cancer Treatment Across Borders in Conflict Zones: Experience of Iraqi Patients in Lebanon. JCO Glob Oncol 2020; 6:59-66. [PMID: 32031440 PMCID: PMC6998032 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.19.00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Conflict-induced cross-border travel for medical treatment is commonly observed in the Middle East. There has been little research conducted on the financial impact this has on patients with cancer or on how cancer centers can adapt their services to meet the needs of this population. This study examines the experience of Iraqi patients seeking care in Lebanon, aiming to understand the social and financial contexts of conflict-related cross-border travel for cancer diagnosis and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS After institutional review board approval, 60 Iraqi patients and caregivers seeking cancer care at a major tertiary referral center in Lebanon were interviewed. RESULTS Fifty-four respondents (90%) reported high levels of financial distress. Patients relied on the sale of possessions (48%), the sale of homes (30%), and vast networks to raise funds for treatment. Thematic analysis revealed several key drivers for undergoing cross-border treatment, including the conflict-driven exodus of Iraqi oncology specialists; the destruction of hospitals or road blockages; referrals by Iraqi physicians to Lebanese hospitals; the geographic proximity of Lebanon; and the lack of diagnostic equipment, radiotherapy machines, and reliable provision of chemotherapy in Iraqi hospitals. CONCLUSION As a phenomenon distinct from medical tourism, conflict-related deficiencies in health care at home force patients with limited financial resources to undergo cancer treatment in neighboring countries. We highlight the importance of shared decision making and consider the unique socioeconomic status of this population of patients when planning treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mac Skelton
- Institute of Regional and International Studies, American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Raafat Alameddine
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Omran Saifi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Miza Hammoud
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maya Zorkot
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marilyne Daher
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maya Charafeddine
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sally Temraz
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Shamseddine
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | | | - Omar Dewachi
- Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Ghassan Abu Sitta
- Division of Plastic Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahi Abdul-Sater
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Talar Telvizian
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Walid Faraj
- Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Deborah Mukherji
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Sirohi B, Chalkidou K, Pramesh CS, Anderson BO, Loeher P, El Dewachi O, Shamieh O, Shrikhande SV, Venkataramanan R, Parham G, Mwanahamuntu M, Eden T, Tsunoda A, Purushotham A, Stanway S, Rath GK, Sullivan R. Developing institutions for cancer care in low-income and middle-income countries: from cancer units to comprehensive cancer centres. Lancet Oncol 2018; 19:e395-e406. [PMID: 30102234 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(18)30342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Global cancer centres operate across different sizes, scales, and ecosystems. Understanding the essential aspects of the creation, organisation, accreditation, and activities within these settings is crucial for developing an affordable, equitable, and quality cancer care, research, and education system. Robust guidelines are scarce for cancer units, cancer centres, and comprehensive cancer centres in low-income and middle-income countries. However, some robust examples of the delivery of complex cancer care in centres in emerging economies are available. Although it is impossible to create an optimal system to fit the unique needs of all countries for the delivery of cancer care, we summarise what has been published about the development and management of cancer centres in low-income and middle-income countries so far and highlight the need for clinical and political leadership.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kalipso Chalkidou
- Imperial College London, London UK; Centre for Global Development, London, UK
| | | | | | - Patrick Loeher
- Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Omar El Dewachi
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tim Eden
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Audrey Tsunoda
- Hospital Erasto Gaertner, Instituto de Oncologia do Paraná and Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Arnie Purushotham
- Tata Trusts, Mumbai, India; King's Health Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | - Goura K Rath
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Richard Sullivan
- King's Health Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
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Dilger H, Mattes D. Im/mobilities and dis/connectivities in medical globalisation: How global is Global Health? Glob Public Health 2017; 13:265-275. [DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2017.1414285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hansjörg Dilger
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Mattes
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center ‘Affective Societies’ (SFB 1171), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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