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Steenkamer B, Vaes B, Rietzschel E, Crombez J, De Geest S, Demeure F, Gielen M, Hermans MP, Teughels S, Vanacker P, van der Schueren T, Simoens S. Population health management in Belgium: a call-to-action and case study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:659. [PMID: 37340416 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there are already success stories, population health management in Belgium is still in its infancy. A health system transformation approach such as population health management may be suited to address the public health issue of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as this is one of the main causes of mortality in Belgium. This article aims to raise awareness about population health management in Belgium by: (a) eliciting barriers and recommendations for its implementation as perceived by local stakeholders; (b) developing a population health management approach to secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; and (c) providing a roadmap to introduce population health management in Belgium. METHODS Two virtual focus group discussions were organized with 11 high-level decision makers in medicine, policy and science between October and December 2021. A semi-structured guide based on a literature review was used to anchor discussions. These qualitative data were studied by means of an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Seven inter-related barriers and recommendations towards the development of population health management in Belgium were identified. These related to responsibilities of different layers of government, shared responsibility for the health of the population, a learning health system, payment models, data and knowledge infrastructure, collaborative relationships and community involvement. The introduction of a population health management approach to secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may act as a proof-of-concept with a view to roll out population health management in Belgium. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to instill a sense of urgency among all stakeholders to develop a joint population-oriented vision in Belgium. This call-to-action requires the support and active involvement of all Belgian stakeholders, both at the national and regional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Steenkamer
- Stichting Gezondheidscentra Eindhoven - STROOMZ NL, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Bert Vaes
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ernst Rietzschel
- Department of Internal Medicine & Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Biobanking and Cardiovascular Prevention, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - John Crombez
- Architecture of a Qualitative, Sustainable and Inclusive Health system (AQSIH), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sabina De Geest
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Demeure
- Cardiology Department, CHU UCL Mont-Godinne, Namur, Belgium
| | | | - Michel P Hermans
- Endocrinology & Nutrition, Cliniques universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
- Medical School, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Peter Vanacker
- Department of Neurology, AZ Groeninge, Kortrijk, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Steven Simoens
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Lo K, Lockwood C. Improving cross-sector collaborations in place-based population health projects. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 4:100285. [PMID: 36570389 PMCID: PMC9773052 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study is to develop a practice-orientated partnership framework that can enable effective population health collaborations in rural areas, and to gain ground insights on the role and policies of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) in administering population health projects. Study design Rapid evidence review and case study interviews with stakeholders. Methods The framework development started with a rapid review to identify evidence-based practices on collaboration for population health stakeholders. Best-practices from DFFH's policy document for place-based projects were also incorporated into the framework. After a preliminary draft of the framework was ready, semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders to seek practitioner insights to validate the framework and contextualise it to local needs. Results Inputs from the stakeholder interviews were organised into two categories: "Inputs for framework" which contained responses that improved the framework, and "inputs for DFFH" which contained insights on the role and policies of DFFH in administering population health projects. Conclusions With its list of actionable activities and enablers organised into logical project phases, the framework provides a practical and intuitive guide that can help stakeholders navigate through complex place-based population health projects. The inputs for DFFH provided the department with valuable ground insights into the dynamics of cross-sector collaborations for further reflection about their roles and policies. Through the consultative interview process which meaningfully engaged key stakeholders, a level of understanding and support for the framework was gained, which would encourage future implementations of place-based population health projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Lo
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, SA, 5042, Australia,Corresponding author. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
| | - Craig Lockwood
- JBI, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia
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Schmidt E, Schalk J, Ridder M, van der Pas S, Groeneveld S, Bussemaker J. Collaboration to combat COVID-19: policy responses and best practices in local integrated care settings. J Health Organ Manag 2022; ahead-of-print. [PMID: 35038255 DOI: 10.1108/jhom-03-2021-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This illustrative case study describes and evaluates drivers of effective inter-organizational collaboration to mitigate the impact and spread of COVID-19 among homeless people in two cities in the Netherlands. The aims of this study are: (1) to explore the strategic and operational policy responses in two local integrated care settings at the start of the crisis, (2) to identify best policy practices and lessons learned. The authors interpret and evaluate the findings by combining insights from the population health management (PHM) and collaborative governance literature. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The authors describe and illustrate the experiences of two Dutch municipalities, Rotterdam and The Hague, in the early policy responses to sudden operational challenges around the impact of COVID-19 on homeless people as experienced by local decision-makers, medical doctors and clients. FINDINGS The authors show that best policy practices revolve around (1) using data and risk stratification methods for identifying and targeting populations at-risk in local policy making, and (2) having an inter-organizational data sharing architecture in place ex ante. These two factors were clear prerequisites for tailor-made policy responses for newly-defined groups at risk with the existing and well-documented vulnerable population, and executing crisis-induced tasks efficiently. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper is among the first to illustrate the potential of combining collaborative governance and PHM perspectives to identify key drivers of effective local governance responses to a healthcare crisis in an integrated care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Schmidt
- Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jelmer Schalk
- Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, LUMC-Campus, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Marlieke Ridder
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, LUMC-Campus, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan van der Pas
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, LUMC-Campus, The Hague, The Netherlands.,University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Groeneveld
- Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jet Bussemaker
- Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, LUMC-Campus, The Hague, The Netherlands
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Domínguez-Falcón C, Verano-Tacoronte D, Suárez-Fuentes M. Exploring the customer orientation of Spanish pharmacy websites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND HEALTHCARE MARKETING 2018. [DOI: 10.1108/ijphm-04-2018-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The strong regulation of the Spanish pharmaceutical sector encourages pharmacies to modify their business model, giving the customer a more relevant role by integrating 2.0 tools. However, the study of the implementation of these tools is still quite limited, especially in terms of a customer-oriented web page design. This paper aims to analyze the online presence of Spanish community pharmacies by studying the profile of their web pages to classify them by their degree of customer orientation.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 710 community pharmacies were analyzed, of which 160 had Web pages. Using items drawn from the literature, content analysis was performed to evaluate the presence of these items on the web pages. Then, after analyzing the scores on the items, a cluster analysis was conducted to classify the pharmacies according to the degree of development of their online customer orientation strategy.
Findings
The number of pharmacies with a web page is quite low. The development of these websites is limited, and they have a more informational than relational role. The statistical analysis allows to classify the pharmacies in four groups according to their level of development
Practical implications
Pharmacists should make incremental use of their websites to facilitate real two-way communication with customers and other stakeholders to maintain a relationship with them by having incorporated the Web 2.0 and social media (SM) platforms.
Originality/value
This study analyses, from a marketing perspective, the degree of Web 2.0 adoption and the characteristics of the websites, in terms of aiding communication and interaction with customers in the Spanish pharmaceutical sector.
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