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Odii A, Arize I, Agwu P, Mbachu C, Onwujekwe O. To What Extent Are Informal Healthcare Providers in Slums Linked to the Formal Health System in Providing Services in Sub-Sahara Africa? A 12-Year Scoping Review. J Urban Health 2024:10.1007/s11524-024-00885-5. [PMID: 38874863 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00885-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The contributions of informal providers to the urban health system and their linkage to the formal health system require more evidence. This paper highlights the collaborations that exist between informal providers and the formal health system and examines how these collaborations have contributed to strengthening urban health systems in sub-Sahara Africa. The study is based on a scoping review of literature that was published from 2011 to 2023 with a focus on slums in sub-Sahara Africa. Electronic search for articles was performed in Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, African Journal Online (AJOL), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Hinari, ResearchGate, and yippy.com. Data extraction was done using the WHO health systems building blocks. The review identified 26 publications that referred to collaborations between informal providers and formal health systems in healthcare delivery. The collaboration is manifested through formal health providers registering and standardizing the practice of informal health providers. They also participate in training informal providers and providing free medical commodities for them. Additionally, there were numerous instances of client referrals, either from informal to formal providers or from formal to informal providers. However, the review also indicates that these collaborations are unformalized, unsystematic, and largely undocumented. This undermines the potential contributions of informal providers to the urban health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Odii
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Sociology/Anthropology Department, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Ifeyinwa Arize
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
- Health Administration and Management Department, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
| | - Prince Agwu
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Social Work Department, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Chinyere Mbachu
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Obinna Onwujekwe
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Health Administration and Management Department, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
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Khatri R, Endalamaw A, Erku D, Wolka E, Nigatu F, Zewdie A, Assefa Y. Continuity and care coordination of primary health care: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:750. [PMID: 37443006 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare coordination and continuity of care conceptualize all care providers and organizations involved in health care to ensure the right care at the right time. However, systematic evidence synthesis is lacking in the care coordination of health services. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on different levels of care coordination of primary health care (PHC) and primary care. METHODS We conducted a scoping review of published evidence on healthcare coordination. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched until 30 November 2022 for studies that describe care coordination/continuity of care in PHC and primary care. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to select studies. We analysed data using a thematic analysis approach and explained themes adopting a multilevel (individual, organizational, and system) analytical framework. RESULTS A total of 56 studies were included in the review. Most studies were from upper-middle-income or high-income countries, primarily focusing on continuity/care coordination in primary care. Ten themes were identified in care coordination in PHC/primary care. Four themes under care coordination at the individual level were the continuity of services, linkage at different stages of health conditions (from health promotion to rehabilitation), health care from a life-course (conception to elderly), and care coordination of health services at places (family to hospitals). Five themes under organizational level care coordination included interprofessional, multidisciplinary services, community collaboration, integrated care, and information in care coordination. Finally, a theme under system-level care coordination was related to service management involving multisectoral coordination within and beyond health systems. CONCLUSIONS Continuity and coordination of care involve healthcare provisions from family to health facility throughout the life-course to provide a range of services. Several issues could influence multilevel care coordination, including at the individual (services or users), organizational (providers), and system (departments and sectors) levels. Health systems should focus on care coordination, ensuring types of care per the healthcare needs at different stages of health conditions by a multidisciplinary team. Coordinating multiple technical and supporting stakeholders and sectors within and beyond health sector is also vital for the continuity of care especially in resource-limited health systems and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resham Khatri
- School of Public Health, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
- Health Social Science and Development Research Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Aklilu Endalamaw
- School of Public Health, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Erku
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia
| | - Eskinder Wolka
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Frehiwot Nigatu
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Anteneh Zewdie
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yibeltal Assefa
- School of Public Health, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Kumah E. The informal healthcare providers and universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries. Global Health 2022; 18:45. [PMID: 35477581 PMCID: PMC9044596 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00839-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has indicated that achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through public sector service delivery alone would not be possible. This calls for corporation, collaboration and partnership between the public and the private sector actors. Informal providers represent a significant portion of the healthcare delivery systems in low-and-middle-income countries (LMCs). However, the presence of this group of private sector actors in national health systems presents both challenges and opportunities. Considering the limited resources in LMCs, ignoring the role of the informal sector in national health systems is not an option. This paper aims to discuss the role of informal health care providers in achieving universal health coverage in low-and-middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Kumah
- Department of Health Administration and Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
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Abimbola S, Drabarek D, Molemodile SK. Self-reliance or social accountability? The raison d'être of community health committees in Nigeria. Int J Health Plann Manage 2022; 37:1722-1735. [PMID: 35178776 PMCID: PMC9305423 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Social justice requires that communities demand social accountability. We conducted this study to inform ongoing efforts to facilitate social accountability through community health committees in Nigeria. We theorised that committees may see themselves in two ways - as outwardly-facing ('social accountability') and/or as inwardly-facing ('self-reliance'). We analysed the minutes of their meetings, alongside interviews and group discussions with committee members, community members, health workers, and health managers in four states across Nigeria. The committees' raison d'être reflects a bias for self-reliance in three ways. First, seen as a platform for the community to co-finance health services, members tend to be the local elite who can make financial contributions. Second, in a one-sided relationship, they function more to achieve the goals of governments (e.g. to improve the uptake of services), than of the community (e.g. rights-based demands for government support). Third, their activities in the community reflect greater concern to ensure that their community makes the most of what the government has already provided (e.g. helping to drive the uptake of existing services) than asking for more. Optimising the committees for social accountability may require support by actors who do not have conflicts of interests in ensuring that they have the necessary information and strategies to demand social accountability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Dorothy Drabarek
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Ajisegiri WS, Abimbola S, Tesema AG, Odusanya OO, Peiris D, Joshi R. The organisation of primary health care service delivery for non-communicable diseases in Nigeria: A case-study analysis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000566. [PMID: 36962373 PMCID: PMC10021956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
As chronic diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) require sustained person-centred and community-based care. Given its direct link to communities and households, Primary Health Care (PHC) is well positioned to achieve such care. In Nigeria, the national government has prioritized PHC system strengthening as a means of achieving national NCD targets. However, strengthening PHC systems for NCDs require re-organization of PHC service delivery, based on contextual understanding of existing facilitators and barriers to PHC service delivery for NCDs. We conducted a mixed method case study to explore NCD service delivery with 13 PHC facilities serving as the cases of interest. The study was conducted in two northern and two southern states in Nigeria-and included qualitative interviews with 25 participants, 13 focus group discussion among 107 participants and direct observation at the 13 PHCs. We found that interprofessional role conflict among healthcare workers, perverse incentives to sustain the functioning of PHC facilities in the face of government under-investment, and the perception of PHC as an inferior health system were major barriers to improved organisation of NCD management. Conversely, the presence of physicians at PHC facilities and involvement of civil society organizations in aiding community linkage were key enablers. These marked differences in performance and capacity between PHC facilities in northern compared to southern states, with those in the south better organised to deliver NCD services. PHC reforms that are tailored to the socio-political and economic variations across Nigeria are needed to improve capacity to address NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seye Abimbola
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
- School of Public Health, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Olumuyiwa O Odusanya
- Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria
| | - David Peiris
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Rohina Joshi
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
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6
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Affiliation(s)
- Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Akinrolie O, Okoh AC, Kalu ME. Intergenerational Support between Older Adults and Adult Children in Nigeria: The Role of Reciprocity. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2020; 63:478-498. [PMID: 32449643 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2020.1768459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The rapid change in the family support structure in developing countries could jeopardize the concept of reciprocal support an older adult receives in later life. This study explored the perception of reciprocity between older parents and adult children on intergenerational support in Northern Nigeria. We purposely selected 18 participants and conducted face-to-face interviews. We analyzed the data using descriptive phenomenological method analysis. Three major themes emerged: characteristics of support, perceived support given and received to/from children, and perceived indebtedness/credit. Financial support is one of the most common types of support received by older adults. The perceived support given to adult children was expressed as "huge and sacrificial" by older adults. The adult children felt they are providing less support than they have received from their parents and expressed the feeling of indebtedness to their older parents. Generally, adult children perceived the need to reciprocate past support received from their older parents. The perception of reciprocity remains strong among Nigerians and plays a vital role in promoting intergenerational support between older parents and adult children. We discuss the implications of the findings, including the role of professionals to promote provision of other forms of support to older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka Akinrolie
- Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Canada
- Centre for Research on Ageing, University of Southampton , Southampton, UK
- Emerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing African-Network , Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Augustine C Okoh
- Emerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing African-Network , Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Michael E Kalu
- Emerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing African-Network , Abuja, Nigeria
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University , Hamilton, Canada
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Hall T, Kakuma R, Palmer L, Minas H, Martins J, Armstrong G. Service user and family participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste: a qualitative study with multiple stakeholders. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:117. [PMID: 32164633 PMCID: PMC7069011 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Participation in mental health system strengthening by people with mental health problems and their families is a cornerstone of people-centred mental health care, yet there is a dearth of research about participation from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly from the Asia Pacific region. Hence, this study aimed to assess the current situation, challenges, enabling factors and future actions for service user and family participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 85 adults (≥18 years) who were: (1) mental health service users (n = 20) and their families (n = 10); (2) government decision makers (n = 10); (3) mental health and social service providers (n = 23); (4) civil society (n = 9); and (5) other groups (n = 13). Interview data was analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS There was limited service user, family and community participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste. Perceptions that policy making is a technical exercise and that people with mental health problems lack cognitive capacity, and a lack of supportive mechanisms challenged participation. Enabling factors were a strong focus on human rights within the social sector, and existing mechanisms for advocacy and representation of people with disabilities in social policy making. Participants suggested bolstering civil society representation of people with mental health problems, and increasing mental health awareness and literacy, including government competencies to facilitate service user participation. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the need for theoretical and practical focus on the role of family within mental health system development in LMICs. Global mental health research and practice should adopt a critical approach to mental health service user and family participation to ensure that the concept and strategies to achieve this are embedded in LMIC knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Hall
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
| | - Ritsuko Kakuma
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XCentre for Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Palmer
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of Geography, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Harry Minas
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XCentre for Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - João Martins
- grid.449369.5Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Timor-Leste, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Greg Armstrong
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XNossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Abimbola S, Keelan S, Everett M, Casburn K, Mitchell M, Burchfield K, Martiniuk A. The medium, the message and the measure: a theory-driven review on the value of telehealth as a patient-facing digital health innovation. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2019; 9:21. [PMID: 31270685 PMCID: PMC6734475 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-019-0239-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
By what measure should a policy maker choose between two mediums that deliver the same or similar message or service? Between, say, video consultation or a remote patient monitoring application (i.e. patient-facing digital health innovations) and in-person consultation? To answer this question, we sought to identify measures which are used in randomised controlled trials. But first we used two theories to frame the effects of patient-facing digital health innovations on - 1) transaction costs (i.e. the effort, time and costs required to complete a clinical interaction); and 2) process outcomes and clinical outcomes along the care cascade or information value chain, such that the 'value of information' (VoI) is different at each point in the care cascade or value chain. From the trials, we identified three categories of measures: outcome (process or clinical), satisfaction, and cost. We found that although patient-facing digital health innovations tend to confer much of their value by altering process outcomes, satisfaction, and transaction costs, these measures are inconsistently assessed. Efforts to determine the relative value of and choose between mediums of service delivery should adopt a metric (i.e. mathematical combination of measures) that capture all dimensions of value. We argue that 'value of information' (VoI) is such a metric - it is calculated as the difference between the 'expected utility' (EU) of alternative options. But for patient-facing digital health innovations, 'expected utility' (EU) should incorporate the probability of achieving not only a clinical outcome, but also process outcomes (depending on the innovation under consideration); and the measures of utility should include satisfaction and transaction costs; and also changes in population access to services, and health system capacity to deliver more services, which may result from reduction in transaction costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Far West, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Keelan
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Far West, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexandra Martiniuk
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Far West, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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10
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Abimbola S. Beyond positive a priori bias: reframing community engagement in LMICs. Health Promot Int 2019; 35:598-609. [DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daz023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Showing the causal link between community engagement and improved health outcomes is a ‘holy grail’ of health policy. This article argues that this ‘holy grail’ has remained elusive because community engagement in primary health care is under-theorized, having been based on positive a priori assumptions, e.g. that people necessarily want to be engaged in governing their health system. By adopting a theory-driven approach and an agnostic premise, we show that understanding why, how and when community engagement may emerge or function spontaneously is important for informing efforts to support community engagement in primary health care primary health care governance. We draw on empirical research on community engagement in Nigeria and on the literature to identify the ‘why’ (coalition of service users can emerge in response to under-governance); the ‘how’ (five modes: through meetings; reaching out within their community; lobbying governments; augmenting government support; and taking control of service delivery) and the ‘when’ (as geographical, socio-economic and institutional context align, such that the benefits of action outweigh costs). Understanding the broad patterns of mechanisms and of contextual factors that apply across communities is, after all, our ‘holy grail’—and this understanding should inform efforts to tailor support for community engagement in governance in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Afzal A, Stolee P, Heckman GA, Boscart VM, Sanyal C. The role of unregulated care providers in Canada-A scoping review. Int J Older People Nurs 2018; 13:e12190. [PMID: 29575512 DOI: 10.1111/opn.12190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This scoping review explored: (i) the role of unregulated care providers in the healthcare system; (ii) their potential role on interprofessional teams; (iii) the impact of unregulated care provider's role on quality of care and patient safety; and (iv) education and employment standards. BACKGROUND Unregulated care providers in Canada assist older adults with personal support and activities of daily living in a variety of care settings. As the care needs of an aging population become increasingly complex, the role of unregulated care providers in healthcare delivery has also evolved. Currently, many unregulated care providers are performing tasks previously performed by regulated health professionals, with potential implications for quality of care and patient safety. Information is fragmented on the role, education and employment standards of unregulated care providers. METHODS A scoping review was conducted following the methods outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 2005, 19) and Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien (Implementation Science, 5, 2010, 69). An iterative search of published and grey literature was conducted from January 2000 to September 2016 using Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Google. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify relevant studies published in English. RESULTS The search yielded 63 papers for review. Results highlight the evolving role of unregulated care providers, a lack of recognition and a lack of authority for unregulated care provider decision-making in patient care. Unregulated care providers do not have a defined scope of practice. However, their role has evolved to include activities previously performed by regulated professionals. Variations in education and employment standards have implications for quality of care and patient safety. CONCLUSIONS Unregulated care providers are part of an important workforce in the long-term care and community sectors in Canada. Their evolving role should be recognised and efforts made to leverage their experience on interprofessional teams and reduce variations in education and employment standards. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This study highlights the evolving role of unregulated care providers in Canada and presents a set of recommendations for implementation at micro, meso, and macro policy levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Afzal
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Stolee
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - George A Heckman
- Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Veronique M Boscart
- Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care, Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning Applied Research, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Chiranjeev Sanyal
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Onah MN, Horton S. Male-female differences in households' resource allocation and decision to seek healthcare in south-eastern Nigeria: Results from a mixed methods study. Soc Sci Med 2018; 204:84-91. [PMID: 29602090 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Ability to influence household decision-making has been shown to increase with improved social capital and power and is linked to better access to household financial resources and other services outside the household including healthcare. To examine the male-female differences in household custody of financial resources, decision-making, and type of healthcare utilised, we used a mixed methods approach of cross-sectional household surveys and focus-group discussions (FGDs). Data was collected between 10 January-28 February 2011. We analyzed a sample of 411 households and a sub-sample of 223 households with a currently married head. We conducted six single-sex FGDs in 3 communities (1 urban, 2 rural) among a random sub-sample of participants in the survey. We performed univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses with a 95% confidence interval. For the qualitative data, we performed thematic analysis where broad themes relevant to the research objective were abstracted. In all households and in those with a married head, sick male members were less likely to forgo healthcare (aORall0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.90; aORmarried0.52, 95% CI 0.18-0.83) and more likely to utilise formal healthcare relative to female sick members (aORall3.36, 95% CI 3.20-3.87; aORmarried19.50, 95% CI 9.62-39.52). Formal healthcare providers are medically trained while informal providers are untrained vendors that dispense medications for profit. There were more reports of sole custody of household resources among men within households with married heads. Joint decision-making on healthcare expenditure improved women's access to healthcare but is not reflective of unhindered access to household financial resources. Qualitatively, women spoke of seeking permission from male household head before expenditure was incurred, while male heads spoke of concealing household financial resources from their spouse. Gender constructs and male-female differences have important effects on household resource allocation and healthcare utilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Nnachebe Onah
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Susan Horton
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Canada
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Izugbara CO, Wekesah F. What does quality maternity care mean in a context of medical pluralism? Perspectives of women in Nigeria. Health Policy Plan 2018; 33:1-8. [PMID: 29036530 PMCID: PMC5886285 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czx131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
User priorities regarding quality care in contexts of medical pluralism are poorly documented. Drawing on group and individual interviews with women, we interrogate ideas of quality maternity care in the context of Nigeria's medical pluralism. We found complex utilization patterns for conventional, complementary and alternative maternity care services as well as ideas of quality maternity care that stress effective coordination and integration of different typologies of maternity health services; socially sensitive and truthful providers; and socioeconomic, physical and parochial forms of safety. Informal providers were the commonly reported source of maternal health services in the study. Maternal health services in the country were also generally viewed as poor quality, characterized by pervasive abuse, quackery and lack of commitment to the needs and sensitivities of women. Convenience, availability and affordability of maternal health services, as well as sociocultural factors were major influences on women's use of services. Results demonstrate the embeddedness of women's quality of care notions in the vast socioeconomic inequities that typify Nigeria's particular form of poorly regulated medical pluralism, raising need for strategies to strengthen the delivery, coordination and supervision of maternal health services in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chimaraoke O Izugbara
- African Population and Health Research Center, 2nd Floor, APHRC Campus, P.O. Box 10787- 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Frederick Wekesah
- African Population and Health Research Center, 2nd Floor, APHRC Campus, P.O. Box 10787- 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ogbuabor DC, Onwujekwe OE. The community is just a small circle: citizen participation in the free maternal and child healthcare programme of Enugu State, Nigeria. Glob Health Action 2018; 11:1421002. [PMID: 29343213 PMCID: PMC5774396 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1421002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a gap in knowledge about how citizen participation impacts governance of free healthcare policies for universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE This study provides evidence about how social accountability initiatives influenced revenue generation, pooling and fund management, purchasing and capacity of health facilities implementing the free maternal and child healthcare programme (FMCHP) in Enugu State, Nigeria. METHODS The study adopted a descriptive, qualitative case-study design to explore how social accountability influenced implementation of the FMCHP at the state level and in two health districts (Isi-Uzo and Enugu Metropolis) in Enugu State. Data were collected from policymakers (n = 16), providers (n = 16) and health facility committee leaders (n = 12) through in-depth interviews. We also conducted focus-group discussions (n = 4) with 42 service users and document review. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS It was found that health facility committees (HFCs) have not been involved in the generation of funds, fund management and tracking of spending in FMCHP. The HFCs did not also seem to have increased transparency of benefits and payment of providers. The HFCs emerged as the dominant social accountability initiative in FMCHP but lacked power in the governance of free health services. The HFCs were constrained by weak legal framework, ineffectual FMCHP committees at the state and district levels, restricted financial information disclosure, distrustful relationships with policymakers and providers, weak patient complaint system and low use of service charter. CONCLUSION The HFCs have not played a significant role in health financing and service provision in FMCHP. The gaps in HFCs' participation in health financing functions and service delivery need to be considered in the design and implementation of free maternal and child healthcare policies that aim to achieve universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C. Ogbuabor
- Department of Health Administration and Management, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Sustainable Impact Resource Agency, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Obinna E. Onwujekwe
- Department of Health Administration and Management, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
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Abimbola S, Negin J, Martiniuk AL, Jan S. Institutional analysis of health system governance. Health Policy Plan 2017; 32:1337-1344. [DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czx083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, FCT 900247, Nigeria
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia and
| | - Joel Negin
- School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexandra L Martiniuk
- School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia and
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, ON M4N 3 M5, Canada
| | - Stephen Jan
- School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia and
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