Development of an evidence-informed governance and stewardship framework for elderly healthcare in Iran: A qualitative study

Background

The ageing population poses significant challenges to healthcare systems, necessitating the establishment of high-functioning, integrated frameworks for elderly healthcare. This study aimed to explore the key challenges associated with the stewardship of elderly care in Iran and to develop a holistic stewardship framework.

Methods

For this qualitative study, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with key Iranian healthcare stakeholders, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling during 2021-2022. Inductive open coding was utilized to generate new concepts related to key stewardship challenges. The World Health Organization's conceptual framework, outlining the three stewardship tasks, served as the basis for crafting a tailored framework for elderly healthcare stewardship in Iran.

Results

Fourteen main challenges and 38 sub-challenges were identified for elderly healthcare stewardship in Iran, categorized according to the WHO framework's three stewardship tasks. Challenges related to WHO stewardship task 1, involving health policy formulation and vision definition, included challenges in vision definition, planning, policymaking, and intergovernmental institutional superiority. Challenges related to WHO stewardship task 2, delineating governance and stewardship through control and regulation, encompassed issues such as support for the elderly, system responsiveness, behavior of healthcare providers, organizational structure, and cross-sectoral leadership challenges. Challenges associated with WHO stewardship task 3, about the use of collective intelligence, explored stakeholder collaboration, information for decision-making, and challenges within the elderly information system, covering data documentation, reporting, analysis, accessibility, distribution, and circulation. Subsequently, a framework was developed, covering areas like defining the vision and direction of health policy, managing information systems, evidence-informed policymaking, and delivering elderly health services with a holistic approach.

Conclusion

The present framework shows how a management information system, guided by evidenced-informed policymaking and the formulation of customized health policies, can facilitate the provision of elderly health services based on identified needs. It presents a governance and stewardship pathway that can be adopted by Iranian health policymakers and similar middle-income countries facing analogous challenges in ageing and aged care system stewardship, serving as a model for developing their own frameworks.

652 Fate of The Contralateral Limb Following Major Lower Limb Amputation in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease And/Or Diabetes: Case Series from Two Regional Vascular Centres

Introduction

This is the first clinical case series to report time to ulceration, minor and major amputation of the contralateral limb (CLL) in the first 12 months following major lower limb amputation (LLA) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or diabetes.

Method

Consecutive patient samples at two regional UK vascular centres were included; from 2010 to 2017 (site 1) and 2014 to 2016 (site 2). Data were extracted from electronic records for 12 months following index major LLA. Survival analyses are presented for the event of mortality in the total study population, plus major amputation-free survival, and complication-free survival in site 1 only; results are stratified by diabetes status.

Results

Of 381 patients reviewed (n = 197 site 1; n = 184 site 2), 208 (54.6%) were diagnosed with diabetes at the time of their index major LLA. The mean survival time of patients was lower in those without diabetes (HR: 0.64 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.95], p=.03). The mean time to major amputation of the CLL or death in patients was lower in those without diabetes (HR: 0.65 [95% CI, 224 0.40 to 1.06]; p=.08). The median time to any complication of the CLL or death was greater in those without diabetes (HR: 1.25 [95% CI, 227 0.88 to 1.78]; p=.21).

Conclusions

Death rates were higher in patients without diabetes, whilst those with diabetes had high levels of CLL complications. Optimisation of care to protect the CLL following major LLA and guidance for carers, patients, and clinicians is required.

Evaluation results of national hospital accreditation program in Iran: The view of hospital managers

BACKGROUND

Accreditation programs have a crucial role in improving the safety and effectiveness of hospital services. Many factors contribute to achieve accreditation goals. This study evaluated the national Iranian hospital accreditation program from the view of hospital managers in Iran.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 2015 using a validated questionnaire designed to collect feedback concerning accreditation processes and impacts. In total, 547 managers were surveyed using a stratified random sampling method. A 5-degree scale Likert from totally disagree=1 to totally agree=5 has been used for the evaluation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Approximately half of hospital managers were satisfied with the accreditation standards and surveying methods. The reason for their dissatisfaction was the high number of measures (2.38). The main challenges to the accreditation method were reported inadequate surveyor training (2.94) their satisfaction with the infrastructure was low because of a lack of hospital resources. Nonetheless, the accreditation program was perceived as being successful in improving patient safety (3.80), patient compliance (3.72), and error reduction (3.53).

CONCLUSION

An effective accreditation program requires reducing the number of standards and making them clearer as well as the infrastructure for the implementation of accreditation such as sufficient and sustainable funds, enough human resources and equipment should be provided. Appropriate surveyors should be selected and trained professionally to ensure inter-rater reliability among them.

Media framing of graduated licensing policy debates

BACKGROUND

The overrepresentation of young drivers in road trauma statistics produces significant media interest. Graduated licensing restrictions involving night-time curfews and restrictions on passenger numbers are prominent topics within media coverage. This was particularly apparent in Australia between January 2004 and July 2008, when various models of either restriction were introduced in four states.

METHODS

Australian newspaper and Sydney free-to-air television coverage during the peak period were analysed to identify the framing strategies used by news actors supporting or opposing these policies.

RESULTS

Fifteen frames were identified. These predominantly assessed the proposed restrictions in terms of their need, evidence base, practicality and the degree to which they were consonant with 'commonsense' perceptions and had community support. While expert road injury reduction news actors primarily emphasised their moral imperative and likely effectiveness, opponents stressed their impracticality and proposed alternative solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Research evidence is only one component of information presented as policy-relevant in policy discourse conducted in news media. Policy reform advocates using the media to advocate for evidence-based policies in road injury prevention need to appreciate that evidence is not the only currency exchanged in such debates and should study opponents' rhetoric in order to anticipate and counteract the framing strategies being used.