Health policy
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The objectives of this study were to identify: perceptions regarding underuse and characteristics of generic medicines; patients' attitudes towards drug substitution and pharmacists' attitudes towards substitution recommendation. ⋯ More information should be given to patients preferably by doctors and pharmacists. Prescription should be encouraged and experience promoted.
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Review Comparative Study
A systematic review and comparison of HIV contact tracing laws in Canada.
Public health officials and health providers need to be aware of the legislation documenting contact tracing in their jurisdiction to advise HIV positive clients of their rights, and to systematically perform their duties. The objective is to outline and compare the contact tracing laws in 13 jurisdictions in Canada, and to provide policy recommendations. ⋯ Public health officials should ensure that contact tracing practices and policies accurately reflect the current regulations without compromising their patients' confidentiality. It is recommended that each province/territory would benefit from standardized contact tracing regulations which are imbedded in communicable disease legislation. Regulations with provisions for informed consent, confidentiality, multiple counselling sessions, clear procedures in duty to warn cases, and domestic violence screening would be considered best practice.
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To develop culturally appropriate and effective strategies to reduce the risk from pandemic influenza (H1N109) in rural and remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. ⋯ The essential work of reducing risk of pandemic influenza with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is not straightforward, but this project has highlighted a number of useful pathways to continue to journey along with communities. A number of strategies to reduce the spread of pandemic influenza in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were identified. These strategies would make a good starting point for conversations with communities and health services. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities the environment, community structures and traditions vary. Respectful engagement with communities is needed to develop effective policy.
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To propose an operational framework for assessing the completeness and consistency of the stewardship function of national health ministries. ⋯ Challenges in the implementation of stewardship relate to: limitations to the role of health ministries; and to governance, operational and change implementation issues. The framework proposed seems flexible enough to help assess the health system stewardship function; however it should be further tested in practice.
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This paper describes the development and implementation of the first national hospital performance indicators in Lebanon including its institutionalization within existing policy framework and the initiation of independent governance structure for sustainability. ⋯ This is among the first attempts made in the East Mediterranean Region to adapt the BSC approach and translate the experience of its development to addresses local needs and contextual reality.