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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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.
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To develop a national scorecard for assessing health system performance derived from routine data. ⋯ The scorecard offers a useful method for combining a range of data to give an overall picture of health system performance, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. This initial study provides a baseline for assessing New Zealand's performance over time and, where data permit, a template for other countries to follow.
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Tremendous strides have been made in the last two decades with regard to the quality of palliative care available to patients at the end of life. But progress has not been uniform, even among countries in the same region of the world. ⋯ This study's conclusions, based on a synthesis of the research, suggest that despite its well earned reputation as a generally progressive welfare state, Denmark tends to trail well behind its European neighbors when it comes to end-of-life care. Understanding the cultural forces that underlie this reality may help Danish health care professionals and policy makers overcome the barriers that stand in the way of providing state-of-the-art medical care to patients who suffer at the end of life.
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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.