Scandinavian journal of primary health care
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 1992
Impact of chronic illness in children on parental living conditions. A population-based study in a Swedish primary care district.
In a geographically defined child population aged 0-15, every twelfth child suffered from chronic illness. Their parents and randomly selected control children's parents were asked about their living conditions using questionnaires. Non-responders (30%) had the same sociodemographic profile as responders. ⋯ The parents' social relations were most hampered by having children with allergic disorders or mental retardation. Despite reduced hours, more absence from work to care for sick children, and reduced leisure activities, two thirds of the parents of moderately/severely disabled children found it difficult to cater adequately to the needs of their child. A family approach is recommended to provide comprehensive care of children with chronic illness, in which both specialized and primary care are needed.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 1991
Comparative StudyCost analysis and ethical aspects of hospital-based home-care for terminal cancer patients.
A study was undertaken to measure the costs of caring for 20 terminally ill/dying cancer patients at home, within a hospital-based home-care system. A new method was used, by which all staff expenses were registered and the work costs per minute were calculated for each personnel category (e.g. nurses, physicians). The total number of care days amounted to 857. ⋯ All the patients had relatives at home and were intensely dependent on their families. The important part played by the relatives contributed to the relatively low costs. The ethical aspects of caring for dying cancer patients at home are discussed.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 1991
General practitioners' attitudes to a recent change in their remuneration system.
The study examines the attitudes of general practitioners in Copenhagen to a recent change in their remuneration system from capitation to a mixed capitation and fee-for-service system. The study was based on two questionnaires, one before and one 18 months after the change, distributed to a primarily self-selected sample of 100 general practioners in Copenhagen City. ⋯ Attitudes to secondary versus primary care responsibilities also changed little. The majority felt that there had been an increase in their total work load, but also an improved economic situation in their practice. 21% felt that there was more competition with colleagues and 30% that doctor-patient relationships had suffered as a result of the introduction of a fee-for-service.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 1991
Perception of health and use of health care services in a Swedish primary care district. A ten year's perspective.
In a study that covered ten years a questionnaire about perceived health and use of health care services was mailed each autumn to 1/60 representative samples of the population in Sollentuna, a Swedish primary care district. The majority of respondents thought that their health was good, and only a small minority reported themselves as quite, or very sick. ⋯ This increase was most marked in the case of visits to emergency departments and visits by appointment at hospitals, and least in the case of visits to private doctors and company/school physicians, while visits to doctors at health centres and to district nurses occupied an intermediate position. Thus, by including a simple question about perceived health in a questionnaire designed to measure use of health care services, important information about the relations between use of health services and health conditions could be obtained.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 1991
Editorial CommentRehabilitation programme for the disabled elderly.