The International journal of health planning and management
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This paper aims to present a review of published evidence of barriers to emergency care, with attention towards both financial and other barriers. ⋯ It is clear that timely access to life-saving and disability-preventing emergency care is problematic in many settings. Yet, low-cost measures can likely be taken to significantly reduce these barriers. It is time to make an inventory of these measures and to implement the most cost-effective ones worldwide.
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Apr 2012
A qualitative study of HIV testing and referral practices of private hospital doctors treating patients with TB in Chennai, India.
In India, 50%-80% of patients with tuberculosis (TB) seek private care. This study set out to explore HIV testing and referral practices of private hospital doctors treating patients with TB. ⋯ In this sample, private provider practices were influenced by both the social and the health systems contexts in which they operated. An understanding of patient perceptions of HIV, private doctors concerns for retaining patients, and the contrasting philosophies of private medicine versus public health objectives was found to be critical to explain HIV testing and referral behaviours. The government has proposed to scale up HIV testing and treatment among patients with TB, yet operationalising this will require engagement with the realities of a large, diverse private sector. It will also require considering what role government policies can have on shaping private practice and how to potentially integrate public and private care.