European journal of public health
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Little is known about the causes of problems in communication between health care professionals and ethnic-minority patients. Not only language difficulties, but also cultural differences may result in these problems. This study explores the influence of communication and patient beliefs about health (care) and disease on understanding and compliance of native-born and ethnic-minority patients. ⋯ Ethnic-minority parents more often report problems in their relationship with the GP and they have different beliefs about health and health care from native-born parents. Good relationships between GP and patients are necessary for mutual understanding. Mutual understanding has a strong correlation with compliance. Mutual understanding and consequently compliance is more often poor in consultations with ethnic-minority parents than with native-born parents.
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2001
Comparative StudyImpact of private funding on access to elective hospital treatment in the regions of England and Wales. National records survey.
The UK National Health Service aims to match access to health care to the level of need and to reduce inequalities in the health of sub-populations. One in ten persons have private medical insurance (PMI). This study describes the impact of private purchasing on access to hospital care in regions according to health need. ⋯ Regionally, NHS resources and activity match need. Private hospital use complements lower levels of NHS service. Private consumption does not distort access according to need but in regions with lower levels of NHS activity those least deprived may make relatively more use of NHS hospitals, thus widening the health gap. Small area studies should explore this.
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2001
Comparative StudyThe burden of community-acquired pneumonia in Spain.
Community-acquired pneumonia accounts for a large number of hospitalizations and deaths in developed countries. ⋯ Community-acquired pneumonia accounts for 53,000 hospitalizations per year in Spain, and this imposes a large economic cost on the National Health-care System.
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Eur J Public Health · Sep 2001
Emotional and physical demands on caregivers in home care to the elderly in Switzerland and their relationship to nursing home admission.
Planning the home care of growing numbers of old, dependent people must include the caregivers' burden. ⋯ Caregiving of older persons has bio-psychosocial ramifications for caregivers. Closeness between caregiver and patient seems to be a key factor in determination of the long-term outcome.
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Eur J Public Health · Mar 2001
Traumatic experience and sleep disturbance in refugee children from the Middle East.
Sleep disturbance is frequently reported in children after traumatic experiences associated with organised violence. The aim of this study was to identify specific traumatic risk indicators and modifying factors for sleep disturbance among recently arrived refugee children from the Middle East. ⋯ This study indicates that the family environment is of primary importance for childhood sleep disturbance following traumatic experiences connected with war and other organised violence.