J Formos Med Assoc
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Curative technologies improve patient's survival and/or quality of life but increase financial burdens. Effective prevention benefits all three. We summarize estimation methods and provide examples of how much money is spent per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) or life year (LY) on treating a catastrophic illness under a lifetime horizon and how many QALYs/LYs and lifetime medical costs (LMC) could be potentially saved by prevention. ⋯ Integration of prevention with treatment for resources allocation seems feasible and would improve equity and efficiency.
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In this study, using Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) as an example of a single-payer system, we examined the extent of pharmaceutical procurement profits (PPP) and evaluated their impact on the financial performance of healthcare institutions. ⋯ Average PPP increased during the study period, increasingly affecting hospitals' financial stability across all strata. The gap between TOP and HSP in medical centers has gradually widened, suggesting an increase in non-health service profits. In this study, we propose a payment policy reform that fosters sustainability of the healthcare and financing system under universal health coverage and corrects the potential distortions caused by PPP.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
Multicenter registry of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Paired comparison with Kawasaki disease.
This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics to differentiate multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD) in Taiwan, an island with a delayed cluster of MIS-C and a high incidence of KD. Additionally, we studied risk factors for developing severe complications in patients with MIS-C. ⋯ We identified two independent risk factors associated with hemodynamic compromise in MIS-C patients. The comparison between matched MIS-C and KD patients highlighted significant differences in clinical presentations, like BCG red halos, which may aid in the differential diagnosis of the two disease entities, especially in regions with a high incidence rate of KD.
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Despite the advancements in precision medicine, regenerative medicine, and smart healthcare, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains vital in Taiwan, reflecting its cultural and historical heritage. TCM is commonly used in conjunction with or as an alternative to conventional medicine and is reimbursed by Taiwan's National Health Insurance, enabling the Taiwanese people to integrate traditional and modern treatments for comprehensive healthcare. This article explores the critical role of specialization in TCM amid evolving healthcare challenges. ⋯ Specialization enhances treatment precision, patient outcomes, and clinical research quality. Drawing on South Korea's experience in establishing a specialist physician system for traditional Korean medicine, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's initiatives to advance systematic TCM training and regulatory frameworks were examined, showcasing the development and implementation of a TCM specialist physician training program. In conclusion, specialized physician training in TCM improves patient care, optimizes healthcare utilization, and promotes long-term sustainability of the health insurance system by aligning TCM practices with modern healthcare needs.
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On the eve of Taiwan's National Health Insurance's 30th birthday, this study reviews the policy and performance trajectory of the Taiwanese health system. Taiwan has controlled their health spending well and grown increasingly reliant on private financing. The floating-point global budget payment preferentially rewards outpatient-based services, but this has not affected the hospital-centric market composition, which persists despite several primary-care friendly developments. ⋯ Identifying what drives the worsening financial barriers of access and persistent financial risk is necessary for further discussions on potential financing adjustments. Improving allocative efficiency could draw on a combination of supporting the functions and quality of primary care alongside patient-oriented education and incentives. Further data on causes of slow health status improvement and rebounding maternal mortality rate is necessary.