Health Equity: 07/03/08

Thursday, July 3, 2008

[EQ] Where are the patients in decision-making about their own care?

Where are the patients in decision-making about their own care?

Janet Askham, Angela Coulter, Suzanne Parsons, Picker Institute Europe, Oxford, United Kingdom

Editor: Govin Permanand

WHO Regional Office for Europe and European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, 2008

Available online PDF [26p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/document/hsm/3_hsc08_ePB_6.pdf

“….Patients can play a distinct role in protecting their health, choosing appropriate treatments for episodes of ill health and managing chronic disease.

Considerable evidence suggests that patient engagement can improve their experience and satisfaction and also can be effective clinically and economically.

This policy brief outlines what the research evidence tells us about the effects of engaging patients in their clinical care, and it reviews policy interventions that

have been (or could be) implemented in different health care systems across Europe. In particular, it focuses on strategies to improve:

• health literacy

• treatment decision-making

• self-management of chronic conditions….”

Contents

Key messages

Executive summary

Policy brief

The policy issue: patient engagement

Policy initiatives to foster patient involvement

Policy options to improve patient involvement

Implementation: developing national and local strategies

Conclusions

References

       *      *      *     *
         This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
         information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
         health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
         Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues. [DD/ KMS Area]

         “Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
         and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
         Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         PAHO/WHO Website: http://www.paho.org/
         EQUITY List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.

[EQ] When do vertical (stand-alone) programmes have a place in health systems?

When do vertical (stand-alone) programmes have a place in health systems?

Rifat A. Atun, Centre for Health Management, Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Sara Bennett, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Health Systems and Services, World Health Organization

Antonio Duran, Director, Técnicas de Salud, Sevilla, Spain

Editor: Govin Permanand

WHO Regional Office for Europe and European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, 2008

Available online PDF [36p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/document/hsm/5_hsc08_ePB_8.pdf

“….. The terms vertical and integrated are widely used in health service delivery, but each describes a range of phenomena. In practice, the dichotomy between

them is not rigid, and the extent of verticality or integration varies between programmes – including:
(1) a vertically funded, managed, delivered and monitored programme;
(2) one with integrated funding, organization and management but separate delivery; and
(3) a fully integrated approach comprising comprehensive primary health care services.

Most health services combine vertical and integrated elements, but the balance between programmes in these elements varies considerably. Hence, when vertical and horizontal and programme design are being discussed, clarity is needed on the programme element being referred to: (1) governance arrangements,

(2) organization, (3) funding and (4) service delivery….”

Contents

Key messages

Executive summary

Policy brief

Policy issue

What is meant by vertical versus integrated programmes?

Arguments for and against vertical programmes

Review of research findings

Integration in three programme areas: some findings

Lessons and policy implications

Conclusions

References

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.