Israel Journal of Health Policy Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Evaluating the consequences of health policy decisions
AbstractUncertainty about intended and possible unintended side effects makes it important to evaluate changes following health policy decisions. A recent IJHPR article by Greenberg et al. evaluated changes in emergency department care following a directive of the Israeli Ministry of Health to limit occupancy in internal medicine wards. Over a six-year observation period, they found that one-month mortality and one-week readmissions after ED visits remained unchanged, while increases in average ED visit length, as well as increased delay time from ED admission to ward were observed. These findings help to assess the impact...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 29, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Lessons learned from an evaluation of referrals to the emergency department
ConclusionA robust UCC system may help further reduce potentially unnecessary visits (including complex patients) to the ED. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 26, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Inequality in in-hospital mortality due to road traffic accident between ethnic populations in specified groups living in the same country
ConclusionsThis study suggests the need for developing appropriate interventions focusing on the Arab community in general, and according to the analysis of risk groups and areas of injury in particular, including rapid access to emergency medical services and definitive care. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 19, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Toward risk adjustment in mental health in Israel: calculation of risk adjustment rates from large outpatient and inpatient databases
ConclusionsThe risk adjustment rates calculated for outpatient care are substantially different from the ones suggested by the inter-ministerial team. The inpatient rates are new, and indicate that for patients with schizophrenia, a separate risk-sharing arrangement might be desirable. Adopting the rates developed in this analysis would decrease the budget shares of Clalit and Leumit with their relatively older populations, and increase Maccabi and Meuhedet ’s shares. Future research should develop a risk-adjustment scheme which covers directly both mental and physical care provided by the Israeli Health Plans, using the...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 13, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Low intake of iodized salt and iodine containing supplements among pregnant women with apparently insufficient iodine status - time to change policy?
ConclusionsWhile the Israeli Ministry of Health has recommended the intake of iodized salt and iodine containing supplements, this is apparently insufficient for achieving optimal iodine status among Israeli pregnant women. The evidence of highly prevalent probable iodine deficiency in a sample of pregnant women suggests an urgent need for a national policy of iodized salt regulation, as well as guidelines to promote iodine containing supplements and adherence to them by caregivers. In addition, studies similar to this one should be undertaken in additional countries reliant on desalinated iodine-diluted water to further a...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 29, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Patient satisfaction with primary care physician performance in a multicultural population
ConclusionsJews and Arabs were very satisfied with PCPs ’ performance. However, there are ethnic differences in the extent of satisfaction level related to the performance of PCP. Satisfaction from PCPs’ performance may be achieved by improving the communication skills of the PCP, encouraging interpersonal interaction between the PCP and the patient, and devoting more time to the patient during the visits. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 24, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Enhancing primary care and preventive services through Interprofessional practice and education
AbstractInterprofessional (IP) practice and education are important when seeking to respond to the growing demand for primary and preventive care services. Multiple professions with synergistic expertise are needed to effectively provide health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education and to help patients with multiple comorbidities, chronic health conditions, and care coordination. A recent study by Schor et al. titled, “Multidisciplinary work promotes preventive medicine and health education in primary care: a cross-sectional survey,” compares the implementation of preventive services in three primary car...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 22, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Sex for seniors: how physicians discuss older adult ’s sexuality
ConclusionsThe findings highlight a potential for differential treatment of older adults, based on age, rather than on other objective reasons. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - February 20, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Temporal trends in healthcare resource utilization and costs following acute myocardial infarction
ConclusionsDespite a decline in utilization of most healthcare services throughout the investigated decade, healthcare expenditure has not changed. Further evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of long-term resource allocation following AMI is warranted. Nevertheless, we believe more intense ambulatory follow-up focusing on secondary prevention and early detection, as well as high-quality outpatient chest pain unit are warranted. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - February 11, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Improved meals service and reduced food waste and costs in medical institutions resulting from employment of a food service dietitian – a case study
ConclusionsImplementation of the new role of Food Service Dietitian led to cost savings and significant improvements in adherence to the nutritional care plan. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - February 2, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Socio-economic status, self-rated health and mental health: the mediation effect of social participation on early-late midlife and older adults
ConclusionThe links between SES and the two health constructs were enhanced by common and distinct social participation practices. Enhancement of social participation practices among low SES individuals is recommended. Social participation should be a prominent aspect of preventive medicine practice and health promotion interventions. Policy makers are called to support such programs as an important way to promote public health. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 27, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Digital governance in tax-funded European healthcare systems: from the Back office to patient empowerment
This article aims to discuss the benefits offered by digital technologies in tax-based European healthcare systems against the backdrop of structural bureaucratic rigidities and a slow pace of implementation.Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the existing delivery of healthcare services, inducing a redesign of public accountability systems and the traditional relationships between professionals and patients. Despite legitimate ethical and accountability concerns, which call for clearer guidance and regulation, digital governance of healthcare is a powerful means of empowering patients and improving their medical t...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 16, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Paramedics and Physician Assistants in Israel
AbstractIsraeli emergency medicine is undergoing change. The paramedic is experiencing high separation rates because the position is understaffed, overworked, and underpaid. Physician assistants (PAs) were introduced into the emergency department by training paramedics and to date they seem satisfied with this new role. Experience in other countries indicates that PAs can improve access to care, reduce errors, increase efficiency and have satisfying roles in health systems. The Israeli health system will need to determine if additional roles for PAs will be accepted by the public and physicians alike. (Source: Israel Journ...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 5, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

From civilian service to military service: what led policy-makers to remove nursing care from field units of the Israeli defense force (IDF) and return it later?
ConclusionsThe removal of nursing care from the IDF field units was provided as a response to the needs of the health demands of the emerging state. Until 2018 there was no significant need for military nurses except in emergency time. This is in contrast to other military nursing units. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - December 30, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

A survey of primary-care pediatricians regarding the management of Helicobacter pylori infection and celiac disease
ConclusionsAdherence to the guidelines on management ofH. pylori infection was low, while adherence to the guidelines on celiac disease management was high among primary-care pediatricians. Educational interventions are needed to improveH. pylori infection management among primary-care pediatricians. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - December 26, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research