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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence among women at childbearing age, maternal and congenital CMV infection: policy implications of a descriptive, retrospective, community-based study
ConclusionsIn this retrospective community-based study among women of childbearing age characterized by multiparity and high seroprevalence of CMV, we find that consecutive CMV serology testing enabled to detect most primary CMV infections in pregnancy that led to cCMV in newborns but failed to detect non-primary CMV infections in pregnancy. Conducting CMV serology tests among seropositive women, despite guidelines' recommendations, has no clinical value, while it is costly and introduces further uncertainties and distress. We thus recommend against routine CMV serology testing among women who were seropositive in a prior ...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 25, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Understanding and addressing populations whose prior experience has led to mistrust in healthcare
ConclusionsExamining populations' perceived trust in healthcare institutions and tailoring health messages to vulnerable populations can promote public trust in healthcare systems. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 21, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

A 10-year comparison of short versus long-term court-ordered psychiatric hospitalization: a follow-up study
ConclusionsThe results we present show that as far as recidivism and readmission are concerned, there is no evidence to suggest that there is an advantage to long-term hospitalization. Although there may be unmeasured variables not investigated in the present study that might have contributed to the discrepancy between long- and short-term hospitalization, we believe that longer hospitalizations may not serve the intended treatment purpose. Additionally, the high cost of long-term hospitalization and overcrowded wards are obviously major practical drawbacks. The impact of the clinical outcomes should be reflected in medico...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 20, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many dilemmas for policymakers, which sometimes resulted in unprecedented decision-making
ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic posed many dilemmas for policymakers. The lessons learned from the actions taken to deal with them should be incorporated into preparedness for future challenges. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 18, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

“I’m 'just' a community pediatrician” views and challenges of pediatricians working in the community in Israel
ConclusionsThe present study sheds light on the professional identity and the day-to-day challenges and successes of pediatricians working in the community. Continuing medical education, providing a supportive framework and professional community, better resources, more time with patients, and tools and opportunities for professional development would help pediatricians who work in the community to overcome some of these challenges. The research findings reinforce the need for policy change in the field of community pediatrics with a specific community training curriculum, provision of more resources and ongoing support fo...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - April 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Rational and irrational vaccine hesitancy
AbstractIn the paper published recently in this journal, Kumar et al. explained why the key to improved COVID-19 vaccine uptake is to understand societal reactions leading to vaccine hesitancy. They conclude that communications strategies should be tailored to the different phases of vaccine hesitancy. However, within the theoretical framework provided in their paper, vaccine hesitancy should be recognized as having both rational and irrational components. Rational vaccine hesitancy is a natural result of the inherent uncertainties in the potential impact of vaccines in controlling the pandemic. In general, irrational hesi...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 28, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Rethinking the path from evidence to decision-making
AbstractEvidence-informed decision-making is increasingly recognized as a standard for policymaking in many fields, including public health. However, many challenges exist in identifying the appropriate evidence, disseminating it to different stakeholders, and implementing it in various settings. The Israel Implementation Science and Policy Engagement Centre (IS-PEC) was established at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to “bridge the gap” between scientific research and policy. As an illustrative case study, IS-PEC is conducting a scoping review on strategies to engage senior citizens in Israel when developing health ...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 27, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Trends and correlated outcomes in population-level prescription opioid and transdermal fentanyl use in Israel
ConclusionData shows that all-opioid and transdermal fentanyl procurement has increased yearly between 2015 and 2021. This increase is positively correlated with a growing demand for community-based Prescription Opioid Use Disorder outpatient treatment. Efforts to reduce opioid-related morbidity may require effective approaches toward appropriate prescribing, monitoring, and further increasing access to prescription opioid outpatient treatment. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 20, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

When policy meets reality: the new 18-hour on-call shift policy and the Israeli anesthesia workforce crisis
ConclusionsDescriptive survey data assessed the immediate and long-term consequences for the healthcare system and anesthesiology workforce of two new Health Ministry policies. Implementing the 18-h policy will immediately remove from the daytime workforce 155 anesthesiologists and who will be unavailable to staff elective surgery operating rooms. This will compound the current national shortage of 110 anesthesiologists. It is unclear how to replace this shortfall since there are no surplus Israeli physicians and very few Israeli graduates choose anesthesiology as a specialty. This situation will be exacerbated after 2026 ...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - March 2, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

The physician shortage in Israel and a policy proposal for improvement
ConclusionsManpower planning requires a broad, dynamic perspective and collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organizations. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - February 16, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Public conformism with health regulation is crumbling as COVID-19 becomes a chronic threat: Repeated Cross-sectional Studies
ConclusionsThe “fifth wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about an all-time low in public trust in health regulations. The Israeli public, normally a highly compliant one, is showing signs of crumbling conformity. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - February 3, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

The role of biostatistics in the response to COVID-19: a Belgian and international perspective
AbstractIn this commentary to Dattner et al. (Israel J Health Policy Res. 11:22, 2022), we highlight similarities and differences in the role that biostatistics and biostatisticians have been playing in the COVID-19 response in Belgium and Israel. We bring out implications and opportunities for our field and for science. We argue that biostatistics has an important place in the multidisciplinary COVID-19 response, in terms of research, policy advice, and science and public communication. In Belgium, biostatisticians located in various institutes, collaborated with epidemiologists, vaccinologists, infectiologists, immunolog...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 31, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Effect of implementation of mental health services within primary care on GP detection and treatment of mental disorders in Israel
ConclusionsMHS models did not improve GP detection of mental disorders or distress, but possibly improved referral case mix. The SOP model might have a deskilling influence on GPs, resulting from less involvement in treatment, with decrease of detection and counselling. This should be taken into consideration when planning to increase referrals to a psychiatrist within primary care settings. Lack of positive effect of the PCCL model might be overcome by more intensive programs incorporating educational components. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 30, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Timing, extent and outcomes of public health measures in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel and a comparative analysis by socioeconomic indices
ConclusionsIsrael's initial response to the pandemic was relatively quick, and may have been facilitated by its geographic isolation. Countries with lower pre-pandemic socio-economic indices were quicker to initiate forced social distancing. Early initiation of PHMs was associated with reduced mortality in the short run. Timing of initiation of measures relative to the country-specific spread of disease is a significant factor contributing to short-term early local pandemic control, perhaps more than the exact measures implemented. It is important to note that this study is limited to the initial pandemic response. Further...
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 30, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research

Changes and trends in medication-assisted treatment in Israel
ConclusionsThe change in opioid maintenance prescription does not match the significant increase in opioid consumption. Optimization of treatment can be achieved by the creation of a comprehensive database, cooperation between healthcare organizations and the government and further development of non-stigmatic and accessible services. (Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research)
Source: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research - January 26, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research