Client-centredness of government primary health-care services in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory: a cross-sectional study

Client-centred services respond to clients' needs and involve them in the provision of health-care services to achieve improved health outcomes. We aimed to assess the extent to which governmental primary health-care services in the Gaza Strip are client-centred, from the clients' perspectives.

How to Integrate HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Namibia, the Epako Clinic Case Study

During the past two decades, HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health services in Namibia have been provided in silos, with high fragmentation. As a consequence of this, quality and efficiency of services in Primary Health Care has been compromised. 

The authors conducted an operational research (observational pre-post study) in a public health facility in Namibia. A health facility assessment was conducted before and after the integration of health services. A person-centred integrated model was implemented to integrate all health services provided at the health facility in addition to HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health services. Comprehensive services are provided by ...

Centers of excellence in healthcare institutions: what they are and how to assemble them

Centers of excellence have the ability to dramatically enhance the depth and breadth of healthcare services available in communities. Given the numerous mutual benefits afforded by this delivery model, it is hoped that the light shed by this article will help healthcare providers better understand centers of excellence and be more capable and confident in associated development initiatives, affording greater opportunities for themselves and their patient populations. 

Supporting nurse practitioners’ practice in primary healthcare settings: a three-level qualitative model

While greater reliance on nurse practitioners in primary healthcare settings can improve service efficiency and accessibility, their integration is not straihtfoward, challenging existing role definitions of both registered nurses and physicians. This study´s main objetive is to examine different structures and mechanims put in place to support the development of primary healthcare nurse practitiones´s practice in different healthcare settings, and develop a practical model for identifying and planning adequate support practices. 

Social accountability in primary health care in West and Central Africa: exploring the role of health facility committees

Social accountability has been emphasised as an important strategy to increase the quality, equity, and responsiveness of health services. In many countries, health facility committees (HFCs) provide the accountability interface between health providers and citizens or users of health services. This article explores the social accountability practices facilitated by HFCs in Benin, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Financing Long-Term Services and Supports: Ideas From Singapore

Financing long-term services and supports (LTSS) for the elderly is a pressing issue in the Unites States with reforms of long-term care insurance (LTCI) presently being explored. Singapore, with 65% of residents aged 40 to 83 covered by basic LTCI, including 22% with supplementary LTCI plans, has the highest voluntary LTCI rate in the world. This article contributes to the discourse by presenting the case of LTSS financing in Singapore. 

What’s integration got to do with it?

Observations and Lessons from the Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland Study Trip to North-West London.

An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services acrross the spectrum of care 

The theory and practice of integrative health care governance: The case of New Zealand’s alliances

The purpose of this paper is to outline the theory and practice of governance for integrated care, using the case of New Zealand´s healthcare alliances.

Integrated care in practice – the South Eastern Sydney experience

The purpose of this paper is to describe the recent efforts of a large publicly funded health care organisation in Sydney, Australia to implement integrated care (IC) "at scale and pace" in the messy, real-world context of a District Health Service. This paper highlights key factors relating to implementation and evaluation of a local IC Strategy in the real world.