Strengthening research capacity in developing countries is aimed at generating and translating knowledge into policy decisions to improve health systems and increase equitable access to health services in the population.1 The International Health Policy Program (IHPP) in Thailand has strengthened health policy and systems research capacity in the Ministry of Public Health since 1998 and has sus...

Contemporary health policy dictates that health services have a demonstrable consumer focus and actively progress the issue of consumer participation in services. Given that costs of such initiatives are not insignificant, there is a responsibility to ensure that the resources are being directed to appropriate means, and are achieving worthwhile results. In examining the impact and effectivenes...

BACKGROUND The fertility behavior of Iranian women and their reproductive needs is changing and consequently, for providing good services, it is critical to monitor their reproductive behavior at a national level.  METHODS This study was carried out by Avicenna Research Institute in the urban and rural parts of Iran between 2010 and 2011. Using cluster sampling, the reproductive history of 17...

BACKGROUND Most of the strategies to induce a more rational use of preventive health services are oriented to the medical side of the doctor-patient relationship. However, the consultation model has changed, and patients now have a more important role in medical consultation. The aim of this study was to assess which healthcare services are deemed necessary, and with what frequency, by adults f...

BACKGROUND The South African legal and policy framework for sexual and reproductive healthcare provision for teenagers is complex. OBJECTIVE The article outlines the dilemmas emanating from the legal and policy framework, summarises issues with implementation of the legal and policy framework in practice, and summarises recent changes to the law. METHODS In-depth analysis of the legal and p...

The poor physical health of adults with serious mental illnesses is a public health crisis. Greater integration of mental health and primary medical care services at the clinic and system levels could address this need. In New York state, there are several ongoing initiatives that promote integrated care for adults with serious mental illness, provided or coordinated by community mental health ...

Indigenous primary health care (PHC) services have been identified as exemplary models of comprehensive PHC; however, many practitioners in these services struggle to deliver effective health promotion. In particular, practitioners have limited capacity and resources to evaluate health promotion activities. Best practice health promotion is important to help address the lifestyle and wider fact...

Electronic health records (EHRs) have numerous benefits, but are also besieged with risks. ealth care leaders must analyze potential risks throughout all EHR stages. Lessons learned from an EHR implementation may assist nurse leaders in avoiding disputes and risk. Strategies for reducing risk, liability, and ultimately litigation associated with EHR implementation are discussed.

OBJECTIVES Increased utilization of preventive services among the aging has been associated with improved health status and decreased medical costs. We sought to examine the use of the Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) in benchmarking compliance and characterizing those retired employees who met preventive service guidelines. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study of retired employees age 65 and older...

OBJECTIVES While the benefits of Seguro Popular health insurance in Mexico relative to no insurance have been widely documented, little has been reported on its effects relative to the pre-existing Social Security health insurance. We analyse the effects of Social Security and Seguro Popular health insurances in Mexico on access to healthcare of older adults, and on financial risk protection to...