Determinants Of Service Provision Research Articles

An examination of assessment arrangements and service use for older people in receipt of care management.

With anticipated greater demand for formal care services globally, this article examines the sociodemographic and health characteristics of frail older people in receipt of community support. Data were collected from audits of case files of older people receiving care management at two time points during which two government policy initiatives were implemented to promote greater standardization in health and social care provision for older people in England. Findings at Time 2 revealed that there were higher levels of physical and mental impairment and more health care assessments undertaken. There was a slight decrease in home care receipt but a marginal increase of more intensive home care provision. Service users living with a carer were less likely to receive home care but more likely to receive respite care or day care than those living alone. The policy goal of widening access to specialist health and social care services for older people with mental health problems was achieved. Guidance that focused eligibility criteria on the identification of older people with complex needs required the availability of appropriate support and services. Irrespective of policy initiatives, the sociodemographic characteristics of older people and the availability of informal support are principal determinants of service provision.

Cataract surgery in Southern Ethiopia: distribution, rates and determinants of service provision

BackgroundCataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, with the greatest burden found in low-income countries. Cataract surgery is a curative and cost-effective intervention. Despite major non-governmental organization (NGO) support, the cataract surgery performed in Southern Region, Ethiopia is currently insufficient to address the need. We analyzed the distribution, productivity, cost and determinants of cataract surgery services.MethodsConfidential interviews were conducted with all eye surgeons (Ophthalmologists & Non-Physician Cataract Surgeons [NPCS]) in Southern Region using semi-structured questionnaires. Eye care project managers were interviewed using open-ended qualitative questionnaires. All eye units were visited. Information on resources, costs, and the rates and determinants of surgical output were collected.ResultsCataract surgery provision is uneven across Southern Region: 66% of the units are within 200 km of the regional capital. Surgeon to population ratios varied widely from 1:70,000 in the capital to no service provision in areas containing 7 million people. The Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) in 2010 was 406 operations/million/year with zonal CSRs ranging between 204 and 1349. Average number of surgeries performed was 374 operations/surgeon/year. Ophthalmologists and NPCS performed a mean of 682 and 280 cataract operations/surgeon/year, respectively (p = 0.03). Resources are underutilized, at 56% of capacity. Community awareness programs were associated with increased activity (p = 0.009). Several factors were associated with increased surgeon productivity (p < 0.05): working for >2 years, working in a NGO/private clinic, working in an urban unit, having a unit manger, conducting outreach programs and a satisfactory work environment. The average cost of cataract surgery in 2010 was US$141.6 (Range: US$37.6–312.6). Units received >70% of their consumables from NGOs. Mangers identified poor staff motivation, community awareness and limited government support as major challenges.ConclusionsThe uneven distribution of infrastructure and personnel, underutilization by the community and inadequate attention and support from the government are limiting cataract surgery service delivery in Southern Ethiopia. Improved human resource management and implementing community-oriented strategies may help increase surgical output and achieve the “Vision 2020: The Right to Sight” targets for treating avoidable blindness.

Forensic issues in intellectual disability

Recent publications on forensic-related issues in intellectual disability have addressed the experiences and outcomes of a wide range of service styles. The evolving core factors for assessment of the offender and determinants of service provision are being clarified. Particular attention has been given to the clinical issues of sexual offending and abuse and consent and capacity. Many authors have highlighted the paucity of the generally available expertise and appropriate services for this minority, but highly complex group.