Systematic Review Of Policy Research Articles

Tuberculosis screening for prospective migrants to high-income countries: systematic review of policies

ObjectiveTo compare predeparture tuberculosis (TB) screening policies, including screening criteria and screening tests, and visa requirements for prospective migrants to high-income countries that have low to intermediate TB incidence and high immigration. Study designSystematic review of policy documents. MethodsWe systematically identified high-income, high net-migration countries with an estimated TB incidence of <30 per 100,000. After initial selection, this yielded 15 countries which potentially had TB screening policies. We performed a systematic search of governmental and official visa services’ websites for these countries to identify visa information and policy documents for prospective migrants. Results were summarized, tabulated, and compared. ResultsPrograms to screen for active TB were identified in all 15 countries, but screening criteria and screening tests varied substantially between countries. Prospective migrants’ country of origin represented an initial assessment criterion which generally focused on elevated TB incidence based on World Health Organization data but also focused on the countries of origin that sent the most migrants, and this varied between destination countries. Specific categories of migrants represented a second assessment criterion that focused on duration of stay and reasons for migration; the focus of which showed variation between the destination countries. Specific screening tests including medical examination and chest X-rays were used as the final stage of assessment, and there were differences between which tests were used between the destination countries. ConclusionsCurrent approaches to migrant TB screening are inconsistent in their approach and implementation. While this variation might reflect adaptation to local public health situations, it could also indicate uncertainty concerning optimal strategies. Comparative research studies are needed to define the most effective and efficient methods for TB screening of migrants.

Accessing The Medical Devices Market In Egypt And Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review Of Policies And Regulations

Accessing The Medical Devices Market In Egypt And Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review Of Policies And Regulations

Spirituality and learning disability: a review of UK Government guidance

Purpose – Despite spirituality being a key aspect of quality of life, it appears to remain a low-priority area for social and health care government policy. The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe what, if at all, UK policy says about spirituality in relation to the care of people with learning disabilities (LD). Design/methodology/approach – A systematic policy review using three government databases: legislation.gov.uk; Department of Health and Directgov (now known as gov.uk) was carried out. Findings – The review identified policy gaps and a general lack of government directives in relation to the spiritual care of people with LD. Whilst research in this area is gathering momentum, practical implementation which makes a real difference to the spiritual experiences of people with LD appears to be sparse. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic policy review on this subject area, highlighting the need for spirituality to become a more supported aspect of social care within LD services.

Evaluating the effects of policy innovations: Lessons from a systematic review of policies promoting low-carbon technology

We report on an original systematic review of 165 empirical, ex post studies examining policies that promote the development and use of low-carbon technologies. Policy is defined broadly to include diverse instruments (e.g., eco-labels, voluntary agreements, emission credits, and taxes), developed, administered, and promoted by state and non-state actors (e.g., cities, states, corporations, business associations, and non-governmental organizations) that are relevant to climate change. By disaggregating policy designs, we are better able to understand the features of policies (e.g., instrument type, regulatory target, built-in flexibility) associated with effectiveness and the trade offs different features create among evaluation criteria. Our analysis, thus, sheds new light on the final and arguably most important criterion of policy innovations – the extent to which they have lasting consequences.

Diet and physical activity for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic policy review.

Diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and constitute a leading cause of mortality. Although a call for global action has been resonating for years, the progress in national policy development in LMICs has not been assessed. This review of strategies to prevent NCDs in LMICs provides a benchmark against which policy response can be tracked over time. We reviewed how government policies in LMICs outline actions that address salt consumption, fat consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, or physical activity. A structured content analysis of national nutrition, NCDs, and health policies published between 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2013 by 140 LMIC members of the World Health Organization (WHO) was carried out. We assessed availability of policies in 83% (116/140) of the countries. NCD strategies were found in 47% (54/116) of LMICs reviewed, but only a minority proposed actions to promote healthier diets and physical activity. The coverage of policies that specifically targeted at least one of the risk factors reviewed was lower in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Eastern Mediterranean compared to the other two World Health Organization regions, South-East Asia and Western Pacific. Of the countries reviewed, only 12% (14/116) proposed a policy that addressed all four risk factors, and 25% (29/116) addressed only one of the risk factors reviewed. Strategies targeting the private sector were less frequently encountered than strategies targeting the general public or policy makers. This review indicates the disconnection between the burden of NCDs and national policy responses in LMICs. Policy makers urgently need to develop comprehensive and multi-stakeholder policies to improve dietary quality and physical activity.

Comorbilidad entre distrés psicológico y abuso de drogas en pacientes de centros de tratamiento: implicaciones en políticas y programas, Managua - Nicaragua

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de la comorbilidad entre el distress psicológico y el abuso/dependencia de drogas en los pacientes de los centros de tratamiento de Nicaragua. Se aplicaron cuestionarios EULAC-CICAD en forma de entrevista para describir el perfil del paciente y Kessler 10 para estimar niveles del distress a 130 usuarios de tres Centros de las Organizaciones no Gubernamentales de Managua, Nicaragua. Nivel encontrado de distress psicológico (severo y muy severo), fue de un 35%. También se encontró que un número importante de los pacientes que están siendo tratados actualmente por problemas de salud mental, persisten en experimentar síntomas del distress psicológico. Se concluyó que los hallazgos de este estudio sugieren una revisión sistemática de las políticas y estrategias de intervención y el fortalecimiento de ambos sistemas involucrados, Sistema de Salud y de Drogodependencia.

Public involvement in health genomics: the reality behind the policies

AbstractPublic involvement is increasingly becoming the norm as stakeholders recognize the need to inform, consult and engage the public. However, there is limited understanding about the meaning and implications of public involvement, in particular elements like the levels of public involvement, the goals of the involvement, the type of public to be involved, the methods of involving the public and the need to assess effectiveness. We conducted a systematic review of policy documents/guidelines published between 1998 and 2009, by governments, health professionals and the public regarding public involvement in the area of human genomics. Documents were identified using the HUMGEN database and organizational web sites. A total of 70 documents were retrieved addressing public involvement and human genomics. The review revealed that 22 documents mentioned the active process of partnership and collaboration, whereas 27 mentioned consultation and 29 mentioned education. The most common goals were building trust and respect, followed by education, governance and lastly, understanding risks and benefits. We found that less than a third of the documents defined who the public is, and when mechanisms for public involvement were mentioned, they were rarely placed into a context. Few documents drew attention to evaluation. It is reassuring to see that there has been an emphasis placed on public involvement in the area of health and genomics. The findings underscore the gaps existing in the actual policy documents/guidelines and the need to clarify the goals, the methods, who is the public, what mechanism are appropriate and the need for evaluation when addressing public involvement in health genomics.

POLICY CONTROL THROUGH SOCIAL MONITORING

Abstract Students of governmental decision-making have thus far paid relatively little attention to policy monitoring. The present article constitutes an attempt to rectify in part this deficiency by exploring the meaning of the concept and discussing various mechanisms that might facilitate systematic policy review. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of social indicators as a possible vehicle for attaining policy feedback within a flexible and adaptive monitoring framework.

Research and Analysis

Our ability successfully to look forward in the conduct of our foreign relations rests, in large part, upon how we develop and use our resources for research and analysis. At present, these are broadly diffused in both the public and private sectors; a number of stresses and strains indicate that they are not as effectively deployed and utilized as they could be. Improvements are possible on many fronts. Attention here is on the information, research, and analysis needs of the United States government, with particular attention to the Department of State. The Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) occupies a pivotal position. A substantial increase in its capabilities would have many desirable consequences. Among these are: enrichment of INR's own influential analytical research efforts; stimulation and support of the academic search for more coherent and socially relevant knowledge; assurance that the Department will derive the maximum analytical benefit from a modern information-handling system; expanded opportunities to train Foreign Service officers in analytical methods; more balanced and efficacious programs of government contract and grant support for foreign affairs research; and more systematic policy review and development in support of planning. Cost to the American public is estimated at five cents per person per year.