Public-private partnerships to build human capacity in low income countries: findings from the Pfizer program

Background

The ability of health organizations in developing countries to expand access to quality services depends in large part on organizational and human capacity. Capacity building includes professional development of staff, as well as efforts to create working environments conducive to high levels of performance. The current study evaluated an approach to public-private partnership where corporate volunteers give technical assistance to improve organizational and staff performance. From 2003 to 2005, the Pfizer Global Health Fellows program sent 72 employees to work with organizations in 19 countries. This evaluation was designed to assess program impact.

Methods

The researchers administered a survey to 60 Fellows and 48 Pfizer Supervisors. In addition, the team conducted over 100 interviews with partner organization staff and other key informants during site visits in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and India, the five countries where 60% of Fellows were placed.

Results

Over three-quarters of Fellowships appear to have imparted skills or enhanced operations of NGOs in HIV/AIDS and other health programs. Overall, 79% of Fellows reported meeting all or most technical assistance goals. Partner organization staff reported that the Fellows provided training to clinical and research personnel; strengthened laboratory, pharmacy, financial control, and human resource management systems; and helped expand Partner organization networks. Local staff also reported the Program changed their work habits and attitudes. The evaluation identified problems in defining goals of Fellowships and matching Organizations with Fellows. Capacity building success also appears related to size and sophistication of partner organization.

Conclusion

Public expectations have grown regarding the role corporations should play in improving health systems in developing countries. Corporate philanthropy programs based on "donations" of personnel can help build the organizational and human capacity of frontline agencies delivering health services. More attention is needed to measure and compare outcomes of international volunteering programs, and to identify appropriate strategies for expansion.     

Understanding health inequalities for uninsured Americans: a population-wide survey

Numbers of the uninsured in America have risen in the past few years to more than 40 million people, yet relatively little is known about their health communication behaviors. Data from the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) were used to analyze the relationship among demographics, health status, health insurance status, online health seeking, and amount of attention paid to various media for health. A random sample of 6,369 Americans indicated several statistically significant differences between the insured and uninsured: the uninsured were more likely younger, less educated, and Hispanic. Findings also indicated that those without health insurance reported being less healthy and more distressed and hold a greater risk perception for cancer, compared with their insured counterparts. Health insurance, when controlling for demographics and health status, explained a statistically significant but small amount of variance in both online health seeking and attention to health messages in various other media.     

Evaluating meniscus allograft transplant using a cost-effectiveness threshold analysis

Background

It is unknown if meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) delays progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Cost-effectiveness threshold analysis can demonstrate the necessary delay in OA progression required by MAT to be considered cost-effective compared to non-operative management. The purpose of this study is to identify the efficacy MAT requires in delaying progression to OA in previously meniscectomized knees in order to be considered cost-effective compared to non-operative treatment. A secondary goal is to demonstrate the influence of age and BMI on the required efficacy of MAT for cost-effectiveness.

Water-related nosocomial pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 and 10

Between August 1978 and November 1983, 21 cases of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila occurred in the Leiden University Hospital, mainly among immunocompromised patients. A new serogroup of L. pneumophila, designated serogroup 10 (prototype strain Leiden 1), was isolated from bronchial secretions of four patients, and five patients had serological evidence of infection with this organism. Nine patients had a culture-confirmed infection with L. pneumophila serogroup 1. L. pneumophila serogroups 1 and 10 were also isolated from the hot potable water supply in the building to which 19 of the 21 patients had been admitted. The isolates of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 from patients and the hot potable water were identical in studies with monoclonal antibodies and had the same plasmid profiles. These findings provide further evidence that in our hospital potable water contaminated with L. pneumophila is a source of infection, mainly in immunocompromised patients.     

亚太地区炎症性肠病处理共识意见(一)

虽然目前亚太地区尚无炎症性肠病（IBD）的大规模流行病学资料，但一系列研究显示其发病率和患病率呈上升趋势。与西方国家相比仍呈滞后现象。溃疡性结肠炎（UC）的发病率仍较克罗恩病（CD）高。除地域差异外。在一些多民族国家中，IBD尚可见种族差异。亚太地区IBD的遗传背景有异于西方国家。如据报道该地区CD患者未检出NOD2／CARDI5变异。一般而言，该地区IBD患者的临床过程似不如西方国家严重。 亚太地区IBD的诊断存在一些特殊问题。如缺乏IBD诊断金标准。存在多种小肠结肠炎，与IBD临床表现相似，使鉴别诊断特别困难。迄今为止，亚太地区IBD的诊断标准多采用西方国家的诊断标准。诊断必须逐步排除非IBD的小肠结肠炎。确诊应有典型的组织学表现。某些患者需借助随访和诊断性治疗才能确诊。进一步研究IBD发病机制将有助于开发更好的诊断标记物。 亚太地区IBD的治疗亦存在特殊问题。由于诊断困难。IBD患者常未能及时接受适当的药物治疗，但该地区仍广泛采用药物治疗方案。结合西方指南和本地经验可制定类似的处理原则。以利诱导缓解和维持缓解。提倡逐级使用基于病变范围、活动性和严重度的阶梯式治疗方案。对不同病例采用综合性、个体化的方法。随着对IBD发病机制和亚太地区IBD独特性的深入理解。合理、实用的药物治疗指南和应用生物制剂治疗将改善该地区IBD的治疗前景。     

Polymerase chain reaction monitoring reduces the incidence of cytomegalovirus disease and the duration and side effects of antiviral therapy after bone marrow transplantation

Culture-based preemptive therapy with ganciclovir was shown to reduce the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Culture techniques did not detect CMV in 12% to 13% of patients before the onset of CMV disease. In a prospective study, 71 patients either received preemptive therapy based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique (37 patients) or on culture assays (34 patients). In both groups, therapy was continued until clinical signs disappeared and PCR negativity was documented. Twenty- two patients in the PCR group and 15 patients in the culture group received antiviral therapy. PCR allowed detection of the virus (median day, +32 v day +49; P = .006) and introduction of antiviral therapy (median day, +44 v day +54; P = .02) earlier than did culture assays. The incidences of CMV disease (2 of 37 v 8 of 34 in PCR group v culture group, respectively; P = .02) and CMV-associated mortality (0 of 37 v 5 of 34 in PCR group v culture group, respectively; P = .02) were decreased, and the duration of ganciclovir therapy (P < .001) was shorter in the PCR-monitored group. Incidence and median duration of severe neutropenia (less than 500/microL) were lower in the PCR group (two v eight episodes, P = .02; median duration, 1.5 v 5 days, P = .04), as was the incidence of nonviral infections during/after antiviral therapy (2 of 37 v 9 of 34; P = .012). Thus, preemptive therapy based on more sensitive detection methods such as the PCR assay reduces the incidence of CMV disease and CMV-related mortality. Additionally, stopping and withholding antiviral therapy in a PCR- negative patient is safe and allows reduction of the duration and side effects of antiviral therapy.     

Evaluation and treatment of rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff injuries are common problems and a frequent reason for patients to present to primary care physicians. These injuries are seen more frequently now with the aging population. These muscles allow for movement of the arm in overhead activities and controlled movements through space. A thorough physical examination can lead to the diagnosis of rotator cuff pathology. Radiographic imaging may offer some insight into the underlying pathology, and magnetic resonance imaging provides for excellent visualization of the rotator cuff. Many rotator cuff tears, especially partial tears, will symptomatically improve with conservative management. Surgical treatment may offer improved pain relief and function in those patients for whom nonoperative care is insufficient. In cases in which rotator cuff repair is not possible, the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a possibility. New technologies are also under investigation that allow for biological augmentation of rotator cuff tears.