Assessing quality of primary diabetes care in South Korea and Taiwan using avoidable hospitalizations

Quality of primary diabetes care is a key health policy concern in many OECD countries with an aging population. This cross-national, population-based study examined the extent and attributes of diabetes-related avoidable hospitalizations (DRAHs) in South Korea and Taiwan, both of which have social health insurance-based health systems with limited gate-keeping for hospitalizations. We analyzed comparable, nationally representative health insurance beneficiary datasets for the two countries (2002–2013), linked with community health resource data. The age- and sex-standardized DRAH rates were calculated, and multivariate, multi-level longitudinal modeling approaches were adopted. The DRAH rate decreased in Taiwan consistently during 2002–2013 and in Korea after 2011 only. Under the universal health coverage, people enjoyed high accessibility to care. A higher number of physician visits reduced DRAHs in Korea but not in Taiwan. Socio-economic disparities in DRAHs still existed in both countries, especially in Taiwan. We found a different trajectory in two similar health systems for the selected health system performance indicator for primary diabetes care. This can be partly explained by different policy approaches to diabetes management in the two countries over the years. Necessary are policy efforts to improve the quality and equality of primary diabetes care and better control of hospital admissions in these two health systems that provide generous access to care at a low cost in East Asia.     

Relationship of health locus of control with specific health behaviours and global health appraisal: a meta-analysis and effects of moderators

Health locus of control (HLOC) refers to beliefs regarding how one’s health is influenced by oneself, others, or fate. This meta-analysis investigated whether three HLOC dimensions (internality/I-HLOC, powerful others/P-HLOC, chance/C-HLOC) were related to both specific health behaviours and global health appraisal, and whether these relationships were moderated by gender and age compositions, individualism, and power distance. Three-level mixed-effects meta-analysis was performed on studies examining the associations of HLOC with specific health behaviour (k?=?76, N?=?76,580, 57% women, M_age?=?43.75) and global health appraisal (k?=?95, N?=?12,068, 57% women, M_age?=?45.44), respectively. For specific health behaviour, the averaged correlations with the HLOC dimensions were generally weak (r’s?=??.07 to .10). However, the links between P-HLOC and exercise were moderated by all four demographic moderators, and gender composition and individualism moderated the association between the HLOC dimensions and diet. For global health appraisal, all of the averaged correlations were statistically significant (r’s?=??.16 to .21), except that between P-HLOC and mental quality of life. The results further showed individualism and power distance to moderate the links between the HLOC dimensions and both mental and physical quality of life, and gender composition to moderate those between these dimensions and two indicators of emotional problems (depression and anxiety).     

Blood tests: One too many? Evaluating blood requesting guidance developed for acute patients admitted to trauma and orthopaedic units

In a recently published report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, around 20% of clinical practice which encompasses blood science investigations is considered wasteful. Blood tests including liver function tests (LFTs), C-reactive protein (CRP), coagulation screens, and international normalising ratios (INR) are frequently requested for patients who undergo emergency hospital admission. The paucity of guidance available for blood requesting in acute trauma and orthopaedic admissions can lead to inappropriate requesting practices and over investigation.Acute admissions over a period of one month were audited retrospectively for the frequency and clinical indications of requests for LFTs, coagulation screens/INR, and CRP. The total number of blood tests requested for the duration of the patient's admission was recorded. Initial auditing of 216 admissions in January 2014 demonstrated a striking amount of over-investigation. Clinical guidelines were developed with multidisciplinary expert input and implemented within the department. Re-audit of 233 admissions was carried out in September 2014.Total no. of LFTs requested: January 895, September 336 (−62.5%); coagulation screens/INR requested: January 307, September 210 (−31.6%); CRPs requested: January 894, September 317 (−64.5%). No. of blood requests per patient: January (M = 4.81, SD 4.75), September (M = 3.60, SD = 4.70). Approximate combined total cost of LFT, coagulation/INR, CRP in January £2674.14 and September £1236.19 (−£1437.95, −53.77%).A large decrease was observed in admission requesting and subsequent monitoring (p < 0.01) following the implementation. This both significantly reduced cost and venepuncture rates.     

心内科护士对冠心病健康教育效果评价认识的质性研究

目的了解心内科护士对冠心病健康教育效果评价的认识及体验。方法对11所三级甲等医院的23位心内科护士及护士长进行深度访谈，并运用现象学资料分析法分析访谈资料。结果23例受访者均认为有必要且已经实施了冠心病健康教育效果评价，并提出应构建冠心病健康教育效果评价量表的建议：构建冠心病健康教育效果评价量表，增加护理人员数量。结论我国应借鉴国外经验，选择合理的效果评价指标和评价实施者，以构建简单、适用、科学的冠心病健康教育效果评价量表，为健康教育效果评价提供量化依据。     

社工介入在社区老年人卫生服务中的作用研究

目的：研究社工与社区卫生服务机构结合的模式在社区老年人医疗卫生服务中所起的作用。方法在2012年10月～2014年3月之间选取本市5个社区的180位年龄在65岁及以上的老年人为调查对象进行老年人健康状况和社区老年人卫生服务满意度的问卷调查。结果社区老年人的健康状况总体不佳。对社区老年人卫生服务的满意度调查显示他们对健康监测类最满意，其次是临床治疗类，最后是健康指导类。满意度总体上处于中等水平，社工的作用在一些社区卫生服务项目上作用比较显著，而在另一些项目上则还比较差。结论社工与社区卫生服务机构结合的模式在社区老年人卫生服务方面所起的作用还是比较明显的，基本上可以满足老年人的需求，值得继续改进和完善，从而在将来的老龄化社会中发挥更大的作用。