Political economy analysis of health financing reforms in times of crisis: findings from three case studies in south-east Asia

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2024-10-15, registration 2025-01-23, accepted 2025-01-23, epub 2025-02-03, online 2025-02-03, collection 2025-12-01Acknowledgements: We would like to thank all key informants whose insights made the case studies rich. In addition, we would like to acknowledge the support of the Indonesian Ministry of Health for their valuable contribution during the study design phase and to those who reviewed our drafts, including Dr Piya Hanvoravongchai and Dr Viroj Tangcharoensathien for the Thailand case study.Publication status: PublishedFunder: World Health Organization; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004423Sophie Witter - ORCID: 0000-0002-7656-6188 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7656-6188Maria Paola Bertone - ORCID: 0000-0001-8890-583X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8890-583XBackground: Over the last decades, universal health coverage (UHC) has been promoted in south-east Asia (SEA), where many countries still need to ensure adequate financial protection to their populations. However, successful health financing reforms involve complex interactions among a range of stakeholders, as well as with context factors, including shocks and crises of different nature. In this article, we examine recent health financing reforms in Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia, using a political economy lens. The objective is to understand whether and how crises can be utilised to progress UHC and to analyse the strategies used by reformers to benefit from potential windows of opportunity. Methods: The study adopted a retrospective, comparative case study design, using a shared framework and tools. The case studies mapped the contexts, including economic, political, social trends and any shocks which had recently occurred. A focal health financing reform was chosen in each setting to examine, probing the role of crisis in relation to it, through the key elements of the reform process, content and actors. Data sources were largely qualitative and included literature and document review (144 documents included across the three cases) and key informant interviews (26 in total). Results: The findings, which bring out similarities and differences in the roles played by change teams across the settings, highlight the importance of working closely with political leaders and using a wide range of strategies to build coalitions and engage or block opponents. Changing decision rules to block veto points was significant in one case, and all three cases used participation and dialogue strategically to further reforms. More broadly, the links with context emerged as important, with prior conflicts and economic crises creating a sense of urgency about addressing health inequities, while in all countries appeal was made to underlying values to enhance the legitimacy of the reforms. Conclusion: The lessons from these case studies include that technical teams can and should engage in Political Economy Analysis (PEA) thinking and strategizing, including being aware of and adaptable to the changing PEA landscape and prepared to take advantage of windows of opportunity, including, but not limited to, those emerging from crisis. There is a need for more empirical studies in this area and sharing of lessons to support future reforms to increase health coverage and financial protection, including in the face of likely shocks.pubpu

Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology In Clinical Practice

Item is not available in this repository.This concise guide takes a practical approach to adolescent and young adult (AYA) rheumatology, encompassing the needs of any healthcare professional working with young people aged 10-24 years. Each chapter contains key management points for readers to readily access disease-specific management, as well as highlighting specific AYA issues and approaches which differ from paediatric and adult practice. Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology In Clinical Practice, 2nd Edition has been fully revised with the latest research and clinical findings in the field. The coverage in the book is comprehensive but concise and devised to act as a primary reference tool for AYA practice across the field of rheumatology. The book is designed for paediatric/adult rheumatologists, primary care physicians, nurses and allied health professionals to increase understanding of AYA related topics and enhance the delivery of developmentally appropriate rheumatology health care.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82102-8pubpu

Resisting the Neoliberal Agenda in Academia. Conceptualising an Ideal University in the Global South based on Ontological Principles

Item is not available in this repository

Editorial

Item is not available in this repository.Sian Jones - ORCID: 0000-0002-2399-1017 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2399-1017https://doi.org/10.1177/275264612513389264pubpub

The Impact of Minority Status on the Cross-Race Effect: A Critical Review

Dilhan Töredi - ORCID: 0000-0001-8420-1245 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8420-1245Jamal K. Mansour - ORCID: 0000-0001-7162-8493 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7162-8493Sian Jones - ORCID: 0000-0002-2399-1017 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2399-1017Users who receive access to an article through a repository are reminded that the article is protected by copyright and reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses. Users may also download and save a local copy of an article accessed in an institutional repository for the user's personal reference. For permission to reuse an article, please follow our Process for Requesting Permission.Meta-analyses have consistently demonstrated the robustness of the cross-race effect (CRE; i.e., better recognition of same-race faces compared to different-race faces). These analyses have unveiled variations in the dependent variables associated with the CRE across combinations of participant and target races (Lee & Penrod, 2022; Meissner & Brigham, 2001). However, the underlying factors driving these variations remain poorly understood. We posit that although the CRE is robust, its generalizability may be contingent on the specific racial groups compared, particularly when contrasting majority and minority racial groups. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the dynamics of the CRE across distinct racial groups and explore how minority status may influence research outcomes. We considered the manuscripts included in the latest meta-analyses of the CRE with a spotlight on minority status. We suggest that minority-race status may explain why many studies considering non-White participants do not show a CRE. The CRE might not be as robust as it appears to be because much of the research on the effect has focused on majority-race participants and minority-race faces. Going forward, researchers should consider incorporating measures relevant to the minority effect, fully crossing participant and target races, and studying a greater variety of races.pubpu

Stages of Grief

Item is not available in this repository.Erna Haraldsdottir - ORCID: 0000-0003-4891-0743 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4891-0743https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003532088inpressinpres

Beyond grades: integrating communication skills into the undergraduate curriculum for podiatry students

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2024-10-14, registration 2025-03-04, accepted 2025-03-04, epub 2025-03-12, online 2025-03-12, collection 2025-12-01Publication status: PublishedDerek Santos - ORCID: 0000-0001-9936-715X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9936-715XThis commentary paper emphasises the pivotal role of effective communication in the field of podiatry and advocates for its comprehensive integration into the educational curriculum. It argues that the combination of strong academic performance and well-developed communication skills equips podiatry students to improve diagnoses and successful future treatment outcomes. These skills should be comprehensively taught and carefully assessed as part of the patient-centered care approach for podiatry students. The paper explores the multifaceted role of communication in podiatry, highlighting its importance in various aspects of the profession. These include building rapport with patients, interpreting complex medical information, and fostering a therapeutic alliance that is conducive to successful treatment outcomes. It also underscores the significance of communication in collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and advocating for patient wellbeing. Proficiency in communicating with patients can contribute to the development of a wide range of career competencies in podiatric medicine, including clinical skills, research and innovation, cultural competence, and effective teamwork, both nationally and internationally. The paper also delves into various topics such as gathering patient history, explaining diagnoses and treatment options, providing patient education, and enhancing patient outcomes through interprofessional practice. This commentary paper explores the role of communication in research participation and the teaching and assessment of communication skills through innovative methods such as role-playing, simulations, and standardized patients. In conclusion, by reiterating that the essence of podiatry extends beyond technical proficiency to include meaningful interactions between the podiatrist and the patient, which are facilitated by strong communication skills. This paper may serve as a call to action for universities nationally and internationally to place greater emphasis in integrating and thoroughly assessing communication skills in their podiatric medicine programs.pubpu

The Future of Theory in Occupational Therapy

Item is not available in this repository.Sarah Kantartzis - ORCID: 0000-0001-5191-015X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5191-015XOccupational therapy is about to meet a slow explosion of possibilities. The nature of work and the nature of societies will change through the greater emphasis to be placed on artificial intelligence (AI), and the crisis of climate change and associated global health issues. These changes will not be overnight but will be seen over the coming years as, for example, we see further innovation and development in AI and the effects of climate change take hold. Old systems and technologies, together with patterns of everyday life, will co-exist with the new ones, for example, an increased emphasis on preventative health. Theoretical development will remain a challenge for occupational therapy in these changing contexts. The sociodemographic conditions that create the demand for the profession may make practice a priority over taking time to explore the consequences of social, technological, and environmental changes and expanding theory. However, the time to begin making occupational therapy theory forward-facing to address these anticipated seismic changes in how humans occupy time and remain healthy is now. We implore the profession’s scholars to embrace this challenge, begin updating theories, and creating new ones that will be effective tools to guide occupational therapy practice in this future world.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003526766pubpu

Effects of simultaneous soft tissue mobilization and capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy using bracelet electrodes in women with chronic non-specific neck pain: A randomized clinical trial

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in Zenodo at http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14262845, reference number 14262845.Item is not available in this repository.Background Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP), persisting for over 12 weeks, is commonly associated with myofascial trigger points. Soft tissue mobilization techniques (STMT) and capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy (TECAR) may reduce pain and improve function. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of combining STMT with TECAR using resistive bracelet electrodes in women with CNSNP. Method A parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. Eighty women were randomly assigned to an experimental group (STMT + TECAR) or control (STMT only). TECAR was applied at 500 kHz: 10 min of capacitive mode with a conventional electrode, followed by simultaneous STMT and resistive mode using bracelet electrodes. Participants received 15 sessions over five weeks. NPRS, pressure pain thresholds (PPT), cervical range of motion (ROM), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were assessed at baseline, week 5, and 6-month follow-up. Results The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements at week 5 in NPRS, NDI, all PPT areas, lateral flexion, and right rotation ROM (p < .05). Clinically meaningful improvements in NPRS and NDI were observed only in the experimental group, while both groups achieved clinically significant gains in PPT. Improvements were sustained at six months; left rotation ROM differed only at follow-up. No differences were found in neck flexion or extension. Conclusions Combining STMT with TECAR using bracelet electrodes resulted in superior improvements in pain, function, and ROM in women with CNSNP versus STMT alone, likely due to the synergistic mechanical and thermal effects of the intervention.https://doi.org/10.1177/10538127251342557pubpu

The impact on redeployed nurses of working in critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Item is not available in this repository.Lisa Salisbury - ORCID: 0000-0002-1400-3224 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1400-3224Background Many nurses with little critical care experience were redeployed to critical care units during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with the increased numbers of critically ill patients. The impact of this redeployment on nurses and their employing organization merits detailed assessment. Aims To (a) measure the impact on redeployed nurses of working in critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the predictors of that impact, (b) identify any differences between redeployed and critical care nurses and (c) measure the organizational impact. Study Design A cross-sectional study of redeployed (n = 200) and critical care nurses (n = 461) within the United Kingdom's National Health Service between January 2021 and March 2022. A survey measured components of the Job Demand-Resources Model of occupational stress. Free text questions enabled nurses to describe their experiences of being redeployed to critical care during the pandemic. Results Survey data indicated high levels of health impairment; 70% of redeployed nurses met the threshold for psychological distress, 52% for burnout and 35% had clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress. When job demands (emotional load, mental load, pace and amount of work and role conflict) were high, health impairment was worse and when job resources (staffing, focus on well-being and learning opportunities) were low, work engagement was reduced. Free text comments illustrated both the stress and distress experienced by redeployed nurses. Conclusion Many redeployed nurses experienced significant negative consequences and potentially enduring sequelae of working in critical care during the pandemic. These may continue to affect individual and organizational outcomes. Relevance to Clinical Practice Nurses' well-being should be monitored, and appropriate services provided. Improvements in ongoing and meaningful communications with senior management alongside prioritization of ongoing professional development are required.National Institute for Health and Care Research. Grant Number: NIHR13206830pubpub