Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Management (ACHSM)
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Financial Health Management of Otolaryngology by Telemedicine: Opportunities and challenges
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world and medical branches are affected too, this article shows otolaryngology (Otlogy) management like patient care in the outpatient (OP) remotely by the implementation of business strategy of telemedicine (TME). The research explains how the applications of management strategies in TME for Otlogy can reduce the medical expenses and also offer profits to the medical practitioners. This article suggests the advantages of TME for (Otlogy) related health risks and advises health centers to implement the business strategy of TME which can provide services using remote Information Communications Technology (ICT) to evade exposure risks to HCR providers, patients, and the general community. The realization of TME, or virtual services, can help the Otolaryngologists to provide needed care to patients amid COVID pandemic. This research illustrates the challenges in the application of TME and benefits to the patients as well as for the medical professionals
Creating Conditions for Innovation in a Complex Health System: A management practice analysis: - ACHSM Asia-Pacific Health Leadership Congress in Brisbane 2024
No full textAs extended lifespans, rapid technological evolution and rising public expectations are increasing the complexity of our healthcare systems, health leaders need to innovate to gain sustainable improvements. However, the aspiration of innovation is very different from its actual implementation. Traditionally, health systems prioritise operational efficiency and standardised practices to ensure patient safety. While essential, these priorities can inadvertently limit the flexibility required for innovation. Leaders are therefore challenged to balance these operational needs with the desire to explore new ideas and solutions.
This Management Practice Analysis will summarise insights from the business literature and demonstrate how health leaders can create conditions for innovation, using a leadership case study from current practice
Health Care Systems Sustainability: The role of Health Care Management Education and Continuing Professional Development in Building a Sustainable Healthcare System: - SHAPE Health Conference In Hong Kong 8-9 July 2024
No full textIt comes as no surprise that healthcare leaders today face unprecedented challenges. Some are immediate. Others are long-term. Many are interrelated. All are complex.
None of them are small, as they include financial sustainability, mission, quality and patient safety, rapidly advancing technology, changing consumer expectations, new market entrants, healthcare inequities, and more regulation. And one challenge tops that list: workforce shortages. Although many individuals continue to be drawn to healthcare, the numbers are insufficient to meet increasing demand.
But there is one more challenge which even tops this issue. And that is the continuing and growing need for capable and competent leaders and leadership in the world’s most complex industry sector – healthcare.
Aiming for excellence in health are words that adorn our organisation’s’ mission statements and list of values. But is there something that can make the difference in outcomes for health at the patient level, at a system level, and at a population level? And if there is, can we identify what makes the difference, amplify it and exploit it to the world?
My thesis is the one thing that will make the difference is the level of competence and capability of the leaders and leadership. What does this look like? What should we be doing to grow it and develop it
Avoidance of Medicine Wastage in Private Clinics In Hong Kong: Practitioners’ Perspectives: - SHAPE Health Conference In Hong Kong 8-9 July 2024
No full textHong Kong with its well-established healthcare and medicine system and professional health services is one of the renowned healthiest places in the world. In fact, Hong Kong's healthcare system is running on a dual-track basis comprising public and private sectors. This study intends to explore medicine waste management and sustainability. First, we examine the existing phenomenon of Hong Kong medicine waste. Also, we discuss the causes of medical waste from a private clinic doctors' perspective. In addition, we identifies possible policies and recommendations to minimize the medicine wastage in private clinic in Hong Kong as well as improve the healthcare supply chain practices.
Qualitative research with in-depth interviews of doctors and medical practitioners have been carried out to gather their views and opinion of medication wastage, including the current medicine waste situation and the means of handling the expired medicines. Also, the study analyzes the centralized procurement platform effectiveness and suggests some possible policies for government to adopt. Interviewees mentioned that medication waste has occurred over decades. Medicine wastages are not only financial burdens, but also social burdens. If the medication waste problem cannot be alleviated, it will affect the population health and environment in the long run.
An all-rounded healthcare supply chain with efficient logistics operations would help the government to collect excess medicines from private clinics and redistribute to some NGOs. In fact, all parties including manufacturers, distributors, prescribers, and patients have the responsibilities to maintain and implement suitable policies to prevent bulk medicine waste. This research study provides the foundation of medicine wastage in private clinics in Hong Kong. Future research can investigate the medicine wastage in other aspects as well as consolidate the literatures in both industrial and public perspectives
Maternity Care Sustainability in Rural Australia: - SHAPE Health Conference In Hong Kong 8-9 July 2024
No full textIntroduction: In recent years there has seen significant closure of small maternity units particularly in rural regions of Australia. Those small maternity units that do continue to care for childbearing women may only provide antenatal and postnatal care with women giving birth in a larger maternity unit often some distance away.
There are some small maternity units that continue to provide complete care to childbearing women which is the focus of this research. The issue here is that these small rural maternity units tend to only cater for women who are having a low-risk pregnancy. When the women is deemed ‘high risk’ they will need to transfer to a larger maternity unit for their ongoing antenatal visits and to birth. These larger maternity units are often some distance away requiring women to travel for each antenatal care visit and for birth.
This research aims to explore women’s experience of having to transfer their care to a larger maternity unit due to being deemed at risk through interview of 40 women deemed at risk.
Methods: Focus of the research was women’s experiences of needing to transfer their maternity care and used a qualitative descriptive phenomenology approach. To date seven women have been interviewed.
Results: This paper presents the preliminary findings from the interviews that have been undertaken to date on seven women. The data is presented under emerging themes which will be refined with further interviews. The emerging themes are ‘women had no agency’, ‘the hidden cost’ and ‘the journey continues’.
Conclusion: The paper presents the preliminary findings from these interviews. Ultimately the aim is to assess how care can be improved for these women and potential options/models of care and make these small rural maternity units sustainable
Health System Resilience and Sustainability in India - Odisha's Strategies on Human Resources Management during COVID-19: - SHAPE Health Conference In Hong Kong 8-9 July 2024
No full textBackground: COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread loss of life, economic downturns, emotional distress and overwhelmed the public health delivery systems across the globe. Odisha was one of the few states in India that deployed proactive management of human resources in health (HRH) to fight the menace. This paper analyzes key decisions related to HRH during COVID-19. The findings aim to strengthen HRH practices to address future pandemics.
Materials and Methods: We analyzed the structures, functions, and processes related to HRH management during the COVID-19, using a qualitative lens. Through purposive sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 key informants, including policymakers and state-level managers. Data were analyzed thematically to reflect upon the perspectives of key stakeholders, identify barriers and enablers, and document the decision-making dynamics.
Results: Odisha strengthened its hospital infrastructure and capacity of health workforce through additional deployment and skill upgradation in a short period. Restriction of movements and strengthening the health system pillars led to considerable success. As COVID-19 cases surged in mid-2020, focus shifted to clinical treatment, active case finding and surveillance. Specific training modules were developed with guidance from the Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF. A whole range of human resources were trained by both online and offline modes. Community-level training programs focused on enforcing COVID-appropriate behavior and management of vulnerable population. Infusion of technology enhanced the system’s capacity to deliver high quality training in a short period of time to a vast majority of stakeholders.
Conclusion: The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the National Health Mission (NHM) played critical roles in enhancing systems’ preparedness and institutionalizing such large-scale capacity building initiatives during periods of crisis. The state's approach in terms of scale, skill, and speed of human resources management could be a model for addressing future health crises
Influence of Nurses’ Empowerment on Quality Care: A comprehensive study of the literature
No full textBackground: The empowerment of nurses is a fundamental strategy for patient safety and consequently, for the success of health institutions. This review aimed to identify in the scientific literature the influence of nurses’ empowerment on the quality of care.
Methods: An integrative review of literature, in which the PRISMA guidelines were followed, was completed. Articles were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (2020) Critical Appraisal Tools. The search for primary research articles was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Data were analyzed using content analysis methods.
Results: Twelve studies were identified and included in this review. Three themes emerged: (1) the relationship between nurses’ empowerment and quality of care; (2) opportunities and challenges of implementing empowerment in nursing; and (3) recommendations for the empowerment of nurses.
Conclusion: Empowerment should be encouraged from college education and maintained in health institutions through continuing education and improvement of working conditions that allow nurses to provide efficient and effective care.
Firefighting Water Tanker Commuting Accident: Case report on why it happened and how to manage
No full textRoad traffic accidents represent a significant global public health concern, and Malaysia is no exception. Within the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM), similar issues have had detrimental impacts on health, financial loss, and service disruptions from 2016 to 2021.
These challenges were highlighted by a recent accident involving a water tanker during a road test, described in this study according to qualitative data from the FRDM accident investigation report. The investigation revealed that human factor, as the active failure, was the primary cause of the accident. Response errors stem from a cascade of latent conditions initiated by inadequate resource management (i.e. provision of training and budget allocation).
To address these challenges, the FRDM should adopt a comprehensive approach to address both latent conditions and active failures. This comprehensive approach ensures that both immediate concerns and root causes are addressed, leading to sustained improvements in safety and operational performance
Infective Versus Non-Infective Respiratory Illness Admissions: Comparative cost analysis in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia
No full textBackground: Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) that is mainly caused by the Influenza virus, poses a significant public health threat, demanding timely detection and preventive measures. This study assesses the financial implications of managing two distinct respiratory conditions: SARI and Acute Exacerbation of Bronchial Asthma (AEBA).
Method: Data were collected for 100 patients, with 50 cases of SARI and 50 cases of AEBA, admitted to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) from July to December 2022. Cost analysis was conducted from a provider perspective, considering factors such as building, asset, emolument, overhead, utility, medication, consumables, and laboratory and imaging expenses.
Results: The study revealed that the average total cost of treating SARI patients was RM 1,587.11 (US256.18).This was mainly due to the acute and severe nature of SARI, requiring more intensive medical interventions, potentially leading to complications and greater strain on healthcare resources. The study highlighted the economic challenges posed by SARI, provided valuable insights for resource allocation and public health planning. The study's limitations include retrospective data collection and potential underestimation of actual costs due to top-down costing methodology.
Conclusion: SARI, especially in the elderly population, leads to substantial healthcare costs and economic impact. Effective preventive measures, such as vaccination, are crucial in reducing the burden of influenza-related illnesses. Health financing plays a vital role in addressing communicable diseases and ensuring the well-being of the population
Presenteeism In Case of A Disease Or Illness And Its Relationship With Anxiety And Depression Amongst Doctors In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan: A cross sectional study
No full textIntroduction: Presenteeism refers to a common practice of working while sick, working longer hours than required and attending calls outside of work hours. This can have a negative impact on physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of the employees, causing lack of productivity. Occupations whose everyday work includes providing treatment, care, and welfare services such as doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals tend to have a greater risk of presenteeism. Previous studies have shown an association between presenteeism and the occurrence of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Objective: The main objective of our study was to investigate the correlation between presenteeism and the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst doctors working at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and to analyse its projected influence on the healthcare system.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire, which was administered to medical doctors of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi Pakistan (n=278) in May, June, and July 2023. After this, a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) chart was administered to measure prevalence of anxiety and depression.
Results: In our study, 278 medical doctors participated, 73.0% (n=203) were female and 27.0% (n=75) were male. 85.6% (n=238) of the participants reported to have worked while they were sick in the past 12 months, and only 14.4% (n=40) reported never. Applying the HADS scale, 36.3% (n=101) were identified as abnormal cases of anxiety and 43.5% (n=121) were reported to be abnormal cases of depression.
Conclusion: Presenteeism may be commonplace in the medical field, but considering its association with anxiety and depression, it may lead to higher rates of job burnout, decreased productivity, and error. Increasing awareness about this issue could influence future policies regarding sick leave and the stigma surrounding it, whilst helping reduce the economic and productivity losses caused by presenteeism