Background: The National Health Policy 2017 has envisioned the integration of Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) into India’s healthcare system as part of Ayushman Bharat. In February 2018, the ...Indian Government declared the transformation of 1,50,000 existing Sub Health Centers and Primary Health Centers into Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). Health and Wellness Centres have an important role in the prevention of several diseases and health promotion and in undertaking public health functions in the community to strengthen the frontline workers and community platforms. Objective: To assess the availability of Infrastructure and 12 comprehensive primary health care services in study centres (HWC-SHC) in Raipur district Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the 32 Health and wellness centre-sub centres of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. In the Raipur district, there are 4 blocks and from each block, 25% of the study centres (HWC-SHC) are selected by simple random sampling. Semi- structured assessment tool with the reference of Government of India Operational Guidelines was used which consisted of checklist regarding Physical Infrastructure, Human Resource, Medicine, Diagnostic, IT component and 12 comprehensive primary health care services. The data was collected and analysis is being done by using SPSS software. Results: Out of 32 HWC-SHCs, 6 (18.75% ) were catering the services for the population as per the norms i.e. 3000- 5000. In the present study, 19 (59.4%) boundary wall, and 21 (65.6%) of SCs had wellness space. There were 31 (96.9%) of SCs had labor room, and 14 (43.8 %) had newborn care corner (NBCC). In this study, 21.9% Grievance board and 100% of IEC were present at the studied subcentres. It was observed that 31(96.9%) SCs had water, 27 (84.4%) had electricity supply and 1 (3.1%) of SCs had power backup. Separate public utilities for males and females were available in 2(6.3%) of the study centres. Out of the study sub-centre, 28 (87.5%) residential facilities were available, out of which 24 (85%) were occupied. For diagnostic services, 53.1 % of study centres have sickle- cell rapid tests and none of the centres have VIA for Screening of cervical cancer. Conclusion: The finding of the study shows that there is a scarcity in the physical infrastructure, Human resource and lab-diagnostic services at the studied centres. The major factor contributing to the non-utilization of health services at the SCs was the lack of adequate infrastructure, and logistics available at these centres.
The literature pertaining to community-based hospice wellness centres, especially concerning program evaluation, is sparse. This article describes the development and implementation of a ...mixed-method, rapid needs assessment for a nonprofit community-based hospice wellness centre in Ontario, Canada. As part of the needs assessment, a survey and focus groups were performed to elicit responses from service users. Individuals registered for services and wellness centre attendees were asked about their needs, opinions, and preferences to help guide future program and service options. Findings and recommendations are presented for programming and service options, and implications for future program evaluation projects are discussed. The methodology of this time and cost-efficient evaluation provides insights that can be utilized by other hospice wellness centres facing similar challenges of time, money, and program evaluation expertise constraints. The findings and recommendations may inform program and service offerings at other Canadian hospice wellness centres.
A BSTRACT Introduction: India launched a national initiative named Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in 2018 to provide population-based primary care including for the non-communicable diseases ...(NCDs) in rural areas. The current study assesses whether operationalization of HWCs improved the detection of NCDs and increased the share of public sector facilities in providing NCD services. Methods: Two rounds of household surveys were conducted in rural Chhattisgarh in 2019 and 2022. With a focus on NCDs, the household survey covered a representative sample of individuals above the age of 30 years – 2760 individuals in 2019 and 2638 in 2022. Multi-variate regression analysis was carried out to determine effects of HWCs on identification of NCDs and utilization of public sector services. Results: The population covered by HWCs had 25% greater chance of being identified with NCDs as compared to the population without HWCs (AOR = 1.25, P = 0.03). The NCD patients living in areas covered by HWCs had 70% greater chance of utilizing the public healthcare facilities (AOR = 1.70, P = 0.01). In the population covered by HWCs, the share of the public sector in NCD care increased from 41.2% in 2019 to 62.1% in 2022, whereas the share of informal private providers dropped from 23.5% in 2019 to 8.4% in 2022. Conclusion: The HWCs showed effectiveness in increasing detection of NCDs at the population level and bringing a larger share of NCD patients to utilize public sector services. They can prove to be a crucial architectural correction for improving primary care service delivery for NCDs and other population health needs in India.
Dedicated centres providing information and support to cancer patients and carers have recently been established in some Australian cancer centres.
The purpose of this research was to identify the ...preferences of patients and carers in relation to the environment and activities offered in a wellness centre in a regional community.
A survey of current and previous patients and carers was conducted at a wellness centre in a regional area.
A total of 188 people responded to the survey. The wellness centre’s environment was important to respondents, with features such as comfortable chairs, lounge and kitchen areas and the availability of hot drinks each receiving mean scores of more than 8.3 out of 10. Most respondents reported that they would be likely to read newspapers, magazines and information about cancer (mean scores greater than 7.2) and attend information sessions on topics, such as staying well with cancer and nutrition (mean scores greater than 6.5). Most preferred to visit the wellness centre around the time of an appointment (51.1%). The main barriers to visiting were parking (71.5%) and feeling unwell (35.8%). Approximately one quarter of participants reported they did not wish to attend to the wellness centre for an activity or support.
Patients and carers valued the relaxing environment of the wellness centre and more ‘traditional’ forms of supportive care, such as information sessions, rather than group activities. The wellness centre was important to carers as well as patients.
This study outlines the preferences of regional cancer patients and their carers and could inform establishment of wellness centres in other health settings.
Long-distance truck drivers are occupationally susceptible to poor health outcomes. Their patterns of healthcare utilisation and the suitability of healthcare services available to them are not well ...documented. We report on truck driver healthcare utilisation across South Africa and characterise the client population of the clinics serving them for future service development.
We analysed anonymised data routinely collected over a two-year period at nine Roadside Wellness Centres. Associations between services accessed and socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.
We recorded 16,688 visits by 13,252 individual truck drivers (average of 1.26 visits/person) who accessed 17,885 services for an average of 1.07 services/visit and 1.35 services/person. The mean age of truck drivers was 39 years. Sixty-seven percent reported being in stable relationships. The most accessed services were primary healthcare (PHC)(62%) followed by HIV (32%). Low proportions (≤6%) accessed STI,TB and malaria services. Most visits were characterised by only one service being accessed (93%, n = 15,523/16,688). Of the remaining 7% of visits, up to five services were accessed per visit and the combination of TB /HIV services in one visit remained extremely low (<1%, n = 14/16,688). Besides PHC services at the beginning of the reporting period, all service categories displayed similar seasonal utilisation trends(i.e. service utilisation peaked in the immediate few months post clinics opening and substantially decreased before holidays). Across all service categories, younger truck drivers, those with a stable partner currently, and those of South African origin were the main clinic attendees. Older truck drivers (≥40 years) were more likely to access TB and PHC services, yet less likely to access HIV and STI services. Those with stable partners were less likely to access STI and TB services but more likely to access malaria and PHC services. South African attendees were more likely to access PHC, while attendees from other nationalities were more likely to access HIV and malaria services.
This utilisation analysis shows that tailored services assist in alleviating healthcare access challenges faced by truck drivers, but it underscores the importance of ensuring that service packages and clinics speak to truck drivers' needs in terms of services offered and clinic location.
Background: While Covid-19 infection rate in children is low, respiratory symptoms are a common mode of presentation which calls for better management of such symptoms. However, ARI case managemnet ...in primary health settings settings has challenges as health workers lack skills to count respiratory rate and check chest indrawing. To address this multimodal pulse oximeters have been introduced in health and wellness centres of seven states to ease the work of front line health workers. A study was undertaken to understand the usability of the multimodal pulse oximeter during Covid times. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with the aid of indepth interviews among a convenience sample of eleven health care workers from ten health and wellness centres. Interviews were conducted and recorded over phone, after obtaining consent. Transcribed interviews were coded and analysed on a qualitative analysis software. Content analysis was conducted. Results: Total children screened during covid lockdown period (April 1-May 31) is 571, those diagnosed with pneumonia and severe pneumonia is 68 and 2. Health care workers were satisfied with pulse oximeter as it helped in timely diagnosis and treatment, and offered protection from possible infection as it mitigated the need for physical contact. Conclusion: The multimodal pulse oximeter is well accepted among providers as it is easy to use aiding in timely management of ARI in children. It has an added protection as it's use reduces the need for physical contact. It can be adopted in other HWC and primary health facilities.
Liam Mouritz, of global multidisciplinary architecture, landscape and urban design practice Hassell, and landscape architect Alex Breedon look at the Australian context of the Green New Deal, arguing ...that a decolonial cultural shift is occurring and is much needed if methods to mitigate the climate crisis can be equitably sustained. In short, caring for Country is also caring for our collective selves.
Truck drivers occupy a pivotal role in the economies of southern Africa, due to limited rail, water and other forms of transport of goods. The occupational nature of truck driving limits access to ...healthcare. North Star Alliance (North Star) offers a tailored primary healthcare service for truck drivers along the sub-Saharan trucking corridor.
The overall objective of this study was to explore truck drivers’ views regarding access to, and appropriateness of, selected South African North Star Roadside Wellness Centres (RWCs) coupled with understanding their health-seeking behaviour.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with two groups of purposively-sampled truck drivers: 24 who accessed North Star RWCs and 22 who knew about the centres but did not use them. The interviews explored access, health-seeking behaviour, and healthcare experiences. Additional information on risk perceptions emerged. Qualitative data were organised into four themes: client satisfaction, health-seeking behaviour, risk perception and behaviour, and service delivery strengthening.
The majority of those interviewed were older (36–65 years old), South African, with secondary education, employed full-time, in stable relationships, and having children.
Overall users were satisfied with RWC locations, operating hours, infrastructure, and healthcare worker attitudes. Half of the non-users did not access routine healthcare anywhere. Non-users primarily did not access the RWCs because they did not know the operating times and preferred local facilities. Both groups used traditional healers and pharmacies. RWC users accessed traditional healers and pharmacies for services not available to them at the RWCs. Both groups reported not using private general practitioners or specialists. Both groups provided recommendations for strengthening the service delivery model including an increased focus on non-communicable diseases and occupationally-required health services including vaccinations.
Comprehensive care packages delivered through accessible satellite facilities should form the foundation of service delivery models for truck drivers and other mobile populations.
•Satisfaction with locations, operating hours, infrastructure, and healthcare worker attitudes.•Truck drivers accessed traditional healers and pharmacies for services not at RWCs.•No healthcare sought at private general practitioners or specialists•Comprehensive care in satellite facilities should form service delivery models for truck drivers.•An increased focus on non-communicable diseases and occupationally-required health services.
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between needs, expectations, and attendance patterns among users of a cancer wellness centre to better access future programming ...and improve attendance.
Methods
We interviewed staff from18 cancer wellness centers in Canada and the United States to assess if our attendance expectations were realistic. Then, from a total sample of non-users in 2008 (
n
= 67) and infrequent users (
n
= 67) at the Hope & Cope Wellness Centre in Montreal, we randomly selected individuals from each group who registered and never returned (
n
= 16), and those who registered and returned 1–3 times (
n
= 17). Telephone interviews were conducted using a brief questionnaire. We used a phenomenological approach to assess the meaning of attendance for the registrants.
Results
Both groups of participants described similar reasons for not attending such as health complications, scheduling conflicts, child care, language issues, and parking restrictions. However, non-users focused specifically on functional aspects such as administrative issues and scheduling, and distance from the centre, while infrequent users expressed more emotional disappointments such as feeling more depressed and inability to engage with others.
Discussion
Strategies are suggested to optimize service delivery for short-term attendees, including home-exercise programming, virtual support, outreach systems, and caregiving support. Information from other wellness centers in Canada and the United States revealed similar trends in attendance but also revealed a wide range of programs and systems of data recording.
Implications
The results of this study have implications for cancer survivors, for health care providers, for the development of strategies to address participation barriers, and for future research on understanding optimal use of wellness centers.
Zdravstveni turizam kompleksan je turistički proizvod koji obuhvaća velik broj specijaliziranih sadržaja i usluga na putovanjima motiviranim potrebom za unapređenjem zdravlja i poboljšanjem ...kvalitete života. Wellnessturizam kao njegova sastavnica, a posebice medicinski wellness, organizirano je provođenje zdravstveno-preventivnih i kurativnih programa u svrhu prevencije bolesti te očuvanja i unaprjeđenja zdravlja, čije usluge utječu na raznolikost ukupnoga turističkog proizvoda, a time i na bolju prepoznatljivost turističke destinacije na sve zahtjevnijem tržištu.
Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti očekivanja i percepcija korisnika usluga primjenom modificiranoga modela SERVQUAL.
Istraživanje je provedeno u Thalasso Wellness Centru Opatija na slučajnom uzorku od 87 ispitanika, a prikupljeni podaci analizirani su primjenom metoda deskrip-Rezultati istraživanja potvrdili su empirijsku pretpostavku o adekvatnosti primjene modela SERVQUAL za mjerenje kvalitete usluga wellnessa, jer je dobiven jasan prikaz ukupne kvalitete usluga wellnessa. Rezultati su nedvosmisleno ukazali na postojanje jaza između percepcija i očekivanja korisnika. S obzirom na to da su najviše prosječne ocjene za percepciju dobile dimenzije opipljivost i pouzdanost kvalitete usluga wellnessa, a najniže osjećajnost ili empatija, u tim je dimenzijama i utvrđen i najveći jaz.
Rezultati empirijskoga istraživanja mogu poslužiti menadžmentu ustanove kao poticaj za opravdanost kontinuiranoga provođenja istraživanja kvalitete usluga wellnessa, zadovoljstva korisnika usluga wellnessa i radnoga zadovoljstva osoblja wellness-centra primjenom i drugih metoda i modela.
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