scholarly journals Asia and the Pacific: Health Policy Challenges of a Region in Transition

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelley Lee ◽  
Tikki Pang
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health

scholarly journals The need for translation and cultural adaptation of audiology questionnaires to enable the development of hearing healthcare policies in the Pacific Islands: a Samoan perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Kaspar ◽  
Sione Pifeleti ◽  
Carlie Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Translation And Cultural Adaptation

Abstract Background Translation and cultural adaptation of health resources is an integral part of good health-policy development and health program implementation. As part of our efforts to address ear disease and hearing loss in the Pacific Islands, we promote the translation an cultural adaptation of hearing-related questionnaires into local languages and cultural contexts. The Pacific Islands have among the highest rates of ear and hearing disorders in the world and, given the scarcity of ear/hearing health professionals in the region, a public health approach that uses appropriately translated ear/hearing health resources is highly recommended to tackle this health issue. Although formal translation and culturally adaption of hearing-related questionnaires may seem a cumbersome process, the aim of this commentary is to illustrate the potential benefits of translating two audiology questionnaires for our use in Samoa. We have carefully selected questionnaires that will serve multiple purposes (i.e., clinical, epidemiology, monitoring and evaluation, evidence-based health policy formulation and implementation), thus making the process ultimately beneficial and worthwhile. Main body The leading cause of preventable hearing loss among Samoan adolescents and young people is excessive noise exposure to recreational and environmental noise. The Youth Attitude to Noise Scale is a validated tool that assess knowledge and attitudes of adolescents towards recreational and environmental noise, and a Samoan version should provide preliminary data to guide health promotion activities for adolescents on noise-induced hearing loss. The leading cause of hearing disability among older adult Samoans is age-related hearing loss. The Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory is a tool that assess the emotional and social/situational impact of hearing difficulty among older adults, and a Samoan version should provide preliminary data to guide the development of auditory rehabilitation services. Conclusion Investment in quality translations and cultural adaptations of hearing-related questionnaires is essential for the development of audiology services that are relevant to their Pacific Island context. The use of formally translated audiology questionnaires in research studies will optimise data quality, leading to improved hearing health promotion activities, as well as provision of evidence for advocacy for public health noise policy legislation.

Transitioning from Print to Online-Only Resources

2018 ◽  
pp. 175-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker ◽  
Elisa Hoelscher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Space ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Loan System

The Pacific Health Organization's Medical Library transitioned from its holdings being entirely in print to entirely online in an extremely short time span—the bulk of the process happened in less than six months. Leadership interests and support drove this transition, as did cost concerns and the interest in providing equal access to a geographically dispersed staff. Flexible staff that was able to adapt to new roles and a robust interlibrary loan system made the change possible. There were initial costs, but on the whole, there were mostly benefits to the change, financial and otherwise. Patron reception was more negative among those with less comfort in the digital environment, but most adjusted well. Ongoing challenges include marketing and maintaining patron awareness without a physical space, meeting user expectations for quick and easy access and information, and keeping up to date with emerging technologies, such as applications for mobile devices.

Transitioning from Print to Online-Only Resources

2014 ◽  
pp. 226-242
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker ◽  
Elisa Hoelscher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Space ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Loan System

The Pacific Health Organization’s Medical Library transitioned from its holdings being entirely in print to entirely online in an extremely short time span—the bulk of the process happened in less than six months. Leadership interests and support drove this transition, as did cost concerns and the interest in providing equal access to a geographically dispersed staff. Flexible staff that was able to adapt to new roles and a robust interlibrary loan system made the change possible. There were initial costs, but on the whole, there were mostly benefits to the change, financial and otherwise. Patron reception was more negative among those with less comfort in the digital environment, but most adjusted well. Ongoing challenges include marketing and maintaining patron awareness without a physical space, meeting user expectations for quick and easy access and information, and keeping up to date with emerging technologies, such as applications for mobile devices.

scholarly journals Universal Health Coverage and The Pacific Islands: Challenges Faced and Priority Responses, 2015-2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam T Craig ◽  
Kristen Beek ◽  
Katherine Gilbert ◽  
Taniela Sunia Suakai ◽  
Siaw-Teng Liaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background In 1995, Pacific Health Ministers articulated their vision of a healthy Pacific as ‘a place where children are nurtured in body and mind; environments invite learning and leisure; people work and age with dignity; where ecological balance is a source of pride; and where the ocean is protected.’ Central to this vision is the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). Method: To shed light on the current UHC-related priorities of Pacific health authorities and promote alignment of domestic and international investments in health sector development, we thematically analyzed the discussion, resolutions, and recommendations from 5-years (2015–2020) of senior-level Pacific health meetings. Results Five main themes emerged, (i) the Healthy Islands vision has (and continues to have) a unifying influence on action for UHC; (ii) adoption of appropriate service delivery models that support integrated primary health care at the community level are needed; (iii) human resources for health are critical if efforts to achieve UHC are to be successful; (iv) access to reliable health information is core to health sector improvement; and (v) while not a panacea for all challenges, digital health offers many opportunities. Small and isolated populations, chronic workforce limitations, weak governance arrangements, aging and inadequate health facilities, and supply chain and logistics difficulties (among other issues) interact to challenge primary health care delivery across the Pacific islands. Conclusion We found evidence that the Healthy Islands vision is a tool that garners support for UHC; however, to realize the vision, a realistic understanding of needed political, human resource, and economic investments is required. The significant disruptive effect of COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings for implementation of the medium- to long-term health development agenda raises concern that progress may stagnate or retreat.

Telehealth in the Pacific: Update 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
Wame Baravilala
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Cook Islands ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
National Referral Hospital

In the South Pacific, there have been reports of the Cook Islands getting into Telemedicine with cases being referred from Aitutaki to Rarotonga and then onto a clinical focal point in New Zealand.  The National Referral Hospital in Honiara, Solomon Islands3 was, for several years, using telepathology services where European pathologists were able to report on over 300 cases where specimen slides were prepared in Honiara, digitised then emailed to them for reading.  Despite the opportunities that have been provided, and are available, there is a dearth of publications and reports on telehealth and/or telemedicine use or innovations in the Pacific apart from what was achieved in the late 1990s and early 2000s. What are the possible reasons for this?  Telehealth is established in the Pacific to some extent but it requires the next generation of health professionals to realise its true potential for improving Pacific health.

scholarly journals Achieving UHC in the Pacific, a Closer Look at Implementation: Summary of a Report for Pacific Health Ministers

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Gilbert ◽  
Kunhee Park ◽  
Corinne Capuano ◽  
Taniela Sunia Soakai ◽  
Beth Slatyer
Keyword(s):  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health
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