From Streets to Sidewalks: Developments in Primary Care Services for Injecting Drug Users

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Injecting Drug Users ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Accident And Emergency ◽  
Related Harm

Primary Health Care for the Injecting Drug User (IDU) has been established in Victoria in recognition of the serious health needs of IDUs, which require a relevant and effective response. Research shows the medical consequences that flow from drug abuse, ranging from the onset of blood borne viruses to cardiovascular conditions, and the propensity of drug users to access health services only through accident and emergency areas of hospitals. In 1999, the Victorian government announced the funding of five Local Drug Strategies in five of Melbourne's 'hotspot' street drug areas to address both the needs of users and communities in relation to substance abuse. This funding was an impetus to establish and trial the concept of primary health services, combining both a fixed site and a mobile outreach service. These services are designed to meet the primary health needs of street-based injecting drug users who are at high risk of experiencing overdose or other forms of drug-related harm.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perceptions of Dental Care in Primary Health Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heriberto F. Sanchez ◽  
Andrea Maria D. Vargas ◽  
Marcos Azeredo F. Werneck ◽  
Efigênia F. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
The City

Knowledge of patients' views can contribute to the strengthening of health services. The aim of this study is to describe the patients' perception of a public oral health service, contributing to evaluations in health services. This is a qualitative study in which a focus group was conducted, with the participation of six patients of the oral health system in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, all with a minimum experience of three years of using the service. A theoretical model with dimensions aimed at assessing integrality and primary care services was used. In conducting the research, a semi-structured script was used. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The most representative categories for evaluating oral health actions in primary care are the health unit; the welcoming and its relation with the creation of the bond; service with a strong emphasis on the humanized relationship between professional and patient and on teamwork and; as a highlight, citizen participation, based on the recognition of a “system” that prevents the proper functioning of services and that must be fought with citizenship. Patients’ perceptions can be used to assess oral health in primary care from the perspective of those who actually use health services, seeking ultimately to constantly improve them. Knowledge of patients' perceptions may enable organizations to know their performance, through assessment methodologies based on the established perceptions.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perceptions of Dental Care in Primary Health Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heriberto F. Sanchez ◽  
◽  
Andrea Maria D. Vargas ◽  
Marcos Azeredo F. Werneck ◽  
Efigênia F. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
The City

Knowledge of patients' views can contribute to the strengthening of health services. The aim of this study is to describe the patients' perception of a public oral health service, contributing to evaluations in health services. This is a qualitative study in which a focus group was conducted, with the participation of six patients of the oral health system in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, all with a minimum experience of three years of using the service. A theoretical model with dimensions aimed at assessing integrality and primary care services was used. In conducting the research, a semi-structured script was used. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The most representative categories for evaluating oral health actions in primary care are the health unit; the welcoming and its relation with the creation of the bond; service with a strong emphasis on the humanized relationship between professional and patient and on teamwork and; as a highlight, citizen participation, based on the recognition of a “system” that prevents the proper functioning of services and that must be fought with citizenship. Patients’ perceptions can be used to assess oral health in primary care from the perspective of those who actually use health services, seeking ultimately to constantly improve them. Knowledge of patients' perceptions may enable organizations to know their performance, through assessment methodologies based on the established perceptions.

scholarly journals Mental health needs for children of parents seeking help for substance abuse

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Thompson ◽  
Richard Blennerhassett
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Behavioural Disturbance ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

A survey of 101 new attenders at a regional drug and alcohol service found that 46 adults had a total of 88 children at home. Twenty-three children were considered by their carers to show signs of emotional or behavioural disturbance. Difficulties had only been discussed with professionals in a minority of cases. Help for troubled children from primary care services was preferred to secondary services. Closer liaison between child psychiatry and primary health care workers should be considered.

Needles and syringes to care and counselling: The need for innovative primary health care to meet the needs of street-based injecting drug users

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Injecting Drug Users ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Services

This article addresses the potential role that the Australian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) could play to assist the delivery of primary health care to ?street-based? injecting drug users (i.e., those who spend the greater part of their lives ?on the street?). Their personal circumstances mean that street-based drug users are particularly vulnerable to health problems. However, they also face obstacles that discourage their use of health care services. Consequently, relatively minor health problems may be allowed to deteriorate until emergency treatment is required. As one of few established services frequented by street-based drug users, NSPs may be in a unique position to intervene at an early stage of need. This article draws upon research undertaken with street-based drug users at the primary St Kilda NSP. Some 150 drug users were surveyed. A further 32 were interviewed at length. Users described the obstacles that discouraged their use of mainstream health care services. This article argues that these obstacles - primarily issues of accessibility and attitudinal barriers - might be addressed by linking primary health care services with existing NSP services. NSP staff could draw upon their relationships and skills to refer clients to linked health services.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perceptions of Dental Care in Primary Health Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heriberto F. Sanchez ◽  
Andrea Maria D. Vargas ◽  
Marcos Azeredo F. Werneck ◽  
Efigênia F. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
The City

Knowledge of patients' views can contribute to the strengthening of health services. The aim of this study is to describe the patients' perception of a public oral health service, contributing to evaluations in health services. This is a qualitative study in which a focus group was conducted, with the participation of six patients of the oral health system in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, all with a minimum experience of three years of using the service. A theoretical model with dimensions aimed at assessing integrality and primary care services was used. In conducting the research, a semi-structured script was used. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The most representative categories for evaluating oral health actions in primary care are the health unit; the welcoming and its relation with the creation of the bond; service with a strong emphasis on the humanized relationship between professional and patient and on teamwork and; as a highlight, citizen participation, based on the recognition of a “system” that prevents the proper functioning of services and that must be fought with citizenship. Patients’ perceptions can be used to assess oral health in primary care from the perspective of those who actually use health services, seeking ultimately to constantly improve them. Knowledge of patients' perceptions may enable organizations to know their performance, through assessment methodologies based on the established perceptions.

scholarly journals Business as Un-usual: Access to mental health and primary care services for people with severe mental illness during the COVID-19 restrictions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Newbronner ◽  
Panagiotis Spanakis ◽  
Ruth Wadman ◽  
Suzanne Crosland ◽  
Paul Heron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Aims: To explore: how satisfied people with severe mental illness (SMI) are with the support received during the pandemic; understand any difficulties encountered when accessing both mental health and primary care services; consider ways to mitigate these difficulties; and assess the perceived need for future support from mental health services. Materials and Methods: A representative sample was drawn from a large transdiagnostic clinical cohort of people with SMI, which was recruited between April 2016 and March 2020. The sample was re-surveyed a few months after the beginning of the restrictions. Descriptive frequency statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. The free text responses were analysed thematically. Results: 367 participants responded to the survey. Two thirds were receiving support from mental health services with the rest supported in primary care or self-managing. A quarter thought they would need more mental health support in the coming year. Half had needed to used community mental health services during the pandemic and the majority had been able to get support. A minority reported that their mental health had deteriorated but they had either not got the supported they wanted or had not sought help. The biggest service change was the reduction in face-to-face appointments and increasing use of phone and video call support. Nearly half of those using mental health services found this change acceptable or even preferred it; acceptability was influenced by several factors. Participants were more likely to be satisfied with support received when seen in person. Discussion: Although most participants were satisfied with the mental health support they had received, a minority were not. This, couple with findings on future need for mental health support has implications for post pandemic demand on services. Remote care has brought benefits but also risks that it could increase inequalities in access to services.

scholarly journals Satisfaction of clients with disabilities with services offered at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mlenzana ◽  
R. Mwansa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health

To establish satisfaction level of persons with disabilitiesregarding health services at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia.Key stakeholders views on satisfaction of services is an important componentof service rendering thus obtaining information is important in assistingwith the evaluation of health care service delivery. This will assist in improvingeffectiveness and availability of health care services to persons with physicaldisabilities.All persons with disabilities attending both rehabilitation centres andprimary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia, were targeted for this study. Willing participants were convenientlyselected to take part in the study.A cross sectional, descriptive study design using quantitative methods of data collection was used. The GeneralPractice Assessment Questionnaire was adjusted, piloted for Ndola population and used in this study to establishsatisfaction of participants. The study was ethically cleared at the University of the Western Cape and Zambia.Information and consent forms were signed by participants.Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and was reported in percentages.In the current study there were 191 participants of whom 56% were male and 44% were female with age rangefrom 18-65 years. Fifty-two percent of the participants presented with learning disabilities and 38% of persons withphysical disabilities. Majority of clients (54%) were dissatisfied with availability of services and health care servicesat the health care centres. Areas that clients were dissatisfied with were accessibility, consultation with health professionals,waiting times and opening hours of the health care centres.Clients with disabilities who accessed health care services from selected health centres in Ndola were dissatisfiedwith aspects of health services. Accessibility, consultation with health professionals, waiting times and opening hoursof the health care centres were the origin of client dissatisfaction. Other clients were satisfied with thoroughness ofhealth care providers regarding symptoms, feelings, reception and treatment received at the primary health care centre.Understanding the views of the clients is essential in improving health delivery services and could impact on thecompliance of people attending primary health care services.

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