Patient access to opioid substitution treatment pharmacy and medical service providers in South Australia: geospatial mapping

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuong-Phi Le

This cross-sectional study geospatially maps patient access to opioid substitution treatment (OST) pharmacy and medical providers in South Australia (SA), Australia. De-identified data from a total of 2935 public and private OST patients (1092 public cases and 1843 private cases) were included in the study. Geospatial mapping of OST patient locations, their dosing community pharmacy and prescriber was undertaken. The geospatial modelling methods used in this study presents an application whereby information about patient travel patterns to reach OST providers can be used as a tool for treatment service planning.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-343
Author(s):  
Tatjana Petrushevska ◽  
Vesna Velik Stefanovska

AIM: The aim of the survey is to analyze national data from opioid substitution treatment (OST) medical records and to compare it with the data from EU countries.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey is quantitative analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the period September - December 2013. Medical records from all patients on OST at national level during the year 2012 were analyzed. EMCDDA questionnaire from treatment protocol 3.0 was used. Data for OST patients on MMT was take from all 12 public treatment facilities, three private centers and 3 prisons. Data for OST patients on buprenorphine was taken from public clinic as the only one responsible for this type of treatment.RESULTS: A comprehensive network, diverse models of treatment intervention exists in the MKD. Total number of OST patients in 2012 in all treatment facilities was 1857 (1356 are in public, 141 in private, 360 in prison settings) 10% are on Buprenorphine and 90% are on Methadone, 52% in age group 20-34. Ratio of male to female heroin clients is 9:1; 162 are female (9 %); 107(66%) are in treatment in the age group 20-34. Average number of OST patients is 0.1% of the total population in each of the 10 cities analyzed. The mean age at first heroin use is 18 years. 40% of patients haven’t high school. With their family lives 65% of OST patients; 487 patients (36%) have children; 80% of patients use of benzodiazepines.CONCLUSION: Although treatment network of drug addiction is quite developed, perceived need for further capacity building and increase the quality of medical care implies increasing the availability, diversification in terms of sensitivity to cultural differences, gender, age, ethnicity, as well as the treatment of dependence of different types of psychoactive substances.


BJS Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joana F F Simoes ◽  
Elizabeth Li ◽  
James C Glasbey ◽  
Omar M Omar ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDuring the initial COVID-19 outbreak up to 28.4 million elective operations were cancelled worldwide, in part owing to concerns that it would be unsustainable to maintain elective surgery capacity because of COVID-19-related surgeon absence. Although many hospitals are now recovering, surgical teams need strategies to prepare for future outbreaks. This study aimed to develop a framework to predict elective surgery capacity during future COVID-19 outbreaks.MethodsAn international cross-sectional study determined real-world COVID-19-related absence rates among surgeons. COVID-19-related absences included sickness, self-isolation, shielding, and caring for family. To estimate elective surgical capacity during future outbreaks, an expert elicitation study was undertaken with senior surgeons to determine the minimum surgical staff required to provide surgical services while maintaining a range of elective surgery volumes (0, 25, 50 or 75 per cent).ResultsBased on data from 364 hospitals across 65 countries, the COVID-19-related absence rate during the initial 6 weeks of the outbreak ranged from 20.5 to 24.7 per cent (mean average fortnightly). In weeks 7–12, this decreased to 9.2–13.8 per cent. At all times during the COVID-19 outbreak there was predicted to be sufficient surgical staff available to maintain at least 75 per cent of regular elective surgical volume. Overall, there was predicted capacity for surgeon redeployment to support the wider hospital response to COVID-19.ConclusionThis framework will inform elective surgical service planning during future COVID-19 outbreaks. In most settings, surgeon absence is unlikely to be the factor limiting elective surgery capacity.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Karubanga ◽  
Paul Kibwika ◽  
Florent Okry ◽  
Haroon Sseguya

Videos have the potential of enhancing learning among smallholder farmers. The study intended to establish whether timing and location of video shows influence learning among rice farmers in Kamwenge district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 48 focus group participants; 100 individual video participants and 16 key informants. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) mapping was used to establish the video catchment areas and distribution of video participants. Farmers approved the video for providing timely, useful and reliable information and bringing extension service providers closer to the farming communities. Majority (94%) of the farmers said that video provided useful information that fostered change in rice production practices and technologies. A one sample T-test indicated that the timing and location of video events are significant in influencing learning among farmers particularly by women, elderly and distant farmers. The implication is that locating video shows far away and running them late at night seriously compromised involvement by females, elderly and distant people. Thus, modalities suggested by farmers need to focus on adjusting the timing of video shows and ensuring rotational operational of videos in the respective villages or parishes purposely to reach out to the elderly, distant and women farmers.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 77-81, December, 2016


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