scholarly journals Explaining the Gender Gap in Waiting Times for Scheduled Surgery in the Portuguese National Health Service

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Joana Cima ◽  
Paulo Guimarães ◽  
Álvaro Almeida

Objective: This paper evaluates the gender gap in waiting times for scheduled surgery, using information on 2.6 million surgical episodes in Portuguese National Health Service hospitals covering the period from 2011 to 2015. Methodology: We estimated the gross gender gap, i.e., the differential between the waiting times of men and women, and then add several explanatory variables that can account for this difference to estimate an adjusted gender gap. The variables are added in a way that permits the most flexible parametric specification. Next, we used Gelbach’s decomposition to understand the contribution of each variable to the difference between the gross and the adjusted gender gaps. Results: The gross gender gap of 10% is reduced to a 3% adjusted gender gap after accounting for observable explanatory factors. Gelbach’s decomposition shows that patient priority and hospital-fixed effects are the variables that contribute the most to the explained component of the gap. The analysis suggests that men tend to be ranked with more severe priorities, and that there are hospital specificities that cause men to have shorter waiting times. Conclusions: Overall, we identified a gender bias against women in surgery waiting times, but the size of the bias is smaller than was previously suggested in the literature.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Forbes ◽  
Matt Sutton ◽  
David F Edgar ◽  
John Lawrenson ◽  
Anne Fiona Spencer ◽  
...  

ObjectivesGlaucoma filtering schemes such as the Manchester Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Scheme (GERS) aim to reduce the number of false positive cases referred to Hospital Eye Services. Such schemes can also have wider system benefits, as they may reduce waiting times for other patients. However, previous studies of the cost consequences and wider system benefits of glaucoma filtering schemes are inconclusive. We investigate the cost consequences of the Manchester GERS.DesignObservational study.MethodsA cost analysis from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS) was conducted using audit data from the Manchester GERS.Results2405 patients passed through the Manchester GERS from April 2013 to November 2016. 53.3% were not referred on to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH). Assuming an average of 2.3 outpatient visits to MREH were avoided for each filtered patient, the scheme saved the NHS approximately £2.76 per patient passing through the scheme.ConclusionOur results indicate that glaucoma filtering schemes have the potential to reduce false positive referrals and costs to the NHS.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e053239
Author(s):  
Keegan Shepard ◽  
Ruta Buivydaite ◽  
Charles Vincent

ObjectivesTo describe the current work of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and assess the service’s potential to resolve concerns and contribute to organisational learning.DesignA qualitative study using semistructured interviews.SettingFour mental health trusts and four acute trusts in the English National Health Service, a total of eight PALS across different trusts.ParticipantsTwenty-four participants comprising of PALS staff and clinicians working with PALS teams.MethodsSemistructured interviews were undertaken with participants using video conferencing software. The framework method was used for the analysis of the large qualitative dataset, which is a conventional method of analysis, similar to thematic or qualitative content analysis.ResultsPALS teams fulfil their core responsibilities by acting as point of contact for patients, providing information and resolving a variety of recurrent problems, including PALS staff communication, staff attitudes and waiting times. The remit and responsibilities of each PALS has often broadened over time. Barriers to resolving concerns included a lack of awareness of PALS, limited to no policies informing how staff resolve concerns, an emphasis on complaints and the attitude of clinical staff. Senior management had widely differing views on how the PALS should operate and the management of complaints is a much higher priority. Few PALS teams carried out any analysis of the data or shared data within their organisations.ConclusionsPALS teams fulfil their core responsibilities by acting as point of contact for patients, providing information and resolving concerns. PALS staff also act as navigators of services, mediators between families and staff and, occasionally, patient advocates in supporting them to raise concerns. PALS has the potential to reduce complaints, increase patient satisfaction and provide rapid organisational feedback. Achieving this potential will require more awareness and support within organisations together with updated national policy guidance.


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Pat Smedley

The rapid pace of change in the National Health Service (NHS) over the last five years has resulted in significant alterations to the way health care is, and will be delivered in the UK. The essential aims are to cut down waiting times, put more money into the system &C use it more effectively to improve patient experience through setting practice standards/maximising on staff potential/empowering patients/funding more beds and much more.


Pflege ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-423
Author(s):  
Elke Keinath

Im Artikel werden persönliche Erfahrungen als Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in der Thoraxchirurgie im National Health Service (NHS) in Großbritannien geschildert. Die tägliche Routine wurde von sieben Kompetenzdomänen bestimmt, nämlich: Management des Gesundheits- und Krankheitszustandes des Patienten, Beziehungen zwischen Pflegeperson und Patient, Lehren und Unterrichten, professionelle Rolle, Leitung und Führung innerhalb der Patientenversorgung, Qualitätsmanagement sowie kulturelle und spirituelle Kompetenzen. Diese Elemente wurden durch die Zusatzqualifikation, selbstständig Medikamente verschreiben und verordnen zu dürfen, erweitert, was dazu beitrug, eine nahtlose Erbringung von Pflege- und Serviceleistungen zu gewähren. Die Position wurde zur zentralen Anlaufstelle im multi-professionellen Team und stellte eine kontinuierliche Weiterführung der Pflege von Patienten und ihren Familien sicher – auch über Krankenhausgrenzen hinweg.


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