OBJECTIVES To describe changes in the provision of rheumatology services, monitor the pattern of inequalities in UK rheumatology service provision since 2005, and to summarize the 3-yr impact of the new National Health Service (NHS) consultant contract and the Musculoskeletal Services Framework in England and Wales. METHODS Questionnaires about timetable and working conditions were sent to al...

BACKGROUND Environmental risks to health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have shifted rapidly from infectious to noninfectious diseases as the nation has developed at an unprecedented rate. In response to public concerns over newly emerging environmental risks, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi commissioned a multidisciplinary environmental health strategic planning project. OBJECTIVES In or...

Background The implementation of new technology can interrupt established workflows in health care settings. The Quality of Maternal Care (QUALMAT) project has introduced an electronic clinical decision support system (eCDSS) for antenatal care (ANC) and delivery in rural primary health care facilities in Africa. Objective This study was carried out to investigate the influence of the QUALMAT e...

BACKGROUND Delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) results in excess morbidity and mortality, particularly among HIV-infected individuals. This study was conducted at a secondary level hospital serving communities with a high HIV prevalence in Cape Town, South Africa. The aim was to describe patient and provider delay in the diagnosis of TB in patients with suspected TB requiring admission,...

OBJECTIVE Health care proxy (HCP) documentation is suboptimal. To improve rates of proxy selection and documentation, we sought to develop and evaluate a web-based interview to guide patients in their selection, and to capture their choices in their electronic health record (EHR). METHODS We developed and implemented a HCP interview within the patient portal of a large academic health system....

Background Negotiations surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment agreement have recently concluded. Although trade and investment agreements, part of a broader shift to global economic integration, have been argued to be vital to improved economic growth, health, and general welfare, these agreements have increasingly come under scrutiny for their direct and indirect...

background: this paper considers a range of issues related to the financing of health care system and relevant government policies in iran. methods: this study used mixed methods. a systematic literature review was undertaken to identify relevant publications. this was supplemented by hand searching in books and journals, including government publications. the issues and uncertainties identifie...

In this note, a generalization of higher rank numerical range isintroduced and some of its properties are investigated

Background: Puberty and its consequence changes are one of the most important events of each person's life. Knowledge and practice about puberty health lead to successful passage of this period. This study was aimed to determine factors predicting the knowledge and practice of girl students about puberty health in Tabriz high schools. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional stud...