| Universal health care in Thailand: Concerns among the health care workforce. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20685004 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the universal health care policy from the perspective of Thai health care professionals. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with purposively selected health care professionals and key informants. RESULTS: Health care professionals at public hospitals, particularly in rural areas, have experienced up to a doubling in the number of daily out-patients; many with superficial symptoms. While the improved access to health care provisions was welcomed, questions regarding the appropriateness of seeking medical advice were raised. Concern regarding equity: between the universal health care policy and two parallel public health cover schemes; rural and urban areas; and the public and private sector also emerged. There are potentials for health care professionals to congregate in the private sector and urban areas where workloads are perceived to be less demanding. CONCLUSIONS: The general perception of the health care professionals interviewed suggests that although increased access and health equity was welcomed, this policy has had undesired effects and exacerbated rural-urban and public-private tensions. Universal coverage increased access to health care. However, equity may be further enhanced by consolidating the three public health covers into a single scheme and develop a parallel private income protection insurance scheme. |
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Authors:
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Stian H Thoresen; Angela Fielding |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2010-08-03 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Health policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Volume: 99 ISSN: 1872-6054 ISO Abbreviation: Health Policy Publication Date: 2011 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-12-14 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8409431 Medline TA: Health Policy Country: Ireland |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 17-22 Citation Subset: H |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Research Associate, Centre for Research into Disability and Society within the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia. |
Export Citation:
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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