In recent years there have been several attempts to develop quantitative measures of potential spatial access to health care services which, despite their limitations, offer many positive ideas that can perhaps be int...
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In recent years there have been several attempts to develop quantitative measures of potential spatial access to health care services which, despite their limitations, offer many positive ideas that can perhaps be integrated into a logically consistent and generally acceptable index. It is in this vein that the current paper presents an integrated approach, drawing partially from past contributions, to measuring potential spatial access to health care services. The final access index is derived as the culmination of a series of individual measures, starting with an initial gravity formulation and progressing through successive stages as new elements, consistent with the definition and conceptualization of potential spatial access, are introduced. Application of the proposed index to the ambulatory medical care system of the Akron, Ohio SMSA, demonstrates the validity of the measure, and its suitability as a potential health care planning tool.
The definition of scopes of practice for allied healthcare practitioners in outpatient settings is an emerging healthcare topic in this era when technologically advanced procedures are being done and diagnostics, ther...
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The definition of scopes of practice for allied healthcare practitioners in outpatient settings is an emerging healthcare topic in this era when technologically advanced procedures are being done and diagnostics, therapies, and care are being given in outpatient settings. The standards of care and practice under which allied health professionals provide care must be defined within an organization in order to provide the high-quality integrated healthcare that is the benchmark of excellence. One way to increase leadership and staff awareness is to provide experts in each allied health discipline the opportunity to define their scopes of practice, as the Joint Commission suggests, based on the rules and regulations that govern those practices.
Health care professionals traditionally have resisted patient access to medical records. There is evidence, however, that the patient's medical record can promote improved communication between patient and practit...
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Health care professionals traditionally have resisted patient access to medical records. There is evidence, however, that the patient's medical record can promote improved communication between patient and practitioner. In an exploratory study, patients in a primary care office practice collaborated with their health care professionals in the authorship of their records. Co-authorship was effective in conveying more complete, accurate, and mutually understandable information. The patient-held copy of the record served as an adjunct to this collaborative process. The potential problems and prospects arising from this strategy are discussed.
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