Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
-
Vaccine Hesitancy Among Family Doctors and Family Health Workers: Prevalence and Associated Factors.
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among family doctors and family health workers regarding vaccines included in the childhood vaccination calendar and to identify factors that may be associated with vaccine hesitancy among participants. ⋯ In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that vaccine hesitancy is common among healthcare workers, that vaccine hesitancy is associated with factors such as age, working years, and having children, and that individuals with vaccine hesitancy hold various misconceptions about vaccines.
-
Equating health with complete physical, mental and social well-being, as defined by the WHO, has played an important role in the development of healthcare systems in Western countries. However, this definition has contributed to the rise of the myth of well-being, increasing the demand on healthcare systems and raising the risk of medicalizing all aspects of life. Additionally, equating health with complete well-being is conceptually flawed for two important reasons. ⋯ While there are various approaches to defining health, the crucial issue is that each definition should include states of unwell-being. Incorporating this perspective would represent a paradigm shift in the field of health, fostering more realistic expectations and reducing the risk of medicalization.
-
GPs, at least in the United Kingdom, often run behind schedule in their clinics. This lateness is an inherently ethical problem due to the negative consequences it generates. ⋯ The major reasons for lateness can be classified as GP-related, patient-related, and third party-related. The major negative consequences of lateness in general practice might be classified as the potential disturbance to quality and safe care, the dissatisfaction of and inconvenience to subsequent patients, and the disruption of timely care. These negative consequences must be burdened by some party-either the patient who is related to the reason for the lateness, or other patients who are not. While a strict equality approach to managing such lateness does not consider patients' clinical needs, GPs compensating by actively 'catching up' in their clinics threatens quality and safety of care. The paper argues for minimising the negative consequences of lateness for all parties, while simultaneously promoting equity with regard to patients' clinical needs. The ethical status of each major reason for lateness in general practice is explored, and suggestions are offered for how each might be managed to minimise the negative consequences and promote equity.