International comparisons of waiting times in health care - Limitations and prospects
International comparisons of waiting times in health care - Limitations and prospects
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DOI：
10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.06.013
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发表时间：
2013-09-01
期刊：
影响因子：
3.3
通讯作者：
Molin, Roger
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Viberg, Nina;Forsberg, Birger C.;Molin, Roger
在许多国家，等待医疗服务的时间过长是一个重要的卫生政策问题，许多国家已经采取了某种形式的国家等待时间保障措施。等待时间的国际比较对于各国改善政策和患者能够做出知情选择至关重要，特别是在欧洲，患者有权在其他国家寻求治疗，如果有不适当的延误。本研究的目的是描述各国如何衡量等待时间，并评估等待时间是否可以进行国际比较。23个经合组织国家被列入。通过科学文章、官方和非官方文件以及网页收集资料。23个国家中有15个监测和公布国家等候时间统计数据，并有某种形式的等候时间保障。在如何测量等待时间方面存在显着差异：他们是否测量“正在进行”或“完成”的等待期;患者正在等待什么样的护理;使用的参数;以及在患者旅程中开始测量。由于衡量和数据收集的差异，目前的国家等待时间统计数据在比较各国的保健服务提供情况方面用处有限。在进行这种跨国比较时，必须考虑到不同的方法问题，在卫生系统的国家主权的特定范围内，各国最好能够合作，以便利国际比较。这种比较将有利于所有参与不断改进保健服务进程的人。它们还将使寻求跨境替代护理的患者受益。(C)2013作者由Elsevier爱尔兰有限公司出版。保留所有权利。
Long waiting times for health care is an important health policy issue in many countries, and many have introduced some form of national waiting time guarantees. International comparison of waiting times are critical for countries to improve policy and for patients to be able to make informed choices, especially in Europe, where patients have the right to seek care in other countries if there is undue delay.The objective of this study was to describe how countries measure waiting times and to assess whether waiting times can be compared internationally. Twenty-three OECD countries were included. Information was collected through scientific articles, official and unofficial documents and web pages. Fifteen of the 23 countries monitor and publish national waiting time statistics and have some form of waiting time guarantees. There are significant differences in how waiting times are measured: whether they measure the "ongoing" or "completed" waiting period what kind of care the patient is waiting for; the parameters used; and where in the patient journey the measurement begins. Current national waiting time statistics are of limited use for comparing health care availability among the various countries due to the differences in measurements and data collection. Different methodological issues must be taken into account when making such cross-country comparisons.Within the given context of national sovereignty of health systems it would be desirable if countries could collaborate in order to facilitate international comparisons. Such comparisons would be of benefit to all involved in the process of continuous improvement of health services. They would also benefit patients who seek cross-border alternatives for their care. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.