NOTICE: CANCHID will be adding a Gopher and World Wide Web Site early in the New Year. At that point it will start to "break out" information services as between information for access and (listserv) information distribution. Here CANCHID is posting the new issue of PHNFLASH 49 from the World Bank. It has three short interesting items. - Sam Lanfranco, #=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#= # = = PHNFLASH Electronic Newsletter # # on Population, Health & Nutrition Issues = = PHN Dept. World Bank # # Issue 49, December 14, 1994 = = # =#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=# >>>In this issue... * Quality of Care * International Graduate Program in Thailand * Mekong Eye Doctor Vacancy in Cambodia <<< =============================================================== Dear PHNFLASH subscribers: Thus far, we have received over 100 replies to our survey. We would like to thank the many who have responded to our survey. We have received very positive and constructive comments and will be implementing them over time. We would still like to hear from the rest of you. For a copy of the survey form, please send a request to: [log in to unmask] Thank you, Vivian Hon PHNLINK administrator ================================================================= >>> QUALITY OF CARE <<< According to Willy De Geyndt, Principal Public Health Specialist for Asia Technical Department Human Resources and Social Development Division (ASTHR), the need for quality assurance in health care has only recently emerged as a priority in developing countries. Interest has been growing rapidly with countries including Zambia, Uganda and Ghana, establishing national committees on quality assurance. The classical definition of quality of care is the degree of conformity of actual care with predetermined criteria. Hence, the process of improving quality requires defining the criteria by which to judge progress, developing a mechanism to collect baseline data and ensuring a mechanism that allows for changes in the "degree of variation from conformity." In a study of 83 Bank appraisal reports on population, health and nutrition (PHN) projects passed between 1990-93, De Geyndt found that only 14 of the reports recognized the quality of care problem and proposed remedial steps. Quality of care, in these cases, was typically defined in terms of the shortage of structural inputs, such as dilapidated buildings and pervasiveness of drug shortages. De Geyndt notes that structural inputs are necessary but not sufficient condition for measuring quality. He proposes a conceptual model based on structure, process and outcome. Process measures what is actually done to and for the patient in giving and receiving care. Project design should emphasize process measures and incorporate the philosophy and methods of quality improvement to assess and improve the service delivery processes purposefully and continuously. Outcomes which are the end results of the correct process of patient care and of the timely availability of the necessary inputs may be measured using indicators of mortality, morbidity and functional impairment. Because outcomes can and are often affected by exogenous factors, it is therefore more effective to improve the health care delivery process continously and to ensure the availability of critical inputs. [extracted from Health Policy no. 8, November 1994] "Managing the Quality of Health Care in Developing Countries" by Willy de Geyndt is a forthcoming World Bank Technical Paper =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* >>> MEKONG EYE DOCTORS (MED) VACANCY IN CAMBODIA <<< Within the scope of the "MED Eye Care Development Programme for Pursat Province in the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia" Foundation, MED has a position for an experienced ophthalmologist/eye Surgeon to be deployed per 1 April 1995 for a first period of six months at Pursat Provincial Hospital, Pursat, Cambodia. The successful candidate will provide: * general and clinical class training in opthalmology to a group of selected candidates from the hospital * theoretical and practical training and instruction at OPD * theoretical and practical training and instruction on surgical treatment of major eye diseases (cataract, pterygium, glaucoma, entropion). * regular performance of OPD consultations and eye surgery at the hospital. Candidates must have experience in working under hardship circumstances and a good working knowledge in English and French. Interested applicants should send an application letter, a curriculum vitae and names of at least two referees, to: MED Head Office Attn: Dr Eric J. van Agtmaal Director Prof. Junkerslaan 3 1185 JL Amstelveen THE NETHERLANDS Phone: 31-20-6473879 Fax: 31-20-6432490 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* >>> International Graduate Program, Thailand <<< The Department of Health and Social Sciences at Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand, will be considering applications for the International Graduate Program in Health Social Science, tentatively scheduled to begin June 1, 1995, at the university's Salaya campus. This program began in the 1993-94 academic year, and is partially funded by the Ford Foundation. The program provides advanced training and research opportunities in the field of health social sciences for students in the Asia/Pacific region. There is a specialized reproductive health component available for those interested. For a copy of the program brochure and/or application form, contact: Dr. Preecha Upayokin, Director - Master's Degree Program in Health Social Science (International) Department of Health Social Sciences Mahidol University 25/25 Puthamoltol 4 Salaya 73170, Nakornpathom Thailand. =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* end *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=