Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
Journals
IJERPH
Special Issues
Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management
ijerph-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2025 | Viewed by 2815

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Isabella Piassi Dias Godói

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Macaé 27930-560, Brazil
Interests: public health; access to public health services; healthcare management; health technology assessment; health economic analysis
Dr. Carlos Podalirio Borges de Almeida

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Public Health, Federal University of Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Marabá 68507-590, Brazil
Interests: public health; TB illness experiences; infectious disease epidemiology; inequities in health; global health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that we present this Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, contributing discussions and reflections on “Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management”.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the health system needs to offer preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative interventions through a combination of public health actions to the population. It is essential to reinforce that the actions of the health system should be responsive and financially fair while treating people respectfully. Additionally, a health system needs staff, funds, information, and overall guidance and direction to function. The WHO considers that few countries have systems that can monitor service delivery and that data on population access to essential services are limited. In this context, it is indispensable for countries to develop strategies to better assess aspects such as the accessibility and quality of health services offered to the population, to contribute to health monitoring and the planning process in the healthcare management scenario.

In this Special Issue, we aim to collect contributions that investigate the perceptions, evaluations, and analyses associated with access to public health services. We look forward to receiving insightful contributions, both qualitative and quantitative studies, regarding emerging issues in social medicine and healthcare management. We strongly encourage the submission of papers from middle- and low-income countries, especially those with a public health system, to better demonstrate the various challenges in healthcare management.

Dr. Isabella Piassi Dias Godói
Dr. Carlos Podalirio Borges de Almeida
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • access to public health services
  • quality of public health services
  • social control
  • healthcare management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Improving Access to Radiotherapy: Exploring Structural Quality Indicators for Radiotherapy in Gauteng Province, South Africa
by Portia N. Ramashia, Pauline B. Nkosi and Thokozani P. Mbonane
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040585 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
Background: Radiotherapy is a critical component of effective cancer treatment, yet access remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. This study explores structural quality indicators influencing radiotherapy access in Gauteng province, a region with a dual public–private healthcare system. [...] Read more.
Background: Radiotherapy is a critical component of effective cancer treatment, yet access remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. This study explores structural quality indicators influencing radiotherapy access in Gauteng province, a region with a dual public–private healthcare system. Methods: A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach using a descriptive cross-sectional study was employed; for the quantitative phase, data from public and private radiotherapy facilities was analysed, and for the qualitative phase, insights were obtained from interviews with the heads of departments and members of three multidisciplinary professions in radiation oncology, namely radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, and medical physicists. Results: Findings reveal stark disparities in radiotherapy access. Gauteng province has only two major public radiotherapy facilities serving a large population, while multiple private facilities exist. The data indicate substantial differences in resource distribution, equipment accessibility, and personnel levels between public and private institutions. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, personnel shortages, and operational limitations in the public sector have surfaced as significant barriers to prompt equitable access to radiotherapy. This research shows the urgent need for focused strategies to address these systemic issues in order to improve access to radiation treatment in Gauteng province. The study’s findings will inform the development of a comprehensive framework to enhance radiotherapy access and contribute to more equitable cancer care delivery in South Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management)
13 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
Social Determinants and Health Equity Activities: Are They Connected with the Adaptation of AI and Telehealth Services in the U.S. Hospitals?
by Pearl A. Pinera, Pearl C. Kim, Fye A. Pinera and Jay J. Shen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020294 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 670
Abstract
In recent decades, technological shifts within the healthcare sector have significantly transformed healthcare management and utilization, introducing unprecedented possibilities that elevate quality of life. Organizational factors are recognized as key drivers in technology adoption, but involvement of hospitals in community-oriented activities and promotion [...] Read more.
In recent decades, technological shifts within the healthcare sector have significantly transformed healthcare management and utilization, introducing unprecedented possibilities that elevate quality of life. Organizational factors are recognized as key drivers in technology adoption, but involvement of hospitals in community-oriented activities and promotion of health equity are underexplored. This study investigated the impact of community social determinant activities and health equity activities on the adoption of AI and telehealth services within U.S. hospitals. The data were collected from the 2021 American Hospital Association (AHA) annual survey and were analyzed using multiple logistic and linear regression models to examine activities related to addressing population health, particularly social determinants and health equity, and their impacts on the adoption of AI and telehealth among U.S. hospitals. The results indicate a significant positive association between the community social determinant indicator and health equity indicator in adopting AI and telehealth services. Organizational factors were also major drivers of AI and telehealth adoption. The active incorporation of hospital strategies that address social determinants and promote health equity leads to the integration of advanced technologies and improves hospital conditions, enabling more adaptability to the changing healthcare landscape, which enhances healthcare services and accessibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management)
22 pages, 353 KiB  
Article
Exploring Managers’ Insights on Integrating Mental Health into Tuberculosis and HIV Care in the Free State Province, South Africa
by Christo Heunis and Gladys Kigozi-Male
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(11), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111528 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1288
Abstract
The integration of mental health (MH) services into tuberculosis (TB) and HIV care remains a significant challenge in South Africa’s Free State province. This study seeks to understand the perspectives of public health programme managers on the barriers to such integration and to [...] Read more.
The integration of mental health (MH) services into tuberculosis (TB) and HIV care remains a significant challenge in South Africa’s Free State province. This study seeks to understand the perspectives of public health programme managers on the barriers to such integration and to identify potential strategies to overcome these challenges. Data were collected between February and October 2021 using qualitative methods including four individual semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions with a total of 15 managers responsible for the MH, primary healthcare, TB, and HIV programmes. Thematic data analysis was guided by an adapted version of the World Health Organization’s “building blocks” framework encompassing “service delivery”, “workforce”, “health information”, “essential medicines”, “financing”, and “leadership/governance”. Additionally, the analysis underscored the crucial role of “people”, acknowledging their significant contributions as both caregivers and recipients of care. Managers highlighted significant concerns regarding the insufficient integration of MH services, identifying structural barriers such as inadequate MH management structures and staff training, as well as social barriers, notably stigma and a lack of family treatment adherence support. Conversely, they recognised strong management structures, integrated screening, and social interventions, including family involvement, as key facilitators of successful MH integration. The findings emphasise the need for a whole-system approach that addresses all building blocks while prioritising the role of “people” in overcoming challenges with integrating MH services into TB and HIV care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Access to Public Health Services and Challenges to Healthcare Management)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop