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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Systematic review of barriers to surgical care in low-income and middle-income countries
World Journal of Surgery, Volume 35, No. 5, Year 2011
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Description
Background: There is increasing evidence that lack of facilities, equipment, and expertise in district hospitals across many low- and middle-income countries constitutes a major barrier to accessing surgical care. However, what is less clear, is the extent to which people perceive barriers when trying to access surgical care. Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched using key words ("access" and "surgery," "barrier" and "surgery," "barrier" and "access"), MeSH headings ("health services availability," "developing countries," "rural population"), and the subject heading "health care access." Articles were included if they were qualitative and applied to illnesses where the treatment is primarily surgical. Results: Key barriers included difficulty accessing surgical services due to distance, poor roads, and lack of suitable transport; lack of local resources and expertise; direct and indirect costs related to surgical care; and fear of undergoing surgery and anesthesia. Conclusions: The significance of cultural, financial, and structural barriers pertinent to surgery and their role in wider health care issues are discussed. Immediate action to improve financial and geographic accessibility along with investment in district hospitals is likely to make a significant impact on overcoming access and barrier issues. Further research is needed to identify issues that need to be addressed to close the gap between the care needed and that provided. © 2011 Société Internationale de Chirurgie.
Authors & Co-Authors
Grimes, Caris E.
United Kingdom, Carshalton
Epsom and st Helier University Hospitals Nhs Trust
Bowman, Kendra G.
United States, Boston
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Dodgion, Christopher M.
United States, Boston
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lavy, Chris B.D.
United Kingdom, Oxford
University of Oxford
Statistics
Citations: 337
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s00268-011-1010-1
ISSN:
14322323
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Systematic review