Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.-Pharm.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

abstract: ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to identify the key determinants of changes in the public’s perception and the historical and legal context for the current laws that govern the Right to Die in America. At its essence, the Right to Die Movement can be summarized in six selected narratives that were performed, told, debated, or reported for the public throughout history. Each of these six stories was presented with the most effective communication technologies available to the narrators in their respective eras. The thesis includes an original research study assessing the impact of a social media phenomenon on the Right to Die Movement. While the Brittany Maynard Farewell video may not have been solely responsible for the surge of public support for MAID, it certainly captured the sense of autonomy and individual rights Americans believe they have in 2014 and continuing at least through 2019. This belief in autonomy and individual rights influenced the American sense of who owns their bodies and who can control their deaths after they are given terminal diagnoses. The first key narrative introduced Natural Law and the Natural Rights that proceed from this universal law. The second opened up communication about death. The next three demonstrated to Americans what legal rights they had and which were withheld by tradition and law. The last narrative captured and embodied the American sense of autonomy and individual rights that a majority of Americans now feel they possess. The laws and policies that have resulted from the Right to Die Movement both define the boundaries of autonomy and construct an evolving understanding of human freedom. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Religious Studies 2020

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) became legally accessible to Canadians in 2016, bringing with it significant changes to the Canadian health care landscape. With legalization of MAiD, physicians, nurses and allied health care workers had to consider their own systems of values, beliefs and their professional identity and decide whether or not they would be able to contribute to this practice or participate actively in this new medical procedure. I argue that health care professionals who participate in this practice create a professional identity that is intrinsically bound to the ethics and practice of MAiD, thus making it permissible for them to support and participate in the procedure actively. Moreover, I argue that this system of morals and beliefs has been accrued by these health care professionals across experiences and time that contribute to their capacity to participate in MAiD. Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) was the locus for this research. HHS encompasses a network of five hospitals in the Hamilton, Ontario area. Each hospital region in Ontario has a unique staff and values, and HHS is no exception. HHS houses the Assisted Dying Resource and Assessment Service (ADRAS) group, a team of uniquely skilled MAiD providers, assessors and health professionals who service the HHS patient community. It is this group that is at the center of this research. Through interviews with members of ADRAS, I determined that values of altruism, belief in self-determination and deep respect for patients and families are central to the individual and collective identities of this group. In light of this ethical stance, members of ADRAS have crafted complex professional identities both individually and as a collective that enable them to participate in MAiD in a complete and meaningful way. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Diploma thesis deals with design of electric wheelchair. Final product is standing on the bases from the designer and technical analysis. The main goal is to create electric wheelchair with a charakteristic appearance, that will respect user health condition and ergonomic and technical parameters as well.

Each year hundreds of thousands of women in Europe need to catheterize themselves instead of urinating the usual way, because of diseases or injuries. However, self-catheterization is hard for a lot of women due to the location of the urethra, and they need some type of aid to help them. The design company MMID in the Netherlands developed a concept with a mirror and a light, which is attached to a toilet seat. Though, it was noticed that it was too hard to handle for the users, hence the authors were asked to improve the user friendliness with the product. Since the intuition aspect was the largest problem they decided to focus on intuition. MMID’s original prototypes were tested by patients and continence nurses to get relevant information that only real users can give, and by mixed women without troubles, to get an insight in the intuition aspect. The nurses and the patients tested the prototypes and were observed, whereupon they took part in a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire, respectively. During the intuition tests the women’s interactions with the prototypes were filmed, and they answered a short questionnaire. The films were then analyzed. The tests showed that the product was very hard to understand and that it gave a feeling of being unstable. This gave the project the focus to make the product easy to open up, without having to assemble it before each use. All important aspects were gathered and several ideation sessions were performed. The results were put together into three concepts and 3D printed prototypes. These models were tested by women interacting with them to see their intuitive actions, which were also filmed. The women also participated in semi-structured interviews. Based on these results a concept choice was made where the simplest solution with one pivoting point was chosen. The concept was further developed and functional prototypes and non-functional prototypes were made. The non-functional models were tested for only intuition among random women, the same way as before. The functional models were tested by patients and nurses at four hospitals in the Netherlands, also these tests were similar to the ones in the first round. The overall results were positive and the product had been significantly improved; a lot thanks to the fact that it did not need to be assembled before it could be used. The biggest negative aspect was that a signifier for opening the product was missing. / Varje år behöver hundratusentals kvinnor i Europa katetrisera sig själva istället för att urinera som vanligt, på grund av sjukdomar eller skador. Självkatetrisering är dock krångligt för många kvinnor på grund av placeringen av urinrörets öppning. Designföretaget MMID i Nederländerna tog fram ett koncept med en spegel och en lampa som fästs på toalettsitsen för att hjälpa dessa kvinnor. Det upptäcktes dock att detta koncept var svårförstått och således ombads författarna att förbättra användarvänligheten hos produkten. Då intuitionsaspekten hos produkten var det största problemet bestämde de sig för att fokusera på intuitionen. MMIDs ursprungliga prototyper testades av patienter och urologisköterskor för att få relevant information som bara riktiga användare kan ge, samt av blandade kvinnor utan åkommor för att få inblick i intuitionsaspekten. Sköterskorna och patienterna testade prototyperna och observerades, varpå de deltog i semistrukturerade intervjuer respektive fyllde i ett frågeformulär. Under intuitionstesterna filmades kvinnornas interaktion med prototyperna, varpå de svarade på ett kort frågeformulär. Filmerna analyserades sedan. Testerna visade bland annat att produkten var väldigt svårförstådd samt gav en känsla av att vara ostadig. Detta gav projektet fokuset att skapa en produkt som kan öppnas upp på ett enkelt sätt utan att behöva monteras ihop innan varje användning. Alla viktiga aspekter sammanställdes och flertalet idégenereringar genomfördes. Resultaten från dessa sattes ihop till tre koncept, vilka överfördes till 3D-printade modeller. Modellerna testades genom att kvinnor fick interagera med dem varpå deras intuitiva handlingar observerades. Detta spelades in på video och kvinnorna ombads även att svara på frågor i en kort semistrukturerad intervju. Baserat på dessa resultat gjordes ett konceptval där den enklaste lösningen, med en rotationspunkt, valdes. Efter detta utvecklades konceptet vidare och funktionella samt icke-funktionella prototyper tillverkades. Dessa prototyper testades i en tredje testomgång, där de icke-funktionella prototyperna testades för enbart intuition av godtyckliga kvinnor, på samma sätt som tidigare. De funktionella prototyperna testades av patienter och sköterskor på fyra sjukhus i Nederländerna, likt första testomgången. De övergripande resultaten var positiva och produkten var signifikant förbättrad, mycket tack vare att den inte behövde sättas ihop innan den kunde användas. Den största negativa aspekten var att det saknades en indikator som underlättade öppnandet av produkten.

The study sought to identify reasons for non-compliance among a particular medical aid scheme's members and their dependants registered for the asthma disease risk management (DRM) programme. A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken, using postal questionnaires. The research results indicated that most asthma patients were not compliant with the DRM programme because they lacked knowledge about the programme. Asthma patients' compliance with the DRM programme can be enhanced by health providers' and case managers' positive attitudes, better promotion of the programme, and by involving the patients in managing their illnesses. Asthma patients require education about healthy lifestyles, empowering them to successfully manage their condition, preventing asthma attacks and/or hospital admissions. When asthma is well-managed the patients' quality of life and general wellbeing will improve and the medical aid scheme's costs will be contained. / HEALTH STUDIES / MA (HEALTH STUDIES)

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study provides an overview of the medical aid industry in South Africa and highlights the impact of the formation of the Council for Medical Schemes through the implementation of the Medical Schemes Act of 1998. The regulatory framework that governs the medical aids in South Africa is analysed. In this study. different medical aid funds are compared in terms of administration costs, required solvency levels and membership numbers relative to the acceptable industry averages. The main cost drivers of medical aid funds that could also threaten the future of private medical care are identified, as these services may not be affordable to most South Africans in the future. The new vision of government in terms of healthcare is outlined, and the regulations that will be implemented to transform the healthcare sector into a Social Health Insurance system, and ultimately into a National Health Insurance system. are analysed. The proposed mechanisms, such as the Risk Equalisation Fund, the Government Employees Medical Scheme and lowincome medical schemes, are discussed, highlighting all their advantages as well as the associated risks for the sustainability of private medical care. The proposed new legislation and the potential negative financial impact on the private medical industry are analysed with detailed reference to the Medical Schemes Act of 1998 and the Medicines and Related Substance Control and Amendment Act of 1997. The implications of fundamental changes proposed in private health insurance, such as community risk rating versus the traditional individual risk rating, are discussed. The negative impact of prescribed minimum benefits (which include HIV/Aids) on the financial sustainability of the medical aid industry is highlighted. The impact of HIV/Aids on the sustainability of the medical aid industry is discussed and some conclusions and recommendations are made regarding the financial sustainability of the medical aid industry and hence the future of private medical care in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is 'n oorsig van die mediesefondsbedryf in Suid·Afrika, en beklemtoon die impak van die totstandkoming van die Raad van Mediese Skemas deur die impJementering van die Wet op Mediese Skemas van 1998. Hierdie regulatoriese raamwerk, wat mediese fondse in SuidAfrika tans reguleer, word in die studie ondersoek. In hierdie studie word van die grootste mediese fondse in tenne van administratiewe koste, voorgeskrewe fondsreserwes en lidmaatskapgetalle relatief tot die aanvaarde bedryfsnonne met rnekaar vergelyk. Die belangrikste koste-items vir mediese fondse wat die voortbestaan van privaat gesondheidsorg kao bedreig, word ontleed cmdat hierdie dienste in die toekoms vir die rneeste Suid-Afrikaners onbekostigbaar kan word. Die regering se nuwe visie vir gesondheidsorg word uiteengesit. asook die regulasies wat germplementeer sal word om die gesondheidsektor na 'n sosiale gesondheidsversekeringstelsel en uiteindelik na tn nasionale gesondheidstelsel te transfonneer. Die voorgestelde meganismes, seos die Risiko-egalisasiefonds, GEMS en laeinkomste-mediesefondse word bespreek, met al die relevante voor- en nadele, tesame met die geassosieerde risiko's vir die voortbestaan van privaat mediese dienste. Die voorgestelde wetgewing en die gevolglike negatiewe finansiele impak op die privaat gesondheidsbedryf, met spesifieke verwysing na die Wet op Mediese Skemas van 1998 asook die Wet op die Beheer van Medisyne en Verwante Middels van 1997, word ondersoek. Die implikasies van fundamentele veranderinge wat in terme van gesondheidsversekering voorgestel word, soos gemeenskapsrisikogradering teenoor individuelerisikogradering, word bespreek. Voorgeskrewe minimum voordele (wat MIV insluit) wat nou ingevolge wetgewing ten volle deur fondse betaal moet word, se potensiele negatiewe impak op die finansiele lewensvatbaarheid van mediese fondse word beklemtoon. Die potensiele negatiewe impak van die MIV-epidemie op die lewensvatbaarheid van die mediesefondsbedryf word bespreek en gevolg deur aanbevelings om die fmansiele lewensvatbaarheid en toekoms van die privaat gesondheidsbedryf in Suid-Afrika te verseker.

Lyginant su kitomis užsienio šalimis, Lietuvoje stuburo sužalojimai patiriami dažniau. Dažnai stuburo sužalojimą patyręs asmuo lieka neįgalus visą likusį gyvenimą. Valstybė ir artimieji patiria didelius nuostolius dėl prarastų pajamų, išlaidų gydymui ir išlaikymui. Paciento patyrusio stuburo sužalojimą tolimesnė gydymo ir sveikatos grąžinimo perspektyvos labai priklauso ir nuo pirmosios pagalbos teikimo ikistacionariniame etape. Tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti greitosios medicinos pagalbos tarnybų galimybes teikti pagalbą, kai yra stuburo sužalojimai. Tyrimą sudarė trys etapai. Tirta greitosios medicinos pagalbos tarnybų medikų teorinis ir praktinis pasiruošimas, materialinė techninė bazė ir procedūros taikomos pacientams patyrusiems didelės kinetinės energijos traumas. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti greitosios medicinos pagalbos darbuotojų teorinį ir praktinį pasirengimą teikti pagalbą pacientams, kuriems įtariamas stuburo sužalojimas po patirtos didelės kinetinės energijos traumos. 2. Įvertinti greitosios medicinos pagalbos materialinę ir techninę bazę, reikalingą teikiant pagalbą stuburo sužalojimų atvejais. 3. Nustatyti klinikinių procedūrų, atliekamų asmenims, patyrusiems stuburo sužalojimus, rūšį ir dažnį. 4. Nustatyti teikiamos pagalbos, asmenims su įtariamu stuburo sužalojimu, atitikimą pasaulio sveikatos organizacijų rekomendacijoms. / Spinal cord injuries incidence is higher in Lithuania than in other countries. Patient after experienced spinal cord injury often remains disabled for the rest of its life. Community and relatives have to suffer big losses for the lost incomes and expenses related to treatment and maintenance. Patient treatment and heath retain prognosis strongly depends on firs medical aid supplied at prehospital level. The aim of study – evaluate emergency medicine services abilities to provide first medical aid in cases of spinal injuries. The study consisted of three stages. We investigated the theoretical and skill readiness of emergency medicine services personnel, physical resources provision and procedures applied to the patients which have undergone high energy traumas. The objectives of the study: 1. To evaluate the theoretical knowledge level and skills required to provide first medical aid for patients which undergone high energy trauma and are suspected for spinal injury. 2. To evaluate physical resources of the emergency medicine institutions which are used for the first medical aid supplied to the patients with spinal injury. 3. To determine the availability of emergency medicine services and the kind and extent of clinical procedures applied to patients with spinal injury suspected. 4. To evaluate the conformance of the clinical procedures applied to patients with spinal injury to the recommendations of the world health institutions.

Magistro baigiamąjį darbą sudaro: įvadas, 8 skyriai, 7 poskyriai. Darbo pabaigoje pateikiamos išvados ir rekomendacijos, naudotos literatūros sąrašas, santrauka lietuvių ir anglų kalba bei priedai. Darbo uždaviniai: - išnagrinėti įstatymus ir kitus teisės aktus, reglamentuojančius mokamas medicinines paslaugas; - apžvelgti vaistų kompensavimo tvarką; - ištirti, kokios medicininės paslaugos, kiek jų teikiama ir kaip kinta jų apimtys dviejose Vilniaus ligoninėse; - išsiaiškinti atskirų grupių žmonių (medikų, pacientų, studentų- medikų, teisininkų) požiūrį į šiuo metu esantį sveikatos apsaugos finansavimą, dalinius mokėjimus už sveikatos priežiūros paslaugas. Metodika. Naudojantis finansinėmis ligoninių ataskaitomis, skaičiuojant kasos čekius, tirtos mokamos paslaugos ligoninėse. Atlikta anketinė respondentų apklausa. Duomenys apdoroti naudojant programas MS Excell ir SPSS for Windows 12.0. Išvados. LR įstatymuose ir kt. teisės aktuose yra aiškiai nurodyta, kada gyventojai turi mokėti už sveikatos priežiūros paslaugas ir kokios paslaugos jiems turi būti atliekamos nemokamai. Yra sukurtos gana tobulos vaistų kompensavimo metodikos, kurių pagrindinius principus būtų galima pritaikyti ir kt. medicininėms paslaugoms. Lėšos už mokamas medicinines paslaugas sudaro tik labai mažą dalį ligoninių biudžeto. Daliniai mokėjimai už sveikatos priežiūros paslaugas yra žmonėms nepatrauklūs. Labai mažai apsidraudusiųjų papildomuoju (savanoriškuoju) sveikatos draudimu. / Scientific advisor: Prof. Ass. Dr. Gediminas Černiauskas The master degree thesis consists of introduction, 8 chapters, and 7 units. Conclusions, recomendations, a list of literature, a summary in Lithuanian and English, and supplements are given in the closing part of the thesis. Goals of the thesis: - to examine laws and other legal acts regulating paid medical services, - to provide and overview of paying out compensations for expenses relating to drug acquisition; - to investigate into the range, number, and dynamics of volume of paid services provided by two hospitals in Vilnius; - to reveal the attitude of groups of people (medical people, patients, medical students, and lawyers) towards the current funding of health care system and partial payments for health care services. Methodology. Paid medical services provided by the hospitals were analysed on the basis of relevant financial statements and cash-register receipts. To reveal people’s attitude to partial payments for health services, a questionnaire-based survey was carried out. Data were processed by MS Excell and SPSS for Windows 12.0 programs. Conclusions: LR laws and other legal acts specify the cases when residents are to pay for health care services and what services are to be provided to them free of charge. Quite perfect techniques for the compensation of expenses relating to drugs’ acquisition have been developed. The basic principles of these techniques might be applied in the area of other medical... [to full text]

The study sought to identify reasons for non-compliance among a particular medical aid scheme's members and their dependants registered for the asthma disease risk management (DRM) programme. A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken, using postal questionnaires. The research results indicated that most asthma patients were not compliant with the DRM programme because they lacked knowledge about the programme. Asthma patients' compliance with the DRM programme can be enhanced by health providers' and case managers' positive attitudes, better promotion of the programme, and by involving the patients in managing their illnesses. Asthma patients require education about healthy lifestyles, empowering them to successfully manage their condition, preventing asthma attacks and/or hospital admissions. When asthma is well-managed the patients' quality of life and general wellbeing will improve and the medical aid scheme's costs will be contained. / HEALTH STUDIES / MA (HEALTH STUDIES)