Explaining Accessibility and Satisfaction Related to Healthcare: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Accessibility and satisfaction related to healthcare services are conceived as multidimensional concepts. These concepts can be studied using objective and subjective measures. In this study, we created two indices: a composite healthcare accessibility index (CHCA) and a composite healthcare satisfaction index (CHCS). To calculate the CHCA index we used three indicators based on three components of multidimensional healthcare accessibility: availability, acceptability and accessibility. In the indicator based on the component of accessibility, we included an innovative perceived time-decay parameter. The three indicators of the CHCA index were weighted through the application of a principal components analysis. To calculate the CHCS index, we used three indicators: the waiting time after the patient arrives at the healthcare service, the quality of the healthcare, and the healthcare service supply. These three indicators making up the CHCA index were weighted by applying an analytical hierarchy process. Three kinds of regressions were subsequently applied in order to explain the CHCA and CHCS indices: namely the Linear Least Squares, Ordinal Logistic, and Random Forests regressions. In these regressions, we used different independent social and health-related variables. These variables represented the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of people´s behaviors related to healthcare. All the calculations were applied to a study area: the city of Quito, Ecuador. Results showed that there are health-related inequalities in regard to healthcare accessibility and healthcare satisfaction in our study area. We also identified specific social factors that explained the indices developed. The present work is a mixed-methods approach to evaluate multidimensional healthcare accessibility and healthcare satisfaction, incorporating a pluralistic perspective, as well as a multidisciplinary framework. The results obtained can also be considered as tools for healthcare and urban planners, for more integrative social analyses that can improve the quality of life in urban residents.     

Comparing Subjective and Objective Quality of Life Criteria: A Case Study of Green Space and Public Transport in Vienna,Austria

Social Indicators Research - A future-oriented spatial planning has to face the challenges of integrating ecological, social, and economic aspects of living. This is often seen as a principle to...     

Ursula Hornung, Sedef Gümen, Sabine Weilandt (Hrsg.): Zwischen Emanzipationsvision und Gesellschaftskritik. (Re) Konstruktionen der Geschlechterordnung (Forum Frauenforschung, Schriftenreihe der Sektion Frauenforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie, Band 14)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Selbstständige-(k)eine Klientel für Gewerkschaften?

Over the last two decades, management strategies for flexibility have induced the number of “dependent self-employed workers” to grow. Against the background of massive membership losses, the majority of Austrian unions overcame their initial skepticism and opened their doors to integrate this group into their domain. Our paper deals with the organizing strategies of those Austrian unions, that display a relatively large number of dependent self-employed workers within their domain, and outlines the specific offers to this group provided by the unions. In the course of our empirical investigation and analysis, we found three strategic models, namely the servicesmodel, the participation-model and the toleration-model, that show varying potentials of member recruitment, retention and interest enforcement.     

An Exploratory Needs Analysis of Parents Diagnosed with Cancer

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of parents and co-parents where one parent was diagnosed with cancer with specific interest in the impact of the disease on their role as a parent and the supports that were found to be useful in managing the ongoing care of their children. A qualitative research method using semi-structured interviews and thematic network analysis techniques was used. Participants included adult English-speaking parents receiving treatment for a new diagnosis of cancer at a major tertiary oncology research and treatment centre, with prior social work involvement. Participants reported multiple, complex layers of need. Four salient themes were evident: (a) emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis on the patient, (b) accessing professional supports, (c) children’s understanding, and (d) meeting children’s needs. Parents described difficulties in managing emotionally, physically, and existentially. Accessing supports within the healthcare service and community was paramount, as was guidance around communicating with children. Receiving a proactive service from a social worker was highly regarded. The results demonstrate that it is essential to respond to the needs of parents with cancer in order to minimise prolonged emotional distress.