Impact of the politics of austerity in the quality of healthcare: ethical advice

Abstract

This article aims to provide a series of reflections before implementing a restructuring of health system management and cutbacks in health due to the possible consequences this may have on citizens' health. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that public healthcare shall be extended to the whole population in conditions of effective equality and overcoming geographical and social imbalances, based on a comprehensive approach to the healthcare system. All of this--while we are aware of the current situation of economic crisis--should be taken into account before carrying out adjustments that will harm the health of citizens and options or alternatives that will not affect equity and healthcare should be weighed up. In conclusion, management models that enable the empowerment of nursing are more justified than ever before, because it is nurses who mostly defend positions of patient advocacy towards attitudes of greater commitment and participation.

Results of the Inclusion of New Medications in the Obligatory Health System Plan in Colombia, 2012–2013

“…Because of this new context, governments have been forced to rethink how they are going to invest and spend their resources. In Europe, for example, the governments are forcing pharmaceutical companies to reduce the costs of medication and have established systems with more efficient price control, have limited medications that they are willing to finance, and have established systems of copayments for users [12,[18][19][20]. Also, strategies have been implemented to modify the behavior of the prescribers, improve the quality of care, control expenses through the inclusion and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines, and perform audit with feedback and educational visits to doctors [15][16][17].…”

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: a national survey of its use by physiotherapists in the UK

“…Molina-Mula and De Pedro-Gómez (2013) highlighted the extra burden this places upon health care professionals. They suggested the health service is increasingly seen as a 'business,' creating a system which is based upon pre-determined goals and targets, rather than considering patients as individuals (Molina-Mula and De Pedro-Gómez, 2013). In this study, respondents emphasised the lack of staffing and, as a result, the pressure placed on therapist's caseload.…”

Human rights education for nurses: An example from Finland

“…Researchers state that quality of patient care will improve if human rights/social justice material become a major part of nursing curricula. [32,41,42] Others found in their review of core competences for public health nurses that most included material on human rights/social justice, but nevertheless, practicing nurses seem to have insufficient knowledge of these topics.…”