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An analysis of how health systems integrated priority-setting in the pandemic planning in a sample of Latin America and the Caribbean countries.
- Source :
- Health Research Policy & Systems; 7/28/2022, Vol. 20 Issue 1, p1-16, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Background: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are among those regions most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems in the region. In this context of severe healthcare resource constraints, there is a need for systematic priority-setting to support decision-making which ensures the best use of resources while considering the needs of the most vulnerable groups. The aim of this paper was to provide a critical description and analysis of how health systems considered priority-setting in the COVID-19 response and preparedness plans of a sample of 14 LAC countries; and to identify the associated research gaps. Methods: A documentary analysis of COVID-19 preparedness and response plans was performed in a sample of 14 countries in the LAC region. We assessed the degree to which the documented priority-setting processes adhered to established quality indicators of effective priority-setting included in the Kapiriri and Martin framework. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the degree to which the reports addressed the quality parameters for each individual country, as well as a cross-country comparison to explore whether parameters varied according to independent variables. Results: While all plans were led and supported by the national governments, most included only a limited number of quality indicators for effective priority-setting. There was no systematic pattern between the number of quality indicators and the country's health system and political contexts; however, the countries that had the least number of quality indicators tended to be economically disadvantaged. Conclusion: This study adds to the literature by providing the first descriptive analysis of the inclusion of priority-setting during a pandemic, using the case of COVID-19 response and preparedness plans in the LAC region. The analysis found that despite the strong evidence of political will and stakeholder participation, none of the plans presented a clear priority-setting process, or used a formal priority-setting framework, to define interventions, populations, geographical regions, healthcare setting or resources prioritized. There is need for case studies that analyse how priority-setting actually occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and the degree to which the implementation reflected the plans and the parameters of effective priority-setting, as well as the impact of the prioritization processes on population health, with a focus on the most vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- POOR people
PANDEMICS
COVID-19 pandemic
COUNTRIES
INDEPENDENT variables
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14784505
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Health Research Policy & Systems
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 158238182
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-022-00861-y