What determines providers' stated preference for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4866623 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lindsay Mangham-Jefferies (0000-0002-7292-6342, University of London), Kara Hanson (0000-0002-9928-2823, University of London), Wilfred Mbacham, Wilfred F Mbacham (0000-0002-3934-3233, Université de Yaoundé I), Obinna Onwujekwe (0000-0002-1214-4285, University of Nigeria), Virginia Wiseman (0000-0002-7911-0741, University of London) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 104 |
| Pages | 98-106 |
| Publication date | 2014-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Science & Medicine (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.12.024 |
| PMID | 24581067 |
| OpenAlex | W2099554096 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 38 |
As agents for their patients, providers often make treatment decisions on behalf of patients, and their choices can affect health outcomes. However, providers operate within a network of relationships and are agents not only for their patients, but also other health sector actors, such as their employer, the Ministry of Health, and pharmaceutical suppliers. Providers' stated preferences for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria were examined to determine what factors predict their choice of treatment in the absence of information and institutional constraints, such as the stock of medicines or the patient's ability to pay. 518 providers working at non-profit health facilities and for-profit pharmacies and drug stores in Yaoundé and Bamenda in Cameroon and in Enugu State in Nigeria were surveyed between July and December 2009 to elicit the antimalarial they prefer to supply for uncomplicated malaria. Multilevel modelling was used to determine the effect of financial and non-financial incentives on their preference, while controlling for information and institutional constraints, and accounting for the clustering of providers within facilities and geographic areas. 69% of providers stated a preference for artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT), which is the recommended treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Cameroon and Nigeria. A preference for ACT was significantly associated with working at a for-profit facility, reporting that patients prefer ACT, and working at facilities that obtain antimalarials from drug company representatives. Preferences were similar among colleagues within a facility, and among providers working in the same locality. Knowing the government recommends ACT was a significant predictor, though having access to clinical guidelines was not sufficient. Providers are agents serving multiple principals and their preferences over alternative antimalarials were influenced by patients, drug company representatives, and other providers working at the same facility and in the local area. Efforts to disseminate drug policy should target the full range of actors involved in supplying drugs, including providers, employers, suppliers and local communities
Business · Economics · Environmental health · Family medicine · Government (linguistics · Health facility · Health services · Incentive · Malaria · Population · Preference · Global Maternal and Child Health · Malaria Research and Control · Medicine · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Marketing · Pharmacy
Uncertainty and the Welfare Economics of Medical Care
Human resources for health
How can we achieve and maintain high-quality performance of health workers in low-resource settings?
Motivation and retention of health workers in developing countries
Small-Area Variations in the Use of Common Surgical Procedures
Multilevel models and health economics
The “supply hypothesis” and medical practice variation in primary care
Welfare medical care
The Economics of Health and Medical Care
Professional uncertainty and the problem of supplier-induced demand
The Impact of Social Structure on Economic Outcomes
The Quality of Medical Advice in Low-Income Countries
Agency Theory
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |