Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

Impact of health reforms on child health services in Europe: the case of Bulgaria

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

Rechel, Boika, Spencer, Nick, Blackburn, Clare, Holland, Richard and Rechel, Bernd (2009) Impact of health reforms on child health services in Europe: the case of Bulgaria. European Journal of Public Health, Vol.19 (No.3). pp. 326-330. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckp027

Research output not available from this repository, contact author.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckp027

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Background: In the last two decades, all countries in Europe have embarked on substantial health reforms, introducing new models of financing and provision of health services. Using Bulgaria as a case study, this article examines the impact of the reforms on child health services. Methods: This is the first of a series of papers drawing on a broader research on inequalities in access to child health services, using Bulgaria as a case study. Multiple methods and data sources were used, including a review of the literature and existing epidemiological data, 50 qualitative in-depth interviews and an analysis of regulatory documents. This article presents the findings of the documentary analysis. Results: Primary health services for children are now provided by general practitioners. Children are exempted from health insurance contributions and user fees and are formally entitled to free health care. During the first years of the reform general practitioners still had insufficient training in child health. Restrictions on the number of referrals to paediatricians and discontinuation of community services at a time when general practice was not well established, undermined access to quality care. Conclusion: While many of these issues have been subsequently addressed, the reform process was far from linear. Challenges remain in ensuring access to quality child health services to the rural population and marginalized groups, such as the Roma minority and children with disabilities. Throughout Europe, health reforms need to be based on solid evidence of what works best for improving quality of and access to child health services.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Health and Social Studies
Journal or Publication Title: European Journal of Public Health
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISSN: 1101-1262
Official Date: June 2009
Dates:
DateEvent
June 2009UNSPECIFIED
Volume: Vol.19
Number: No.3
Number of Pages: 5
Page Range: pp. 326-330
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckp027
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item
twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us