Health system reconstruction: Perspectives of Iraqi physicians.
In conflict or post-conflict situations, health system reconstruction becomes a critical component of ensuring stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the priorities for health system reconstruction among Iraqi physicians residing in the northern region of the country. A convenience sample of practicing male and female physicians residing in the Kurdish region completed a 13-item survey about health system reconstruction. A total of 1001 practitioners completed the survey with gender breakdown of 29% female and 71% male, all working in different specialty areas. Significant differences between the providers based on gender (p=0.001), specialty (p=0.001) and geographic location (p=0.004) were found to affect the responses of the participants. This study demonstrates that input from healthcare professionals is important for health system reconstruction, but that gender, geography and medical specialty make the process complex.
College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA. aps6@nyu.edu
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D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010820:Physicians; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult