Private  Practitioners Perspective Regarding Healthcare Delivery in Private Sector in Jammu and Kashmir

Dr. Aubid Malik; Dr. Farooq Jan; Dr. Anil Manhas; Dr. Mushtaq Sheikh

Volume : V, Issue : XI, November - 2015

Private Practitioners Perspective Regarding Healthcare Delivery in Private Sector in Jammu and Kashmir

Dr. Aubid Malik, Dr. Farooq Jan, Dr. Anil Manhas, Dr. Mushtaq Sheikh

Abstract :

Background: Private sector plays an important role in health care delivery system. Through a wide network of healthcare facilities, this sector caters to the needs of both urban and rural population and has expanded widely to meet increasing demands. The role of the private health sector in developing countries remains a much–debated and contentious issue. Critics argue that the high prices charged in the private sector limits the use of health care among the poorest, consequently reducing access and equity in the use of health care. Supporters argue that increased private sector participation might improve access and equity by inging in much needed resources for health care and by allowing governments to increase focus on underserved populations. However, little empirical exists for or against either side of this debate. Methods: 168 private practitioners were enrolled in the study and assessed using self –reported questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that 64.28% practitioners interviewed were postgraduates with M.D/M.S degrees or higher. With 35.71% had 11 to 20 years of experience of private practice. All the doctors have their own clinics. The consultation fee mostly was between rupees 100–200. 70.23 percent of the doctors were based in urban areas and 9.5% of the doctors in the rural areas. The geographical distribution pattern for doctors reflected the same urban bias so evident in all developing countries. The study found that doctors maintained very poor patient records and there were few feedbacks. The study also revealed that practitioners refer patients to other centers. This study showed that a majority of practitioners prescribe sub–standard medicines. With 57.14% practitioners accept having knowledge about accreditation, and only 23.81% doctors occasionally attend continuing medical education programmes.Conclusion: Since the private practitioners are preferred especially for the treatment of ailments, they should be made socially accountable. Referral protocols should be evolved. A continuous medical education programme for physicians should be introduced to improve quality care. The people have begun to suspect the medical ethics of the private practitioners as more and more evidences of malpractices are coming to light. This has made the regulation of the private practitioners necessary for the betterment of the society. This study points to the deficiencies regarding health care in private sector