Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Identifying local barriers to access to healthcare services in Chile using a communitarian approach
Alicia Núñez1, Carlos A Manzano2,3
1Department of Management Control and Information System, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Introduction:
Previous research has used proxy variables or a unique construct to quantify healthcare access. However, there is a need for a different model that can handle this multivariable problem. This study seeks to develop a way to measure access to the local healthcare system with higher local resolution.
Methods:
A new survey was developed based on communitarian claims, following a behavioural model and an ontological framework. The survey was used to identify local barriers to healthcare services and the local preferences for priority settings. The results were analysed using multiattribute utility functions and individual weights were assigned by a panel of experts. National and regional indexes of access to healthcare were developed.
Results:
The survey contained seven modules and 104 questions. It was conducted on 1885 participants at 42 rural and 231 urban locations in three regions of Chile. The total disutility of the identified barriers to healthcare access at the national level was low (0.1448; values ranged between 0 and 1, with 1 representing a higher barrier) and was higher in the northern region (0.1467). The barriers associated with the health-policy component showed the highest disutility value, and specific barriers for each community were identified.
Conclusions:
These results have the potential to improve health decision-making in Chile and can be used to assess the impacts of new health policy reforms. Although this model was tested in Chile, it can be adapted for use in any other country.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
Participants contributed to this study by completing a survey, participating in general talks and receiving brochures with the results obtained from this study.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
Traditional Level Of Health Care System
The preventive healthcare service includes tests for screening. Preventive health care services include identifying and reducing disease risk...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...

