George, Asha. 2003. "Accountability in health services: transforming relationships and contexts".George, Asha. 2003. "Accountability in health services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract : transforming relationships and contexts". Cambridge, MA: Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies. Working Paper Series, Vol. 13, No. 1. pp 16 Accountability mechanisms ideally mediate relationships between two unequal partners with the aim of redressing the imbalance between them. In order to do this, accountability measures must contest power relations, legitimise Verb 1. legitimise - make legal; "Marijuana should be legalized" decriminalise, decriminalize, legalise, legalize, legitimate, legitimatise, legitimatize, legitimize marginalised groups, and transform the actors involved. These elements endear en·dear tr.v. en·deared, en·dear·ing, en·dears To make beloved or very sympathetic: a couple whose kindness endeared them to friends. accountability to people at the margins of society and those concerned about health issues marked by social inequalities and stigma, thus making it particularly useful to sexual and reproductive health Within the framework of WHO's definition of health[1] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene , but also to other areas like mental health and disability. An emphasis on information, dialogue, and negotiation can facilitate this approach to accountability to improve health services delivery. The author reviews case studies and concludes that efforts to improve accountability cannot merely rely on instituting social mechanisms without paying attention Noun 1. paying attention - paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people); "his attentiveness to her wishes"; "he spends without heed to the consequences" attentiveness, heed, regard to social contexts, practices and actors. Accountability is best achieved through negotiated, iterative it·er·a·tive adj. 1. Characterized by or involving repetition, recurrence, reiteration, or repetitiousness. 2. Grammar Frequentative. Noun 1. processes that represent participants involved, their relationships, and the social contexts they operate in. The author argues that accountability mechanisms may serve as important resources to mediate relationships between users, providers, and managers of health services. In order for them to overcome inequalities between these actors, they need to be able to confront power relations, improve the representation of marginalised groups and transform them in legitimising ways. Information, dialogue and negotiation are important elements that enable accountability mechanisms to address problems by supporting learning and changing the terms of engagement between actors. Source: Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, 9 Bow Street Bow Street is a thoroughfare in Covent Garden, Westminster London. It features as one of the streets on the standard London Monopoly board. The area around Bow Street was developed by the Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford in the 1630s. , Cambridge, MA 02138. Email: cpds@hsph.Harvard.edu Website: www.hsph.Harvard.edu/hcpds |
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