Table 1 EquiFrame core concepts key questions and key language
No | Core concept | Key question | Key language |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Non-discrimination | Does the policy support the rights of vulnerable groups with equal opportunity in receiving health care? | Vulnerable groups are not discriminated against on the basis of their distinguishing characteristics (i.e. Living away from services; Persons with disabilities; Ethnic minority or Aged). |
2. | Individualized Services | Does the policy support the rights of vulnerable groups with individually tailored services to meet their needs and choices? | Vulnerable groups receive appropriate, effective, and understandable services. |
3 | Entitlement | Does the policy indicate how vulnerable groups may qualify for specific benefits relevant to them? | People with limited resources are entitled to some services free of charge or persons with disabilities may be entitled to respite grant. |
4 | Capability based Services | Does the policy recognize the capabilities existing within vulnerable groups? | For instance, peer to peer support among women headed households or shared cultural values among ethnic minorities. |
5. | Participation | Does the policy support the right of vulnerable groups to participate in the decisions that affect their lives and enhance their empowerment? | Vulnerable groups can exercise choices and influence decisions affecting their life. Such consultation may include planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. |
6. | Coordination of Services | Does the policy support assistance of vulnerable groups in accessing services from within a single provider system (interagency) or more than one provider system (intra-agency) or more than one sector (inter-sectoral)? | Vulnerable groups know how services should interact where inter-agency, intra-agency, and inter-sectoral collaboration is required. |
7. | Protection from Harm | Are vulnerable groups protected from harm during their interaction with health and related systems? | Vulnerable group are protected from harm during their interaction with health and related systems. |
8 | Liberty | Does the policy support the right of vulnerable groups to be free from unwarranted physical or other confinement? | Vulnerable groups are protected from unwarranted physical or other confinement while in the custody of the service system/provider. |
9. | Autonomy | Does the policy support the right of vulnerable groups to consent, refuse to consent, withdraw consent, or otherwise control or exercise choice or control over what happens to him or her? | Vulnerable groups can express “independence” or “self-determination”. For instance, person with an intellectual disability will have recourse to an independent third party regarding issues of consent and choice. |
10. | Privacy | Does the policy address the need for information regarding vulnerable groups to be kept private and confidential? | Information regarding vulnerable groups need not be shared among others. |
11. | Integration | Does the policy promote the use of mainstream services by vulnerable groups? | Vulnerable groups are not barred from participation in services that are provided for general population. |
12. | Contribution | Does the policy recognize that vulnerable groups can be productive contributors to society? | Vulnerable groups make a meaningful contribution to society. |
13. | Family Resource | Does the policy recognize the value of the family members of vulnerable groups in addressing health needs? | The policy recognizes the value of family members of vulnerable groups as a resource for addressing health needs. |
14. | Family Support | Does the policy recognize individual members of vulnerable groups may have an impact on the family members requiring additional support from health services? | Persons with chronic illness may have mental health effects on other family members, such that these family members themselves require support. |
15. | Cultural Responsiveness | Does the policy ensure that services respond to the beliefs, values, gender, interpersonal styles, attitudes, cultural, ethnic, or linguistic, aspects of the person? | i) Vulnerable groups are consulted on the acceptability of the service provided. |
ii) Health facilities, goods and services must be respectful of ethical principles and culturally appropriate, i.e. respectful of the culture of vulnerable groups. | |||
16. | Accountability | Does the policy specify to whom, and for what, services providers are accountable? | Vulnerable groups have access to internal and independent professional evaluation or procedural safe guard. |
17. | Prevention | Does the policy support vulnerable groups in seeking primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of health conditions? | |
18. | Capacity Building | Does the policy support the capacity building of health workers and of the system that they work in addressing health needs of vulnerable groups? | |
19. | Access | Does the policy support vulnerable groups-physical, economic, and information access to health services? | Vulnerable groups have accessible health facilities (i.e., transportation; physical structure of the facilities; affordability and understandable information in appropriate format). |
20. | Quality | Does the policy support quality services to vulnerable groups through highlighting the need for evidence-based and professionally skilled practice? | Vulnerable groups are assured of the quality of the clinically appropriate services. |
21. | Efficiency | Does the policy support efficiency by providing a structured way of matching health system resources with service demands in addressing health needs of vulnerable groups? |