Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37858235›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2023

A mixed methods study of using wasta in healthcare services in Palestine: predictors, consequences and proposed solutions.

Adel Takruri, Inad Nawajah, Carol El Jabari

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 16% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Adel TakruriGrants Office, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine. adelt@hebron.edu.
Inad NawajahFaculty of Science, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine.
Carol El JabariCollege of Nursing, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine.
Hebron University · PS

Funding

Arab Counsel for the Social Sciences NA
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEquity in access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right. Yet studies demonstrate that some people receive preferential treatment while others are discriminated against. Wasta is a prevalent strategy whereby personal connections are used for influence and may result in gaining unfair advantages over others. This study aims to investigate wasta use in healthcare, the factors associated with its use, and the impact of wasta use on the equity and quality of healthcare services.

methodsA mixed-methods study utilizing a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews was conducted in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) between October 2021 and February 2022. Quantitative analysis was performed using Stata version 14. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions assessed the relationship between wasta use and individual-level variables such as gender, residence, age, employment status, and financial situation. Content analyses of qualitative transcripts were performed using Dedoose version 9. Textual quotes were grouped into major and minor themes.

resultsMultivariate regressions revealed that wasta use is more prevalent among refugee camp dwellers and more frequent in Gaza compared to the West Bank. Wasta was also employed to a greater degree among government employees. Qualitative interviews complemented the quantitative results and added further insights into the consequences of Wasta use in healthcare settings such as negatively impacting quality and equity in healthcare services.

conclusionWasta use in healthcare can have an adverse effect on equity and quality. Ensuring efficient processes, reduced financial burdens, stringent accountability measures, transparency, and training programs can contribute to diminishing the need for using wasta in healthcare. By addressing both systemic and cultural factors that perpetuate wasta, societies can move closer to healthcare systems characterized by fairness, accessibility, and ethical integrity.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareHealth ServicesEmploymentHumansMiddle EastSurveys and QuestionnairesEquityHealthcarePalestineQualityWasta

Identifiers

PMID37858235
PMCPMC10585732
OpenAlexW4387780400

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.