Running head: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Annotated Bibliography

Holly Elko

HTH 354

Dr. Timothy Howley

June 13, 2018

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Adams, M., Bassler, D., Bucher, H. U., Roth-Kleiner, M., Berger, T. M., Braun, J., . . . Wyl, V.

V. (2018). Variability of Very Low Birth Weight Infant Outcome and Practice in Swiss

and US Neonatal Units. Pediatrics, 141(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2017-3436

When comparing the success and efficiency of two nation’s health care system, it’s

beneficial to look at patient outcome rates, especially those of newborns and infants. The

authors in this article compared practices between neonatal units in Switzerland and the

United States. Using this collaborative approach of doctors from both countries helped to

limit subjectivity and bias. However, the main contributors receive salaries from their

corresponding networks which could indicate conflicting interests. The primary audience

is most likely those in the medical field, specifically in neonatal care. This study is useful

to understand how different practices produce certain results and provides the reader with

context behind numbers.

Corscadden, L., Levesque, J. F., Lewis, V., Strumpf, E., Breton, M., & Russell, G. (2018).

Factors associated with multiple barriers to access to primary care: An international

analysis. International Journal for Equity in Health, 17(1). doi:10.1186/s12939-018-

0740-1

This study is unique in that in analyzes the multiple barriers associated with primary care

access through an international lens. In an effort to understand these common disparities

across systems, the authors conducted a study within 11 countries, including Switzerland
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and the United States. Unlike most of the aforementioned studies, none of the

corresponding authors practice in the United States or Switzerland, so this provides the

reader with the most objectivity for comparison. Access to healthcare is one of many

important indicators to assessing a nations success and performance with their system.

This is an open access article and the authors provide a useful website for the reader to

compare various other indicators within the 11 countries. For example, this study shows

that not only does the U.S. have a higher percentage of cost-related access problems

compared to Switzerland, but it’s the highest percentage globally. When discussing the

differences between two countries systems, it is crucial to factor in the rest of the world.

Cohidon, C., Cornuz, J., & Senn, N. (2015). Primary care in Switzerland: Evolution of

physicians’ profile and activities in twenty years (1993–2012). BMC Family

Practice, 16(1). doi:10.1186/s12875-015-0321-y

In order to fill the research gap how this has effected primary care physicians (PCP), data

was collected from two independent surveys conducted in 1993 and 2012. The studies

were coordinated by the same investigators at the Nivel Institute from Netherlands and

obtained approval from the Swiss ethical review board. The results showed interesting

changes the average profile of the Swiss PCP, such as the increase in age and

feminization; Swiss PCP activities have decreased daily contact with patents and provide

fewer specialized services. This study provides the reader with important information into

the twenty-year evolution of Swiss PCP. The intended audience is likely those interested

in this development or entering PC in Switzerland, but it’s open access article which
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indicates transparency. One key aspect that should be more focused on is that: although

chronic disease rates are increasing, the involvement of PCP in follow up and treatment

between 1993 and 2012 saw little difference. This should be something to consider for

future studies.

Chaufan, C. (2014). Is the Swiss Health Care System a Model for the United

States? International Journal of Health Services, 44(2), 255-267. doi:10.2190/hs.44.2.d

In a Comparative Politics and Policies article, Claudia Chaufan challenges the

misconception that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is vastly similar to Switzerland’s

Federal Law on Health Insurance (LAMal). The author begins by explaining LAMals

orgin and development of referendums that have created the system used today. She

claims the ACA could never “turn the United States into Switzerland” due to the

fundamental differences between the countries and plans, such as America’s profit-

dominated system and the variety in benefits packages. The two systems certaintly share

similarities, but it’s emphasized that the ACA adapted for America. This article is

important to consider when comparing the two countries healthcare systems; some

idealized aspects of Swiss’ system would never work in America, and the author makes

that clear. This article is indented for those who believe the ACA is a step towards

socialism, and it assures the reader that the ACA is simply building on successful

programs to develop the most feasible solution.

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Ellner, Andrew L., and Russell S. Phillips. (2017). “The Coming Primary Care Revolution.”

Journal of General Internal Medicine 32 (4): 380-386. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3944-3.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3944-3.

With their background and career in primary care, the authors, Andrew Ellner, MD and

Russell Phillips, MD, have experienced first-hand, the effects of an ineffective healthcare

system. Compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. has the most expensive

system, with the worst population health. The authors attribute much of this to the

shortage of primary care services. Similar to Cohidon, Cornuz, Senn (2015) who describe

the same problem in Switzerland, the authors shed light on the causes and effects of the

shortage. Unlike most articles however, they propose a solution of reform by using their

four guiding design principles. Ellner and Phillips (2012) developed these principles from

their own experience, as well as implementing mixed-methods research to remain

objective. The intended audience is most likely healthcare stakeholders, senior

management, and other influential leaders or decision makers. Additionally, the authors

are targeting those entering primary care, encouraging younger physicians to be

optimistic and open to change.

Papanicolas, I., Woskie, L. R., & Jha, A. K. (2018). Health Care Spending in the United States

and Other High-Income Countries. Jama, 319(10), 1024. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.1150

In this article, the authors reveal why health care spending in the United States is the

highest in the world. With their credentials in ivy leagues and prestigious institutions, the

three authors are more than qualified to discuss where the United States spends money,
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and why its ineffective. Similar to Chaufan’s (2014) analysis, it’s found that many of the

discrepancies in America’s system is due to disproportionate spending and a

misallocation of funds. This article is beneficial in that it provides better alternatives for

spending in almost all aspects of health care. The intended audience is surely

policymakers and those in the health industry. However, as an open access article, it’s an

informative and transparent for American’s interested in knowing exactly where their tax

dollars go. When comparing the efficiency of healthcare in Switzerland and the United

States, this article is a key point of reference for America’s expenditures.

Periyakoil, V. (2017). Square Pegs; Round Holes: Our Healthcare System Is Failing Seriously Ill

Older Americans in Their Last Years. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(1),

15-17. doi:10.1111/jgs.15161

This article, appropriately titled Square Pegs; Round Roles, discusses how the United

States health care system for older Americans is outdated and ineffective. As the Director

of Palliative Care at Stanford, the author Dr. VJ Periyakoil, understands how the system

is failing the elderly, but more importantly, what changes can be made towards

improvement. The author claims that Medicare has failed to adapt to the rapidly

changing and current needs of older Americans, such as home health aide care for those

with disabilities. Similar to what Schoenenberger (2006) found in his research of

Switzerland, much of the burden of caretaking and financial support of the elderly in

America falls onto the family. Periyakoil (2017) intends to reach policymakers and
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provides them with statistics on the problem and ideas for implementing new services

that better serve those who are often overlooked.

Schoen, C., Osborn, R., Squires, D., & Doty, M. M. (2013). Access, Affordability, And

Insurance Complexity Are Often Worse In The United States Compared To Ten Other

Countries. Health Affairs,32(12), 2205-2215. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0879

Within this article, the authors reveal statistics about accessibility, affordability, and

insurance complexities within 11 nations. Similar to Corscadden, Levesque, Lewis,

Strumpf, Breton, and Russell (2018), these authors use a global perspective to compare

the attitudes citizens have towards their health care. Unlike that article however, this

study focuses on the United States primarily and outcomes of the ACA. The results

showed interesting negative perceptions that America’s have about the ACA, primarily

due to misinformation. Using their background in research and international health funds,

the authors provide an objective approach in their comparison. This is an open access

article that could be intended to sway opinion on the then recent reform in the United

States. When comparing the efficiency of healthcare systems, the attitudes of its citizens

is an important factor to consider.

Schoenenberger, A. W., & Stuck, A. E. (2006). Health Care for Older Persons in Switzerland: A

Country Profile. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54(6), 986-990.

doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00746.x
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This article was written by two medical doctors as a country profile into Switzerland’s

health care, primarily focusing on older persons. It provides the reader with specific

information into how the healthcare system works, ranging from average premium rates

to services provided. The authors mention key cultural/social aspects of Switzerland that

have contributed to the success of the system and discuss the limitations of geriatric

education and research. One important fact noted Switzerland to be ranked lower than the

United States in scientific productivity in 2004. The article was sufficient in its general

analysis of Swiss’ healthcare system, but it would have been beneficial to provide more

comparable statistics to other countries. Also, the publication date is 2006, so one must

be aware of recent changes. Lastly, the discussion on future perspectives lacked any real

solutions to the proposed limitations.

Traber, M., & Althaus, B. (2010). Pharmaceutical Medicine in Switzerland. Pharmaceutical

Medicine, 24(2), 75-81. doi:10.1007/bf03256800

On a global scale, aspects of Pharmaceutical Medicine are rapidly changing; this article

reflects on these developments, but more specifically the impact on role of

pharmaceutical physicians in Switzerland. As members of the pharmaceutical industry in

Switzerland, the authors Traber and Althaus are certainly qualified to discuss this topic

however, some unconscious bias may exist as they both benefit off of the success of this

industry. Similar to previously mentioned articles on Swiss health care, the authors

mention the rapid increase of costs, but they go further to discuss how this effects pricing

and reimbursement of pharmaceuticals. Although Pharmaceutical Medicine is a relative

recent development in Switzerland, the pharmaceutical industry represents one of its most
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important economic sectors. This is a major indication of the financial interests and

priorities of lawmakers, and should be analyzed further in this article.

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Works Cited

Adams, M., Bassler, D., Bucher, H. U., Roth-Kleiner, M., Berger, T. M., Braun, J., . . . Wyl, V.

V. (2018). Variability of Very Low Birth Weight Infant Outcome and Practice in Swiss

and US Neonatal Units. Pediatrics, 141(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2017-3436

Corscadden, L., Levesque, J. F., Lewis, V., Strumpf, E., Breton, M., & Russell, G. (2018).

Factors associated with multiple barriers to access to primary care: An international

analysis. International Journal for Equity in Health, 17(1). doi:10.1186/s12939-018-

0740-1

Chaufan, C. (2014). Is the Swiss Health Care System a Model for the United

States? International Journal of Health Services, 44(2), 255-267. doi:10.2190/hs.44.2.d

Cohidon, C., Cornuz, J., & Senn, N. (2015). Primary care in Switzerland: Evolution of

physicians’ profile and activities in twenty years (1993–2012). BMC Family

Practice, 16(1). doi:10.1186/s12875-015-0321-y

Ellner, Andrew L., and Russell S. Phillips. (2017). “The Coming Primary Care Revolution.”

Journal of General Internal Medicine 32 (4): 380-386. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3944-3.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3944-3.

Papanicolas, I., Woskie, L. R., & Jha, A. K. (2018). Health Care Spending in the United States

and Other High-Income Countries. Jama, 319(10), 1024. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.1150

ANNOTATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Periyakoil, V. (2017). Square Pegs; Round Holes: Our Healthcare System Is Failing Seriously Ill

Older Americans in Their Last Years. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(1),

15-17. doi:10.1111/jgs.15161

Schoenenberger, A. W., & Stuck, A. E. (2006). Health Care for Older Persons in Switzerland: A

Country Profile. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54(6), 986-990.

doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00746.x

Schoen, C., Osborn, R., Squires, D., & Doty, M. M. (2013). Access, Affordability, And

Insurance Complexity Are Often Worse In The United States Compared To Ten Other

Countries. Health Affairs,32(12), 2205-2215. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0879

Traber, M., & Althaus, B. (2010). Pharmaceutical Medicine in Switzerland. Pharmaceutical

Medicine, 24(2), 75-81. doi:10.1007/bf03256800