Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India
Abstract Background Rural populations in Bihar, India, face significant healthcare access challenges due to geographical, infrastructural, and financial barriers. The Swasthya Mitra program, initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in collaboration with local and international partn...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12299-3 |
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| author | Pragya Kumar Shamshad Ahmad Narottam Pradhan Neha Chaudhary Haripriya H. Sarita Kumari Naveen K. G. Akanksha Yadav Rakesh Jha Md. Ashraf Parwez Swati Swati Apolenarius Purty Somya Somya |
| author_facet | Pragya Kumar Shamshad Ahmad Narottam Pradhan Neha Chaudhary Haripriya H. Sarita Kumari Naveen K. G. Akanksha Yadav Rakesh Jha Md. Ashraf Parwez Swati Swati Apolenarius Purty Somya Somya |
| author_sort | Pragya Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Rural populations in Bihar, India, face significant healthcare access challenges due to geographical, infrastructural, and financial barriers. The Swasthya Mitra program, initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in collaboration with local and international partners, aims to mitigate these challenges by employing trained community members to navigate patients through the healthcare system. Methods This qualitative study employed in-depth interview and thematic analysis to evaluate the Swasthya Mitra program in the Bhagalpur and Jamui districts in Bihar, India. The participants included Swasthya Mitras, healthcare professionals, and beneficiaries. This study focused on understanding the role of Swasthya Mitras in facilitating healthcare services. Findings The program improved healthcare access for rural populations, with beneficiaries reporting reduced navigational confusion, decreased out-of-pocket expenditures, and enhanced patient care. Swasthya Mitras bridged the gap between the community and healthcare facilities. The program also empowered women, both Swasthya Mitras and beneficiaries, by improving their access to healthcare and increasing their involvement in health-related decision-making. Interpretation The Swasthya Mitra program may offer a viable model for improving healthcare access in rural settings, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in healthcare delivery. The findings suggested that such programs can be instrumental in overcoming barriers to healthcare access and reducing financial burdens on vulnerable populations. Funding The study was supported by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society supported by the World Bank and Project Concern Internation India. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6ec39215ac994748848257170b528b9f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-6ec39215ac994748848257170b528b9f2025-02-02T12:14:10ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-01-0125111610.1186/s12913-025-12299-3Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, IndiaPragya Kumar0Shamshad Ahmad1Narottam Pradhan2Neha Chaudhary3Haripriya H.4Sarita Kumari5Naveen K. G.6Akanksha Yadav7Rakesh Jha8Md. Ashraf Parwez9Swati Swati10Apolenarius Purty11Somya Somya12All India Institute of Medical Sciences PatnaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences PatnaProject Concern International IndiaESIC Medical College BihtaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences PatnaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences PatnaSaveetha Medical CollegeAll India Institute of Medical Sciences PatnaProject Concern International IndiaProject Concern International IndiaProject Concern International IndiaBihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) “JEEVIKA”Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) “JEEVIKA”Abstract Background Rural populations in Bihar, India, face significant healthcare access challenges due to geographical, infrastructural, and financial barriers. The Swasthya Mitra program, initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in collaboration with local and international partners, aims to mitigate these challenges by employing trained community members to navigate patients through the healthcare system. Methods This qualitative study employed in-depth interview and thematic analysis to evaluate the Swasthya Mitra program in the Bhagalpur and Jamui districts in Bihar, India. The participants included Swasthya Mitras, healthcare professionals, and beneficiaries. This study focused on understanding the role of Swasthya Mitras in facilitating healthcare services. Findings The program improved healthcare access for rural populations, with beneficiaries reporting reduced navigational confusion, decreased out-of-pocket expenditures, and enhanced patient care. Swasthya Mitras bridged the gap between the community and healthcare facilities. The program also empowered women, both Swasthya Mitras and beneficiaries, by improving their access to healthcare and increasing their involvement in health-related decision-making. Interpretation The Swasthya Mitra program may offer a viable model for improving healthcare access in rural settings, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in healthcare delivery. The findings suggested that such programs can be instrumental in overcoming barriers to healthcare access and reducing financial burdens on vulnerable populations. Funding The study was supported by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society supported by the World Bank and Project Concern Internation India.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12299-3Healthcare accessJEEViKAPatient navigationPublic healthcare systemsQualitative studySwasthya Mitra |
| spellingShingle | Pragya Kumar Shamshad Ahmad Narottam Pradhan Neha Chaudhary Haripriya H. Sarita Kumari Naveen K. G. Akanksha Yadav Rakesh Jha Md. Ashraf Parwez Swati Swati Apolenarius Purty Somya Somya Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India BMC Health Services Research Healthcare access JEEViKA Patient navigation Public healthcare systems Qualitative study Swasthya Mitra |
| title | Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India |
| title_full | Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India |
| title_short | Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India |
| title_sort | exploring the role of the jeevika swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in bihar india |
| topic | Healthcare access JEEViKA Patient navigation Public healthcare systems Qualitative study Swasthya Mitra |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12299-3 |
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