Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons

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Every citizen of every country in the world should be provided with free and high-quality medical services. Health care is a fundamental need for every human, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status.

Universal health care is the provision of healthcare services by a government to all its citizens (insurancespecialists.com). This means each citizen can access medical services of standard quality. In the United States, about 25% of its citizens are provided with healthcare funded by the government. These citizens mainly comprise the elderly, the armed forces personnel, and the poor (insurancespecialists.com).

Introduction

Thesis statement.

  • Universal Healthcare Pros
  • Universal Healthcare Cons

Works Cited

In Russia, Canada, and some South American and European countries, the governments provide universal healthcare programs to all citizens. In the United States, the segments of society which do not receive health care services provided by the government usually pay for their health care coverage. This has emerged as a challenge, especially for middle-class citizens. Therefore, the universal health care provision in the United States is debatable: some support it, and some oppose it. This assignment is a discussion of the topic. It starts with a thesis statement, then discusses the advantages of universal health care provision, its disadvantages, and a conclusion, which restates the thesis and the argument behind it.

The government of the United States of America should provide universal health care services to its citizens because health care is a basic necessity to every citizen, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status.

Universal Healthcare Provision Pros

The provision of universal health care services would ensure that doctors and all medical practitioners focus their attention only on treating the patients, unlike in the current system, where doctors and medical practitioners sped a lot of time pursuing issues of health care insurance for their patients, which is sometimes associated with malpractice and violation of medical ethics especially in cases where the patient is unable to adequately pay for his or her health care bills (balancedpolitics.org).

The provision of universal health care services would also make health care service provision in the United States more efficient and effective. In the current system in which each citizen pays for his or her health care, there is a lot of inefficiency, brought about by the bureaucratic nature of the public health care sector (balancedpolitics.org).

Universal health care would also promote preventive health care, which is crucial in reducing deaths as well as illness deterioration. The current health care system in the United States is prohibitive of preventive health care, which makes many citizens to wait until their illness reach critical conditions due to the high costs of going for general medical check-ups. The cost of treating patients with advanced illnesses is not only expensive to the patients and the government but also leads to deaths which are preventable (balancedpolitics.org).

The provision of universal health care services would be a worthy undertaking, especially due to the increased number of uninsured citizens, which currently stands at about 45 million (balancedpolitics.org).

The provision of universal health care services would therefore promote access to health care services to as many citizens as possible, which would reduce suffering and deaths of citizens who cannot cater for their health insurance. As I mentioned in the thesis, health care is a basic necessity to all citizens and therefore providing health care services to all would reduce inequality in the service access.

Universal health care would also come at a time when health care has become seemingly unaffordable for many middle income level citizens and business men in the United States. This has created a nation of inequality, which is unfair because every citizen pays tax, which should be used by the government to provide affordable basic services like health care. It should be mentioned here that the primary role of any government is to protect its citizens, among other things, from illness and disease (Shi and Singh 188).

Lastly not the least, the provision of universal health care in the United States would work for the benefit of the country and especially the doctors because it would create a centralized information centre, with database of all cases of illnesses, diseases and their occurrence and frequency. This would make it easier to diagnose patients, especially to identify any new strain of a disease, which would further help in coming up with adequate medication for such new illness or disease (balancedpolitics.org).

Universal Healthcare Provision Cons

One argument against the provision of universal health care in the United States is that such a policy would require enormous spending in terms of taxes to cater for the services in a universal manner. Since health care does not generate extra revenue, it would mean that the government would either be forced to cut budgetary allocations for other crucial sectors of general public concern like defense and education, or increase the taxes levied on the citizens, thus becoming an extra burden to the same citizens (balancedpolitics.org).

Another argument against the provision of universal health care services is that health care provision is a complex undertaking, involving varying interests, likes and preferences.

The argument that providing universal health care would do away with the bureaucratic inefficiency does not seem to be realistic because centralizing the health care sector would actually increase the bureaucracy, leading to further inefficiencies, especially due to the enormous number of clientele to be served. Furthermore, it would lead to lose of business for the insurance providers as well as the private health care practitioners, majority of whom serve the middle income citizens (balancedpolitics.org).

Arguably, the debate for the provision of universal health care can be seen as addressing a problem which is either not present, or negligible. This is because there are adequate options for each citizen to access health care services. Apart from the government hospitals, the private hospitals funded by non-governmental organizations provide health care to those citizens who are not under any medical cover (balancedpolitics.org).

Universal health care provision would lead to corruption and rent seeking behavior among policy makers. Since the services would be for all, and may sometimes be limited, corruption may set in making the medical practitioners even more corrupt than they are because of increased demand of the services. This may further lead to deterioration of the very health care sector the policy would be aiming at boosting through such a policy.

The provision of universal health care would limit the freedom of the US citizens to choose which health care program is best for them. It is important to underscore that the United States, being a capitalist economy is composed of people of varying financial abilities.

The provision of universal health care would therefore lower the patients’ flexibility in terms of how, when and where to access health care services and why. This is because such a policy would throw many private practitioners out of business, thus forcing virtually all citizens to fit in the governments’ health care program, which may not be good for everyone (Niles 293).

Lastly not the least, the provision of universal health care would be unfair to those citizens who live healthy lifestyles so as to avoid lifestyle diseases like obesity and lung cancer, which are very common in America. Many of the people suffering from obesity suffer due to their negligence or ignorance of health care advice provided by the government and other health care providers. Such a policy would therefore seem to unfairly punish those citizens who practice good health lifestyles, at the expense of the ignorant (Niles 293).

After discussing the pros and cons of universal health care provision in the United States, I restate my thesis that “The government of United States of America should provide universal health care to its citizens because health care is a basic necessity to every citizen, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, and socio economic status”, and argue that even though there are arguments against the provision of universal health care, such arguments, though valid, are not based on the guiding principle of that health care is a basic necessity to all citizens of the United States.

The arguments are also based on capitalistic way of thinking, which is not sensitive to the plight of many citizens who are not able to pay for their insurance health care cover.

The idea of providing universal health care to Americans would therefore save many deaths and unnecessary suffering by many citizens. Equally important to mention is the fact that such a policy may be described as a win win policy both for the rich and the poor or middle class citizens because it would not in any way negatively affect the rich, because as long as they have money, they would still be able to customize their health care through the employment family or personal doctors as the poor and the middle class go for the universal health care services.

Balanced politics. “Should the Government Provide Free Universal Health Care for All Americans?” Balanced politics: universal health . Web. Balanced politics.org. 8 august https://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm

Insurance specialists. “Growing Support for Universal Health Care”. Insurance information portal. Web. Insurance specialists.com 8 august 2011. https://insurancespecialists.com/

Niles, Nancy. Basics of the U.S. Health Care System . Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2010:293. Print.

Shi, Leiyu and Singh, Douglas. Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach . Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2004:188. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 11). Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-provision-in-the-united-states/

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IvyPanda . (2018) 'Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons'. 11 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-provision-in-the-united-states/.

1. IvyPanda . "Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-provision-in-the-united-states/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Healthcare Thesis Statement: Examples of Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-provision-in-the-united-states/.

Examples

Health Thesis Statemen

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thesis statement on healthcare

Navigating the intricate landscape of health topics requires a well-structured thesis statement to anchor your essay. Whether delving into public health policies or examining medical advancements, crafting a compelling health thesis statement is crucial. This guide delves into exemplary health thesis statement examples, providing insights into their composition. Additionally, it offers practical tips on constructing powerful statements that not only capture the essence of your research but also engage readers from the outset.

What is the Health Thesis Statement? – Definition

A health thesis statement is a concise declaration that outlines the main argument or purpose of an essay or research paper thesis statement focused on health-related topics. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, indicating the central idea that the paper will explore, discuss, or analyze within the realm of health, medicine, wellness, or related fields.

What is an Example of a Medical/Health Thesis Statement?

Example: “The implementation of comprehensive public health campaigns is imperative in curbing the escalating rates of obesity and promoting healthier lifestyle choices among children and adolescents.”

In this example, the final thesis statement succinctly highlights the importance of public health initiatives as a means to address a specific health issue (obesity) and advocate for healthier behaviors among a targeted demographic (children and adolescents).

100 Health Thesis Statement Examples

Health Thesis Statement Examples

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Discover a comprehensive collection of 100 distinct health thesis statement examples across various healthcare realms. From telemedicine’s impact on accessibility to genetic research’s potential for personalized medicine, delve into obesity, mental health, antibiotic resistance, opioid epidemic solutions, and more. Explore these examples that shed light on pressing health concerns, innovative strategies, and crucial policy considerations. You may also be interested to browse through our other  speech thesis statement .

  • Childhood Obesity : “Effective school-based nutrition programs are pivotal in combating childhood obesity, fostering healthy habits, and reducing the risk of long-term health complications.”
  • Mental Health Stigma : “Raising awareness through media campaigns and educational initiatives is paramount in eradicating mental health stigma, promoting early intervention, and improving overall well-being.”
  • Universal Healthcare : “The implementation of universal healthcare systems positively impacts population health, ensuring access to necessary medical services for all citizens.”
  • Elderly Care : “Creating comprehensive elderly care programs that encompass medical, social, and emotional support enhances the quality of life for aging populations.”
  • Cancer Research : “Increased funding and collaboration in cancer research expedite advancements in treatment options and improve survival rates for patients.”
  • Maternal Health : “Elevating maternal health through accessible prenatal care, education, and support systems reduces maternal mortality rates and improves neonatal outcomes.”
  • Vaccination Policies : “Mandatory vaccination policies safeguard public health by curbing preventable diseases and maintaining herd immunity.”
  • Epidemic Preparedness : “Developing robust epidemic preparedness plans and international cooperation mechanisms is crucial for timely responses to emerging health threats.”
  • Access to Medications : “Ensuring equitable access to essential medications, especially in low-income regions, is pivotal for preventing unnecessary deaths and improving overall health outcomes.”
  • Healthy Lifestyle Promotion : “Educational campaigns promoting exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management play a key role in fostering healthier lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases.”
  • Health Disparities : “Addressing health disparities through community-based interventions and equitable healthcare access contributes to a fairer distribution of health resources.”
  • Elderly Mental Health : “Prioritizing mental health services for the elderly population reduces depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, enhancing their overall quality of life.”
  • Genetic Counseling : “Accessible genetic counseling services empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, family planning, and potential genetic risks.”
  • Substance Abuse Treatment : “Expanding availability and affordability of substance abuse treatment facilities and programs is pivotal in combating addiction and reducing its societal impact.”
  • Patient Empowerment : “Empowering patients through health literacy initiatives fosters informed decision-making, improving treatment adherence and overall health outcomes.”
  • Environmental Health : “Implementing stricter environmental regulations reduces exposure to pollutants, protecting public health and mitigating the risk of respiratory illnesses.”
  • Digital Health Records : “The widespread adoption of digital health records streamlines patient information management, enhancing communication among healthcare providers and improving patient care.”
  • Healthy Aging : “Promoting active lifestyles, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation among the elderly population contributes to healthier aging and reduced age-related health issues.”
  • Telehealth Ethics : “Ethical considerations in telehealth services include patient privacy, data security, and maintaining the quality of remote medical consultations.”
  • Public Health Campaigns : “Strategically designed public health campaigns raise awareness about prevalent health issues, motivating individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and seek preventive care.”
  • Nutrition Education : “Integrating nutrition education into school curricula equips students with essential dietary knowledge, reducing the risk of nutrition-related health problems.”
  • Healthcare Infrastructure : “Investments in healthcare infrastructure, including medical facilities and trained personnel, enhance healthcare access and quality, particularly in underserved regions.”
  • Mental Health Support in Schools : “Introducing comprehensive mental health support systems in schools nurtures emotional well-being, reduces academic stress, and promotes healthy student development.”
  • Antibiotic Stewardship : “Implementing antibiotic stewardship programs in healthcare facilities preserves the effectiveness of antibiotics, curbing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.”
  • Health Education in Rural Areas : “Expanding health education initiatives in rural communities bridges the information gap, enabling residents to make informed health choices.”
  • Global Health Initiatives : “International collaboration on global health initiatives bolsters disease surveillance, preparedness, and response to protect global populations from health threats.”
  • Access to Clean Water : “Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities improves public health by preventing waterborne diseases and enhancing overall hygiene.”
  • Telemedicine and Mental Health : “Leveraging telemedicine for mental health services increases access to therapy and counseling, particularly for individuals in remote areas.”
  • Chronic Disease Management : “Comprehensive chronic disease management programs enhance patients’ quality of life by providing personalized care plans and consistent medical support.”
  • Healthcare Workforce Diversity : “Promoting diversity within the healthcare workforce enhances cultural competence, patient-provider communication, and overall healthcare quality.”
  • Community Health Centers : “Establishing community health centers in underserved neighborhoods ensures accessible primary care services, reducing health disparities and emergency room utilization.”
  • Youth Health Education : “Incorporating comprehensive health education in schools equips young people with knowledge about reproductive health, substance abuse prevention, and mental well-being.”
  • Dietary Guidelines : “Implementing evidence-based dietary guidelines and promoting healthy eating habits contribute to reducing obesity rates and preventing chronic diseases.”
  • Healthcare Innovation : “Investing in healthcare innovation, such as telemedicine platforms and wearable health technologies, transforms patient care delivery and monitoring.”
  • Pandemic Preparedness : “Effective pandemic preparedness plans involve cross-sector coordination, rapid response strategies, and transparent communication to protect global health security.”
  • Maternal and Child Nutrition : “Prioritizing maternal and child nutrition through government programs and community initiatives leads to healthier pregnancies and better child development.”
  • Health Literacy : “Improving health literacy through accessible health information and education empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.”
  • Medical Research Funding : “Increased funding for medical research accelerates scientific discoveries, leading to breakthroughs in treatments and advancements in healthcare.”
  • Reproductive Health Services : “Accessible reproductive health services, including family planning and maternal care, improve women’s health outcomes and support family well-being.”
  • Obesity Prevention in Schools : “Introducing physical activity programs and nutritional education in schools prevents childhood obesity, laying the foundation for healthier lifestyles.”
  • Global Vaccine Distribution : “Ensuring equitable global vaccine distribution addresses health disparities, protects vulnerable populations, and fosters international cooperation.”
  • Healthcare Ethics : “Ethical considerations in healthcare decision-making encompass patient autonomy, informed consent, and equitable resource allocation.”
  • Aging-in-Place Initiatives : “Aging-in-place programs that provide home modifications and community support enable elderly individuals to maintain independence and well-being.”
  • E-Health Records Privacy : “Balancing the benefits of electronic health records with patients’ privacy concerns necessitates robust data security measures and patient consent protocols.”
  • Tobacco Control : “Comprehensive tobacco control measures, including high taxation and anti-smoking campaigns, reduce tobacco consumption and related health risks.”
  • Epidemiological Studies : “Conducting rigorous epidemiological studies informs public health policies, identifies risk factors, and guides disease prevention strategies.”
  • Organ Transplant Policies : “Ethical organ transplant policies prioritize equitable organ allocation, ensuring fair access to life-saving treatments.”
  • Workplace Wellness Programs : “Implementing workplace wellness programs promotes employee health, reduces absenteeism, and enhances productivity.”
  • Emergency Medical Services : “Strengthening emergency medical services infrastructure ensures timely responses to medical crises, saving lives and reducing complications.”
  • Healthcare Access for Undocumented Immigrants : “Expanding healthcare access for undocumented immigrants improves overall community health and prevents communicable disease outbreaks.”
  • Primary Care Shortage Solutions : “Addressing primary care shortages through incentives for healthcare professionals and expanded training programs enhances access to basic medical services.”
  • Patient-Centered Care : “Prioritizing patient-centered care emphasizes communication, shared decision-making, and respecting patients’ preferences in medical treatments.”
  • Nutrition Labels Impact : “The effectiveness of clear and informative nutrition labels on packaged foods contributes to healthier dietary choices and reduced obesity rates.”
  • Stress Management Strategies : “Promoting stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and relaxation, improves mental health and reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses.”
  • Access to Reproductive Health Education : “Ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive health education empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive well-being.”
  • Medical Waste Management : “Effective medical waste management practices protect both public health and the environment by preventing contamination and pollution.”
  • Preventive Dental Care : “Prioritizing preventive dental care through community programs and education reduces oral health issues and associated healthcare costs.”
  • Pharmaceutical Pricing Reform : “Addressing pharmaceutical pricing reform enhances medication affordability and ensures access to life-saving treatments for all.”
  • Community Health Worker Role : “Empowering community health workers to provide education, support, and basic medical services improves healthcare access in underserved areas.”
  • Healthcare Technology Adoption : “Adopting innovative healthcare technologies, such as AI-assisted diagnostics, enhances accuracy, efficiency, and patient outcomes in medical practices.”
  • Elderly Falls Prevention : “Implementing falls prevention programs for the elderly population reduces injuries, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs, enhancing their overall well-being.”
  • Healthcare Data Privacy Laws : “Stricter healthcare data privacy laws protect patients’ sensitive information, maintaining their trust and promoting transparent data management practices.”
  • School Health Clinics : “Establishing health clinics in schools provides easy access to medical services for students, promoting early detection and timely treatment of health issues.”
  • Healthcare Cultural Competence : “Cultivating cultural competence among healthcare professionals improves patient-provider communication, enhances trust, and reduces healthcare disparities.”
  • Health Equity in Clinical Trials : “Ensuring health equity in clinical trials by diverse participant representation enhances the generalizability of research findings to different populations.”
  • Digital Mental Health Interventions : “Utilizing digital mental health interventions, such as therapy apps, expands access to mental health services and reduces stigma surrounding seeking help.”
  • Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases : “Exploring the connection between aging and neurodegenerative diseases informs early interventions and treatment strategies to mitigate cognitive decline.”
  • Healthcare Waste Reduction : “Implementing sustainable healthcare waste reduction measures decreases environmental impact and contributes to a greener healthcare industry.”
  • Medical Ethics in End-of-Life Care : “Ethical considerations in end-of-life care decision-making ensure patient autonomy, quality of life, and respectful treatment choices.”
  • Healthcare Interoperability : “Enhancing healthcare data interoperability between different medical systems and providers improves patient care coordination and information sharing.”
  • Healthcare Disparities in Indigenous Communities : “Addressing healthcare disparities in Indigenous communities through culturally sensitive care and community engagement improves health outcomes.”
  • Music Therapy in Healthcare : “Exploring the role of music therapy in healthcare settings reveals its positive effects on reducing pain, anxiety, and enhancing emotional well-being.”
  • Healthcare Waste Management Policies : “Effective healthcare waste management policies regulate the disposal of medical waste, protecting both public health and the environment.”
  • Agricultural Practices and Public Health : “Analyzing the impact of agricultural practices on public health highlights the connections between food production, environmental health, and nutrition.”
  • Online Health Information Reliability : “Promoting the reliability of online health information through credible sources and fact-checking guides empowers individuals to make informed health decisions.”
  • Neonatal Intensive Care : “Advancements in neonatal intensive care technology enhance premature infants’ chances of survival and long-term health.”
  • Fitness Technology : “The integration of fitness technology in daily routines motivates individuals to engage in physical activity, promoting better cardiovascular health.”
  • Climate Change and Health : “Examining the health effects of climate change emphasizes the need for mitigation strategies to protect communities from heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and other climate-related health risks.”
  • Healthcare Cybersecurity : “Robust cybersecurity measures in healthcare systems safeguard patient data and protect against cyberattacks that can compromise medical records.”
  • Healthcare Quality Metrics : “Evaluating healthcare quality through metrics such as patient satisfaction, outcomes, and safety indicators informs continuous improvement efforts in medical facilities.”
  • Maternal Health Disparities : “Addressing maternal health disparities among different racial and socioeconomic groups through accessible prenatal care and support reduces maternal mortality rates.”
  • Disaster Preparedness : “Effective disaster preparedness plans in healthcare facilities ensure timely responses during emergencies, minimizing casualties and maintaining patient care.”
  • Sleep Health : “Promoting sleep health education emphasizes the importance of quality sleep in overall well-being, preventing sleep-related disorders and associated health issues.”
  • Healthcare AI Ethics : “Navigating the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in healthcare, such as diagnosis algorithms, safeguards patient privacy and accuracy.”
  • Pediatric Nutrition : “Prioritizing pediatric nutrition education encourages healthy eating habits from a young age, reducing the risk of childhood obesity and related health concerns.”
  • Mental Health in First Responders : “Providing mental health support for first responders acknowledges the psychological toll of their work, preventing burnout and trauma-related issues.”
  • Healthcare Workforce Burnout : “Addressing healthcare workforce burnout through organizational support, manageable workloads, and mental health resources improves patient care quality.”
  • Vaccine Hesitancy : “Effective strategies to address vaccine hesitancy involve transparent communication, education, and addressing concerns to maintain vaccination rates and community immunity.”
  • Climate-Resilient Healthcare Facilities : “Designing climate-resilient healthcare facilities prepares medical centers to withstand extreme weather events and ensure continuous patient care.”
  • Nutrition in Aging : “Emphasizing balanced nutrition among the elderly population supports healthy aging, preventing malnutrition-related health complications.”
  • Medication Adherence Strategies : “Implementing medication adherence strategies, such as reminder systems and simplified regimens, improves treatment outcomes and reduces hospitalizations.”
  • Crisis Intervention : “Effective crisis intervention strategies in mental health care prevent escalations, promote de-escalation techniques, and improve patient safety.”
  • Healthcare Waste Recycling : “Promoting healthcare waste recycling initiatives reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and minimizes the environmental impact of medical facilities.”
  • Healthcare Financial Accessibility : “Strategies to enhance healthcare financial accessibility, such as sliding scale fees and insurance coverage expansion, ensure equitable care for all.”
  • Palliative Care : “Prioritizing palliative care services improves patients’ quality of life by addressing pain management, symptom relief, and emotional support.”
  • Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence : “Exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and treatment planning enhances medical accuracy and reduces human error.”
  • Personalized Medicine : “Advancements in personalized medicine tailor treatments based on individual genetics and characteristics, leading to more precise and effective healthcare.”
  • Patient Advocacy : “Empowering patients through education and advocacy training enables them to navigate the healthcare system and actively participate in their treatment decisions.”
  • Healthcare Waste Reduction : “Promoting the reduction of healthcare waste through sustainable practices and responsible disposal methods minimizes environmental and health risks.”
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine : “Examining the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine approaches provides insights into their potential role in enhancing overall health and well-being.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Physical Health

Discover 10 unique good thesis statement examples that delve into physical health, from the impact of fitness technology on exercise motivation to the importance of nutrition education in preventing chronic illnesses. Explore these examples shedding light on the pivotal role of physical well-being in disease prevention and overall quality of life.

  • Fitness Technology’s Influence : “The integration of fitness technology like wearable devices enhances physical health by fostering exercise adherence, tracking progress, and promoting active lifestyles.”
  • Nutrition Education’s Role : “Incorporating comprehensive nutrition education in schools equips students with essential dietary knowledge, reducing the risk of nutrition-related health issues.”
  • Active Lifestyle Promotion : “Public spaces and urban planning strategies that encourage physical activity contribute to community health and well-being, reducing sedentary behavior.”
  • Sports Injuries Prevention : “Strategic implementation of sports injury prevention programs and adequate athlete conditioning minimizes the incidence of sports-related injuries, preserving physical well-being.”
  • Physical Health in Workplace : “Prioritizing ergonomic design and promoting workplace physical activity positively impact employees’ physical health, reducing musculoskeletal issues and stress-related ailments.”
  • Childhood Obesity Mitigation : “School-based interventions, including physical education and health education, play a pivotal role in mitigating childhood obesity and promoting lifelong physical health.”
  • Outdoor Activity and Wellness : “Unstructured outdoor play, especially in natural settings, fosters children’s physical health, cognitive development, and emotional well-being.”
  • Senior Nutrition and Mobility : “Tailored nutrition plans and physical activity interventions for seniors support physical health, mobility, and independence during the aging process.”
  • Health Benefits of Active Commuting : “Promotion of active commuting modes such as walking and cycling improves cardiovascular health, reduces pollution, and enhances overall well-being.”
  • Physical Health’s Longevity Impact : “Sustaining physical health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and preventive measures positively influences longevity, ensuring a higher quality of life.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Health Protocols

Explore 10 thesis statement examples that highlight the significance of health protocols, encompassing infection control in medical settings to the ethical guidelines for telemedicine practices. These examples underscore the pivotal role of health protocols in ensuring patient safety, maintaining effective healthcare practices, and preventing the spread of illnesses across various contexts.  You should also take a look at our  thesis statement for report .

  • Infection Control and Patient Safety : “Rigorous infection control protocols in healthcare settings are paramount to patient safety, curbing healthcare-associated infections and maintaining quality care standards.”
  • Evidence-Based Treatment Guidelines : “Adhering to evidence-based treatment guidelines enhances medical decision-making, improves patient outcomes, and promotes standardized, effective healthcare practices.”
  • Ethics in Telemedicine : “Establishing ethical guidelines for telemedicine practices is crucial to ensure patient confidentiality, quality of care, and responsible remote medical consultations.”
  • Emergency Response Preparedness : “Effective emergency response protocols in healthcare facilities ensure timely and coordinated actions, optimizing patient care, and minimizing potential harm.”
  • Clinical Trial Integrity : “Stringent adherence to health protocols in clinical trials preserves data integrity, ensures participant safety, and upholds ethical principles in medical research.”
  • Safety in Daycare Settings : “Implementing robust infection prevention protocols in daycare settings is vital to curb disease transmission, safeguarding the health of children and staff.”
  • Privacy and E-Health : “Upholding stringent patient privacy protocols in electronic health records is paramount for data security, fostering trust, and maintaining confidentiality.”
  • Hand Hygiene and Infection Prevention : “Promoting proper hand hygiene protocols among healthcare providers significantly reduces infection transmission risks, protecting both patients and medical personnel.”
  • Food Safety in Restaurants : “Strict adherence to comprehensive food safety protocols within the restaurant industry is essential to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure public health.”
  • Pandemic Preparedness and Response : “Developing robust pandemic preparedness protocols, encompassing risk assessment and response strategies, is essential to effectively manage disease outbreaks and protect public health.”

Thesis Statement Examples on Health Benefits

Uncover 10 illuminating thesis statement examples exploring the diverse spectrum of health benefits, from the positive impact of green spaces on mental well-being to the advantages of mindfulness practices in stress reduction. Delve into these examples that underscore the profound influence of health-promoting activities on overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

  • Nature’s Impact on Mental Health : “The presence of green spaces in urban environments positively influences mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and fostering relaxation.”
  • Mindfulness for Stress Reduction : “Incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines promotes mental clarity, reduces stress, and improves overall emotional well-being.”
  • Social Interaction’s Role : “Engaging in regular social interactions and fostering strong social connections contributes to mental well-being, combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
  • Physical Activity’s Cognitive Benefits : “Participation in regular physical activity enhances cognitive function, memory retention, and overall brain health, promoting lifelong mental well-being.”
  • Positive Effects of Laughter : “Laughter’s physiological and psychological benefits, including stress reduction and improved mood, have a direct impact on overall mental well-being.”
  • Nutrition’s Impact on Mood : “Balanced nutrition and consumption of mood-enhancing nutrients play a pivotal role in regulating mood and promoting positive mental health.”
  • Creative Expression and Emotional Well-Being : “Engaging in creative activities, such as art and music, provides an outlet for emotional expression and fosters psychological well-being.”
  • Cultural Engagement’s Influence : “Participating in cultural and artistic activities enriches emotional well-being, promoting a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose.”
  • Volunteering and Mental Health : “Volunteering contributes to improved mental well-being by fostering a sense of purpose, social connection, and positive self-esteem.”
  • Emotional Benefits of Pet Ownership : “The companionship of pets provides emotional support, reduces stress, and positively impacts overall mental well-being.”

Thesis Statement Examples on Mental Health

Explore 10 thought-provoking thesis statement examples delving into various facets of mental health, from addressing stigma surrounding mental illnesses to advocating for increased mental health support in schools. These examples shed light on the importance of understanding, promoting, and prioritizing mental health to achieve holistic well-being.

  • Stigma Reduction for Mental Health : “Challenging societal stigma surrounding mental health encourages open dialogue, fostering acceptance, and creating a supportive environment for individuals seeking help.”
  • Mental Health Education in Schools : “Incorporating comprehensive mental health education in school curricula equips students with emotional coping skills, destigmatizes mental health discussions, and supports overall well-being.”
  • Mental Health Awareness Campaigns : “Strategically designed mental health awareness campaigns raise public consciousness, reduce stigma, and promote early intervention and access to support.”
  • Workplace Mental Health Initiatives : “Implementing workplace mental health programs, including stress management and emotional support, enhances employee well-being and job satisfaction.”
  • Digital Mental Health Interventions : “Leveraging digital platforms for mental health interventions, such as therapy apps and online support groups, increases accessibility and reduces barriers to seeking help.”
  • Impact of Social Media on Mental Health : “Examining the influence of social media on mental health highlights both positive and negative effects, guiding responsible usage and promoting well-being.”
  • Mental Health Disparities : “Addressing mental health disparities among different demographics through culturally sensitive care and accessible services is crucial for equitable well-being.”
  • Trauma-Informed Care : “Adopting trauma-informed care approaches in mental health settings acknowledges the impact of past trauma, ensuring respectful and effective treatment.”
  • Positive Psychology Interventions : “Incorporating positive psychology interventions, such as gratitude practices and resilience training, enhances mental well-being and emotional resilience.”
  • Mental Health Support for First Responders : “Recognizing the unique mental health challenges faced by first responders and providing tailored support services is essential for maintaining their well-being.”

Thesis Statement Examples on Covid-19

Explore 10 illuminating thesis statement examples focusing on various aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, from the impact on mental health to the role of public health measures. Delve into these examples that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of addressing the pandemic’s challenges and implications on global health.

  • Mental Health Crisis Amid Covid-19 : “The Covid-19 pandemic’s psychological toll underscores the urgency of implementing mental health support services and destigmatizing seeking help.”
  • Role of Public Health Measures : “Analyzing the effectiveness of public health measures, including lockdowns and vaccination campaigns, in curbing the spread of Covid-19 highlights their pivotal role in pandemic control.”
  • Equitable Access to Vaccines : “Ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines globally is vital to achieving widespread immunity, preventing new variants, and ending the pandemic.”
  • Online Education’s Impact : “Exploring the challenges and opportunities of online education during the Covid-19 pandemic provides insights into its effects on students’ academic progress and mental well-being.”
  • Economic Implications and Mental Health : “Investigating the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health highlights the need for comprehensive social support systems and mental health resources.”
  • Crisis Communication Strategies : “Evaluating effective crisis communication strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic underscores the importance of transparent information dissemination, fostering public trust.”
  • Long-Term Health Effects : “Understanding the potential long-term health effects of Covid-19 on recovered individuals guides healthcare planning and underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring.”
  • Digital Health Solutions : “Leveraging digital health solutions, such as telemedicine and contact tracing apps, plays a pivotal role in tracking and managing Covid-19 transmission.”
  • Resilience Amid Adversity : “Exploring individual and community resilience strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic sheds light on coping mechanisms and adaptive behaviors in times of crisis.”
  • Global Cooperation in Pandemic Response : “Assessing global cooperation and collaboration in pandemic response highlights the significance of international solidarity and coordination in managing global health crises.”

Nursing Thesis Statement Examples

Explore 10 insightful thesis statement examples that delve into the dynamic realm of nursing, from advocating for improved nurse-patient communication to addressing challenges in healthcare staffing. These examples emphasize the critical role of nursing professionals in patient care, healthcare systems, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in the field.

  • Nurse-Patient Communication Enhancement : “Elevating nurse-patient communication through effective communication training programs improves patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and overall healthcare outcomes.”
  • Nursing Leadership Impact : “Empowering nursing leadership in healthcare institutions fosters improved patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the cultivation of a positive work environment.”
  • Challenges in Nursing Shortages : “Addressing nursing shortages through recruitment strategies, retention programs, and educational support enhances patient safety and healthcare system stability.”
  • Evidence-Based Nursing Practices : “Promoting evidence-based nursing practices enhances patient care quality, ensuring that interventions are rooted in current research and best practices.”
  • Nursing Role in Preventive Care : “Harnessing the nursing profession’s expertise in preventive care and patient education reduces disease burden and healthcare costs, emphasizing a proactive approach.”
  • Nursing Advocacy and Patient Rights : “Nurse advocacy for patients’ rights and informed decision-making ensures ethical treatment, patient autonomy, and respectful healthcare experiences.”
  • Nursing Ethics and Dilemmas : “Navigating ethical dilemmas in nursing, such as end-of-life care decisions, highlights the importance of ethical frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration.”
  • Telehealth Nursing Adaptation : “Adapting nursing practices to telehealth platforms requires specialized training and protocols to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered remote care.”
  • Nurse Educators’ Impact : “Nurse educators play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing by providing comprehensive education, fostering critical thinking, and promoting continuous learning.”
  • Mental Health Nursing Expertise : “The specialized skills of mental health nurses in assessment, intervention, and patient support contribute significantly to addressing the growing mental health crisis.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Health and Wellness

Delve into 10 thesis statement examples that explore the interconnectedness of health and wellness, ranging from the integration of holistic well-being practices in healthcare to the significance of self-care in preventing burnout. These examples highlight the importance of fostering balance and proactive health measures for individuals and communities.

  • Holistic Health Integration : “Incorporating holistic health practices, such as mindfulness and nutrition, within conventional healthcare models supports comprehensive well-being and disease prevention.”
  • Self-Care’s Impact on Burnout : “Prioritizing self-care among healthcare professionals reduces burnout, enhances job satisfaction, and ensures high-quality patient care delivery.”
  • Community Wellness Initiatives : “Community wellness programs that address physical, mental, and social well-being contribute to healthier populations and reduced healthcare burdens.”
  • Wellness in Aging Populations : “Tailored wellness programs for the elderly population encompass physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, promoting healthier aging.”
  • Corporate Wellness Benefits : “Implementing corporate wellness programs enhances employee health, morale, and productivity, translating into lower healthcare costs and higher job satisfaction.”
  • Nutrition’s Role in Wellness : “Prioritizing balanced nutrition through education and accessible food options plays a pivotal role in overall wellness and chronic disease prevention.”
  • Mental and Emotional Well-Being : “Fostering mental and emotional well-being through therapy, support networks, and stress management positively impacts overall health and life satisfaction.”
  • Wellness Tourism’s Rise : “Exploring the growth of wellness tourism underscores the demand for travel experiences that prioritize rejuvenation, relaxation, and holistic well-being.”
  • Digital Health for Wellness : “Leveraging digital health platforms for wellness, such as wellness apps and wearable devices, empowers individuals to monitor and enhance their well-being.”
  • Equitable Access to Wellness : “Promoting equitable access to wellness resources and facilities ensures that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, can prioritize their health and well-being.”

What is a good thesis statement about mental health?

A thesis statement about mental health is a concise and clear declaration that encapsulates the main point or argument you’re making in your essay or research paper related to mental health. It serves as a roadmap for your readers, guiding them through the content and focus of your work. Crafting a strong thesis statement about mental health involves careful consideration of the topic and a clear understanding of the points you’ll discuss. Here’s how you can create a good thesis statement about mental health:

  • Choose a Specific Focus : Mental health is a broad topic. Determine the specific aspect of mental health you want to explore, whether it’s the impact of stigma, the importance of access to treatment, the role of mental health in overall well-being, or another angle.
  • Make a Debatable Assertion : A thesis statement should present an argument or perspective that can be debated or discussed. Avoid statements that are overly broad or universally accepted.
  • Be Clear and Concise : Keep your thesis statement concise while conveying your main idea. It’s usually a single sentence that provides insight into the content of your paper.
  • Provide Direction : Your thesis statement should indicate the direction your paper will take. It’s like a roadmap that tells your readers what to expect.
  • Make it Strong : Strong thesis statements are specific, assertive, and supported by evidence. Don’t shy away from taking a clear stance on the topic.
  • Revise and Refine : As you draft your paper, your understanding of the topic might evolve. Your thesis statement may need revision to accurately reflect your arguments.

How do you write a Health Thesis Statement? – Step by Step Guide

Crafting a strong health thesis statement requires a systematic approach. Follow these steps to create an effective health thesis statement:

  • Choose a Health Topic : Select a specific health-related topic that interests you and aligns with your assignment or research objective.
  • Narrow Down the Focus : Refine the topic to a specific aspect. Avoid overly broad statements; instead, zoom in on a particular issue.
  • Identify Your Stance : Determine your perspective on the topic. Are you advocating for a particular solution, analyzing causes and effects, or comparing different viewpoints?
  • Formulate a Debatable Assertion : Develop a clear and arguable statement that captures the essence of your position on the topic.
  • Consider Counterarguments : Anticipate counterarguments and incorporate them into your thesis statement. This adds depth and acknowledges opposing views.
  • Be Concise and Specific : Keep your thesis statement succinct while conveying the main point. Avoid vague language or generalities.
  • Test for Clarity : Share your thesis statement with someone else to ensure it’s clear and understandable to an audience unfamiliar with the topic.
  • Refine and Revise : Your thesis statement is not set in stone. As you research and write, you might find it necessary to revise and refine it to accurately reflect your evolving arguments.

Tips for Writing a Thesis Statement on Health Topics

Writing a thesis statement on health topics requires precision and careful consideration. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective thesis statement:

  • Be Specific : Address a specific aspect of health rather than a broad topic. This allows for a more focused and insightful thesis statement.
  • Take a Stance : Your thesis statement should present a clear perspective or argument. Avoid vague statements that don’t express a stance.
  • Avoid Absolute Statements : Be cautious of using words like “always” or “never.” Instead, use language that acknowledges complexity and nuance.
  • Incorporate Keywords : Include keywords that indicate the subject of your research, such as “nutrition,” “mental health,” “public health,” or other relevant terms.
  • Preview Supporting Points : Your thesis statement can preview the main points or arguments you’ll discuss in your paper, providing readers with a roadmap.
  • Revise as Necessary : Your thesis statement may evolve as you research and write. Don’t hesitate to revise it to accurately reflect your findings.
  • Stay Focused : Ensure that your thesis statement remains directly relevant to your topic throughout your writing.

Remember that your thesis statement is the foundation of your paper. It guides your research and writing process, helping you stay on track and deliver a coherent argument.

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Nursing Essay Thesis Statement [+How to & Examples]

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This article provides information on thesis statement , structure, and style, as well as tips on how to write an effective nursing essay thesis statement and nursing essay thesis statement examples.

There are many different formats that you can use when writing nursing essays. Thesis statements, for example, will be at the beginning of your essay, while the body of your essay will contain details and examples supporting your thesis statement.

In order to ensure that your essay is well organized and flows from point to point, it is important to follow a specific structure.

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How to write a Thesis Statement in a nursing essay

Nursing essay writing format [Thesis, Structure]

A thesis statement is the most important part of your nursing essay . It should be a clear, concise, and compelling statement that outlines your main argument. It should also be based on research you have done and reflect your personal opinion. Follow these tips to help create a strong thesis statement for your nursing essay:

1. Start by identifying the problem you want to address. What problem do you think needs to be addressed in the nursing profession? For example, do nurses need more training in preventative care ? Do they need more support when caring for patients ? When writing about a problem that you haven’t personally experienced, it’s important to cite reliable sources that will help support your argument.

Read more on How to Start a Nursing Essay [Nursing Essay Introduction]

2. Be specific about the impact of this problem on nurses and patients . State how this problem has harmed nurses and patients in specific ways . For example, do nurses feel overloaded with work? Do they lack adequate resources to care for their patients effectively ? Be clear about the magnitude of the issue and how it impacts both nurses and patients.

3. Use evidence to back up your argument. Cite reliable sources that supports your thesis statement . For example, if you’re arguing that nurses need more training in preventative care , you can use research studies to back up this claim. Be sure to cite your sources so that readers can verify the information you are presenting.

4. Write in a clear and concise manner. Use specific examples and language to help illustrate your point. For example, rather than saying “Nurses need more support,” say “Nurses need more assistance from their superiors when caring for patients.” This will make your argument more clear and easier to understand.

5. Don’t be afraid to state your opinion. In fact, it’s important to do so. However, make sure that your opinion is based on evidence and research. Don’t simply state what you believe without backing it up with evidence or analysis.

here’s How to Conclude a nursing essay [Nursing Essay Conclusion + Examples]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples

A thesis statement is a concise, compelling statement of your argument. When writing an essay , you should choose a thesis statement that reflects your main arguments and supports your analysis. A good thesis statement will summarize the main points of your essay and introduce new ideas . The following are examples of effective thesis statements for nursing essays:nnNurses are in constant need of updated education in order to provide quality care to their patients .

There are three main types of thesis statements in nursing: descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive. Descriptive statements describe what has been observed or what is known about a certain subject. Explanatory statements explain how something works or why it exists. Persuasive statements engage the reader in your argument by showing how what you are saying is related to their own situation or experience.

Besides, you can use these 100+ Strong Persuasive Nursing Essay Topics Ideas [+Outline]

The following are examples of descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive thesis statements:

Descriptive Thesis Statement: Nursing is an important profession that helps people to maintain their health and extend their lives.

Explanatory Thesis Statement: Nursing plays an important role in the care of patients who are critically ill or who have serious injuries.

Persuasive Thesis Statement: Becoming a nurse is an excellent way to gain valuable experience that will help you to become a successful

Here are 210+ Current Nursing Essay Topics to write about [+Outline]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples 1

In this essay, I will discuss the importance of nursing , identify the essential skills and qualities necessary for success as a nurse, and provide an example of a powerful nursing thesis statement.

Here are four example thesis statements for nursing essays:

Nursing is an important career choice for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Nursing provides unique opportunities to develop personal relationships with patients and their families. Nursing is critically important to the health and well-being of the population . The nursing profession faces many challenges , but it has the potential to make a significant impact on society

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thesis statement on healthcare

Research Topics & Ideas: Healthcare

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F inding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a healthcare-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of healthcare-related research ideas and topic thought-starters across a range of healthcare fields, including allopathic and alternative medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacology and public health.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the healthcare domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Healthcare Research Topics

  • Allopathic medicine
  • Alternative /complementary medicine
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Physical therapy/ rehab
  • Optometry and ophthalmology
  • Pharmacy and pharmacology
  • Public health
  • Examples of healthcare-related dissertations

Allopathic (Conventional) Medicine

  • The effectiveness of telemedicine in remote elderly patient care
  • The impact of stress on the immune system of cancer patients
  • The effects of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases such as diabetes
  • The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment
  • The role of the gut microbiome in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
  • The efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing chronic pain: A systematic review
  • The benefits and drawbacks of electronic health records in a developing country
  • The effects of environmental pollution on breast milk quality
  • The use of personalized medicine in treating genetic disorders
  • The impact of social determinants of health on chronic diseases in Asia
  • The role of high-intensity interval training in improving cardiovascular health
  • The efficacy of using probiotics for gut health in pregnant women
  • The impact of poor sleep on the treatment of chronic illnesses
  • The role of inflammation in the development of chronic diseases such as lupus
  • The effectiveness of physiotherapy in pain control post-surgery

Research topic idea mega list

Topics & Ideas: Alternative Medicine

  • The benefits of herbal medicine in treating young asthma patients
  • The use of acupuncture in treating infertility in women over 40 years of age
  • The effectiveness of homoeopathy in treating mental health disorders: A systematic review
  • The role of aromatherapy in reducing stress and anxiety post-surgery
  • The impact of mindfulness meditation on reducing high blood pressure
  • The use of chiropractic therapy in treating back pain of pregnant women
  • The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine such as Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie (SQTX) in treating digestive disorders in China
  • The impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adolescents
  • The benefits of hydrotherapy in treating musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis
  • The role of Reiki in promoting healing and relaxation post birth
  • The effectiveness of naturopathy in treating skin conditions such as eczema
  • The use of deep tissue massage therapy in reducing chronic pain in amputees
  • The impact of tai chi on the treatment of anxiety and depression
  • The benefits of reflexology in treating stress, anxiety and chronic fatigue
  • The role of acupuncture in the prophylactic management of headaches and migraines

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Topics & Ideas: Dentistry

  • The impact of sugar consumption on the oral health of infants
  • The use of digital dentistry in improving patient care: A systematic review
  • The efficacy of orthodontic treatments in correcting bite problems in adults
  • The role of dental hygiene in preventing gum disease in patients with dental bridges
  • The impact of smoking on oral health and tobacco cessation support from UK dentists
  • The benefits of dental implants in restoring missing teeth in adolescents
  • The use of lasers in dental procedures such as root canals
  • The efficacy of root canal treatment using high-frequency electric pulses in saving infected teeth
  • The role of fluoride in promoting remineralization and slowing down demineralization
  • The impact of stress-induced reflux on oral health
  • The benefits of dental crowns in restoring damaged teeth in elderly patients
  • The use of sedation dentistry in managing dental anxiety in children
  • The efficacy of teeth whitening treatments in improving dental aesthetics in patients with braces
  • The role of orthodontic appliances in improving well-being
  • The impact of periodontal disease on overall health and chronic illnesses

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Topics & Ideas: Veterinary Medicine

  • The impact of nutrition on broiler chicken production
  • The role of vaccines in disease prevention in horses
  • The importance of parasite control in animal health in piggeries
  • The impact of animal behaviour on welfare in the dairy industry
  • The effects of environmental pollution on the health of cattle
  • The role of veterinary technology such as MRI in animal care
  • The importance of pain management in post-surgery health outcomes
  • The impact of genetics on animal health and disease in layer chickens
  • The effectiveness of alternative therapies in veterinary medicine: A systematic review
  • The role of veterinary medicine in public health: A case study of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The impact of climate change on animal health and infectious diseases in animals
  • The importance of animal welfare in veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture
  • The effects of the human-animal bond on canine health
  • The role of veterinary medicine in conservation efforts: A case study of Rhinoceros poaching in Africa
  • The impact of veterinary research of new vaccines on animal health

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Topics & Ideas: Physical Therapy/Rehab

  • The efficacy of aquatic therapy in improving joint mobility and strength in polio patients
  • The impact of telerehabilitation on patient outcomes in Germany
  • The effect of kinesiotaping on reducing knee pain and improving function in individuals with chronic pain
  • A comparison of manual therapy and yoga exercise therapy in the management of low back pain
  • The use of wearable technology in physical rehabilitation and the impact on patient adherence to a rehabilitation plan
  • The impact of mindfulness-based interventions in physical therapy in adolescents
  • The effects of resistance training on individuals with Parkinson’s disease
  • The role of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia
  • The impact of cognitive-behavioural therapy in physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain
  • The use of virtual reality in physical rehabilitation of sports injuries
  • The effects of electrical stimulation on muscle function and strength in athletes
  • The role of physical therapy in the management of stroke recovery: A systematic review
  • The impact of pilates on mental health in individuals with depression
  • The use of thermal modalities in physical therapy and its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation
  • The effect of strength training on balance and gait in elderly patients

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Topics & Ideas: Optometry & Opthalmology

  • The impact of screen time on the vision and ocular health of children under the age of 5
  • The effects of blue light exposure from digital devices on ocular health
  • The role of dietary interventions, such as the intake of whole grains, in the management of age-related macular degeneration
  • The use of telemedicine in optometry and ophthalmology in the UK
  • The impact of myopia control interventions on African American children’s vision
  • The use of contact lenses in the management of dry eye syndrome: different treatment options
  • The effects of visual rehabilitation in individuals with traumatic brain injury
  • The role of low vision rehabilitation in individuals with age-related vision loss: challenges and solutions
  • The impact of environmental air pollution on ocular health
  • The effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopia control compared to contact lenses
  • The role of dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in ocular health
  • The effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure from tanning beds on ocular health
  • The impact of computer vision syndrome on long-term visual function
  • The use of novel diagnostic tools in optometry and ophthalmology in developing countries
  • The effects of virtual reality on visual perception and ocular health: an examination of dry eye syndrome and neurologic symptoms

Topics & Ideas: Pharmacy & Pharmacology

  • The impact of medication adherence on patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis
  • The use of personalized medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
  • The effects of pharmacogenomics on drug response and toxicity in cancer patients
  • The role of pharmacists in the management of chronic pain in primary care
  • The impact of drug-drug interactions on patient mental health outcomes
  • The use of telepharmacy in healthcare: Present status and future potential
  • The effects of herbal and dietary supplements on drug efficacy and toxicity
  • The role of pharmacists in the management of type 1 diabetes
  • The impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and satisfaction
  • The use of technology in medication management in the USA
  • The effects of smoking on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics: A case study of clozapine
  • Leveraging the role of pharmacists in preventing and managing opioid use disorder
  • The impact of the opioid epidemic on public health in a developing country
  • The use of biosimilars in the management of the skin condition psoriasis
  • The effects of the Affordable Care Act on medication utilization and patient outcomes in African Americans

Topics & Ideas: Public Health

  • The impact of the built environment and urbanisation on physical activity and obesity
  • The effects of food insecurity on health outcomes in Zimbabwe
  • The role of community-based participatory research in addressing health disparities
  • The impact of social determinants of health, such as racism, on population health
  • The effects of heat waves on public health
  • The role of telehealth in addressing healthcare access and equity in South America
  • The impact of gun violence on public health in South Africa
  • The effects of chlorofluorocarbons air pollution on respiratory health
  • The role of public health interventions in reducing health disparities in the USA
  • The impact of the United States Affordable Care Act on access to healthcare and health outcomes
  • The effects of water insecurity on health outcomes in the Middle East
  • The role of community health workers in addressing healthcare access and equity in low-income countries
  • The impact of mass incarceration on public health and behavioural health of a community
  • The effects of floods on public health and healthcare systems
  • The role of social media in public health communication and behaviour change in adolescents

Examples: Healthcare Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a healthcare-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various healthcare-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • Improving Follow-Up Care for Homeless Populations in North County San Diego (Sanchez, 2021)
  • On the Incentives of Medicare’s Hospital Reimbursement and an Examination of Exchangeability (Elzinga, 2016)
  • Managing the healthcare crisis: the career narratives of nurses (Krueger, 2021)
  • Methods for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric haematology-oncology patients: A systematic literature review (Balkan, 2020)
  • Farms in Healthcare: Enhancing Knowledge, Sharing, and Collaboration (Garramone, 2019)
  • When machine learning meets healthcare: towards knowledge incorporation in multimodal healthcare analytics (Yuan, 2020)
  • Integrated behavioural healthcare: The future of rural mental health (Fox, 2019)
  • Healthcare service use patterns among autistic adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis (Gilmore, 2021)
  • Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Combatting Burnout and Compassionate Fatigue among Mental Health Caregivers (Lundquist, 2022)
  • Transgender and gender-diverse people’s perceptions of gender-inclusive healthcare access and associated hope for the future (Wille, 2021)
  • Efficient Neural Network Synthesis and Its Application in Smart Healthcare (Hassantabar, 2022)
  • The Experience of Female Veterans and Health-Seeking Behaviors (Switzer, 2022)
  • Machine learning applications towards risk prediction and cost forecasting in healthcare (Singh, 2022)
  • Does Variation in the Nursing Home Inspection Process Explain Disparity in Regulatory Outcomes? (Fox, 2020)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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18 Comments

Mabel Allison

I need topics that will match the Msc program am running in healthcare research please

Theophilus Ugochuku

Hello Mabel,

I can help you with a good topic, kindly provide your email let’s have a good discussion on this.

sneha ramu

Can you provide some research topics and ideas on Immunology?

Julia

Thank you to create new knowledge on research problem verse research topic

Help on problem statement on teen pregnancy

Derek Jansen

This post might be useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-problem-statement/

JACQUELINE CAGURANGAN RUMA

can you give me research titles that i can conduct as a school nurse

vera akinyi akinyi vera

can you provide me with a research topic on healthcare related topics to a qqi level 5 student

Didjatou tao

Please can someone help me with research topics in public health ?

Gurtej singh Dhillon

Hello I have requirement of Health related latest research issue/topics for my social media speeches. If possible pls share health issues , diagnosis, treatment.

Chikalamba Muzyamba

I would like a topic thought around first-line support for Gender-Based Violence for survivors or one related to prevention of Gender-Based Violence

Evans Amihere

Please can I be helped with a master’s research topic in either chemical pathology or hematology or immunology? thanks

Patrick

Can u please provide me with a research topic on occupational health and safety at the health sector

Biyama Chama Reuben

Good day kindly help provide me with Ph.D. Public health topics on Reproductive and Maternal Health, interventional studies on Health Education

dominic muema

may you assist me with a good easy healthcare administration study topic

Precious

May you assist me in finding a research topic on nutrition,physical activity and obesity. On the impact on children

Isaac D Olorunisola

I have been racking my brain for a while on what topic will be suitable for my PhD in health informatics. I want a qualitative topic as this is my strong area.

LEBOGANG

Hi, may I please be assisted with research topics in the medical laboratory sciences

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  • How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

  • Start with a question
  • Write your initial answer
  • Develop your answer
  • Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

  • Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
  • Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
  • Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

  • Why you hold this position
  • What they’ll learn from your essay
  • The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

  • In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
  • In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

  • It gives your writing direction and focus.
  • It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

  • Ask a question about your topic .
  • Write your initial answer.
  • Develop your answer by including reasons.
  • Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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1. the importance of mental health awareness and support, 2. the implications of neglecting mental health, 3. strategies for promoting mental health and well-being.

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thesis statement on healthcare

Home Blog Education Thesis Statement Examples

Thesis Statement Examples

PPT Templates for Thesis Statement Examples

The complexity and requirements of a thesis or dissertation can vary according to the university, program or even country you are studying in. Regardless of the these factors, a good thesis statement is essential to ensure that your thesis can stand its ground and enable you to actively pursue your academic endeavors without any hiccups.

Writing a Good Thesis Statement

Examples of thesis statements related to covid-19, example of thesis statements related to education, examples of thesis statements related to healthcare, examples of thesis statements related to employment, examples of thesis statements related to science, examples of thesis statements related to technology, examples of thesis statements related to environment, examples of thesis statements related to social issues, examples of thesis statements related to psychology, examples of thesis statements related to history, using a powerpoint presentation for thesis defense, final words.

What makes a good thesis statement? Simple answer, precision and enough evidence to support your statement. Writing a statement that appears too broad and is merely based on value judgment isn’t going to win you any points. You also need to determine whether your thesis statement is going to be persuasive/argumentative, expository or analytical. Bear in mind that your thesis statement should be easy enough for you to support your research. If you struggle to write your paper, it would most likely be due to a weak statement. Students can get carried away due to the pressure of writing a compelling thesis statement, only to realize they cannot support the statement they have picked with the required evidence to make the argument stick.

Let’s take a look at a few thesis statement examples, with some tips regarding how to go about writing a research paper based on the examples. The following is meant to provide readers with ideas regarding what type of statements can help them with their thesis and how they can back it up with evidence. You might also want to check out our post about how to write an essay to get ideas regarding how to go about writing a quality thesis to support your statement.

Thesis Statement: The rise of online shopping in the wake of COVID-19 might lead to the permanent closure of millions of brick-and-mortar outlets.

The above statement can be deemed analytical, with a need for evidence to support the statement. There have been several research reports, statistics and forecasts on the rise of online shopping retailers like Amazon amidst the crisis. Similarly, many outlets including Microsoft’s retail outlets have closed permanently during the pandemic. There has also been closure of virtually every type of business from across a wide array of industries due to COVID-19, especially the ones that have failed to digitize. You can also make your statement more specific by focusing on closure of retail outlets, eateries, etc.

Note that the above statement does not discuss the closure of businesses but the physical outlets. For example, Microsoft closed its retail outlets but the products can still be bought online or through various other vendors/stores.

Thesis Statement : Because many people might be unwilling to vaccinate in country x due to their reluctance towards a COVID-19 vaccine, the government must ensure that mass awareness campaigns regarding the need to vaccinate starts prior to the launch of the vaccine.

This statement makes a case for the use of vaccination by convincing people to vaccinate as soon as a new vaccine becomes available. This is a persuasive statement, which can be backed by evidence regarding how anti-vaccination drives and misconceptions have in the past led to the spread of disease. For example, misconceptions and resistance towards the polio vaccine has resulted in cases still being reported in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Thesis Statement : As physical libraries become obsolete due to digital devices, the government should fund digital libraries instead of physical ones to ease the economic burden of students required to buy expensive e-books.

The above statement would require the individual writing the paper to make a strong case regarding why physical libraries are more expensive and less efficient to manage as compared to virtual libraries that can help students acquire books without incurring heavy charges for renting or purchasing e-books. You can also make a case for open education resources to help students excel in their studies.

Thesis Statement:  The government should digitize libraries and provide increased resources to support digital devices, such as new computers, high-speed internet connectivity for remote devices and online access to books.

The example statement above is an alternative version of the statement which suggests increased digitization of libraries. The research paper can include arguments regarding the changing nature of how people now prefer e-books instead of paperback and how students require high-speed internet to connect to a number of remote devices and make the entire library available online. The thesis statement is referring to the government in your country. It is quite possible that your country does not yet offer one or more of the aforementioned services in government-run libraries and they might be becoming irrelevant.

Thesis Statement:  The cost of healthcare services for most people in country X is unbearable due to low average incomes, high prices of essential medicines and lack of government-funded hospitals.

This analytical statement singles out a country and mentions that the majority of people are unable to afford healthcare services due to low average incomes, expensive essential medicines and lack of government-funded hospitals. There are a number of developing countries which suffer from this phenomenon. Some low-income countries even have one hospital per five million people and not even a basic health unit in most parts of the country. Furthermore, medicine prices are heavily impacted by exchange rates and a weak currency is likely to drive up prices for poor countries relying on imported medicine. All the required information such as average income, data on government hospitals and medicine prices can be usually acquired for a country through official sources, as well as independent research. This can help provide enough evidence to back your statement.

Thesis Statement:  Increased taxation on cigarettes can help save the government on healthcare-related expenditure which can be used for improving healthcare services in the country.

There are three aspects to cover in this statement. One is the application of taxes and to prove that it will help people move towards smoking cessation or alternatives. This will have to be backed by similar results from other countries. For example, countries like the UK and New Zealand have over the years heavily taxed cigarettes and reduced smoking. The evidence related to this can be used for this statement. The second part deals with the government saving on healthcare expenditure which will require explaining the existing burden on healthcare due to e.g. increase in cigarette-induced cancer and other diseases such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart diseases, etc. Lastly, a case can be made regarding the need for improving healthcare services and how the money from a reduced healthcare burden can help do that.

Thesis Statement: A diverse group of people working on projects related to human development can help improve the planning and efficiency of development programs designed for marginalized communities.

Development sector organizations, especially international non-government organizations often try to account for diversity, where people from different, ethnic, religious and educational backgrounds are hired for executing human development programs. Many times, some people are also hired from other countries to bring their experience to the table.

Thesis Statement:  Blue-collar workers whose jobs are vanishing in province X should be retrained for work in green energy to reduce unemployment, improve the environment and local economies.

In recent years, many blue-collar jobs have vanished in many countries due to slowing global demand, global recession, the rise of Chinese manufacturing firms and more recently, COVID-19. This statement can also be limited to a local economy to further narrow its scope. The statement can be backed by evidence related to vanishing of jobs for blue-collar workers, the need for improving the environment, e.g. due to deteriorating air quality, solid waste management challenges, rise of plastic pollution, etc.

The case for reducing unemployment and improvement in local economies can also be made by pointing towards data related to unemployment rates, closure of industries in province x and how green energy initiatives can help cope with environment and socio-economic problems. You can make a case for either using green energy for local consumption or to export electricity to neighboring countries with increasing electricity demands and low capacity.

Thesis Statement:  Wind turbines need to be replaced with alternative sources of green energy due to their hazardous effect on human health and wildlife.

The above statement makes a case against wind turbines. While they were hailed as an alternative source of renewable energy in the past, research has suggested that the noise and effects of wind turbines on humans and wildlife can be quite adverse. This includes not only birds dying due to collisions with the turbines but also the noise pollution caused by them. To back such a thesis statement, you will have to not only state facts and research related to the subject but also state viable alternatives and comparisons, proving why they are better than wind turbines.

Thesis Statement:  Governments should prioritize climate change adaptation since global warming cannot be reversed.

This is an example of a fairly ambitious thesis statement. It caters towards not only covering climate change but makes a bold statement that global warming cannot be stopped. This topic is subject to much debate, with claims that the carbon in the atmosphere can no longer be reduced. The topic has enough research and data available to make a case. Furthermore, climate change adaptation is a hot topic and many governments around the world are working on their adaptation strategies. However, such a topic can still be quite controversial and undertaking such a thesis can be ambitious, as the counter-arguments can be as strong as the narrative you might present.

Thesis Statement: The integration of blockchain technology in supply chain management can enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency, reducing the risk of counterfeit products and ensuring product authenticity.

Thesis Statement: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in customer service has the potential to revolutionize customer interactions, providing personalized assistance and improving overall customer satisfaction.

Thesis Statement: Implementing 5G technology can accelerate the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, enabling seamless connectivity and driving innovation in various industries, such as healthcare, transportation, and smart cities.

Thesis Statement: The transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change and reducing carbon emissions globally.

Thesis Statement: Sustainable waste management practices, including recycling and waste-to-energy technologies, can significantly reduce waste and create a circular economy.

Thesis Statement: Biodiversity conservation and protecting endangered species are critical for maintaining ecosystem balance and preserving the planet’s natural resources for future generations.

Thesis Statement: Implementing comprehensive gun control measures is necessary to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in communities.

Thesis Statement: Addressing income inequality through progressive taxation and social welfare programs is crucial for promoting social equity and reducing poverty rates.

Thesis Statement: Promoting gender equality in the workplace, including equal pay and representation in leadership positions, is essential for achieving inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Thesis Statement: Mindfulness-based interventions can effectively reduce stress and anxiety levels in individuals, improving their overall mental well-being and resilience.

Thesis Statement: Early intervention and access to mental health services for children and adolescents can prevent the development of mental health disorders and improve long-term outcomes.

Thesis Statement: The study of cognitive biases and heuristics provides valuable insights into decision-making processes, leading to a better understanding of human behavior in various contexts.

Thesis Statement: Analyzing primary sources and historical documents can lead to a deeper understanding of historical events, shedding light on the perspectives and motivations of different actors.

Thesis Statement: The study of colonialism and its impact on indigenous cultures can provide insights into the historical roots of present-day social and cultural dynamics.

Thesis Statement: Examining the role of women in historical revolutions can reveal their contributions to social and political change, challenging traditional narratives of male-dominated history.

You might need to present a PowerPoint presentation to defend your thesis. In such a case there are a number of things you can do to make sure that you are able to concisely explain your argument while keeping your audience engaged. You can read all about our tips from this post about thesis presentation .

A good thesis statement is the foundation for your thesis. A weak statement is likely to lead to a roadblock in proving your statement. Your thesis statement should be flexible enough for adjustment, as sometimes a student might need to rewrite a thesis statement for a working thesis. In such a case you can save time and effort by leaving room for flexibility so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a thesis statement examples.

A thesis statement is a concise declaration that encapsulates the main argument or focus of an academic paper or essay. It serves as a roadmap for readers, conveying the purpose and direction of the work. For instance, in an essay about climate change, a thesis statement could be: “The urgent need to mitigate climate change is evident through the alarming rise in global temperatures, the increased frequency of extreme weather events, and the rapid melting of polar ice caps.” This statement clearly outlines the essay’s key points, guiding the reader on what to expect and highlighting the author’s stance.

Are thesis statements used in fictional writing?

Thesis statements, including research papers and persuasive essays, are primarily used in nonfiction writing. In fictional writing, such as narrative essays, authors may use a thesis statement to emphasize the story’s significance or the intended lesson they want readers to take away from the narrative.

Can a thesis statement be two sentences long?

While a thesis statement can be two sentences long, it is often preferred to keep it concise and limit it to one sentence. A single-sentence thesis statement is easier for readers to identify, and placing it at the end of the introductory paragraph allows for a clear and focused presentation of the topic.

Can a thesis statement be too broad or too narrow?

Yes, a thesis statement can be problematic if it is too broad or too narrow. A good thesis statement should strike a balance and have a strong focus. If it is too broad, it becomes challenging to cover all aspects within the scope of the paper. Conversely, if it is too narrow, insufficient research or evidence may support the claims effectively. Aim for a thesis statement that clearly identifies the topic and presents your stance, providing readers with a clear understanding of what to expect in the paper.

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thesis statement on healthcare

Master of Public Health

A thesis is a substantive and original body of work that allows the student to synthesize and integrate knowledge from their public health course work and practicum experiences, apply it to a particular topic area, and communicate their ideas and findings through a scholarly written product. The thesis represents the culmination of the student’s educational experience in the Vanderbilt MPH Program.

The thesis may take on different formats, depending on the student’s track focus and interests. Regardless of the format chosen, the student must apply critical thought, systematic analysis, and clear presentation.

Each student is responsible for identifying a topic and appropriate format for their thesis with the assistance and guidance of faculty advisers and faculty thesis readers.

The practicum product must be distinct from the thesis. Although the practicum and thesis can be related, the student must be able to articulate how the two projects are independent from one another. The practicum is a practice experience that allows students to apply and develop skills in public health concepts. The thesis is the synthesis and integration of knowledge acquired in coursework and through the practicum and results in an original scholarly work.

View selection of published theses

Additionally, students have the option to pursue publishing their thesis products in scholarly journals.

2024 Thesis Topics

Anjola Ajayi, M.B.B.S. Use of Hydroxyprogesterone in Pregnancy and the Risk of Recurrent Preterm Birth: A Nested Case-Control Study
Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh, M.D. Health Literacy and All-Cause Mortality among Cancer Patients
Nicole Andersen Weight Loss in Prenatally Opioid Exposed Neonates with Additional Withdrawal Exacerbating Exposures
Nick Baker Variability in Hospital Organ Donation Performance in the United States
Camden Castagna-McLeod The Effect of Infector’s Age and Gender on Influenza Transmission Risk
Cara Charnogursky, M.D. Pandemic Social Distancing and Declines in Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Pneumococcus and Related-Antimicrobial Resistance Genes: Evidence from Household-Based Cohort Studies in Lima, Peru
Genevieve Delano COVID-19 Vaccination Among People Living with Diagnosed HIV in Tennessee
Gianna Ferrara Associations between household secondhand smoke exposure in the first year of life and subsequent recurrent wheezing and asthma diagnosis in childhood
Katherine Griffin Evaluating the Association of SGLT2i on Amputation, Stent Placement, or Vascular Surgery Compared to DPP4 as an Add-On Therapy: A Cohort Study in Veterans with Diabetes
Olla Hamdan Influenza-Specific Antiviral Use in Hospitalized Children Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, New Vaccine Surveillance Network (2016–2023)
Corianne Johnson The Influence of Residential Segregation, Urbanicity, and Population Density on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence among a Low Socioeconomic Population
Erica Koch, M.D. Effect of Rurality on NSAID-related Adverse Events within Veteran Emergency Departments and Urgent Cares
Brittany Lehrer, M.D. A Statewide Assessment of the Appropriateness of Pediatric Outpatient Antibiotics
Alexandra “Lexie” Lipham The Impact of State Abortion Restrictions Implemented between 2010 and 2020 on State-Level Food Insecurity
Mariam Saad, M.D. Surgical Revision Rates Following Breast Reconstruction for Breast Cancer Across Payor Type
Megan Shroder, M.D. Making a Difficult Decision Easy: Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Recurrent Diverticulitis
Jacen Wilder Criminal Justice Involvement Risk and Protective Factors for LGB Young Adults
Kaleb Wolfe, M.D. Assessing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Breakpoint Use in Tennessee
Joshua Woods Information needs of rural and Black Tennesseans eligible for inherited cancer genetic testing: Qualitatively informed policy
David Xiao, M.D. Assessing the Transportability of Radiomic Features for Pulmonary Nodule Diagnostic Models
Lauren Zaylskie Differences in Healthcare Usage, Access, and Quality Between English and Spanish-speaking Children

2023 Thesis Topics

Taylor Carty Medical mistrust and HIV testing among South Africans who consulted a traditional healer
Rohini Chakravarthy, M.D. Leveraging the Pediatric Health Information System Database to Characterize Hospital Readmissions Following Pediatric Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Ryan Dalforno The Jackson Water Crisis: A Complex Systems Approach
Robert Dambrino, M.D. The 21st Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule Affect on Unsolicited Patient Complaints
Meredith Denney Mobile Flu Fighter!: Development and implementation of a mobile vaccination initiative to reduce pediatric influenza vaccination disparities in Nashville, Tennessee
Laura Ernst Unwinding without Unraveling: State Approaches to Medicaid Redetermination When Continuous Enrollment Ends
Kelsey Gastineau, M.D. One Step Closer to Safer: Counseling Outcomes from AAP Firearm Safe Storage Education Training
Kevin Gibas, M.D. Association of delayed HIV diagnosis with demographic disparities based on geographic residence: A target for innovative screening interventions
Caroline Godfrey, M.D. Creation of a Clinically Useful High-Risk Lung Nodule Calculator
Kyle Hart Prescriptions for Non-Opioid Medications in Combination with Opioids on the Development of Persistent Opioid Use among Patients Hospitalized for Long Bone Fracture
Layan Ibrahim Childhood Epilepsy in Northern Nigeria: Comparing Epilepsy Knowledge and Trust in Providers Among Children Enrolled in the BRIDGE Trial
Sofia Ludwig Improving Relationship Empathy Among HIV+ Seroconcordant Couples in Rural Mozambique: A cluster-randomized study on the Homens Para a SaĂşde+ (HoPS+) program
Ellen McMahon, M.D. The Relationship Between Resilience and Positive Child Health Behaviors in a Large, Nationally Representative Dataset
Maria Padilla Azain, M.D. A nested case-control study of opioid analgesics and antidepressant prescriptions during pregnancy and the risk for preterm birth
Chelsea Rick, D.O. Frailty as a Predictor of Catatonia in the Critically Ill Patient
Elsa Rodriguez, M.D. Antibiotic treatment compliance among Fracture related infections in Orthopaedic trauma
Barrett Smith Assessing Bedside Nurse Pain Management Recommendations and Their Associations with Inpatient Opioid Use in Women who Have Undergone a Cesarean Birth
Allison Stranick Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Among United States Veterans: Results from a National Smoking History Survey
Jennifer Lewis, M.D., M.P.H.
Claire Umstead Comparing ICU Admission between Influenza- and SARS-CoV-2-Positive Pregnant Women in Middle Tennessee

2022 Thesis Topics

Noor Ali The Effect of Biased Language in Emergency Transfers
James Antoon, M.D., Ph.D. Factors Associated with Guideline Concordant Antiviral Use in Children at High Risk for Poor Influenza Outcomes
Katherine Black Pediatric CYP2D6 Metabolizer Status and Post-Tonsillectomy Nausea and Vomiting After Ondansetron Administration
Christina Boncyk The Impact of Increased Prescribing on ICU Survivors
Miaya Blasingame The Combined Effects of Social Determinants of Health on Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Alison Carroll Decreasing Pre-Procedural Fasting Times in Hospitalized Children
Augustine Chung The effect of movement-based disorders on long term care informal caregiver burden
Tavia Gonzalez Pena, M.D. Legal Outcomes among Postpartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder
Sarah Grossarth Infant Mortality Associated with Prenatal Opioid Exposure in Tennessee
Rachael Jameson Equity Implications of the Tennessee Fetal Assault Law
Shani Jones, M.D. Access Equity: Trust and Telemedicine Use in Diverse Pediatric Primary Care Populations
Emily Kack Incidence of Invasive Group B Strep by Census Tract Level Socioeconomic Status Among the Adult Population in TN
Rebecca Lee The Impact of Timely Access to Care on Breast Cancer Survival Among Young Black Women
Kevin Liu, M.D. A Retrospective Analysis on the Impact of an Integrated Palliative Care Approach during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kristyne Mansilla HIV Knowledge among Postpartum Women in South Africa
Cooper March Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Among United States Veterans: Results from a National Smoking History Survey
Michael Ward, M.D.,Ph.D, MBA
Hannah Marmor, M.D. Comparing ICU Admission between Influenza- and SARS-CoV-2-Positive Pregnant Women in Middle Tennessee
Marshae Nickelberry Prenatal Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Child Asthma
Alexandra Odenthal Post Discharge Opioid Prescribing and Use after Vaginal Birth
Laura Rausch, M.D. Surgical Resident Involvement in Renal Transplantation, Evaluating Anastomosis Time and Outcomes
Isaac Schlotterbeck Disparities in Loss to Follow-Up/Mortality Before vs. After Registry Linkage in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru
Daniel Tilden, M.D. Prolonged Lapses in Care Associated with Pediatric to Adult Care Transfer are Associated with Rise in HbA1c Among Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Avirath Vaidya Effects of Mixed-Income Redevelopment on Low-Income Families: Evidence from Envision Cayce
Sarah Welch, D.O. The Age-Friendly Initiative: Outcomes from Vanderbilt Acute Care for Elders Unit
Anna Wisotzkey Obstetric Provider Opioid Prescribing Perspectives after Childbirth in Tennessee, June-July 2019
Jacy Weems Federal Nursing Home Civil Monetary Penalties, 2009-2019

2021 Thesis Topics

Bentley Akoko, M.D. HIV-related stigma and psychological distress in a cohort of patients receiving anti retroviral therapy in Nigeria
Lin Ammar Third trimester electronic cigarette use and the risk of pre-term birth, low birthweight and small-for-gestational age
Laura Baum, M.D. Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, Financial Toxicity, and Health-Related Quality-of-Life in Caregivers and Young Adult Patients with New Cancer Diagnoses
Wubishet Belay, M.D. Secondary Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Ethiopia
Ryan Belcher, M.D. The Demographics and Trends of Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate Born in the State of Tennessee from 2000-2017
Mary-Margaret Fill, M.D. The Impact of Electronic Laboratory Reporting on Public Health Communicable Disease Surveillance in Tennessee
Chloe Hurley Advanced Practice Providers Improve Quality: Accountable Care Organizations Enrolled in the Medicare Shared Savings Program
Wali Johnson, M.D. The Impact of Social Determinants on Abdominal Solid Organ Transplant Wait-Lists
Ali Manouchehri, M.D. Cardiovascular toxicities associated with Ponatinib:
a pharmacovigilance study
Mina Nordness, M.D. The Impact of Surgery and Anesthesia on the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD) after Injury
Allan Peetz, M.D. Resuscitating the Dying Donation: A Qualitative Analysis of Trauma Surgeons’ Resuscitation Practices
India Pungarcher A Descriptive Analysis of Caseworker Status Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Nashville, Tennessee
Milner Staub, M.D. Veteran satisfaction and expectations for antibiotics in outpatient upper respiratory tract infections
Lindsay Sternad, M.D. Parental Primary Language, Access to Care, and Developmental Delays in Neonates
Bo Stubblefield, M.D. COVID-19 Surveillance Among Frontline Healthcare Personnel
Teris Taylor Prenatal Care Use Among Women in the 2017-2019 National Survey of Family Growth
Victoria Umutoni The association between smoking and anal human papillomavirus in the HPV in Men Study
Jasmine Walker, M.D., M.A.T. Early Impact of MISSION Act on Utilization of Veterans Affairs Transplant Centers
Ni Ketut Wilmayani, M.D., M.B.B.S. Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescriptions in United States Hospital Emergency Departments, 2011-2018

2020 Thesis Topics

Amanda Abraham Impact of Food Insecurity on Engagement in HIV Care for Female vs. Male Head of Household
Justin Banerdt Delirium Prevalence and Outcomes at a Resourced-Limited Referral Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
Edson Bernardo, M.D. Estimation of Levels and Patterns of Migration among People Living with HIV in the District of Manhiça, Southern Rural Mozambique
Sean Bloos Retrospective Multi-Center Cohort Study Comparing Timeliness of Emergency Department Care in Younger Versus Older Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Evan Butler The Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Local Economies
Keerti Dantuluri, M.D. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescription among Children Enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid
Gretchen Edwards, M.D. Assessing Quality of Colorectal Cancer Care in a National VA Cohort
Lei Fan, Ph.D., M.D. Magnesium Intake and Opioid Use in the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) 2005-2016
Mary-Margaret Fill, M.D. The Impact of Electronic Laboratory Reporting on Public Health Communicable Disease Surveillance in Tennessee
Carleigh Frazier Measuring Trust in Biomedical Research: Trust Survey Pilot Study and Validation
Hannah Griffith Changes in Time to First Occurrence of Otitis Media in Young Children in Tennessee and Associated Antibiotic Prescriptions Following the Introduction of the 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Heather Grome, M.D. Association of STI Diagnosis with Incident HIV Diagnosis: A Target for PrEP Intervention
Diane Haddad, M.D. Vertical Integration and Post Acute Care Use after Major Surgery
Sarah Homann, M.D. Select Medication Exposure and Risk of Hip Fracture in Veterans with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Arlyn Horn, Pharm.D. Initial Postpartum Opioid Exposure and Risk of Death Among TN Medicaid Opioid Naive Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Peter Hsu, M.D. Provider Network Breadth under the Affordable Care Act Between Marketplace Insurance Plans Versus Medicaid Managed Care Plans
Tamee Livermont The Effect of Substance Use on Postpartum Contraception
Alexandria Luu Traditional Healers as a Treatment Partner for PLHIV in Rural Mozambique
Muna Muday Engaging with the Community: Exploring Community Development and Program Evaluation in the Context of Health Promotion
Harriett Myers Improving Child Diet Quality through a Family-Based Behavioral Intervention for Childhood Obesity
Madelynne Myers Antipsychotic Usage and Prescribing Patterns amongst the Med-SHEDS Population Diagnosed with Dementia
Katelyn Neely, M.D. Genotype and Adverse Events During Citalopram, Escitalopram and Sertraline Treatment in Children and Adolescents
Allan Peetz, M.D. Resuscitating the Dead: A Qualitative Analysis of Trauma Surgeons’ Resuscitation Decisions for Organ Preservation
Varvara Probst, M.D. AdV Detection Alone vs. AdV Co-detected with Other Respiratory Viruses in Children with Acute Respiratory Illnesses
Sarah Rachal A Longitudinal Analysis of Relationships between Neighborhood Context and Underserved Children’s Sedentary Behavior in a Rapidly Growing City
Sonya Reid, M.B.B.S. The Role of Tumor Biology in Bridging the Survival Disparity Gap in Young Black Women with Breast Cancer
Emmanuel Sackey, M.B.Ch.B. Cervical Cancer Screening History of Davidson County Women, 2008 – 2018
Emily Sedillo Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancies in Migori County, Kenya
Sadie Sommer Comparative Review of Maternal Mortality
Fatima Yadudu Prevalence of Febrile Seizures in children between 6 and 60 months from Northern Nigeria

2019 Thesis Topics

Ben Acheampong, M.B.Ch.B Evaluation of a Miniaturized Handheld Device for Ventricular Structure and Function in Children: A Pilot Study
Jim Barclay Predictors of Increased Post-Training Knowledge among Current and Prospective Members of the HIV Clinical Workforce in the Southeast United States
Morgan Batey A Systematic Review of NCAA Concussion Management Plans
Celso Give If Ebola Were to Happen Tomorrow in Mozambique, Would We be Ready for the Various Ethical Issues Raised in the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2015?
Selorm
Dei-Tutu, M.D.
Correlating Maternal Iodine Status with Infant Thyroid Function in Two Hospital Settings in Ghana
Jennifer Erves Ph.D. Factors Influencing Parental HPV Vaccine Hesitancy from the Provider and Clinic Level: A Cross-Sectional Study
Djamila Ghafuri, M.D. Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia in Northern Nigeria
David Isaacs, M.D. Longitudinal Outcomes for Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease
Sophie Katz, M.D. An Assessment of Pediatric Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions Across Tennessee
Tom Klink Predicting Severe Illness using WHO Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) Criteria in a Jordanian Cohort
Delaney Lackey Predictors of late presentation to antenatal care among pregnant women living with HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa
Jennifer Lewis, M.D. A Difference-In-Difference Study of Low-Dose CT Utilization in the VA
Taylor Matherly Development and Assessment of a Mentoring Curriculum for Junior Faculty in Health Sciences at the University of Zambia
Lindsey McKernan, Ph.D. Patient-Centered Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
Andrew Medvecz, M.D. Long Term Outcomes Following Obstruction from Small Bowel Adhesive Disease: Longitudinal Analysis of a Statewide Database
Kelsey Minix What are the Determinants of Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration in a Group of Pregnant Hispanic Women Participating in a Research Study from 10/1/14 – 9/30/16?
Sarah Moroz The Effectiveness of a Brief ACEs Educational Intervention on Low-Income Parents at Risk for Exposing their Children to Harmful Stress
Miller Morris, M.A. Prevalence and Predictors of Interpersonal Violence Against Women in Migori County, Kenya
Didier Mugabe, M.D. Determinants of Self-Report not Receiving HIV Test Results after HIV Testing in Mozambique: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey
Sylvie Muhimpundu Racial Differences in Liver Cancer Risk
Meghana Parikh, V.M.D. Temporal and Genotypic Associations of Sporadic Acute Norovirus Gastroenteritis in an Active Surveillance System Compared to Reported Norovirus Outbreaks in Middle Tennessee
Mariah Pettapiece-Phillips Multidimensional Poverty in Migori County, Kenya: Analysis from a Population-based Household Survey
Nicole Quinones Contraception Choice of Postpartum Women in the 2011-2015 National Survey of Family Growth
Jennifer Robles, M.D. Variation in Urology Post-Operative Opioid Prescription Patterns using a National Veterans Health Administration Cohort
Laura Sartori, M.D. Pneumonia Severity in Children: Reducing Variation in Management Through Analysis of Procalcitonin
Shailja Shah, M.D. The Association of Calcium, Magnesium, and Calcium Magnesium Intakes with Incident Gastric Cancer, a Prospective Cohort Study of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study
Emily Smith, R.N. The Prevalence of Opioid Use and Factors Contributing to Opioid Therapy Among a Hospitalized Elderly Population
Maggie Smith Gender Differences in Research Participation and the Association with Perceived Health Competence
Kayla Somerville Long-term Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy on Pediatric Cohort in Latin America
Lucy Spalluto, M.D. Assessing the Impact of a Community Health Worker on Hispanic/Latina Women’s Reported Measures of Processes of Care in the Screening Mammography Setting
Jeremy Stelmack Identifying Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse in Employed Populations

2018 Thesis Topics

Rachel Apple, M.D. Relationship Between Weight Trajectory and Health-Related Quality of Life Among a General Adult Population
Sade Arinze, M.D. Immunodeficiency at the Start of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy: Data from Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Beto Arriola Vigo, M.D. Qualitative Analysis: Community Involvement in the new model of care during Mental Health Reform in Peru
Shawna Bellew, M.D. Prospective Evaluation of Indications for Obtaining Pneumococcal and Legionella Urinary Antigen Tests in Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia
Sydney Broadhead High Competition and Low Premiums—Key Components of the ACA’s Narrow Physician Networks
Emily Castellanos, M.D. Health Literacy and Healthcare Use in the Southern Community Cohort Study
Heather Ewing Knowledge of Tuberculosis is Associated with Greater Expression of Stigma in Brazil
Erin Gillaspie, M.D. Tumor Response in Patients with Advanced Stage Lung Cancer Treated with Immunotherapy
Birdie Hutton Evaluation of behavioral, environmental and genetic risk factors for gastric cancer: a population-based study in Central America
Chelsea Isom, M.D. Does Increased Arachidonic Acid Levels Lead to an Increased Risk for Colorectal Adenoma?
Justin Liberman, M.D. Post-Discharge Opioid Prescriptions and Their Association with Healthcare Utilization in the VICS Cohort
Salesio Macuacua, M.D. Assessment of the Determinants of Non-adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy during Pregnancy in the District of Manhiça, Mozambique
Adoma Manful Latent TB Among Refugees in Middle Tennessee
Cassie Oliver Substance Use and Post-Partum Retention in Care among Women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Prenatal Care at the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic, 1999-2016
Mindy Pike Effects of Social Support on Physical and Mental Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients: The Vanderbilt Inpatient Cohort Study (VICS)
Juanita Prieto Garcia, M.D. Determinants of Full Immunization in Children under Five Years Old in the Rongo Sub-County of Migori County, Kenya
J.W. Randolph Addressing Parenting Related Adverse Childhood Experiences (‘PRACES’) in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting
Lauren Sanlorenzo, M.D. Identifying Severe Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Among Polysubstance Exposed Infants
Joey Starnes Reduction in Under-Five Mortality in the Rongo Sub-County of Migori County, Kenya: Experience of the Lwala Community Alliance 2007-2017 with Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey
Rui Wang, M.Ed. Risk Factors for Depression among Women in Rural Western Kenya and
Implications for Designing Future Surveys
Hannah Weber Food Insecurity Among Older Adults

2017 Thesis Topics

Julia Allen Diabetes Services Utilization under the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion: Evidence from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Frances Anderson Evaluation of the Minnesota TB Screening Program: Immigrants and Refugees with TB Class conditions Arriving in the State of Minnesota, 2012-2014
Jimmy Carlucci, M.D. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Malaria among Children in Zambezia Province, Mozambique
Alaina Davis, M.D. Depression and Medication Non-Adherence in Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Cherie Fathy Ophthalmologist Age and Patient Complaints
Grace Fletcher Maternal Conception of Gestational Weight Gain Among Latinas: A Qualitative Study
Sarah Greenberg Evaluation of the Home Health Market: Impact of Chain Status on Quality Care
Aamer Imdad, M.B.B.S. Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) As Cause Of Acute, Moderate To Severe Gastroenteritis In A Geographically Defined Pediatric Population In Colombia, South America. A Case Control Study
Kailey Lewis Variation in Tennessee Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing by County of Practice and Provider Specialty in 2013
Katie McGinnis An Exploratory Investigation Into Parent/Caregiver and Hospital Staff Perceptions About Children and Families’ Psychosocial Needs and Hospital Experiences in Two Kenyan Children’s Hospitals
Rany Octaria, M.D. Using Administrative and Surveillance Data to Target Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Response and Prevention Strategies in Tennessee
Ezequiel Ossemane Assessment of Guardians’ One-Day Recall of Elements of Informed Consent to a Mozambican Study of Pediatric Bacteremia
Caroline Presley, M.D. Validation of an Algorithm to Identify Heart Failure Hospitalization and Retrospective Assessment of Frailty Status
Jason Pryor, M.D. Pregnancy Intention and Maternal Alcohol Consumption
Markus Renno, M.D. Toward High-Value Utilization of Pediatric Echocardiography: Foundations for a Robust Quality Improvement Initiative
Kidane Amare Sarko Influence of HIV Status Disclosure on Facility-based Delivery and Postpartum Retention of Mothers in a Prevention Clinical Trial in Rural Nigeria
Cassie Smith Evaluating the Frequency and Dispersion of ACOs with Multiple Payer Contracts
Shanel Tage Determinants of Breastfeeding Self Efficacy Among Mexican Immigrant Women
Grace Umutesi Evaluation of the Impact of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak on the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance Programs of Guinea and Liberia
Christopher Wahlfeld, Ph.D. HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test Inventories in Zambézia Province, Mozambique: A Tale of Two Test Kits
Katherine Watson, M.D. Measuring Health Literacy in Parents of Young Children

2016 Thesis Topics

Lealani Acosta, M.D. Error Frequency in Category Fluency in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Jillian Balser Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Long-term Outcomes in Vulnerable Populations: Retrospective Analysis
Mary Bayham Predictors of Healthcare Utilization Among Children 6-59 months in Zambezia Province, Mozambique
Angela Boehmer, R.N. Patient and Clinician Satisfaction with Task Shifting of Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) Services in rural North-Central Nigeria
Mariu Carlo, M.D. Executive Function, Depression, and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life in Survivors of Critical Illness
Erin Graves, R.N. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) outcomes in Zambézia, Mozambique
Erin Hamilton Evaluation of a School Nutrition Education and Fruit Delivery Intervention in Santiago, Chile
Bryan Harris, M.D. Preventing Infection-Related Ventilator-Associated Complications
Jessica Hinshaw Food Security and Dietary Diversity of a Peri-urban Community in Nicaragua
Savannah Hurt Pediatric Perioperative Mortality Rates in a Sample of Urban Kenyan Hospitals
Mary Allyson Lowry, M.D. An Innovative Mucosal Impedance Device Differentiates Active Eosinophilic Esophagitis From Inactive Disease, Nerd, and Controls
Joseph Maloney Microenterprise in Croix-des-bouquets, Haiti: Program Evaluation to Evaluate Affects on Poverty and Health
Brett Norman, M.D. 30-day Readmission Rates Associated with Survivors of Severe Sepsis
Bhinnata Piya An Early Impact Assessment of Health Systems Strengthening Initiatives on Tuberculosis Outcomes: A 6 Month Prospective Cohort Study in Southeast Liberia
Nicholas Richardson, D.O. Adverse Health Outcomes of Contemporary Survivors of Childhood & Adolescent Hodgkin Lymphoma
Caitlin Ridgewell Prematurity as a mitigating factor in the relationship of adverse family events and adolescent depression: Analysis of the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health
Althea Robinson-Shelton, M.D. Problem Behaviors in Pediatric Narcolepsy
Emily Sheldon Strategic Planning with the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures at Vanderbilt University
Shellese Shemwell Vaccine and Vitamin A Compliance in Children Ages 12-13 months in Zambezia Province
Thomas Spain, Jr, M.D. History of Physician Complaints and Risk of Hospital Readmission
Krystal Tsosie, M.A. Epidemiology of Essential Hypertension and Uterine Fibroids
Zachary Willis, M.D. Risk Factors for Persistent and Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection among Pediatric Oncology Patients
Jo Ellen Wilson, M.D. Catatonic Signs in Patients with Delirium in the ICU: A nested prospective cohort study
Kathleene Wooldridge, M.D. Social Isolation and Hospital Length of Stay in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

2015 Thesis Topics

Amma Bosompem, M.S. Evaluation of Treatment Completion Rates for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Refugees in Davidson County
Mary DeAgostino-Kelly Analysis of Sex Differences within the Nutritional Support for Africans Starting Antiretroviral Therapy Study Results
Annabelle de St. Maurice, M.D. Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Tennessee: Regional Differences in Rates, Racial Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility
Jay Doss, M.D. A Study of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Serotype in a Clinical Electronic Health Record
Najibah Galadanci, M.B.B.S. Acceptability and Safety of Hydroxyurea for Primary Prevention of Stroke in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria
Dupree Hatch, M.D. Endotracheal Intubation Safety and Outcomes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Caleb Hayes A Focus Group Study on the Barriers to Type 2 Diabetes Self-management among Latinos in Middle Tennessee
Colleen Kiernan, M.D. Utilization of Radioiodine After Thyroid Lobectomy In Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Does it Change Outcomes?
Sahar Kohanim, M.D. Risk Factors and Patterns of Unsolicited Patient Complaints in Ophthalmology: an Analysis of a Large National Patient Complaint Registry
Kristy Kummerow, M.D. Inter-hospital Transfer for Acute Surgical Care: Does Delay Matter?
Paula McIntyre, M.S. Multidimensional Poverty in Dominican Bateyes: A Metric for Targeting Public Health Interventions
Alicia Morgans, M.D. Patient-Centered Treatment Decision-Making in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Thomas O’Lynnger, M.D. Standardizing the Initial and ICU Management of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Improves Outcomes at Discharge: A Pre- and Post-Implementation Comparison Study
Cristin Quinn Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Care Provided at HIV Care and Treatment Programs in the IeDEA Collaboration from 2009 to 2014
Scott Revey, M.A. Women’s Agency in Rural Mozambique: Multidimensional Poverty and The Decision to Bear Children
Katie Rizzone, M.D. Development of a Survey to Study Sports Specialization and Injury Risk in College Athletes
Elizabeth Rose, M.Ed. Determinants of undernutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months in rural Zambézia Province, Mozambique: Results of a population-based cross-sectional survey
Jay Shah, D.O. Association Between Disease Activity and Fatigue in Adolescents with Crohn’s Disease
Ebele Umeukeje, M.B.B.S. Increasing Autonomous Motivation in End Stage Renal Disease to Enhance Phosphate Binder Adherence
Andrew Wu Incidence and Risk Factors for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Metapneumovirus Infections Among Children in the Remote Highlands of Peru

2014 Thesis Topics

Jay Bala Diagnostic trends in rural health clinics in Southern, Zambia, 2003-2009: Informatics for clinic data management
Imani Brown Positive prevention in Zambézia province, Mozambique: How effective/useful is the messaging?
Charlotte Buehler, M.S. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine spatial patterns and clustering of HIV knowledge withing three districts of Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Lanla Conteh, M.D. Radiologic-Histologic concordance for hepatocellular carcinoma: comparing lesions treated with locoregional therapy versus untreated lesions
Liz Dancel, M.D. Acculturation and Infant Feeding Styles in a Latino Population: Results from an Ongoing Randomized Controlled Trial of Obesity Prevention
Eileen Duggan, M.D. Patterns of Care, Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization for Patients with Perforated Appendicitis at Children’s Hospitals
Laura Edwards Evaluation of a health management mentoring program in rural Mozambique: successes and challenges of year one of implementation
Ditah Fausta, M.D. Pharmacogenomics of Anti-Retroviral Drug-Induced Hepatoxicity
Monique Foster, M.D. Prevalence of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Analysis of Classical and Non-Classical Virulence Factors
Oliver Gunter, M.D. Teaching Status is Associated with Early Postoperative Complications in Emergency Abdominal Operations
Bill Heerman, M.D. Parent Health Literacy and Injury Prevention Behaviors for Infants
Angela Horton-Henderson, M.D. Predictors of Acute Care Transfers from Inpatient Rehabilitation
Jessica Islam Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Cervical Cancer and the HPV Vaccine in a Cohort of Bangladeshi Women
Yaa Kumah-Crystal, M.D., M.A. Technology Use for Self-Management Problem Solving in Adolescent Diabetes and its Relationship to Hba1C
Chrispine Moyo, M.B.Ch.B. WHO 2007 Policy Recommendation to Initiate Anti-Retroviral Therapy with Tenofovir instead of Stavudine: Implementation Status in Zambia and 12-months Outcome Evaluation
Elizabeth Murphy Youth Violence Prevention in the Sierra Region of Chiapas, Mexico; Identifying Relevant Positive Youth Development Approaches to Promote Healthy Relationships
Christopher Nyirenda, M.B.Ch.B. Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Zambian Adults with HIV/AIDS: Relation to Dietary Intake and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Colby Passaro MSM HIV/Syphilis Testing and Sexual Risk Behaviors at a Lima CBO: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study
Heather Paulin, M.D. Antenatal Care Uptake in Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Matthew Resnick, M.D. Self-referral for Advanced Imaging in Urolithiasis: Implications for Utilization and Quality of Care
Cecelia Theobald, M.D. Improving Quality of Care for Patients Transferred to VUH: Targeting Provider Communication
Christopher Tolleson, M.D. Motor Timing in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Freezing of Gait
Yuri van der Heijden, M.D. Missed Opportunities for Tuberculosis Screening in Pediatric Primary Care
Ellen Zheng, PhD, M.S. HIV infection and related risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) with commercial sex activities in China

2013 Thesis Topics

Dwayne Dove, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroimaging Young School-Age Children: Brain Connectivity and Pre-Reading Skills in Kindergarten
Leigh Howard, M.D. A Phase I Study in Healthy Adults to Assess the Safety, Reactogenicity, and Immunogenicity of Influenza A/H5N1 Virus Vaccine Administered With and Without Adjuvant System 03
Eiman Jahangir, M.D. The Socioeconomic and Sociodemographic Determinants to Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in the Southern Cone
Ashley Karpinos, M.D. Prevalence of Hypertension Among Collegiate Male Athletes
Pat Keegan, M.D. Patterns of Care Regarding Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
Dzifaa Lotsu, M.D. Role of Omega Fatty Acids in Colorectal Cancer
Andre Marshall, M.D. Socioeconomic Disparities of 30-day Readmissions Following Surgical Treatment of Appendicitis in Children
Leigh Anne Dageforde, M.D. Health Literacy Assessment in Dyads of Primary Support Persons and Patients being Evaluated for Kidney Transplantation
Rebecca Snyder, M.D. Patterns of Care in Perioperative Therapy for Resectable Gastric Cancer
Jose Tique, M.D. Assessing Literacy and Numeracy in Patients with HIV Infection in Mozambique: Validation of the HIV Literacy Test
Eduard Vasilevskis, M.D. Developing a Daily Prediction Model for Acute Brain Dysfunction in Older Patients: A New Tool for Quality Measurement and Improvement
Joshua Warolin, D.O. Factors in Adolescent Weight Gain, a Prospective Cohort
Candice Williams, M.D. Rural Residence and Access to Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents after a Suicide Attempt
Elizabeth Williams, M.D. Educational Intervention to Improve Acceptance of the Recommended Childhood Vaccine Schedule in Vaccine Hesitant Parents
Jessica Young, M.D. Severe Dysmenorrhea in Adolescence and its Association with Somatization, Mood Symptoms, and Chronic Pain

2012 Thesis Topics

Alex Diamond, D.O. Determining the effects of participation in organized physical activity as a youth on a variety of short as well as long-term patient and societal-oriented outcome measures
Richard Epstein, Ph.D. Sudden cardiac death risk and psychotropic drug use in young women
Jennifer Esbenshade, M.D. Surveillance of influenza shedding in healthcare workers in a pediatric intensive care unit
Sara Horst, M.D. Evaluating a cohort of patients diagnosed with different chronic abdominal pain syndromes as children or adolescents now being evaluated as young adults
Tera Howard, M.D. Health literacy defined as the degree to which patients can obtain, process and understand basic health information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions
Matthew Landman, M.D. Effects of organ allocation strategies in liver transplantation
Christopher Lee, M.D. Development of muscle imaging as a biomarker in amyotropic lateral sclerosis
Alessandro Morandi, M.D. The role of pre-hospital use of statins on delirium and long-term cognitive impairment prevention in critically ill patients
Wesley Self, M.D. Comparing the results of a real-time polymerase chair reaction (PCR) test targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and culture results from purulent material isolated from skin and soft tissue (SST) abscesses
Julia Shelton, M.D. Effects of wound classification on the incidence of abdominal wall incisional hernias
Anees Siddiqui, M.B.B.S. Preventing HIV/AIDS transmission among female sex workers (FSWs)in Nawabshah, Sindh by assessing prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission
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Changes in Access to Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted are having a profound impact on a major goal of public healthcare systems: universal access to health services. The objective is to synthesize the available knowledge on access to health care for non-COVID-19 conditions and to identify knowledge gaps. A scoping review was conducted searching different databases (Medline, Google Scholar, etc.) for original articles published between December 2019 and September 2021. A total of 53 articles were selected and analyzed using the Aday and Andersen framework as a guide. Of these, 37 analyzed changes in levels of use of health services, 15 focused on the influencing factors and barriers to access, and 1 studied both aspects. Most focused on specific diseases and the early stages of the pandemic, based on a review of records. Analyses of the impact on primary care services’ use, unmet needs or inequalities in access were scarce. A generalized reduction in the use of health services was described. The most frequent access barrier described for non-COVID-19 conditions related to the services was a lack of resources, while barriers related to the population were predisposing (fear of contagion, stigma, or anticipating barriers) and enabling characteristics (worse socioeconomic status and an increase in technological barriers). In conclusion, our results show a general reduction in services’ use in the early stages of the pandemic, as well as new barriers to access and the exacerbation of existing ones. In view of these results, more studies are required on the subsequent stages of the pandemic, to shed more light on the factors that have influenced access and the pandemic’s impact on equity of access.

1. Introduction

The pandemic due to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), a novel virus initially reported in December 2019 [ 1 ], was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. It has had an adverse effect worldwide on many different spheres of society, including the economy and public health. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the diverse strategies that have been adopted to tackle it are forcing changes in access to health services for other conditions, potentially producing an impact on the health of the population above and beyond that caused by COVID-19 itself [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].

In this regard, some strategies taken to combat soaring COVID-19 infection rates may have negatively affected access to health services for other conditions. Firstly, at the health services level, one of the most influential measures was the classification of services as essential or non-essential, following WHO guidelines, which allowed resources to be redirected to the pandemic response. However, this has also caused cancellations or delays in elective and non-urgent procedures [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], despite many countries implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of these disruptions (e.g., online healthcare visits) [ 4 , 5 ], Another significant measure was social distancing to reduce interaction between people, including nationwide partial or complete lockdowns, schools and non-essential business closures, and instructions to stay at home, which in some cases has erected a barrier in terms of mobility to entry the health services [ 8 ].

Another indirect effect of the pandemic, the economic crisis stemming from the substantial curtailment of economic activity, and the ensuing rise in unemployment and loss of household income, have aggravated associated access barriers (loss of health coverage, difficulties in making copayments or obtaining transport to services), thereby accentuating existing inequalities in access, as studies on previous economic crises have shown [ 9 ]. Although it is necessary to evaluate which population groups have been particularly affected in terms of access to care and how the determining factors interact with each other, there are some signs—including early evidence and experiences from previous crises—to indicate that vulnerable population groups (populations with low socioeconomic status, the elderly, chronic patients or those with severe conditions, migrants from low-income countries) suffer a greater impact [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].

In short, as in other epidemics and previous outbreaks, the health repercussions of the current pandemic are not confined solely to COVID-19 infection and mortality. They also include indirect negative effects on healthcare access and on the quality of curative and preventive care provided for other conditions, and the exacerbation of difficulties and barriers related to socioeconomic factors [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The scientific evidence accumulated from previous experiences, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS (2002–2003), Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS (2012), Ebola (2014–2016; 2018–present), and the Zika virus (2015–2016) [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], shows a decrease in the utilization of health services (e.g. outpatient care, hospital admissions, elective surgeries [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]) that is attributed to changes made to the health services in response to public health emergencies, as well as to fear of contagion among the population [ 21 , 24 ]. This may in turn have had an impact on increasing the burden of disease and mortality in the months following an epidemic outbreak [ 6 , 20 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].

While a plethora of scientific papers have been published on COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, studies on its impact on access to health services have not been so plentiful. A few literature reviews have been found that summarize changes in health services due to the pandemic, focusing mainly on the adoption of telemedicine [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] and the impact of the pandemic on different aspects, among others, the use of certain specific services, such as maternal and child health care [ 33 ], child vaccination [ 34 ], or chronic diseases [ 35 , 36 ], in the initial stages of the pandemic. Although we are still at the pandemic management stage, a synthesis of the scientific evidence accumulated to date on the impact on access to health care in different contexts, in addition to detailed monitoring of the performance of services, may help decision makers to make healthcare systems more resilient in current and future emergencies and protect public health and access to health care.

Access to care involves many highly interdependent factors and stakeholders at play [ 37 ]. This study takes as its framework of reference one of the most frequently used models for the analysis of access to health services [ 38 ], that of Aday and Andersen [ 39 ]. This model distinguishes between realized access (effective utilization of the services) and potential access (determinants of access), differentiating between factors related to the services and to the population. The realized access analysis takes into account the type, place, motive of the visit (preventive or curative), and care outcomes, while potential access analysis takes into account the characteristics of the services (availability of resources and organization) and those of the population (predisposing factors: sociodemographic factors, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of the health system; enabling factors: income and type of insurance; health needs). Health policies, programs, or interventions can in turn affect access barriers related to the health services or changing (mutable) characteristics of the population [ 39 , 40 ]. Aday and Andersen’s framework is more comprehensive and exhaustive than other analytical models [ 41 , 42 , 43 ], which focus either on the entry to health services or on the characteristics of services and how they adjust to the characteristics of the population. Thus, it offers an appropriate approach for identifying existing knowledge gaps in the literature on access and to analyzing different types of barriers and factors that influence the use of health services.

The aim of this article is to synthesize the knowledge accrued from the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 through to September 2021 on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health services (including primary care, outpatient secondary care, and inpatient care) for non-COVID-related conditions, and to identify knowledge gaps on these subjects.

2. Materials and Methods

A scoping review of the scientific literature [ 44 ] was carried out, following the PRISMA guide [ 45 ], to identify original articles on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health services for non-COVID-related conditions.

In our bibliographic search, several digital databases were consulted to minimize the risk of overlooking any relevant studies: Medline, Google Scholar, SCiELO, and Web of Science. The search was performed over two separate periods: 22 January 2021–31 March 2021 and 22 September 2021–10 October 2021. In the Medline database, using a thesaurus, MeSH terms were employed for: (a) COVID-19: “Coronavirus Infections”, “Coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”; (b) access to health services: “Health services availability”, “Health services needs and demand”, “Healthcare disparities”, “Needs assessment, healthcare”, “Health policy”, “Equipment and Supplies Utilization”, “Facilities and Services Utilization” (see Appendix A for more detail). In the other databases free text terms were used: (a) COVID-19: “coronavirus disease”, “COVID-19”; (b) access to health services: “health services accessibility”, “accessibility”, “accessing”, “access”, “utilization”, “delivery of health care”, “healthcare services”, among others. Word groups were combined using Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” in order to identify the literature in the databases consulted and select those studies referring to the impact of COVID-19 on access to health services. The search was complemented with a manual review of references cited within the selected articles.

We selected original articles published in Spanish or English from December 2019 to September 2021—with no filters for geographical area or motive for access (apart from being unrelated to COVID-19)—that used qualitative and/or quantitative methods and analyzed or described changes in access to health services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial selection of studies to review was performed through title and abstract screening. Where there was any doubt about whether to include a study, this was discussed with another researcher in the team.

Following Aday and Andersen’s framework [ 39 , 40 ], the selected studies were classified into two groups: those that analyzed utilization of services (realized access) and those that explored factors that influence access (potential access). Any studies on realized access that did not use medical records, administrative/institutional databases, or patient surveys as their data source were excluded. A data extraction protocol was produced to include information related to methodological aspects (methods, period of analysis, study area, population, sample, type of health service) and study results (according to the variables or dimensions of analysis). This information was extracted from the articles and presented in tables, grouped according to type of access, and ordered by type of health service. The results were summarized according to the analytical framework, which was also used to identify any gaps in knowledge related to the aspects studied.

From the search results, 242 articles were identified for title and abstract screening, and 95 for full-text review. A total of 53 articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis ( Figure 1 ).

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Flow chart of study selection process.

Of the 53 articles selected, 37 analyzed changes in realized access applying quantitative methods [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ], through the analysis of medical records ( Table 1 ), 8 analyzed changes in potential access [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 ] via surveys of different population groups, except for one that did the same via analysis of medical records [ 90 ] ( Table 2 ), 7 used qualitative methods to analyze the impact on potential access [ 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ] ( Table 3 ), and, finally, 1 study analyzed changes in both realized and potential access [ 98 ] using mixed methods (analysis of medical records and semi-structured interviews). Only six of the studies that explored changes in potential access included professionals from the health centers analyzed as a study population, [ 87 , 89 , 92 , 93 , 97 , 98 ], while the rest focused on patients or the general population.

Changes in the utilization of health services and influencing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

First Author, YearData SourceStudy AreaStudy Population and SampleStudy PeriodHealth ServiceMain Results
Abebe, 2021Medical records from Tikur Anbessa Specialized HospitalEthiopiaFollow-up visits ( = 7717) and admissions ( = 3310) between December 2018–June 2019 and follow-up visits ( = 4597) and admissions ( = 2383) between December 2019–June 2020December–June 2018–2019 vs. 2019–2020General Reduction in follow-up visits (40%) and admissions (28%) from March 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. Visits reduced especially among patients receiving renal, neurological, cardiac, and antiretroviral treatment (68–51.4%). No significant changes were observed among pediatric and adult admissions.
Howarth, 2021Private health insurer claims recordsUnited Kingdom (UK)Claims to private health centers in the United Kingdom ( = aggregated data) January 2018–August 2020GeneralReduction in healthcare claims in general (70%) from March 2020 (lockdown), undergoing an increase over the following months without reaching the pre-pandemic levels. Visits in mental health differed from the general pattern, with increased utilization (20%) compared to previous years.
Siedner, 2020Africa Health Research Institute Demographic Health Surveillance SystemKwaZulu Natal, South AfricaVisit to rural clinics ( = 46,523) January–March vs. March–April vs. May–June 2018 vs. 2019 vs. 2020GeneralReduction in the number of childcare visits (50%), including preventive procedures, and sustained utilization of HIV services and adult outpatient clinics during the national lockdown (March–June 2020), compared to the previous periods. No significant changes were observed at a general level in the use of services. Childcare visits recovered over the following three months to pre-lockdown levels.
Whaley, 2020Aggregate data on health insurance claimsUnited States of America (USA)Population with health insurance in 2018 ( = 5.6 million), 2019 ( = 6.4 million), and 2020 ( = 6.8 million)January–February and March–April 2018 vs. 2019 vs. 2020GeneralReduction in the utilization of a number of preventive services, elective procedures, and in-person office visits (different values according to the type of service or procedure) in March and April 2020. No significant changes in emergency care, maternal health, or medication prescription were observed. Utilization of telemedicine visits increased.
Associated factors (AF): patients living in poor areas and most ethnic/racialized minorities were less likely to experience a reduction in in-person visits but also to have fewer visits of telemedicine.
Zhang, 2020Aggregate data on China UnionPay Healthcare bank transactionsChinaHealth care transactions ( = 300 million) January–March 2019 vs. December 2019–February 2020 vs. November 2019–April 2020GeneralReduction in daily expenditure on health (37.8%) and in number of visits to health services (40.8%) from January 2020.
AF: higher probability of utilization of health services was associated with cities with lower rates of COVID-19 cases, less strict measures, and not located in the western region of the country.
Ojetti, 2020Medical records from an urban tertiary teaching hospitalItalyAdmissions to the emergency department (ED) ( = 16,281)February–March 2019 vs. 2020EDReduction in ED admissions (37.6%) for several diseases in 2020 compared to 2019. There was an increase in triage emergency levels for ED admissions and in hospitalization rates (different values according to the type of admission).
Mahmassani, 2021Administrative records of the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical CenterBeirut, LebanonED visits, between November 2019–February 2020 ( = 16,271) and February–May 2020 ( = 8587)November 2019–February 2020 vs. February–May 2020EDReduction in general (47.2%) and pediatric (66.6%) ED visits from February 2020, compared to previous months.AF: higher probability of utilization was associated with elderly patients and those who required hospital admission and/or critical care, with a higher mortality rate, and with non-communicable diseases and bacterial infections.
Cano-Valderrama, 2020Medical records from 3 hospitalsSpainPatients who underwent emergency surgery in 2019 ( = 285) and 2020 ( = 117)May–April 2019 vs. 2020ED (Acute Surgery Care)Reduction in surgeries (58.9%) during lockdown (March–May 2020). Longer waiting time between the onset of symptoms and arrival at the emergency room and a greater number of complications (especially in elective procedures) were observed.
Sokolski, 2021Medical records from cardiology departments of 15 health centers in 12 countries15 centers in 12 European countries and USAPatients admitted to the emergency and cardiology departments ( = 54,331) March–April 2019 vs. 2020ED (cardiology)Reduction in patient admissions (IRR 0.68) in 2020, compared to 2019, across the various pathologies treated (different levels of reduction that vary from IRR 0.66–0.68).
Tsioufis, 2020Medical records from a tertiary General HospitalAthens, GreeceVisits to the Emergency Cardiology Department and admissions to Cardiology Wards and Intensive Care Unit ( = aggregated data) January–April 2018 vs. 2019 vs. 2020ED (cardiology)Reduction in visits to the emergency cardiology department during March (41.1%) and April (32.7%) 2020, compared to previous periods.
Ball, 2020Aggregate data on hospital activity from 9 NHS hospitalsUKAdmissions and visits to ED for cardiovascular disease October 2018–May 2019: admissions ( = 599,372) and ED visits ( = 506,516); October 2019–May 2020: admissions ( = 513,703) and ED visits ( = 435,653) October–May 2018–2019 vs. 2019–2020ED (cardiovascular diseases)Reduction in admissions (57.9%) and ED visits (52.9%) from March 2020, compared to the previous period.
Choi, 2021Medical records from 6 hospitalsSouth KoreaPatients under 18 years of age seen in pediatric ED ( = aggregated data) January 2017–November 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in pediatric ED visits (43.6%) in 2020 compared to previous years, although a significantly increased proportion of visits for injuries (9.4%) during the COVID-19 outbreak.
AF: higher probability of use was associated with male patients.
Dopfer, 2020Medical records from the University Hospital of HannoverHanover, GermanyPediatric ED visits ( = 5424) January–April 2019 vs. 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in pediatric ED visits (63.8%) from lockdown in 2020.
AF: higher probability of using services was associated with patients under one year of age and cases requiring hospitalization, although not with intensive care admissions.
Finkelstein, 2021Medical records from the Pediatric Emergency Research NetworkCanadaPatients under 18 years of age who attended the ED in 2018 ( = 211,085), 2019 ( = 207,673), and 2020 ( = 159,049)January 2018–January 2020 vs. January–March 2020 vs. March–April 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in weekly pediatric ED visits (58%), in re-visits (55%), in visits to trauma (increase in proportion of total visits), and to mental health (56 to 60% depending on the age group) from March 2020, compared to previous years. Increase in the proportion of ward (OR 1.39) and ICU (OR 1.2) admissions.
Goldman, 2020Medical records from 18 pediatric emergency departmentsBritish Columbia, CanadaPediatric ED visits (0–16 years): March–April 2019 ( = 22,654); December 2019–January 2020 ( = 31,525); January–March 2020 ( = 26,654); March–April 2020 ( = 7535)March–April 2019 vs. December 2019–January 2020 vs. January–March 2020 vs. March–April 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in visits to pediatric emergencies (57 to 70%), especially during the peak of the pandemic (March–April 2020), compared to previous periods. Admission proportion almost doubled (4% pre-pandemic to 7% during the peak pandemic period). Average acuity of illness was higher during the pandemic period.
Percul, 2021Medical records from the Italian Hospital of Buenos AiresBuenos Aires, ArgentinaPatients under 18 years of age treated for appendicitis in 2019 ( = 117) and 2020 ( = 50)March–August 2019 vs. 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in appendicitis admissions (25%) in 2020 compared to 2019, with no significant differences in the mean time to consultation. An increase in peritonitis cases was observed, although the incidence of complications decreased (not significant in both cases).
Yamamoto, 2021Medical records from the Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical CenterTokyo, JapanPatients under 18 years of age seen in pediatric ED between January–September 2017–2019 (mean = 26,948 *) and January–September 2020 ( = 15,998)January–September 2017–2019 vs. 2020ED (pediatrics)Reduction in pediatric ED visits (40.6%) in 2020 compared to previous periods, with an increase in the proportion of visits for exogenous causes (6.6% vs 3%). Visits increased slightly as of May until September2020, without reaching levels of previous years.
Kute, 2021Medical records from the Kidney Disease Institute and Research CenterIndiaPatients treated in kidney disease services in 2019 ( = 109,572) and 2020 ( = 87,714)January 2019–December 2020SC: nephrologyReduction in visits and admissions, transplants, and other elective procedures (different values according to the type of service or procedure) in 2020, compared to 2019. Slight increase in activity between July and October, without reaching previous levels, with a further reduction starting in November 2020.
Morris, 2021NHS population-based datasetsUKPatients referred for suspected or diagnosed colorectal cancer ( = monthly average mean) January–December 2019 vs. January–October 2020SC: oncologyReduction in the monthly number of referrals for suspected cancer (63%) and for treatment (22%), colonoscopies (92%), and surgeries (31%) from April 2020, compared to 2019 and the preceding months. Relative increase in radiotherapy use (44%) due to increased use of short-course regimens. Monthly rate of referrals and other procedures returned to 2019 levels by October 2020.
Pareek, 2021Medical records from the Gujarat Cancer Research InstituteGujarat, IndiaCancer patients visits to the oncology department between January–March ( = 4363) and March–May ( = 895) 2020January–March vs. March–May 2020SC: oncologyReduction in visits from lockdown (different values according to the type of cancer) in March 2020, compared to the previous months.
Shi, 2021Medical records from 13 pediatric tertiary cardiac centersChinaPatients who underwent cardiac surgery in 2018 ( = 19,398), 2019 ( = 19,620) and 2020 ( = 4740)January–April 2018 vs. 2019 vs. 2020SC: pediatric surgeryReduction in the total surgical volume median (25 cases) compared to 2018 (148 cases) and 2019 (158 cases). Increase in the proportion of emergency operations (6.3%) during 2020, compared to previous years. Increase in patients followed-up via the internet or phone (26.4% in 2020 vs 9.5% and 8.9% in 2019 and 2018).
Ambrosetti, 2021Medical records from the University Hospital of GenevaGeneva, SwitzerlandAdmissions to the psychiatric ED from April to May 2016 ( = 702) and 2020 ( = 579)April–May 2016 vs. 2020SC: psychiatryReduction in admissions (17.5%) in psychiatric ED in 2020 compared to 2016.
AF: the probability to be admitted was more associated with severe psychopathologies and single patients, who arrived by ambulance, with suicidal behaviors, behavioral disorders, and psychomotor agitation, and were more likely to be involuntarily hospitalized after consultation in ED.
Aragona, 2020Medical records from the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty ItalyPatients in a vulnerable situation who received at least one psychiatric intervention from February ( = 286) or March ( = 269) from 2017 to 2020 February–March 2017 vs. 2018. vs. 2019 vs. 2020SC: psychiatryReduction in visits (46.6%) to mental health in March 2020. Follow-up visits of patients from February to March decreased more (17.5% patients), compared to previous years (30% patients).
Jesenšek, 2021Medical records from the Institute of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationSloveniaPatients referred to rehabilitation in 2019 ( = 4132) and 2020 ( = 2317)March–August 2019 vs. 2020SC: rehabilitationReduction in the global volume of patients (44%), first visits (42%), and follow-ups (60.9%), as well as number of sessions (71.1%), from lockdown in March 2020, compared to 2019.
Farrugia, 2021Medical records from Mater Dei HospitalMaltaAdmissions for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2019 ( = 259) and 2020 ( = 119)March–May 2019 vs. 2020SC: respiratory diseasesReduction in admissions (54.2%) in 2020 compared to 2019. Increase in the mortality of admitted patients (19.3% vs. 8.4%).
Burt, 2021Medical records from Kawempe National Referral HospitalKawempe, UgandaVisits to antenatal ( = 14,401), maternal health ( = 33,499), childcare ( = 111,658) and SRH ( = 57,174) services July 2019–December 2020SC: sexual and reproductive health (SRH) (antenatal, maternal, pediatrics, and family planning)Reduction in antenatal, childcare, and family planning visits, as well as hospital deliveries (different values according to the type of service or procedure), during the lockdown months (March–June 2020), compared to previous months, without clear subsequent recovery. Increase in pregnancy complications and fetal and infant outcomes.
Das Neves, 2021Medical records from Marrere Health Center and monthly official statistics from the Ministry of HealthNampula, MozambiqueVisits to SRH services ( = aggregated data) March–May 2019 and 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in family planning visits (28%), elective C-sections (28%), first antenatal visits (26%), hospital deliveries (4%) (increase in out-of-hospital deliveries by 74%), and child vaccination (20%). Only hospital deliveries drops were statistically significant.
Jensen and McKerrow, 2020Medical records from the KwaZulu-Natal District Health Information SystemKwaZulu-Natal district, South AfricaVisits to child health services (aggregated data) January 2018–June 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in clinical visits (36%), hospital admissions (50%), delivery of services (from 6% to 54% depending on the service) in children under 5 years of age from March 2020. Modest increase in clinic visits as of May 2020, without reaching levels of preceding years. Among delivery of services, immunization coverage increased almost to pre-pandemic levels.
Justman, 2020Medical records from a tertiary referral centerHaifa, IsraelPregnant women ( = aggregated data) March–April 2019–2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in visits (from 18.1% to 36.4% according to the type of visit), deliveries (17.1%) and admissions (22.3%) to the obstetrics and gynecology department in 2020 compared to 2019. No significant changes were observed in the rate of C-sections, although a greater number of vaginal births during the outbreak (16.7% in 2020 vs. 6.8% in 2019), between the two periods.
KC, 2020Data collected from a prospective observational study in 9 hospitals (SUSTAIN and REFINE studies)NepalPregnant women ( = 21,763)January–March vs. March–May 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in hospital deliveries (52.4%), especially vaginal births, from lockdown in March 2020. Increase in preterm births (24.5% before lockdown vs. 26.2% during lockdown), neonatal deaths (13 per 1000 livebirths vs. 40 per 1000 livebirths) and women admitted with complications during labor (6.7% vs. 8.7%, not statistically significant).
AF: lower utilization of SRH services was less likely among users of disadvantaged ethnic groups and poor perceived quality of care.
Marqués, 2021Medical records from the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCambridge, UKWomen complaining of a 1st episode of reduced fetal movements in 2019 ( = 810) and 2020 ( = 803)March–April 2019 vs. 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in 1st visits for reduced fetal movements (RFM) during 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 (18% vs. 22%).
AF: primiparous women were more likely to attend with RFM.
Shakespeare, 2021Medical records from Mpilo Central HospitalZimbabweWomen who gave birth from January to June 2020 ( = aggregated data) January–March vs. April–June 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Reduction in visits (5.8%) for hospital deliveries from April 2020, compared to previous months. No significant changes were observed in maternal or perinatal mortality and morbidity, nor in workload, although the number of deliveries and C-sections fell. Neonatal deaths increased, not significantly.
Spurlin, 2020Medical records from the New York Presbyterian—Columbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, USAPatients who attended OB-GYN (obstetrics–gynecology) services from February to March 2020 for emergency visits ( = 275), GYN surgeries ( = 212), OB surgeries ( = 237), and from March to April 2020 for emergency visits ( = 79), GYN surgeries ( = 79), OB surgeries ( = 181)February–March vs. March–April 2020SC: SRH (obstetrics and gynecology)Reduction in the average weekly OB-GYN ED consults (60.3%) and GYN surgeries (79.3%), whereas OB surgeries remained stable, from March 2020 compared to the previous period. No significant differences in the proportion of OB-GYN ED consults and GYN surgeries were observed, although the proportion of OB surgeries increased significantly (54.6% before March vs. 79.7% from March 2020).
Chiba, 2021Medical records from the Medical Center of the University of Southern California and Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles, USAPatients admitted to trauma in 2019 ( = 1143) and 2020 ( = 1202)March–June 2019 vs. 2020SC: traumatologyIncrease in the number admissions (different values according to the type of trauma) during the analyzed period of 2020, compared to 2019. Increase in admissions due to falls (32.4%) (especially elderly), injuries from the use of weapons (39.3%), suicides (38.5%, not statistically significant), and positivity in the use of substances (52.1% in 2020 vs. 40.2% in 2019). Reduction in severe trauma (38.7% vs. 46.7%), mortality (4.1% vs. 5.9%), and ICU admission rates (26.3% vs. 31.5%). There were non-significant reductions in admissions due to traffic accidents (pedestrian or motor).
Horan, 2021Medical records from the National Neurosurgical Center at Beaumont HospitalDublin, IrelandReferrals to the trauma department in 2019 ( = 527) and 2020 ( = 437)March–May 2019 vs. 2020SC: traumatologyReduction in trauma referrals (17.1%) in 2020 compared to 2019.
No significant changes were observed between the profiles most associated with shunts between the two years, although there were changes in the type of diagnosis (fewer brain and spinal injuries and cranial fractures).
AF: referrals were more likely among men, people over 60, alcohol consumers.
Alexander, 2020IQVIA National Disease and Therapeutic IndexUSAVisits to primary care ( = 875.6 million) January 2018–June 2020PCReduction in PC health services (21.4%) in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. Decreases in in-person visits (50.2%) and increases in telemedicine visits (1.1%) were observed. Evaluations and medication prescriptions were less frequent.
Sato, 2021Administrative claims from the DeSC database (health insurance claims)JapanPatients with chronic neurological diseases March–November 2020PCReduction in visits for different chronic neurological diseases (RR 0.9), except one that increased (migraines, RR 1.15), from April 2020. Telephone appointments were most frequently used in April–May (representing 5% of the visits), especially in the case of migraines (OR 2.08). The changes yielded different effects depending on the disease.
Song, 2021Medical records from the Independence Blue CrossUSAWomen who had mammograms from January 2018 to March 2020 for screening ( = 213,168) and diagnosis ( = 55,879), and from March to July 2020 for screening ( = 27,970) and diagnosis ( = 10,233)January 2018–March 2020 vs. March–July 2020Preventive servicesReduction in the volume of screening (58%) and diagnostic (38%) mammograms from March 2020, compared to the preceding months and to the previous years. Increase in activity from May 2020, remaining 14% below previous months levels.
: greater use was associated with women with a previous diagnosis.

1 : General health services include different levels of care or type of service; 2 : aggregated data and/or no specification of the different periods of analysis; 3 : studies that did not analyze whether the changes were statistically significant (the rest of articles presented results statistically significant); AF: associated factors; ED: emergency department; ICU: intensive care unit; IRR: incidence rate ratio; OB-GYN: obstetrics–gynecology; OR: odds ratio; PC: primary care; RR: relative risk; SC: secondary care; SRH: sexual and reproductive health.

Quantitative studies on potential access related to the characteristics of the services and the population during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

First Author, YearData Collection MethodStudy AreaStudy Population and SampleStudy PeriodHealth ServiceMain Results
Kahraman et al., 2021Online surveyTurkeyPatients with lysosomal storage disease in enzyme replacement therapy ( = 75)July–October 2020SC: endocrinologyCharacteristics of the services: lack of resources (hospital beds)
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, difficulties in obtaining medication, transport difficulties
Nicholson et al., 2020Online surveyIrelandParents of children under 16 ( = 1044) June 2020SC: pediatricsCharacteristics of the population: fear of contagion, perception of overuse of services or lack of need, fear of being judged for seeking care, poor understanding of government messages, concern regarding travel (avoiding public transport).
Benjamen et al., 2021Online survey ( = 77, of which 11 were interviewed in depth)Ottawa, CanadaDoctors with experience caring for refugee populations ( = 77)May–August 2020SC: psychiatryCharacteristics of the services: limited availability of providers and community resources, slight increase in the offer of virtual care psychotherapy.
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, perceived lack of services, technological barriers
Halley et al., 2021Online surveUSARelatives ( = 139) and patients affected by undiagnosed rare diseases ( = 275) April–June 2020SC: undiagnosed rare diseases careCharacteristics of the services: barriers to access essential services (difficulties in contacting services, procedures re-scheduled, lack of medical supplies, insufficient telemedicine care offered), restrictions on companions.
Characteristics of the population: fear of COVID-19 contagion; impact on physical and mental health (stress due to not being able to receive treatment or as an aggravating factor of the disease).
Adelekan et al., 2021Semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaireNigeriaHead nurses and midwives in primary health centers ( = 307)March–September 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Characteristics of the services: difficulties regarding out-of-stock drugs and contraceptives.
Characteristics of the population: economic difficulties (not being able to afford cost of transportation).
Karavadra et al., 2020Online surveyUKWomen who were pregnant or gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic ( = 1451)May 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Characteristics of the services: reduced frequency of scans, redistribution of services in different “zoned areas” based on “COVID wards” and “non-COVID” wards, lack of information, ban on presence of partner.
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, perception of “impersonal care” from virtual consultations.
Khan et al., 2021Online survey64 middle- and low-income countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin AmericaHealth professionals from tuberculosis treatment ( = 567) and HIV ( = 346) servicesMay–August 2020SC: tuberculosis and HIV careCharacteristics of the services: lack of material and medical supplies, difficulties in obtaining medical treatment, lack of alternatives for non-face-to-face care (e.g., telemedicine), postponement of visits for diagnoses and treatments.
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, stigma, difficulties in accessing health services (alterations in transportation, restrictions), worsening economic situation.
García-Rojo et al., 2021Medical records (Hospital 12 de Octubre)SpainPatients on the waiting list for urological surgery ( = 350)May 2020SC: urologyCharacteristics of the services: increased waiting times for urological surgeries (designated as elective).

SC: secondary care; SRH: sexual and reproductive health.

Qualitative studies on potential access related to the characteristics of the services and the population during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

First Author, YearData Collection MethodStudy AreaStudy Population and SampleStudy PeriodHealth ServiceMain Results
Zambrano et al., 2021Online semi-structured interviews and life historiesColombia and PeruVenezuelan migrant populations living in large cities in Colombia ( = 96) and Peru ( = 34)July–September 2020GeneralCharacteristics of the services: access to health services linked to legal immigration status.
Characteristics of the population: severe economic difficulties, perceived discrimination of healthcare services on the basis of nationality
Das Neves et al., 2021Semi-structured interviews by phone (12) and in-person (9)Nampula, MozambiqueHealth professionals ( = 9), traditional birth attendants ( = 6) and patients ( = 6)March–May 2019 and 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Characteristics of the services: limited resources (workforce), increase in waiting times
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, avoiding healthcare except in emergencies
Gichuna et al., 2020Semi-structured interviews via mobile phone (phone call or videocall)Kariobangi, Roysambu, and Jogoo Road areas (Nairobi, Kenya)Sex workers from the study areas ( = 117), and health professionals from the Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Program Centers ( = 15)April–May 2020SC: SRH (family planning) and HIV careCharacteristics of the services: reduced activity, lack of medical supplies
Characteristics of the population: economic difficulties, stigma
Hailemariam et al., 2021Online focal groups (6) and semi-structured interviews (9)Kebeles, EthiopiaPregnant women who did not attend SHR services and health workersSeptember–November 2020SC: SRH (maternal and child health)Characteristics of the population: perceived low quality of services, fear of contagion, stigma, playing down care needs, refusal to attend antenatal services.
Mizrak Sahin, and Nur Kabakci, 2020Semi-structured interviews by phoneTurkeyPregnant womenDuring 2020, months not specifiedSC: SRH (maternal and child health)Characteristics of the services: elective visits were cancelled or postponed, difficulties in getting first visits.
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, difficulties in contacting services for first visits.
Dos Santos et al., 20217 semi-structured interviews by phoneRibeirão Preto, BrazilPatients over 18 years old undergoing treatment for tuberculosisJune–August 2020SC: tuberculosis careCharacteristics of the population: economic difficulties, fear of contagion
Ahmed et al., 2020Workshops and in-person meetings in three pre-pandemic phases (semi-structured interviews, group and individual meetings), and a fourth phase via mobile phoneBangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, PakistanHealth professionals (medical doctors, nurses, community health workers and assistants, pharmacists, and patent medicine vendors), pregnant women and women with children, health service managersMarch 2018–May 2020PCCharacteristics of the services: worse access to services that were difficult to access before the pandemic (mental health, gender-based violence services), and preventive services, increase in cost of healthcare, lack of drugs and medical supplies.
Characteristics of the population: fear of contagion, economic difficulties.
Danhieux et al., 2020Online semi-structured interviewsBelgiumGeneral practitioners, nurses, and dieticians ( = 21) in primary care who work individually, monodisciplinary or in multidisciplinary groupsApril–June 2020PCCharacteristics of the services: limited resources to treat, identify, and contact non-COVID-19 patients because of the redistribution of resources, especially among high-risk and vulnerable patients.

PC: primary care; SC: secondary care; SRH: sexual and reproductive health.

With regard to the type of service, of the studies on realized access, 5 focused on health services in general [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]; 12 on emergencies [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ] (of which 5 were related to pediatric emergencies [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 61 ]); 15 on secondary care (SC) (outpatient visits, hospital admissions, etc., for nephrology [ 63 ], oncology [ 64 , 65 ], pediatrics [ 66 ], psychiatry [ 67 , 68 ], rehabilitation [ 69 ], respiratory diseases [ 70 ], sexual and reproductive health (SRH) [ 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 ], and traumatology [ 78 , 79 ]); two on primary care (PC) [ 80 , 81 ]; one on preventive services [ 82 ]. Of the studies on potential access, 1 focused on health services in general [ 91 ], 13 on SC (endocrinology [ 83 ], rare diseases [ 86 ], pediatrics [ 84 ], psychiatry [ 85 ], SRH [ 87 , 88 , 93 , 94 , 95 ], tuberculosis [ 89 , 96 ] and urology [ 90 ]); and 2 on PC [ 92 , 97 ]. The study that analyzed changes in both realized and potential access focused on SC relating to SRH [ 98 ].

In terms of geographical area, 19 studies were conducted in European countries [ 47 , 51 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 62 , 64 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 79 , 83 , 84 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 95 ], 9 in North American countries [ 49 , 58 , 59 , 77 , 78 , 80 , 82 , 85 , 86 ], 9 in Sub-Saharan Africa [ 46 , 48 , 71 , 72 , 76 , 87 , 93 , 94 , 98 ], 3 in Latin America [ 60 , 91 , 96 ], 5 in the East Asia–Pacific region [ 50 , 56 , 61 , 66 , 81 ], 3 in South Asia [ 63 , 65 , 74 ], 2 in the North Africa–Middle East region [ 52 ], and, lastly, 3 studies covered various regions [ 54 , 89 , 97 ].

With regard to the period of analysis, 38 of the selected studies were conducted over the first months of the pandemic (February to June 2020) [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 82 , 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 93 , 98 ]; 4 during the second stage of the pandemic (June to September 2020) [ 85 , 89 , 91 , 96 ]; 1 at a later stage (September to November 2020) [ 94 ]; finally, 8 analyzed the whole period (February to December 2020) [ 56 , 61 , 63 , 64 , 71 , 81 , 83 , 87 ]. No studies were found that analyzed periods after December 2020. All studies that analyzed realized access presented their results in comparison with a previous period: 32 of the first-stage studies compared the changes to pre-pandemic periods of reference [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 82 , 98 ], as did 6 of those that analyzed the whole period [ 56 , 61 , 63 , 64 , 71 , 83 ]. One study did not specify the exact period of 2020 analyzed [ 95 ].

Below is a summary of results found regarding changes in realized access and potential access, following the Aday and Andersen theoretical framework [ 39 , 40 ].

3.1. Changes in the Utilization of Health Services and Influencing Factors

Of the 38 studies that analyzed changes in realized access [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 98 ], 33 indicated a statistically significant descent in the use of services and only one reported an increase [ 78 ], and 4 descriptive studies also found a reduction in the use of services [ 47 , 61 , 63 , 65 ] ( Table 1 ). After the first few months of the pandemic, some studies described an increase in the utilization, without reaching levels previous to the COVID-19 pandemic [ 48 , 61 , 63 , 71 , 72 , 82 ]. However, among the studies that extended their analysis to the end of 2020, there are reports of new drops in the utilization of services, coinciding with the onset of new waves of COVID-19 [ 61 , 63 , 71 ].

By type of service analyzed, studies focusing on the health services in general [ 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 ] described an overall drop in use, which varied in terms of magnitude. Among those that analyzed changes in emergency care [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 77 ], it was reported that, although the volume of consultations fell, there was an increase in the number of cases with additional complications [ 53 , 58 , 66 , 74 , 77 ] and cases requiring admission to hospital [ 51 , 55 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 67 , 70 ]. Likewise, the studies on changes in SC services also reported a reduction in the use of services, while in some cases detecting an increase in the proportion of visits or hospital admissions in concrete healthcare areas (e.g., severe mental health cases [ 47 ] or trauma injuries [ 56 , 58 , 78 ]). With respect to PC, both studies described a drop in the number of in-person visits and an increase in remote care consultations (via various mechanisms, such as consultation by telephone or videocall) [ 66 , 80 ]. Lastly, the study that analyzed changes in the use of preventive services [ 82 ], along with others that also assessed procedures classified as elective [ 49 , 53 , 63 , 64 , 77 ], reported a drop in use but with less pronounced changes in urgent cases [ 57 , 62 , 82 ].

In the studies that analyzed influencing factors in the use of services in the context of the pandemic, the probability of lower utilization levels was associated with different factors. With regard to predisposing characteristics of the population, women [ 56 , 79 ] and ethnic minorities [ 49 , 74 ] were less likely to access health services, with inconsistent results regarding the elderly [ 52 , 79 ]. As for individual enabling characteristics, the likelihood of a lower use of services was associated with people with a low income and limited healthcare coverage [ 49 , 74 ], and for those enabling characteristics related to the type of area, a higher incidence of COVID-19 [ 50 ]. In terms of need, the probability of using health services was lower among patients who lacked a previous diagnosis [ 82 ], had less severe conditions (without complications or adverse outcomes) [ 67 ], and did not require hospitalization [ 52 , 57 , 67 ].

3.2. Potential Access: Barriers Related to Characteristics of the Services and Population

The 16 studies that analyzed potential access [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ] described changes in the factors that influenced access before the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new barriers, in terms of both the characteristics of the services and those of the population ( Table 2 and Table 3 ).

Twelve studies described changes related to characteristics of the services [ 83 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 92 , 93 , 95 , 97 , 98 ]. The most significant of these was a reported decrease in available resources, both in terms of materials and medical supplies [ 83 , 86 , 89 , 93 , 97 ], and of staff to care for non-COVID patients [ 83 , 85 , 88 , 89 , 92 , 95 ], which in certain cases forced some health centers to close [ 93 , 97 ]. Two studies pointed out increases in waiting times [ 90 , 98 ] and one a rise in the cost of services [ 97 ].

Fourteen studies identified barriers related to population characteristics [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 91 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ]. Among the predisposing factors identified, fear of contagion was one of the main reasons for not going to the health services [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ], as well as the stigma that receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis would create [ 89 , 94 , 97 ]. Other factors found included people misinterpreting government recommendations to avoid going to the health services [ 84 ], perceiving that the services were of poor quality [ 94 ], or believing they would have difficulties in gaining access [ 85 , 86 , 91 , 93 ] during the pandemic. With respect to enabling factors, authors highlighted the worsening socioeconomic situation of the population [ 87 , 89 , 91 , 93 , 94 , 96 , 97 ], a lack of support networks [ 93 , 94 ], and an increase in technological barriers [ 85 , 88 ] as some of the main factors that hindered access to the health services. Lastly, they also underlined tendencies to play down the risk of health complications and the perceived need for medical attention [ 94 , 98 ] as barriers that had the effect of reducing the use of services and delaying the decision to seek care during the pandemic.

4. Discussion

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt worldwide in many different spheres of society, but especially in access to health services for unrelated conditions. There is now a pressing need to evaluate the changes that have arisen in this regard, and their implications for equity of access and the resilience of national health systems to future pandemics. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first scoping review to offer a general overview of the subject, taking in the current evidence and highlighting the areas that will require further research in future studies.

Most of the studies included in the analysis describe a lower level of health services’ utilization and changes in potential access, as preexisting barriers have intensified and new ones have arisen. However, while investigations into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are still ongoing, the results of this review show that the studies conducted to date are limited in terms of scope and methodology, and that they are mainly centered on analyzing the impact on the use of services for specific diseases or population groups during the first stages of the pandemic, with a particular focus on secondary care.

Studies on the use of health services in general are very scarce, as are those on access to primary care, which in many countries has been the most overwhelmed care level due to having to take on more pandemic-related care duties (vaccination, case tracking, etc.). Likewise, there is a considerable lack of evidence so far on how changes have taken place over the course of the different waves of COVID-19, and according to geographical context. Although some studies with longer timeframes—to the end of 2020—have already described new drops in health services’ activity following brief periods of recovery [ 61 , 63 , 71 ], further evidence is required to confirm this trend. Moreover, we have yet to look into how the pandemic has affected unmet care needs, as some studies showed that one of the most commonly reported impact was that patients delayed seeking care due to factors such as fear of contagion, disinformation, etc. [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 94 , 95 , 97 , 98 ].

It is important to bear in mind that access to care involves multiple interdependent factors and numerous actors. However, the results of this review show that, so far, there are almost no published studies with a wide scope using mixed methods, and that the qualitative studies available to date are still limited in both number and perspective. In regard to the latter, few studies include, in addition to that of users, other viewpoints such as that of the health professionals or managers involved in the process of taking measures or adopting practices that influenced access to care. Furthermore, the population groups selected for study were generally sufferers of a specific condition or of vulnerable status. The number of qualitative studies is probably limited due to the complexity of their development in the pandemic context, in terms of time, resources, and restrictions imposed by the mitigation measures. Approaches that combine multiple sources of evidence and different perspectives are needed to shed more light on the factors and actors that have influenced access.

With regard to our main findings on the reduction in the use of services, this may be related to health systems prioritizing their response to the public health emergency, which differed according to context [ 4 , 25 , 99 , 100 ]. Initial measures were generally centered on containing the spread of COVID-19 and providing the health services with the resources needed to meet the soaring demand for medical attention, which led to the classification of some services and procedures as non-essential, and a consequent reduction in the resources allocated to cover those health needs [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]. There is a lack of evidence on how the measures were modified and adapted according to context as the pandemic progressed, and the patterns of utilization that they generated, although some studies have already revealed changes in use with recoveries and relapses, in the more advanced stages of the pandemic [ 61 , 63 , 71 ].

Going into more detail, the reductions in access to services described appear to have brought with them an increase in medical complications and emergencies, especially in elective procedures [ 48 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 58 , 59 , 67 , 71 , 74 , 77 , 101 ], and/or care delays (time passed between onset of symptoms and intervention) [ 53 , 98 ], although it is generally not specified whether the delays were due to patients putting off seeking medical attention or rather to an increase in barriers to access the services. Some studies also observed higher mortality rates [ 52 , 70 , 74 , 76 ] and burden of disease [ 62 ]. However, while emergency care was one of the greatest causes for concern [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ], according to our results the downturns recorded for this type of service appear to be less pronounced or of lower impact than those reported in other fields.

In this regard, some studies highlight the difficulties involved in maintaining normal levels of activity in certain services, even in some classed as essential, such as maternal health, oncology, or mental health [ 71 , 76 , 85 , 89 , 93 , 94 , 97 , 98 ]. The impact appears to have been felt worldwide but especially in middle- and low-income countries, a point that has also been stressed in various opinion articles [ 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ]. Differences between health systems, and between geographical contexts, may both have acted as determining factors in the changes seen. Sexual and reproductive health services analyzed in African and South Asian countries, for example, have seen a significant downturn in access, not only to maternal and child health services but also other non-essential areas of health care (family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.) [ 71 , 74 , 76 , 93 , 98 ], despite the warnings given in various reports and opinion articles based on previous epidemic experience [ 2 , 26 , 101 , 108 ] of the risk this poses in terms of burden of disease and mortality [ 2 , 25 , 26 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 ]. Another example can be found in the lack of care for patients at risk of a cancer diagnosis due to delays in screening and diagnostic programs caused by certain procedures being classified as elective [ 64 , 65 , 82 ], which could also lead to an increase in the burden of disease and mortality due to the late detection of new cancer cases, as several studies pointed out [ 35 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. As regards mental health, various studies mention anxiety and other disorders related to fear of contagion and the uncertainty that the pandemic generated in its first few months [ 35 , 55 , 77 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 91 , 94 , 95 , 96 ], as well as difficulties in access to mental health services [ 68 , 85 , 97 ] and an increase in acute cases of severe disorders [ 67 ]. These issues may have caused the burden of disease to increase, which could influence service utilization patterns in the years to follow, an aspect that was observed previously with the SARS epidemic in 2003 [ 119 ] and that should be taken into consideration in future studies on the impact of COVID-19.

The few studies that analyze the influencing factors on the lower utilization of services mainly highlight a greater downturn in use among low-income users, those with limited healthcare coverage, and ethnic minorities [ 49 , 74 ], as well as the female population [ 56 , 79 ], all of which signals greater inequalities with regard to more vulnerable populations.

As regards the changes in potential access detected in this review, the results indicate both the exacerbation of existing barriers, related above all to structural difficulties and situations of vulnerability, and the creation of new ones. In terms of existing barriers accentuated by the pandemic, some studies reported a shortage of resources in the services to meet all the incoming healthcare requests [ 83 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 92 , 93 , 95 , 97 , 98 ], which varied according to service and geographical context. One of the most serious problems was the lack of or alterations to the distribution of materials and medical supplies in low-income countries [ 83 , 87 , 89 , 93 , 94 , 97 ], an aspect corroborated in other publications, both reports and opinion articles [ 4 , 34 , 104 , 120 , 121 , 122 ]. The lack of materials and medical supplies may have contributed to increasing negative perceptions of the quality of the health services, especially in disadvantaged settings or situations with structural difficulties, another barrier to access found by some studies [ 93 , 94 , 97 ]. Lastly, several studies in this review [ 83 , 85 , 87 , 89 , 91 , 93 , 97 ] and some reports [ 12 , 123 ] focusing on vulnerable population groups (such as migrants or refugees, sex workers, people at a severe socioeconomic disadvantage) highlight the worsening economic situation and the intensification of other barriers (legal, information-related, or discriminatory), as has also occurred in previous epidemics [ 19 ]. All this points to situations in which the ability of these groups to access the health services and receive care may have diminished yet further.

In addition, new barriers may have been created as a result of adopting alternatives to face-to-face visits (online consultation, telephone, video call, telemedicine, etc.) and changes in attitudes and beliefs developed as a result of the pandemic. In this regard, the use of online consultation has grown as a way to mitigate difficulties in access [ 4 ], but not in the same way across all contexts [ 3 , 124 ]. Several articles included in the review described inequalities in access, reporting access problems related to digital literacy (lack of understanding of digital devices) or a lack of material resources (Internet connection, mobile devices) [ 49 , 85 , 89 ], a point also highlighted in other publications [ 125 , 126 ], alongside the perception that the care received in virtual consultation is impersonal [ 88 ]. These results are in keeping with numerous publications that have focused on the changes from face-to-face consultations to remote care and user satisfaction with the latter [ 29 , 80 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ]. However, most studies are centered mainly on high-income countries, thus, further evidence in different contexts is required on the impact of remote care on access to the health services.

Likewise, one of the individual characteristics that has been most influential in terms of new barriers created by the pandemic is fear of contagion [ 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 94 , 95 , 97 ], an aspect that has been discussed in many publications, including opinion articles [ 113 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 ], and also played a highly significant role in previous epidemics as a factor causing problems or delays in seeking medical care [ 2 , 21 , 24 , 26 , 72 , 76 , 101 , 108 , 143 , 144 ]. Other factors reported include the stigma associated with seeking care [ 84 , 89 , 93 , 94 , 97 ], also described in other publications [ 109 , 145 ], and users playing down the need for medical treatment [ 84 , 94 , 98 ] and perceiving a lack of response on the part of the health services [ 85 , 88 ].

While it is true that various studies have identified both new barriers and the exacerbation of existing ones, the behavior of individuals in this type of public health emergency requires more in-depth analysis in order to steer the design of interventions to help counter these barriers, such as public health information campaigns or specific measures for vulnerable populations.

On a final note, this review has several limitations. In the first place the nature of the studies covered varies greatly, in terms of methodology (ways of measuring use of services, information sources, sample size, etc.), and of geographical areas and health systems analyzed; thus, it is not possible to draw comparisons between them. Secondly, articles that analyzed access to services due to COVID-19 in addition to other illnesses were excluded from the study. This decision was made in order to rule out bias towards activity and resources destined to the treatment of other diseases. Third, no studies focusing on the impact of the pandemic control measures on access to health services were found, probably due to the limited terms used in our search to capture this area. Moreover, it is also possibly due to the difficulties involved in distinguishing the impact of the measures from other effects of the pandemic. Finally, some articles may not have been considered on being published in other languages (Chinese, Arabic, etc.), so this analysis may have excluded relevant information and failed to consider certain contexts. In spite of these limitations, this is the first study to address changes in access from a global perspective, with a view to shedding light on gaps in knowledge that will require further research in the future.

5. Conclusions

This review analyzed studies that reported changes in health services’ utilization, and the factors that influenced the use of services for non-COVID-19 conditions, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results vary according to the context analyzed, although, in general terms, they reflect the same trend, describing a general reduction in the use of health services, the exacerbation of preexisting barriers, and the emergence of new ones. This scoping review has shown that most studies conducted to date are limited in terms of scope and methodology and are centered mainly on the impact on specific conditions or population groups during the early stages of the pandemic, focusing mostly on secondary care. Furthermore, a significant gap in knowledge was detected on whether the services have recovered to pre-pandemic levels of care use and, if not, in which areas and for what reasons. Future studies should go into greater depth on the pandemic-related changes that have influenced access to health services (e.g., fear and socioeconomic difficulties), according to context and over the course of the different stages of the pandemic. In any case, as an ongoing phenomenon, the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be determined.

Search Strategy in Medline

  • Access to health care services: (((((((((((((((health services accessibility[MeSH Terms]) OR (health services accessibility)) OR (accessing)) OR (accessibility)) OR (access)) OR (utilization)) OR (delivery of health care)) OR (healthcare services)) OR (Health Services Needs and Demand[MeSH Terms])) OR (Healthcare Disparities[MeSH Terms])) OR (Needs Assessment[MeSH Terms])) OR (Health Policy[MeSH Terms])) OR (Equipment and Supplies Utilization[MeSH Terms])) OR (Facilities and Services Utilization[MeSH Terms]))
  • COVID-19: ((((((((coronavirus disease) OR (COVID-19)) OR (coronavirus)) OR (SARS-CoV-2)) OR (Coronavirus Infections[MeSH Terms])) OR (COVID-19[MeSH Terms])) OR (SARS-CoV-2[MeSH Terms])) OR (coronavirus[MeSH Terms]))
  • Filters: December 2019–March 2021/March–September 2021.

Author Contributions

G.P. designed the research protocol, under the supervision of A.O.-A., I.V. and M.-L.V. In collaboration with her three supervisors, she carried out the bibliographic search and wrote the first version of the manuscript. They all participated in decisions on which studies to include in the analysis, and in the interpretation of results and the writing of the final version of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research received no external funding. G.P. received the CSC grant to conduct this study as her thesis for the Master in Public Health (Universitat Pompeu Fabra).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Learning objectives.

  • Develop a strong, clear thesis statement with the proper elements.
  • Revise your thesis statement.

Have you ever known a person who was not very good at telling stories? You probably had trouble following his train of thought as he jumped around from point to point, either being too brief in places that needed further explanation or providing too many details on a meaningless element. Maybe he told the end of the story first, then moved to the beginning and later added details to the middle. His ideas were probably scattered, and the story did not flow very well. When the story was over, you probably had many questions.

Just as a personal anecdote can be a disorganized mess, an essay can fall into the same trap of being out of order and confusing. That is why writers need a thesis statement to provide a specific focus for their essay and to organize what they are about to discuss in the body.

Just like a topic sentence summarizes a single paragraph, the thesis statement summarizes an entire essay. It tells the reader the point you want to make in your essay, while the essay itself supports that point. It is like a signpost that signals the essay’s destination. You should form your thesis before you begin to organize an essay, but you may find that it needs revision as the essay develops.

Elements of a Thesis Statement

For every essay you write, you must focus on a central idea. This idea stems from a topic you have chosen or been assigned or from a question your teacher has asked. It is not enough merely to discuss a general topic or simply answer a question with a yes or no. You have to form a specific opinion, and then articulate that into a controlling idea —the main idea upon which you build your thesis.

Remember that a thesis is not the topic itself, but rather your interpretation of the question or subject. For whatever topic your professor gives you, you must ask yourself, “What do I want to say about it?” Asking and then answering this question is vital to forming a thesis that is precise, forceful and confident.

A thesis is one sentence long and appears toward the end of your introduction. It is specific and focuses on one to three points of a single idea—points that are able to be demonstrated in the body. It forecasts the content of the essay and suggests how you will organize your information. Remember that a thesis statement does not summarize an issue but rather dissects it.

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities.

Specificity. A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.

Precision. A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.

Ability to be argued. A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.

Ability to be demonstrated. For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.

Forcefulness. A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.

Confidence. In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as I feel or I believe actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.

Even in a personal essay that allows the use of first person, your thesis should not contain phrases such as in my opinion or I believe . These statements reduce your credibility and weaken your argument. Your opinion is more convincing when you use a firm attitude.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a thesis statement for each of the following topics. Remember to make each statement specific, precise, demonstrable, forceful and confident.

  • Texting while driving
  • The legal drinking age in the United States
  • Steroid use among professional athletes

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Each of the following thesis statements meets several of the following requirements:

  • Specificity
  • Ability to be argued
  • Ability to be demonstrated
  • Forcefulness
  • The societal and personal struggles of Troy Maxon in the play Fences symbolize the challenge of black males who lived through segregation and integration in the United States.
  • Closing all American borders for a period of five years is one solution that will tackle illegal immigration.
  • Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot.
  • J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions.
  • Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown.
  • Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts.
  • In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job.

You can find thesis statements in many places, such as in the news; in the opinions of friends, coworkers or teachers; and even in songs you hear on the radio. Become aware of thesis statements in everyday life by paying attention to people’s opinions and their reasons for those opinions. Pay attention to your own everyday thesis statements as well, as these can become material for future essays.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis:

A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will discuss in your essay.

Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.

A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side.

Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books.

A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or provides a dead end.

Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.

A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad.

Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.

Read the following thesis statements. On a separate piece of paper, identify each as weak or strong. For those that are weak, list the reasons why. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the requirements of a strong thesis.

  • The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.
  • The government must expand its funding for research on renewable energy resources in order to prepare for the impending end of oil.
  • Edgar Allan Poe was a poet who lived in Baltimore during the nineteenth century.
  • In this essay, I will give you lots of reasons why slot machines should not be legalized in Baltimore.
  • Despite his promises during his campaign, President Kennedy took few executive measures to support civil rights legislation.
  • Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all children’s toys are safe.
  • My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.

Writing at Work

Often in your career, you will need to ask your boss for something through an e-mail. Just as a thesis statement organizes an essay, it can also organize your e-mail request. While your e-mail will be shorter than an essay, using a thesis statement in your first paragraph quickly lets your boss know what you are asking for, why it is necessary, and what the benefits are. In short body paragraphs, you can provide the essential information needed to expand upon your request.

Thesis Statement Revision

Your thesis will probably change as you write, so you will need to modify it to reflect exactly what you have discussed in your essay. Remember from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that your thesis statement begins as a working thesis statement , an indefinite statement that you make about your topic early in the writing process for the purpose of planning and guiding your writing.

Working thesis statements often become stronger as you gather information and form new opinions and reasons for those opinions. Revision helps you strengthen your thesis so that it matches what you have expressed in the body of the paper.

The best way to revise your thesis statement is to ask questions about it and then examine the answers to those questions. By challenging your own ideas and forming definite reasons for those ideas, you grow closer to a more precise point of view, which you can then incorporate into your thesis statement.

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps:

1. Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people , everything , society , or life , with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness.

Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.

Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents.

The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard. The original includes too broad a range of people and does not define exactly what success entails. By replacing those general words like people and work hard , the writer can better focus his or her research and gain more direction in his or her writing.

2. Clarify ideas that need explanation by asking yourself questions that narrow your thesis.

Working thesis: The welfare system is a joke.

Revised thesis: The welfare system keeps a socioeconomic class from gaining employment by alluring members of that class with unearned income, instead of programs to improve their education and skill sets.

A joke means many things to many people. Readers bring all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives to the reading process and would need clarification for a word so vague. This expression may also be too informal for the selected audience. By asking questions, the writer can devise a more precise and appropriate explanation for joke . The writer should ask himself or herself questions similar to the 5WH questions. (See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information on the 5WH questions.) By incorporating the answers to these questions into a thesis statement, the writer more accurately defines his or her stance, which will better guide the writing of the essay.

3. Replace any linking verbs with action verbs. Linking verbs are forms of the verb to be , a verb that simply states that a situation exists.

Working thesis: Kansas City schoolteachers are not paid enough.

Revised thesis: The Kansas City legislature cannot afford to pay its educators, resulting in job cuts and resignations in a district that sorely needs highly qualified and dedicated teachers.

The linking verb in this working thesis statement is the word are . Linking verbs often make thesis statements weak because they do not express action. Rather, they connect words and phrases to the second half of the sentence. Readers might wonder, “Why are they not paid enough?” But this statement does not compel them to ask many more questions. The writer should ask himself or herself questions in order to replace the linking verb with an action verb, thus forming a stronger thesis statement, one that takes a more definitive stance on the issue:

  • Who is not paying the teachers enough?
  • What is considered “enough”?
  • What is the problem?
  • What are the results

4. Omit any general claims that are hard to support.

Working thesis: Today’s teenage girls are too sexualized.

Revised thesis: Teenage girls who are captivated by the sexual images on MTV are conditioned to believe that a woman’s worth depends on her sensuality, a feeling that harms their self-esteem and behavior.

It is true that some young women in today’s society are more sexualized than in the past, but that is not true for all girls. Many girls have strict parents, dress appropriately, and do not engage in sexual activity while in middle school and high school. The writer of this thesis should ask the following questions:

  • Which teenage girls?
  • What constitutes “too” sexualized?
  • Why are they behaving that way?
  • Where does this behavior show up?
  • What are the repercussions?

In the first section of Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you determined your purpose for writing and your audience. You then completed a freewriting exercise about an event you recently experienced and chose a general topic to write about. Using that general topic, you then narrowed it down by answering the 5WH questions. After you answered these questions, you chose one of the three methods of prewriting and gathered possible supporting points for your working thesis statement.

Now, on a separate sheet of paper, write down your working thesis statement. Identify any weaknesses in this sentence and revise the statement to reflect the elements of a strong thesis statement. Make sure it is specific, precise, arguable, demonstrable, forceful, and confident.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In your career you may have to write a project proposal that focuses on a particular problem in your company, such as reinforcing the tardiness policy. The proposal would aim to fix the problem; using a thesis statement would clearly state the boundaries of the problem and tell the goals of the project. After writing the proposal, you may find that the thesis needs revision to reflect exactly what is expressed in the body. Using the techniques from this chapter would apply to revising that thesis.

Key Takeaways

  • Proper essays require a thesis statement to provide a specific focus and suggest how the essay will be organized.
  • A thesis statement is your interpretation of the subject, not the topic itself.
  • A strong thesis is specific, precise, forceful, confident, and is able to be demonstrated.
  • A strong thesis challenges readers with a point of view that can be debated and can be supported with evidence.
  • A weak thesis is simply a declaration of your topic or contains an obvious fact that cannot be argued.
  • Depending on your topic, it may or may not be appropriate to use first person point of view.
  • Revise your thesis by ensuring all words are specific, all ideas are exact, and all verbs express action.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to write a thesis statement + examples

Thesis statement

What is a thesis statement?

Is a thesis statement a question, how do you write a good thesis statement, how do i know if my thesis statement is good, examples of thesis statements, helpful resources on how to write a thesis statement, frequently asked questions about writing a thesis statement, related articles.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

The thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any piece of academic writing . It is a brief statement of your paper’s main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about.

You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the question with new information and not just restate or reiterate it.

Your thesis statement is part of your introduction. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our introduction guide .

A thesis statement is not a question. A statement must be arguable and provable through evidence and analysis. While your thesis might stem from a research question, it should be in the form of a statement.

Tip: A thesis statement is typically 1-2 sentences. For a longer project like a thesis, the statement may be several sentences or a paragraph.

A good thesis statement needs to do the following:

  • Condense the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
  • Answer your project’s main research question.
  • Clearly state your position in relation to the topic .
  • Make an argument that requires support or evidence.

Once you have written down a thesis statement, check if it fulfills the following criteria:

  • Your statement needs to be provable by evidence. As an argument, a thesis statement needs to be debatable.
  • Your statement needs to be precise. Do not give away too much information in the thesis statement and do not load it with unnecessary information.
  • Your statement cannot say that one solution is simply right or simply wrong as a matter of fact. You should draw upon verified facts to persuade the reader of your solution, but you cannot just declare something as right or wrong.

As previously mentioned, your thesis statement should answer a question.

If the question is:

What do you think the City of New York should do to reduce traffic congestion?

A good thesis statement restates the question and answers it:

In this paper, I will argue that the City of New York should focus on providing exclusive lanes for public transport and adaptive traffic signals to reduce traffic congestion by the year 2035.

Here is another example. If the question is:

How can we end poverty?

A good thesis statement should give more than one solution to the problem in question:

In this paper, I will argue that introducing universal basic income can help reduce poverty and positively impact the way we work.

  • The Writing Center of the University of North Carolina has a list of questions to ask to see if your thesis is strong .

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. But the length really depends on the overall length of your project. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction, no matter the academic level. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have the same type of thesis as a PhD student.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

thesis statement on healthcare

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

  • tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
  • is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
  • directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
  • makes a claim that others might dispute.
  • is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

  • Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
  • Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

  • Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

  • Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
  • Do I answer the question? Yes!
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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HCM 400 LP Healthcare Management : Final paper guidelines

  • Final paper guidelines
  • Research Materials
  • 2024 Spring Syllabus
  • APA Template for your research paper

Final paper guidelines & Research Report Evaluation Criteria

Final Paper

There is one writing assignment, which incorporates the concepts covered in the book. The paper should be 7 to 10 pages in length, double-spaced, using Times Roman Font 12, with standard 1” margins. List any articles, publications or websites used to gather information.  Cite the publication, date, and page number or the website address in your list of references. A minimum of 3 credible references are required. All papers must be submitted via Blackboard or submitted at the beginning of class on the due date.

The paper should cover a contemporary healthcare topic.  You should incorporate seminal information included in the text to formulate your thesis and guide the direction of your paper. A list of possible topics is listed below:

Electronic Medical Records

Niche Hospitals

Affordable Care Act

Reproductive therapy

Patient-Safety

Evidence-Based Medicine

Health Disparities

Entrepreneurship in Healthcare

Biotechnology 

RESEARCH REPORT EVALAUATION CRITERIA

HCM 400: Healthcare Management

INTRODUCTION or EXECUTIVE SUMMARY       (5 points)

    _____ Develops comprehensive overview of the main ideas of the text in a clear and concise introduction (5pts) .

               Develops an overview that captures most of the main ideas of the text (3pts) .

               Presents a vague summary that misses main points or includes details as main points (0-1pt).

  BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE             (3 points)

    _____  Clearly presents relevant historical information that provides context for the issue to be analyzed (3pts) .

               Presents a context that highlights numerous key factors behind the issue at hand (2pts) .

               Provides little relevant information and/or elaborates upon irrelevant facts that aren’t connected to the issue (0-1pt) .

  THESIS STATEMENT    (4 points)

    _____  Clearly identifies the purpose of the report, articulating the central theme of the analysis (4 pts) .

               The thesis statement is identified but not well explained or understood (2-3pts) .

               Fails to state the purpose or lacks clear thesis statement (0-1pt) .

 CRITICAL ANALYSIS or ANALYSIS OF THE FACTS        (20 points)

    _____  Interpretations of facts pose reasonable arguments, demonstrating clear coherence and progression of ideas that are well tought out and supported with evidence. Analysis consistently conveys critical thinking and personal insight (16-20pts) .

               Shows forethought in organization of ideas which speak to the assignment and are fairly well explained with supporting evidence and logical arguments (10-15pts) .

               Thesis and organization need improvement.  Ideas are relevant, but not well explained or consistently supported (5-9pts) .

               Thesis is unclear, organization is lacking, with no clear structure.  Ideas are generally underdeveloped, redundant, irrelevant, or illogical (0-4pts) .

  CONCLUSION               (5 points)

    _____  Revisits thesis statement and accurately summarizes key points of argument in concise, fresh restatements (4-5pts) .

               Key points of the analysis are identified, but are loosely or not sufficiently tied together in support of the central thesis (2-3pts) .

               Summary of argument is missing or new ideas are introduced (0-1pt) .

  REFERENCE LIST                    (3 points)

    _____  Research is fully annotated, including at least three credible references that are cited throughout the paper in a consistent format (3pts) .

               At least three credible sources are referenced, with minor errors in citation and formatting (2pts) .

               Less than three sources identified and/or numerous errors in citation and formatting (0-1pt) .  

 GRAMMAR, SPELLING, AND MECHANICS        (10 points)

    _____  Presents paper employing words with fluency, using varied and accurate vocabulary, and is practically free of errors in sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation (8-10pts) .

               Paper exhibits adequate but inconsistent use of language, with some errors in sentence structure and use of grammatical conventions, such as work choice, usage, spelling and punctuation (4-7pts) .

               Paper displays fundamental errors in word choice, usage and sentence structure, containing pervasive errors in mechanical conventions of grammar, spelling, and punctuation (0-3pts) .

Total Score                         /50

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  • Last Updated: Jul 17, 2024 12:20 PM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.campbell.edu/hcm400

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