{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,17]],"date-time":"2026-09-17T19:30:33Z","timestamp":1789673433575,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]],"date-time":"2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1737936000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]],"date-time":"2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1737936000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Project Concern International India"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Health Serv Res"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Rural populations in Bihar, India, face significant healthcare access challenges due to geographical, infrastructural, and financial barriers. The Swasthya Mitra program, initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in collaboration with local and international partners, aims to mitigate these challenges by employing trained community members to navigate patients through the healthcare system.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This qualitative study employed in-depth interview and thematic analysis to evaluate the Swasthya Mitra program in the Bhagalpur and Jamui districts in Bihar, India. The participants included Swasthya Mitras, healthcare professionals, and beneficiaries. This study focused on understanding the role of Swasthya Mitras in facilitating healthcare services.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Findings<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The program improved healthcare access for rural populations, with beneficiaries reporting reduced navigational confusion, decreased out-of-pocket expenditures, and enhanced patient care. Swasthya Mitras bridged the gap between the community and healthcare facilities. The program also empowered women, both Swasthya Mitras and beneficiaries, by improving their access to healthcare and increasing their involvement in health-related decision-making.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Interpretation<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The Swasthya Mitra program may offer a viable model for improving healthcare access in rural settings, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in healthcare delivery. The findings suggested that such programs can be instrumental in overcoming barriers to healthcare access and reducing financial burdens on vulnerable populations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Funding<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study was supported by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society supported by the World Bank and Project Concern Internation India.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,26]],"date-time":"2025-01-26T20:36:41Z","timestamp":1737923801000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"Pragya","family":"Kumar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shamshad","family":"Ahmad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Narottam","family":"Pradhan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Neha","family":"Chaudhary","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haripriya","family":"H.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sarita","family":"Kumari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Naveen","family":"K. G.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Akanksha","family":"Yadav","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rakesh","family":"Jha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Md. Ashraf","family":"Parwez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Swati","family":"Swati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Apolenarius","family":"Purty","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Somya","family":"Somya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]]},"reference":[{"issue":"9","key":"12299_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1271","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000002254","volume":"93","author":"J Bhatt","year":"2018","unstructured":"Bhatt J, Bathija P. Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in Vulnerable Communities. Acad Med. 2018;93(9):1271\u20135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/ACM.0000000000002254.","journal-title":"Acad Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1186\/s41256-018-0091-x","volume":"3","author":"E Dassah","year":"2018","unstructured":"Dassah E, Aldersey H, McColl MA, Davison C. Factors Affecting Access to Primary Health Care Services for Persons with Disabilities in Rural Areas: A \u201cBest-Fit\u201d Framework Synthesis. Glob Health Res Policy. 2018;3(1):36. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s41256-018-0091-x.","journal-title":"Glob Health Res Policy"},{"issue":"5","key":"12299_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"976","DOI":"10.1007\/s10900-013-9681-1","volume":"38","author":"ST Syed","year":"2013","unstructured":"Syed ST, Gerber BS, Sharp LK. Traveling Towards Disease: Transportation Barriers to Health Care Access. J Community Health. 2013;38(5):976\u201393. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10900-013-9681-1.","journal-title":"J Community Health"},{"issue":"S15","key":"12299_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3537","DOI":"10.1002\/cncr.26262","volume":"117","author":"HP Freeman","year":"2011","unstructured":"Freeman HP, Rodriguez RL. History and Principles of Patient Navigation. Cancer. 2011;117(S15):3537\u201340. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/cncr.26262.","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"key":"12299_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Fillion, L.; de Serres, M.; Lapointe-Goupil, R.; Bairati, I.; Gagnon, P.; Deschamps, M.; Savard, J.; Meyer, F.; B\u00e9langer, L.; Demers, G. Implementing the Role of Patient-Navigator Nurse at a University Hospital Centre. Can Oncol Nurs J. 2006, 16 (1), 11\u201317, 5\u201310. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5737\/1181912x1611117.","DOI":"10.5737\/1181912x1611117"},{"key":"12299_CR6","unstructured":"World Bank. India: Impact Evaluation of JEEViKA Multisectoral Convergence Initiative in Bihar: Engaging women\u2019s groups to improve nutrition. Summary Report. \u00a9 World Bank; 2019."},{"issue":"6","key":"12299_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","volume":"19","author":"A Tong","year":"2007","unstructured":"Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ): A 32-Item Checklist for Interviews and Focus Groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349\u201357. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042.","journal-title":"Int J Qual Health Care"},{"issue":"5","key":"12299_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"292","DOI":"10.1097\/NOR.0000000000000789","volume":"40","author":"LJ Teng","year":"2021","unstructured":"Teng LJ, Goldsmith LJ, Sawhney M, Jussaume L. Hip and Knee Replacement Patients\u2019 Experiences With an Orthopaedic Patient Navigator: A Qualitative Study. Orthop Nurs. 2021;40(5):292\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/NOR.0000000000000789.","journal-title":"Orthop Nurs"},{"issue":"5","key":"12299_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606-021-07168-8","volume":"37","author":"K Qua","year":"2022","unstructured":"Qua K, Gullett H, Wilson-Delfosse A, Thomas P, Singh M. Early Medical Students\u2019 Experiences as System Navigators: Results of a Qualitative Study. J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(5):1155\u201360. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11606-021-07168-8.","journal-title":"J Gen Intern Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"473","DOI":"10.1186\/1472-6963-14-473","volume":"14","author":"D Schwarz","year":"2014","unstructured":"Schwarz D, Sharma R, Bashyal C, Schwarz R, Baruwal A, Karelas G, Basnet B, Khadka N, Brady J, Silver Z, Mukherjee J, Andrews J, Maru DS-R. Strengthening Nepal\u2019s Female Community Health Volunteer Network: A Qualitative Study of Experiences at Two Years. BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14(1):473. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1472-6963-14-473.","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"issue":"10","key":"12299_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0240096","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0240096","volume":"15","author":"B Boro","year":"2020","unstructured":"Boro B, Saikia N. A Qualitative Study of the Barriers to Utilizing Healthcare Services among the Tribal Population in Assam. PLoS ONE. 2020;15(10):e0240096. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0240096.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"issue":"6","key":"12299_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"736","DOI":"10.3122\/jabfm.2010.06.100085","volume":"23","author":"JM Ferrante","year":"2010","unstructured":"Ferrante JM, Cohen DJ, Crosson JC. Translating the Patient Navigator Approach to Meet the Needs of Primary Care. J Am Board Fam Med. 2010;23(6):736\u201344. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3122\/jabfm.2010.06.100085.","journal-title":"J Am Board Fam Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"390","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-019-4227-6","volume":"19","author":"G Dimitropoulos","year":"2019","unstructured":"Dimitropoulos G, Morgan-Maver E, Allemang B, Schraeder K, Scott SD, Pinzon J, Andrew G, Guilcher G, Hamiwka L, Lang E, McBrien K, Nettel-Aguirre A, Pacaud D, Zwaigenbaum L, Mackie A, Samuel S. Health Care Stakeholder Perspectives Regarding the Role of a Patient Navigator during Transition to Adult Care. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19(1):390. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-019-4227-6.","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1186\/s12978-018-0580-x","volume":"15","author":"P Madula","year":"2018","unstructured":"Madula P, Kalembo FW, Yu H, Kaminga AC. Healthcare Provider-Patient Communication: A Qualitative Study of Women\u2019s Perceptions during Childbirth. Reprod Health. 2018;15(1):135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12978-018-0580-x.","journal-title":"Reprod Health"},{"issue":"14","key":"12299_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2524","DOI":"10.1002\/cncr.28024","volume":"119","author":"M Basu","year":"2013","unstructured":"Basu M, Linebarger J, Gabram SG, Patterson SG, Amin M, Ward KC. The effect of nurse navigation on timeliness of breast cancer care at an academic comprehensive cancer center. Cancer. 2013;119(14):2524\u201331.","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0001475","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pgph.0001475","volume":"3","author":"M Larsson","year":"2023","unstructured":"Larsson M, N\u2019Diaye A, Lusimbo R, Agardh A. Cultivating Resilience and Hope: A Qualitative Study of a Pilot Program Using Patient Navigators to Assist Men Who Have Sex with Men with Retention in the HIV Care Continuum in Uganda. PLOS Global Public Health. 2023;3(1):e0001475. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pgph.0001475.","journal-title":"PLOS Global Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"152","DOI":"10.1186\/s12875-024-02312-9","volume":"25","author":"D Toal-Sullivan","year":"2024","unstructured":"Toal-Sullivan D, Dahrouge S, Tesfaselassie J, Olejnik L. Access to Primary Health Care: Perspectives of Primary Care Physicians and Community Stakeholders. BMC Primary Care. 2024;25(1):152. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12875-024-02312-9.","journal-title":"BMC Primary Care"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1186\/s43058-021-00248-0","volume":"2","author":"ML Pratt-Chapman","year":"2021","unstructured":"Pratt-Chapman ML, Silber R, Tang J, Le PTD. Implementation Factors for Patient Navigation Program Success: A Qualitative Study. Implement Sci Commun. 2021;2(1):141. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s43058-021-00248-0.","journal-title":"Implement Sci Commun"},{"issue":"3","key":"12299_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"648","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606-022-07773-1","volume":"38","author":"E Risotto-Urbanowicz","year":"2023","unstructured":"Risotto-Urbanowicz E, Vega T, Caron R, Hasan R. \u201cThey Were an Advocate for Me\u201d: A Qualitative Study Exploring Medical Student Longitudinal Relationships and Patient Well-Being. J Gen Intern Med. 2023;38(3):648\u201352. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11606-022-07773-1.","journal-title":"J Gen Intern Med"},{"issue":"2","key":"12299_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.3912\/OJIN.Vol17No02Man02","volume":"17","author":"MC Esperat","year":"2012","unstructured":"Esperat MC, Flores D, McMurry L, Feng D, Song H, Billings L, Masten Y. Transformacion Para Salud: A Patient Navigation Model for Chronic Disease Self-Management. Online J Issues Nurs. 2012;17(2):2.","journal-title":"Online J Issues Nurs"},{"key":"12299_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Loo, S.; Mullikin, K.; Robbins, C.; Xiao, V.; Battaglia, T. A.; Lemon, S. C.; Gunn, C, the TRIP Consortium. Patient Navigator Team Perceptions on the Implementation of a Citywide Breast Cancer Patient Navigation Protocol: A Qualitative Study. BMC Health Services Research 2022, 22 (1), 683. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-022-08090-3.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-022-08090-3"},{"key":"12299_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Sadak, K. T.; Neglia, J. P.; Freyer, D. R.; Harwood, E. Identifying Metrics of Success for Transitional Care Practices in Childhood Cancer Survivorship: A Qualitative Study of Survivorship Providers. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017, 64 (11). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/pbc.26587.","DOI":"10.1002\/pbc.26587"},{"issue":"1","key":"12299_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare11010114","volume":"11","author":"RD Thackrah","year":"2022","unstructured":"Thackrah RD, Papertalk LP, Taylor K, Taylor EV, Greville H, Pilkington LG, Thompson SC. Perspectives of Aboriginal People Affected by Cancer on the Need for an Aboriginal Navigator in Cancer Treatment and Support: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare (Basel). 2022;11(1):114. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/healthcare11010114.","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"}],"container-title":["BMC Health Services Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]],"date-time":"2025-01-27T08:28:24Z","timestamp":1737966504000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]]},"references-count":23,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["12299"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-025-12299-3","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.21203\/rs.3.rs-3999162\/v1","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["1472-6963"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1472-6963","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,27]]},"assertion":[{"value":"29 February 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"17 January 2025","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"27 January 2025","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna (reference number AIIMS\/Pat\/IEC\/2022\/1048). Informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study. Participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity in the presentation of the study findings. Participation was voluntary, with participants having the right to withdraw at any time without consequence.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"No identifying images, personal details, or clinical information that could compromise the anonymity of participants are presented in this manuscript. Therefore, consent for publication is not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"146"}}