SHORT COMMUNICATION |
https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1634 |
Potential of Andrology in Providing Male Health Services from Womb to Tomb: PESTEL Analysis
Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, SBV Chennai Campus, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University, Puducherry), Shri Sathya Sai Nagar Ammapettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
Corresponding Author: Shruti Jha, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, SBV Chennai Campus, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University, Puducherry), Shri Sathya Sai Nagar Ammapettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, Phone: +91 8155830138, e-mail: shrutijha036@gmail.com
Received on: 07 April 2023; Accepted on: 07 July 2023; Published on: 26 July 2023
ABSTRACT
Andrology studies the physiological, pathological, and psychosocial aspects of male reproduction, with major issues for men including male infertility, contraception, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, disorders of sex differentiation, and male senescence. Political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) analysis is essential to understanding the advantages and disadvantages of providing male health services from womb to tomb. Changes in government policy and economic, social, technological, and environmental factors can all affect the accessibility of andrology services. Raising education and knowledge can help reduce social stigma and cultural attitudes, while technological advancements can be costly and require specialized training. The potential of andrology in delivering healthcare to male individuals from the womb to the tomb is great, but a multidisciplinary strategy that overcomes societal stigma and considers environmental variables is needed.
How to cite this article: Jha S. Potential of Andrology in Providing Male Health Services from Womb to Tomb: PESTEL Analysis. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2023;57(3):144–146.
Source of support: Nil
Conflict of interest: None
Keywords: Adolescent health, Andrology, Community medicine, Differentiation, Disorder of sex epidemiology, Geriatrics, Male health services, Political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal-analysis
INTRODUCTION
The branch of medicine known as andrology studies the physiological, pathological, and psychosocial aspects of male reproduction. Endocrinology, gynecology, and urology all have an impact on it. Major issues for men include male infertility, male contraception, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, disorders of sex differentiation, and male senescence. According to a study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnosis codes, andrological issues affected 4.4% of the population overall across all age groups. The male factor is thought to be responsible for 37% of infertility cases in Asia. Microsurgical procedures, assisted reproductive methods, and the simultaneous injection of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are examples of management measures, but they are not very effective due to the lack of awareness and the poor health-seeking attitude among males about reproductive health disorders, which leads to a late diagnosis and poor prognosis of their disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality among males.1,2
OVERVIEW
Review, Indications, Advantages, and Limitations of PESTEL Analysis, Goals, and Objectives
The topic holds significant importance considering the findings from the reviewed literature. Review articles by Chakraborty and Roychoudhury and Sartorius et al., underscore the broad scope of andrology and the necessity for multidisciplinary approaches in addressing male reproductive health concerns across the lifespan. Salonia et al., emphasize the role of andrology in managing men’s health conditions, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, by highlighting the utilization of telemedicine. This article builds upon these insights by conducting a political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) analysis, which explores the impact of PESTEL factors on the accessibility and effectiveness of andrology services. By considering these external factors, the article provides valuable insights into the potential challenges and opportunities involved in delivering male health services and offers guidance for strategic decision-making to improve the accessibility and quality of andrology services.3-7
This topic has several key indications to consider, which include policy development, resource allocation, social awareness and education, technological advancements, environmental considerations, regulatory framework, and legal factors that offer valuable considerations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders in developing strategies to enhance the delivery of male health services throughout the lifespan.8
Political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) analysis is a thorough framework for assessing external factors that may have an impact on a company or a particular circumstance. It offers a thorough framework for assessing the outside influences that may have an impact on a company or a particular circumstance, taking into account a wide range of variables, including PESTEL elements. Organizations can get strategic insight into the variables that may affect their operations, decision-making, and overall performance with the aid of PESTEL analysis. PESTEL analysis foresees and prepares for impending possibilities and difficulties. PESTEL analysis is adaptable to a range of circumstances and industries as its advantage. PESTEL analysis has some drawbacks, such as simplicity, a narrow scope, low priority, weak predictive ability, and a lack of contextual analysis.9,10
The analysis is being carried out with the goal to analyze the potential of andrology in providing health services from womb to tomb by analyzing the PESTEL factors influencing accessibility and effectiveness through a PESTEL analysis. The objectives will be the evaluation of the impact of political factors on andrology service accessibility and multidisciplinary approaches, the analysis of economic factors affecting funding and investment in andrology research and infrastructure, and the exploration of environmental factors impacting male health and early diagnosis. The analysis aims to provide insights into addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in delivering comprehensive male health services throughout the lifespan.
Potential of Andrology in Providing Health Services from Womb to Tomb
The success of the potential of the specialty of andrology depends on a multidisciplinary approach of all the various specialties in providing the health services of males in early diagnosis of diseases in males from womb to tomb. This requires intersectoral coordination and a multidisciplinary approach in order to create awareness and to improve the health-seeking behavior of males for the andrological disorders and early diagnosis and rehabilitation of cases of disorders of sex differentiation in males.11,12
In order to obtain a comprehensive picture of all the advantages and disadvantages of the potential of andrology in providing male health services from womb to tomb,13 it is absolutely essential to analyze all the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors through PESTEL analysis.
Political Factors
Government policies such as financing and support for research, development, and implementation of new technologies, as well as regulation of healthcare providers and services, can all have an influence on the accessibility of andrology services. Political unrest can obstruct the provision of andrology services by disrupting healthcare infrastructure and financing, as well as restricting the mobility of healthcare experts. Government policies may encourage and reward the use of multidisciplinary teams in healthcare, which can enhance Disorders of sex differentiation (DSD) and prostatic cancer diagnosis and therapy. Changes in government policy, on the contrary, can have an influence on financing and support for healthcare programs, including the usage of multidisciplinary teams.14
Economic Factors
The affordability of andrology services can be a barrier to accessibility, as well as the availability of funding and investment for andrology research, development, and implementation. Economic development can also affect the availability of andrology services, particularly in rural or low-income areas. Adequate funding and investment in healthcare infrastructure can enable the creation and maintenance of multidisciplinary teams, which can improve the diagnosis and management of DSD and prostatic cancer in a cost-effective manner. However, limited financial resources can impact the availability and effectiveness of healthcare services, including the use of multidisciplinary teams.15,16
Social Factors
Cultural ideas and attitudes can have an influence on access to andrology services, particularly when it comes to sensitive areas like reproductive health and sexuality. Education and knowledge regarding andrology services can have an influence on their accessibility, especially in groups that are unaware of the services provided or the significance of seeking treatment. Multidisciplinary teams can use technology breakthroughs like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to increase the accuracy and efficiency of DSD and prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Telemedicine can help increase male individual access to multidisciplinary teams in rural or underserved locations. Raising education and knowledge can help to lessen the influence of social stigma and cultural attitudes that might stymie the use of multidisciplinary teams for DSD and prostatic cancer, but change can be difficult.17,18
TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS
The availability and accessibility of technology, such as telemedicine and mobile health applications, might affect access to andrology treatments, especially in remote or rural locations. New technologies, including AI and machine learning, have the potential to increase the accuracy and efficiency of andrology services, but their adoption may need substantial investment and training. Multidisciplinary teams can use technology breakthroughs like AI and machine learning to increase the accuracy and efficiency of DSD and prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Yet, technological advancements can be costly and require specialized training, limiting their availability to healthcare practitioners and patients.19,20
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as climate change and natural disasters, can impact the accessibility of andrology services. They can increase the risk of prostatic cancer and impact the overall health of males, making early diagnosis and management even more important. However, environmental factors can be difficult to control, making it difficult to address their impact on male health.21,22
Legal Factors
Regulation and licensing of healthcare providers and services can impact the accessibility of andrology services but can also ensure quality and safety in healthcare delivery. Regulations and licensing can also limit the ability to create multidisciplinary teams, particularly across different healthcare specialties. Advantages include ensuring quality and safety in healthcare delivery, but disadvantages include limiting the ability to create multidisciplinary teams.23,24
Plan for Implementation
According to the PESTEL study, government policies, economic variables, cultural attitudes, technology, environmental factors, and legal laws can all have an influence on the accessibility of andrology services. Strategies such as boosting financing and investment in healthcare infrastructure, expanding education and awareness of andrology treatments, and investing in new technologies and telemedicine should be done to enhance access to andrology services. Multidisciplinary techniques can increase the early identification of DSD in young boys and prostate cancer in the elderly, but money, stigma, and laws can all have an influence on how these teams are implemented.
Strength and Limitations of the Analysis
The PESTEL study carried out in this article offers a thorough evaluation of the external factors that may have an impact on andrology’s potential to offer lifetime male health services. Additionally, it provides priceless strategic insights that support wise judgment and successful strategic planning. However, there are restrictions to take into account, such as the lack of factor prioritization and the analysis’s limited ability to anticipate. It is advised to combine the PESTEL study with additional analytical frameworks or tools that concentrate on internal aspects, contextual analysis, and particular industry dynamics to get over these drawbacks. Overall, the PESTEL analysis offers insightful information on the potential of andrology in providing services for men’s health, but it should be combined with other analyses to overcome the highlighted shortcomings.
CONCLUSION
The potential of andrology in delivering healthcare to male individuals from womb to tomb is great, especially when a multidisciplinary approach is used for the early detection of sex differentiation abnormalities in young boys and prostatic cancer in old age. Nonetheless, a number of issues must be addressed, including the difficulty in obtaining healthcare services. A PESTEL analysis revealed the benefits and drawbacks of many aspects that might affect andrology’s potential, including political, economic, social, technical, environmental, and legal concerns. A multidisciplinary strategy that makes use of technology breakthroughs overcomes societal stigma and takes environmental variables into consideration might considerably increase the potential of andrology in delivering healthcare to males from the womb to the tomb. By achieving these objectives, the analysis aims to enhance the potential of andrology in providing comprehensive and accessible health services to males throughout their lifespan while addressing the various external factors that can influence its effectiveness.
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