BMC Health Services Research is calling for submissions to our Collection on Patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications.

Understanding the indications for prescribed medications is crucial for patient safety and effective healthcare delivery. Many patients lack adequate knowledge about their medications, which can lead to non-adherence, adverse drug reactions, and suboptimal health outcomes. This Collection invites research that examines the extent of patients' medication knowledge, the factors influencing their understanding, and the implications for healthcare practice. By exploring these aspects, we aim to illuminate the gaps in medication literacy and the importance of patient engagement in their treatment regimens.

Enhancing patients' knowledge of their medications is vital for fostering informed decision-making and promoting adherence to treatment plans. Recent advances in medication counseling, patient education programs, and digital health technologies have shown promise in improving medication awareness. These interventions not only empower patients but also support healthcare providers in delivering personalized care. By fostering a culture of medication literacy, healthcare systems can enhance patient outcomes and reduce the burden of medication-related issues.

Topics for submission:

Assessing medication literacy in diverse populations

Barriers and facilitators to understanding medication indications

Impact of patient education and other related interventions on medication adherence

Tools, interventions and strategies for enhancing patient medication knowledge

Understand how, why for whom and under what circumstances interventions to enhance medication knowledge work or not

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Health systems worldwide are increasingly facing the dual challenges of rising health demands and the unpredictability of emergencies. Recent and ongoing polycrises—whether the COVID-19 pandemic, sporadic outbreaks of emerging or reemerging diseases, or increasingly frequent emergencies resulting from natural hazards—have highlighted the urgent and compelling need for enhanced health system preparedness and resilience. Effective emergency preparedness involves not only robust planning and response strategies but also the capability to adapt and recover quickly from disruptions. This Collection aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of strengthening health systems to ensure they can effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and maintain continuity of care.

Addressing the resilience of health systems is crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring that healthcare providers can deliver effective services during crises. Recent advancements have included the integration of technology in health management, improved supply chain logistics, and enhanced workforce training. Furthermore, frameworks for assessing health system resilience have been developed, offering valuable insights into best practices. However, ongoing research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and to implement innovative solutions that can be adapted to various contexts and crises.

Topics for submission but are not limited to:

• Governance, leadership, and policy approaches for resilient health systems
• Frameworks and metrics for assessing and strengthening health system preparedness and resilience
• Financing mechanisms and economic resilience of health systems in emergencies
• Community engagement and locally led strategies in crisis preparedness, response and recovery
• Workforce training, surge capacity, and capability building for emergency response
• Supply chain management and essential resource security during emergencies
• Digital technologies and data-driven innovations for emergency preparedness, response and recovery
• Health system resilience in underserved, vulnerable, or fragile settings

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.