Abstract My research compares and contrasts the healthcaresystem of the United States and that of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Without a doubt, the most noticeable difference between the two healthsystems is that the United States system works under the managed care model while the UAE system follows that used in one way or another by most of the developed nations: the universal healthcaresystem.
Abstract This paper examines the healthcaresystem of Germany from the time of the reunification of East and West Germany to the present. It looks at the admirable services, quality, and extensive coverage Germany has managed to provide its citizens under a socialized form of healthcare, while avoiding all the pitfalls of socialized medicine. The paper also examines some of the pressures the system is now facing and the reasons for this pressure and looks at the debate regarding how much coverage Germany should be obligated to provide its citizens.
From the Paper "In 1949, when the occupying armies of the Allies left the region that had been the German nation, two states were created, Communist-bloc East Germany, and a western-friendly democracy, West Germany. In 1961, the East Germany government erected a wall in Berlin to keep East Germans from becoming West Germans. The wall, a hated symbol but also a real wedge into German culture and society, stood until 1989. Suddenly, in the spring and summer of that year, there was an exodus of East German citizens through embassies in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. In early October, there were unheard-of public demonstrations against the East German government in Berlin and Leipzig."
Abstract In this paper the author looks at the American healthcaresystem highlighting from the beginning that medical error is the 5th leading cause of death in America at the moment, ranking higher than diabetes and accidents. The author gives examples of cases where poor judgement and general medical error have led to deaths that could have been prevented. The paper proceeds to discuss the unnecessary deaths caused by overuse or misuse of medical drugs. Finally the paper concludes that doctors are neither miracle makers nor gods, and the public cannot hold them accountable when they make every effort to use their best judgment; they are simply humans like the rest of us. If their conditions were better a lot of the errors could be prevented.
From the Paper "This problem aside, the next argument focuses on the groups that were used to calculate the data. Opponents argue that the data was calculated on the premise that most patients admitted to hospitals have high disease burdens and are high death risks even before they enter the hospital; that those patients selected for chart review in the Harvard study were a high severity group and would of course reflect a higher mortality. Unfortunately, this misses the point completely."
Abstract Approximately 12 percent of America's population is without any formal healthcare insurance coverage, although some estimates of this proportion are higher. The research problem investigated in this study concerns minority access to healthcare. The central issue in the study is the determination of the best approach to improve such access, especially in relation to HIV-AIDS patients. The paper begins with a review of healthcare delivery problems for minority population groups, which is followed by a consideration of the HIV-AIDS issue among minority population groups. The primary focus of this assessment is on healthcare outcomes.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Minorities and HIV-AIDS
Interaction with HealthCareSystem Racial and Ethnic Orientation
Structure and Method of Investigation
Minorities: HealthCare Delivery Problems in the Community and HealthCareSystem Bioethical Issues
Failure to Address Racial Differences
Failure to Address Insurance Status Differences
HealthCare Delivery and Accessibility
HMOs and Fee-for-Service Providers
Social Psychological Influences
Distrust of the HealthCareSystem Health Beliefs of Minorities
Social Identity Influences
Minority Status and HIV-AIDS
HIV-AIDS and Minority Population Groups
Origins
Ethical Issues
HIV-AIDS HealthCare for Minorities
Initiatives to Improve Minority Access to HealthCare Proposed Initiative
Conclusions and Recommendations
Restatement of Problem
Summary of Findings
Conclusions
Potential Solutions
Assessment
Recommendations
From the Paper "In the 1990s, one initiative designed to broaden access to health care services needs for the nation's indigent involved the development of nurse-managed clinics targeting low-income persons. A nurse practitioner is a specially educated and trained nurse who provides some level of health care directly to patients without supervision by a physician.
Nurse managed clinics for the indigent are prominent in the nation's inner cities. Nurse managed clinics such as those associated with the Kellogg Homeless Project in Washington, the Pine Street Inn in Boston, and the Los Angeles School of Nursing Health Center are delivering health care services to indigent persons at cost savings (compared to more traditional delivery venues) and in areas that would not otherwise be served by health care professionals (Sharp, 1992; Lutz, 1991)."
Abstract Approximately 12 percent of the American population is without any formal healthcare insurance coverage. The research problem investigated in this paper concerns minority access to healthcare. The central issue is the determination of the best approach to improve such access, especially in relation to HIV-AIDS patients.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem
Minorities and HIV-AIDS
Interaction with HealthCareSystem Racial and Ethnic Orientation
Structure and Method of Investigation
Structure
Method [Focus on Outcomes]
Minorities: HealthCare Delivery Problems in the Community and HealthCareSystem Bioethical Issues
Failure to Address Racial Differences
Failure to Address Insurance Status Differences
HealthCare Delivery and Accessibility
Delivery
Accessibility
HMOs and Fee-for-Service Providers
Social Psychological Influences
Distrust of the HealthCareSystem Health Beliefs of Minorities
Social Identity Influences
Minority Status and HIV-AIDS
HIV-AIDS and Minority Population Groups
Origins
Ethical Issues
HIV-AIDS HealthCare for Minorities
Initiatives to Improve Minority Access to HealthCare Proposed Initiative
Conclusions and Recommendations
Restatement of Problem
Summary of Findings
Conclusions
Potential Solutions
Assessment
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Decisions made by health care professionals in the conduct of practice typically are reached within the context of an ethical framework (Marty, 1992). Clinical ethics is defined as the systematic identification, analysis, and resolution of ethical problems associated with the care of particular patients (Zuckerman, 1994). The goals of clinical ethics include protecting the rights and interests of patients, assisting clinicians in ethical decision-making, and encouraging cooperative relationships among patients and those close to patients, clinicians, and health care institutions. Important in the definition of clinical ethics is an emphasis on clinicians, not only physicians, thus underscoring the fact that clinical ethics needs to be a multi-disciplinary endeavor that encompasses the range of clinician expertise involved in patient care."
This paper discusses the survivability of the UK nationalized healthcaresystem by reviewing its history, organization, and programs, and by comparing it to three other nationalized health services.
Abstract This paper explains that the NHS was established on the principle of the collective responsibility of the state to implement a comprehensive healthcaresystem designed to meet the healthcare needs of the total population, in which all UK citizens would have equal access to healthcare services at no charge. The author points out that it was assumed, as healthcare improved, demand would decrease; but, within a very short period, the government found itself faced with too little funding to meet the persistent demand. The paper contends that Japan, Sweden, and Canada appear to have incorporated better provisions to insure that equal access is guaranteed to constituents as compared to the UK's NHS. Table.
Table of Contents
Historical Perspective
Organization of the Study
Summary of 2000 NHS Plan
Current and Future Health Status and Healthcare Needs in the UK
Alternative HealthCareSystems Review of Healthcare Systems in OECD Countries
Japan
Sweden
Canada
Comparison of NHS with the Healthcare Systems of Japan, Sweden and Canada
World Health Organization and HealthCare Funding
Current Trends in Healthcare Privatization
Conclusions
From the Paper "The Plan, as reported by the Department of Health (2000), is also designed to insure that the needs of the elderly are better met. The Plan includes the incorporation of national standards for caring for older people to ensure that ageism is not tolerated and personal care plans for the elderly and their caregivers will be provided, with nursing home services made free by 2004. There also will be an additional ?900 million package of new intermediate care services to allow older people to live more independent lives. The NHS Plan also includes further efforts to insure that inequalities amongst patients are targeted, with a focus on increasing and improving primary care in deprived areas; the introduction of screening programs for women and children; the provision of step up smoking cessation services; and the provision of free fruit in schools for 4-6 year olds."
Tags: accessibility, responsibility, japan, canada, sweden
Abstract This paper examines the American healthcaresystem and suggests methods of creating universal access to healthcare. The paper explains that healthcare should be considered a right for all citizens; a constitutional amendment would make this proposition mandatory. The paper points out that, at its root, the lack of healthcare for all in America is fundamentally a moral issue. The paper suggests that the United States follow its industrialized, wealthy counterparts and demand universal healthcare. It explains that the desire for universal healthcare is apparent and cites examples of states which are implementing a near-universal healthcaresystem. The writer proposes that the U.S. pass the United States National Health Insurance Act, or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. The writer further explains that this act establishes the United States National Health Insurance (USNHI) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free healthcare, including all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services.
Outline:
Universal Healthcare in Other Countries
United States National Health Insurance Act
The Uninsured: College Students
Children's HealthCare Preventative HealthCare Eliminating Disparities
Conclusion
From the Paper "More health care clinics geared toward minority populations could also be beneficial; citizens would feel more comfortable in settings that recognize their specific needs. Cultural and linguistic competence is mandatory. More classes in medical school concerning minority health care issues should be implemented. More minority members should be in the health care system. This would increase patient participation in care processes, ensuring grater satisfaction and adherence to treatment. The regulations in the system should be transparent and open to the public. A department in the government should be primarily focused on minority health care. The heath care system should be as diverse as our country."
Tags: primary, care, prescription, drugs, emergency, care, mental, health, services
Abstract This paper begins with a historical perspective on the American healthcaresystem. It compares healthcaresystems across various cultures and analyzes the current state of healthcare in America. The paper then describes three distinct measures to reform healthcare without resorting to socialized medicine. It looks at regulatory reform, quality improvements and mandatory immunization programs.
Table of Contents:
History Of American HealthCare HealthCare Abroad
The Current Situation
The Cost Of Poor Quality
Good Medicine
Payin' And Suffering
Conclusion And Proposal
Appendices
From the Paper "Health care in the United States didn't begin as the complex system we grapple with today. The first health care market worked very well- patients with very low expectations paid "doctors" for cures that didn't work. While this system was often less than ideal for patients, it was ideal from an economic point of view. This practice continued as doctors began to offer effective services to patients who developed an appetite for care that often exceeded their ability to pay. As the Great Depression fell upon America, hospitals began to suffer from patients' inability to pay for care. Desperate for relief, hospitals lobbied states for a way to ensure bills were paid. The creation of the first modern insurance company, Blue Cross, resulted . Originally, Blue Cross was a non-profit organization that simply paid the bills, without getting involved in what type of care was provided. Once doctors realized the benefits of this system- primarily, fast and complete payment of bills- the insurance industry began to grow. Soon, the practice was so popular that employees began demanding that their employers provide insurance benefits- a practice encouraged by the government in the form of tax benefits. This change in how care was paid for meant that the burden of health care costs shifted from the general population to the government. In the years after World War II, the United States experienced dramatic leaps in medicine. In the 1960's, the US saw a major change in how health care dollars are spent when Medicare and Medicaid began . Since that time, the US has seen a rise in the percentage of health care dollars spent by the government from 24% in the 1960s to 60% in the 1990s. Including tax subsidies for health insurance, 51% of health care spending in the US is done by government- and paid for by taxpayers."
Abstract This paper contends that healthcaresystems across the world are experiencing critical problems. The paper focuses on the healthcaresystem of Puerto Rico. Population characteristics are investigated, as well as the economy, health status parameters, financial parameters, access and availability, accountability, planning, patient autonomy, and satisfaction. The paper determines how these factors influence the effectiveness of the overall healthcaresystem on the island of Puerto Rico.
From the Paper "Puerto Rico is an island located east of the Dominican Republic. As a result of the Spanish American War Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and its citizens were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. The island has been at the forefront of political and economic debate for quite some time. The island was inhabited by aboriginals but after 400 years of colonial rule, the original people group that inhabited the island was nearly extinct."
Abstract This paper states that he Canadian healthcaresystem is broken. The author compares the Canadian healthcaresystem in relation to healthcare in other nations. The paper concludes that NAFTA has not significantly affected the disparate levels of healthcare available its three member nations.
From the Paper "The Canadian health care system is broken. This condition is not an unusual one in health care, unfortunately. Similar difficulties exist in countries with similar systems, such as Finland and Sweden. But broken health care systems are not limited to those countries with socialized medicine. Other countries, such as the United States and Mexico, also have difficulty providing consistently adequate health care in a timely fashion to all of their citizens. How do the problems within the Canadian health care correlate with those of other countries? "
Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that any hospitalized women can expect to encounter inequality in the healthcaresystem. The writer declares that for aging immigrant women, the situation is greatly aggravated because of race, ethnicity, and educational background as well as other factors such as sexism and ageism. Immigrant women not only receive unequal treatment in the healthcare system but very often are invisible to that system. The writer points out that the Canadian government seems to be taking the desired approach but the situation for immigrant women is becoming worse. The writer maintains that instead of resolving the problem, the healthcaresystem is basically ignoring the issue because of its own issues with restructuring. It seems that the solution will only come through a firm policy which makes diversity and gender a priority.
Outline:
Introduction
Rationale for Choice of Topic
Literature Review
Determinants of health Gender Roles, Social Status, and Health Coping
Research Question
My Approach and Goals
From the Paper "An institution which ensures that women's rights are protected is the Women's Health Bureau which uses a gender lens to study government policy and health disparities. The mandate of the Women's Health Bureau's mandate is to make certain that the Canadian health care system responds to the needs of women (Spitzer, 2006, p. 2). The Women's Health Bureau also assists policymakers and programme planners to undertake gender-based analysis of their work. In addition, there is the Women's Network which works with the government along with other groups."
Tags: gender, equality, health, care, system, disparities
Abstract This nine page undergraduate paper examines future aspects of healthcare from the perspective of healthcare administrators and managers. The writer notes that it is evident that challenges must be overcome, despite the numerous problems presented by historical, social, ethical, technological, and financial factors. The writer points out that at the present time, the healthcaresystem in the United States is confronting rising costs and undiminished expectations, and the system is in crisis. Further, the writer discusses that controversial issues of socialized medicine, cost shifting, and budget deficits will have to be addressed if needed reforms of the American healthcaresystem are to be implemented.
From the Paper "In examining future aspects of health care from the perspective of health care administrators and managers, it is evident that they must overcome the numerous challenges presented by historical, social, ethical, technological, and financial factors. At the present time, the health care system in the United States is confronting rising costs and undiminished expectations, and the system is in crisis. Controversial issues of socialized medicine, cost shifting, and budget deficits will have to be addressed if needed reforms of the American health care system are to be implemented. But reforming health care in the United States is contentious because it will affect the level of services and involve tens of millions of beneficiaries and taxpayers."
Abstract This paper begins with a discussion on the patient population. It claims that a high percentage of the patients are elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The paper explains that this disease demands many different kinds of treatment and with the growing number of patients the need for better healthcare is urgent. It continues to expand on the organizations that comprise healthcaresystems. Finally, it mentions the mechanisms for financing care and the role of the government in solving this national problem.
Table of Contents:
Identification of the Patient Population Being Served
Organizations that Comprise the HealthCare Delivery System Mechanisms for Financing Care Role of Government
Bibliography
From the Paper "The role that the government plays in the healthcare model for this patient population has been alluded to in the above section. The need for a more equitable healthcare system is suggested in numerous studies. Government policy plays a crucial role in the in the healthcare models for these patients. In 1997 the Balanced Budget Act "...changed the reimbursement rules for Medicare home health benefits from a fee-for-service system to a prospective payment system (PPS)." ( Rock, B. 2005) This resulted in the fact that the coordination between the various healthcare professionals has become more important and vital in the treatment of dementia patients. "... coordination and collaboration among all members of the home health care team (that is, nurses, social workers, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and home health aides) is critical to provide home care for frail and chronically ill populations." ( Rock, B. 2005) "
Abstract This paper provides a description of the Swiss healthcaresystem and discusses the positive and negative aspects of that system. The paper discusses the impact of the high costs of the system in Switzerland and examines the concerns about equality of access and whether quality of care is a privilege for certain classes. The paper briefly considers whether the Swiss system would be effective in Canada.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Swiss HealthCareSystem Positive Aspects of the Swiss System Negative Aspects of the System Conclusions
From the Paper "Fees in Switzerland are not uniform. The amount paid by an insurance company depends on the specific services provided and, more importantly, vary from one canton to another. The fee schedules for each canton are approved by the cantonal government after they have been negotiated between the providers and the insurance companies. The Swiss are involved in risky venture since in 2003 they voted against a proposal to link health insurance premiums to income. The plan would have resulted in significant increases in premiums for the wealthy and would have aligned the Swiss system with the remainder of Europe (Mbitha-Schmid, 2003). To offset the impressive hospital infrastructure in Switzerland, the drawback is that lengths of hospital stay are comparatively long. Directly related to this, the amounts of health care expenditure which are spent on hospital care are the highest of any country in Europe (Mbitha-Schmid, 2003)."
This well-researched paper examines the history and current state of the managed caresystem which began in the 1940s with the creation of prepaid group health cooperatives.
Abstract This in-depth paper explores the managed healthcaresystem in America. The writer of this paper details the evolution of the managed caresystem from its inception in the 1940s when healthcare was developed through the arrangements of an enrolled population and a group of physicians who agreed to work on salary versus on a fee-for-service basis. Also discussed is the government-led reform which resulted in the 1973 passing of the HMO Act, as well as the political and ethical issues regarding doctor-patient confidentiality.
From the Paper "The trend is gradually changing as local officials become better educated and experienced with human service programs and supportive local interest groups. This is the result of human service personnel and advocates beginning to realize the need for understanding and working effectively with the local political officials. The matter of politics is a two way street. Human service personnel need to learn more about politics. Political officials in turn can benefit from human service personnel involvement. Citizens and policy makers both recognize that better ways are necessary to conduct politics."
Tags:health, care, privacy, rights, doctor, patient, law, insurance, care, provider
