Abstract Today, the people of Thailand are faced with many of the same issues confronting their counterparts in both industrialized and developing nations. Around the world, concern is growing about who receives access to healthcare services. Some analysts suggest that the disparities in healthcare are actually increasing. These observers maintain that the shift in the healthcare system in advanced industrial countries from the principle of universal access to a more market-oriented system may be one cause of the growing disparities they observe; rising income inequality is another likely reason. To determine when, why and if Thai adolescents are using the enormous repository of valuable healthcare information provided by the internet, this study examines the scholarly literature and surveys a convenience sampling of Thai youths. An analysis of the data is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion, together with appropriate recommendations for policymakers and adolescent internet users in the rapidly industrializing Kingdom of Thailand today.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "The ancient Kingdom of Siam is now the nation of Thailand, a modern country that enjoys a free-enterprise economy and encourages foreign investment. The country's exports feature textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances (Thailand, 2004). Today, Thailand has recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis and has became one of East Asia's best performers in 2002. Increased consumption and investment spending and strong export growth helped to drive GDP growth up to 6.3% in 2003 in spite of a sluggish global economy. Further, the highly popular government has pushed an expansionist policy, including major support of village economic development (Thailand, 2004). In this environment, many uoung Thais are becoming more self-reliant, and are asserting their independence from their families. according to a study by Starcom, a media-planning specialist and affiliate of Leo Burnett, these young people are becoming increasingly aware of social issues that affect their lives."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the term healthcare communication can refer to all types of communications used in the healthcare industry, be it communication between and among healthcare agencies, healthcare providers, and healthcare clients. In this paper, however, the writer concentrates on the topic of healthcare communication between healthcare providers and their patients-clients. The paper emphasizes the importance of this communication and looks at the current movement in healthcareeducation to bring back the human touch into healthcare practice in order for medicine to regain its soul.
Outline:
What is Healthcare Communication?
Relevance of Healthcare Communication
Emergency Room Situations
Confidentiality
Dealing with Family Issues
Dealing with Sociocultural Issues
Communication in the Process of Healing
Principles of Therapeutic Communication in Healthcare Settings
Verbal communications
Verbal communications
Nonverbal communications
From the Paper "Communication is an exchange, a two-way process. But sometimes this is forgotten in the healthcare setting when the patient-client becomes the passive, receiving end while the healthcare provider does all the talking and fails to listen. However, for healthcare delivery to be effective, there should be an exchange of information between the two parties.
"Healthcare providers have a 2-fold responsibility towards their patients who are basically their clients. First, they must have the technical skills, and second, they much have the ability to communicate and empathize. In other words, a healthcare professional does not only need the brain and skill to perform his/her work. He/she must also have his/her heart into it."
Abstract This sixteen-page paper looks at and compares different models of clinical supervision, considering the Integrated Developmental Model and the Discrimination Model, noting similarities and difference as well as discussing ho they may be practically and conceptually used by supervisors within healthcare departments.
Abstract The writer discusses that one of the most important factors promoting the importance of nursing in terms of patient wellness has been the development of favorable theories and educational programs, supporting the nurse as an integral part of the patient's wellness program. However, the writer maintains that the true power of nursing is in the recognition of the nurse's contribution to the healthcare system and the knowledge and complex decision-making skills that are necessary to care for patients. The writer mentions that although there are many nursing theories, albeit the Newman's system model, Leininger's Trans-cultural Model, The Orem Model or Orlando's Nursing Process Theory, part of this paper reflects upon the Watson model with respect to its place in nursing practice. The report also applies the basic tenets of these theories to a specific practice setting, namely nursing the elderly in the home healthcare environment.
From the Paper "According to Watson, her philosophical orientation is extremely existential, spiritual, and somewhat metaphysical. Watson describes nursing as an art and a human science with the major focus being the process of a human care for individuals, families and groups rather than on the sole tenet of academic expertise. Nevertheless, Watson also states that harmony is required among the three and that the nursing goal is to help people to reach which is accomplished through transpersonal relationship development.
Within the Theory of Human Caring, during the transpersonal caring moment, the nurse and the patient gain entry into the living knowledge of each other - similar to Benner's self-reflection stage. In order for transpersonal contact to occur both the caregiver and patient experience a process of being and becoming wherein both are influenced by the nature of transaction. Watson goes on to define human caring as a moral ideal and that the ideal will assure a certain needed behavior at the time of the caring occasion."
Abstract This paper discusses quality and the need to have effective quality measures in the healthcare industry. It examines the lack of a proper definition for quality, instead focusing on lack of quality and what that means. It also discusses government interventions and commissions and then finally discusses the ways, often futile and self defeating, that consumers can educate themselves and lead to their own better quality care.
From the Paper "This paper examines the importance of quality healthcare from a number of perspectives, including governmental interaction and personal responsibility. These perspectives will help answer the questions: What is Quality? Why is it important to measure quality and what are the most effective measures of quality? When examining the overall concept of quality healthcare, what was most interesting and perhaps revealing, was that there was no clear definition presented to define quality healthcare. What was available, in abundance, were definitions of what quality healthcare wasn't. According to the Department of Health and Human Services Report, The Challenge and Potential for Assuming Quality Health Care for the 21st Century (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 1998), quality healthcare does not include: a failure to provide necessary healthcare resulting in needless complications, increased costs and increased and premature mortality rates. "
Abstract This paper presents five models for adapting to the changes technology brings about in healthcare organizations. All models stress the need to create a common foundation of support for technological change, educate organizational members in how this change will impact their routines, and keep forums open for discussion so that members of the organization can discuss their feelings about the change and their concerns about the need for such change and the ways that it is being implemented. The author also stresses the inherent fear and stress that accompanies any change in an organization, especially one brought on by new technology.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Five Different Models or Theories of Change in Health Care
The Human Implications of Major Organizational Change: Critical Success Factors Describe the Human Implications of the Technological Changes Conclusion
From the Paper "Change is a way of life. (Dunning, 2001) Patients, providers, and adminstrators must all deal with the unavoidable presence of change in the way that healthcare is dispensed. Learning theories emphasize that learning a new, complex pattern of behavior, like changing from a sedentary to an active lifestyle for a patient can be difficult. Having to cope with the ways that new technology and treatment modify existing health care procedures for providers, and the ways that the structure of the healthcare bureaucracy makes it increasingly difficult to monitor without sophisticated technology for organizations and individuals can also be a challenge. Thus finding ways of learning to cope with change is an imperative for all involved in modern health care."
Abstract This paper explains that a plethora of qualitative research studies clearly show that the Australian health system has never met the needs of men and women who are poor and far more likely to suffer from health issue because of their social status. The author explains that poor housing conditions, exposure to excessive climates, disease, unclean air, soil and water and occupational risks exacerbate an already high level of environmental health risks for the poor. The paper relates that this group is faced with a lack of social support from the healthcare industry, little to no health insurance and other social systems problems.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Equity
Racism with Socio-Economic Concerns
Mental Health
Using the System
Conclusion
From the Paper "One aspect of healthcare that is often overlooked in regard to socio-economic conditions is the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. "Findings from a new study from Australia suggest that mental disorders and suicide attempts are caused by social factors. There is a need for social and economic responses beyond provision of mental health services." Findings by the British Journal of Psychiatry and a 1997 Australian survey of mental health and wellbeing demonstrated that socio-economic status was a major problem in mental disorders as well as attempted suicide risk. The poor were very likely to have associated mental disorders that include depression and anxiety disorders."
Abstract This paper discusses the rising healthcare costs in the United States and its long-term effects. Several of the primary drivers of increasing healthcare costs are examined with their short-term solutions introduced thereafter. The research concludes with the examination of the primary modes of healthcare deliver, Medicare and managed/employment based healthcare programs and the overall solution to the long-term healthcare system problems. The result is the recommendation that the healthcare system be nationalized and several cost control measures mandated by Congress.
From the Paper "The United States is courting disaster with its current trend in rising healthcare costs coupled with its aging population. In the United States healthcare is fully privatized with employees being offered healthcare insurance through the employer which is usually subsidized by the employer or healthcare insurance is available privately but is expensive. Additionally, there are several federally mandated programs such as Medicare and Medicaid that provide some degree of medical coverage to the elderly and the underserved. Clearly, the United States' medical healthcare system is in dire need of an overhaul; otherwise, the ramifications of having a very large percentage of its population become essentially uninsured, which is to say uncared for, are dire. Below are the primary drivers of this increasingly unaffordable system followed by a recommended solution. The Prescription Drug Industry The federal government must contain the spiraling prescription drug costs."
Abstract This paper discusses the role and the importance of nurse management education. It specifically discusses Malcolm Knowles' development of a learning module aimed at adult learning, in which he coined the phrase, andragogy. The paper analyzes the andragogic model and looks specifically at how it relates to nurse management education.
From the Paper "Despite these positive influences, nursing management education is often criticized because organizational changes cannot be achieved only by education. Admittedly, salary, benefits and other such factors are also important. In addition, long-term success in reaching managerial goals depends on physician support of nurse managers. Without effective physician/ nurse teams to implement change, management education alone will not be enough. Overall, however, research shows how nurses educated in management can minimize losses related to unit functioning in a variety of ways: Risk can be managed with less insurance; cost; cost of materials and supplies can be controlled; individual nurses work more efficiently; Staff to patient ratio can be adjusted to patient acuity; support services can be used more effectively at less cost; job satisfaction results in less absenteeism and staff productivity increases (Goddard, 1987)."
Abstract This writer of this paper examines the current situation in the Native American community and the absence of acceptable healthcare services offered. Topics discussed in this paper include: Healthcare funding, recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, changes to federal programs and cultural issues. This paper also discusses the Hispanic community which faces similar barriers to healthcare. This paper explores the various strategies to address the healthcare issues of Native Americans developed by the Indian Health Design Team.
From the Paper "Hispanics face similar barriers to healthcare, as do Native Americans. These are the lack of providers, which are close in proximity to the patient. Many Hispanics live in rural areas, which are far from healthcare providers. This problem does not only affect those in rural areas, but urban areas as well, another area which is heavily populated by Hispanics. Patients in this area may still have to travel quite a distance for healthcare, the choice of which may be limited due to type of coverage they have and they may not have adequate means of transportation. Finally, a healthcare provider who is closer may not be accepted due to differences in nationality."
Abstract This is an opinion paper looking at whether the individual or society should pay for healthcare. The thesis of the paper is that a system of universal healthcare with strong incentives for individual responsibility is the best option. The paper argues that this type of system allows individuals to receive the healthcare they need, which ultimately benefits society, and also encourages people to take responsibility for the fiscal implications of their healthcare choices.
From the Paper "Is healthcare a right or a privilege? While, on its surface an issue of ethics, a practical view of this question begs an analysis of its financial implications. With the cost of healthcare to consumers increasing and fewer companies willing to pay for these increases, workers pay more. The corollary question arises as to who should bear the primary responsibility of paying for healthcare -- the individual or society? Many nations provide universal healthcare and others such as Canada, that previously did not provide it, are moving..."
Abstract This paper discusses the fluid nature of law and most legal systems and then relates this characteristic back to healthcare. Various aspects of healthcare such as palliative care and healthcare's ethical framework are examined in light of the nuances of an inexact legal framework. This paper concludes that the healthcare industry cannot and should not function off the interpretive method that the legal system does.
From the Paper "The nature of law has been a hotly contested subject ever since Hammurabi first had his code carved in stone circa 1775 B.C. Since then, law has been subjected to myriad interpretive analysis, written, rewritten and canonized in various ways: the common law of England, precedent or case law in America developing out of England's common law heritage and even religious law as of Islamic law commonly called Shari'ah. The only common dialectical thread through all these historical bodies of law and legal systems, both current and past, is that law is not an exact science. "
Abstract This paper discusses the nature of the healthcare system in the United States in 15 to 20 years and what it will resemble. The paper's hypothesis is that the three current trends in payment will drive the industry towards a consolidation of all three within the structure of a centralized healthcare system. Furthermore, the centralized healthcare system will come about because the current system is privileging only those who can pay and leaving the rest effectively uncared for. Finally, the paper discusses how technology will express a great influence on the pervasiveness of this centralized healthcare system.
From the Paper "The ebb and flow in the healthcare industry regarding payment systems and arrangements for practicing physicians will be especially pronounced in the next twenty years. With the constant rise in healthcare costs, the increased reliance on managed care systems and ever improving technology, the payment strategies used by physicians will become an important component of the business aspect of healthcare: "Insurance carriers are introducing an unending stream of new caps and conditions... Hospitals are undergoing a major restructuring... doctor groups are forming, breaking up, reforming and restructuring...to meet...demands of insurers..."(Galbick, 1996, para.1). This flux in the industry will intensify and will have a pervasive impact on the healthcare industry in terms of payment strategies and systems resulting in a health care system that coalesce around one of the following payment systems but, in all cases, will become heavily subsidized by the federal government."
Abstract This paper deals with the responsibility the employer has in providing healthcare benefits to its employees. It reviews healthcare systems and recommends how the employer can maximize healthcare benefits for employees. Four different plans are reviewed and discussed. The results will possibly lower the employers healthcare cost for employees.
From the Paper "Healthcare and all of the fractured issues included in it is one of the most explosive topics in our society today, both politically and consumer wise. Horror stories are continually told about, among other things, the costs of insurance, the inability to receive care, racial and ethnic disparity, and a host of other intervening variables and conditions. Sometime in the past several years America's healthcare system has managed to avoid the checks and balances of the institutional system and plunge into a state of national crises. Economic and business driven healthcare, wherein medical practitioners are seemingly more interested in stock options and bottom line profits than in their patients, is a blight on society as a whole as well as a failing grade for the government whose obligation it is to preserve and protect the country's citizenry. As such that ..."
Abstract This paper discusses healthcare budgeting process as it impacts the economics of the industry relevant to the government rules and regulations that define the overall process. Of particular importance are the Medicaid and Medicare programs and how recent changes in policies and the regulatory environment have impacted the healthcare industry. Overall, the regulatory environment of the Medicare and Medicaid government programs has made healthcare budgeting and economics a much more problematic endeavor.
From the Paper "While most administration officials view the economics of healthcare budgeting to be nothing more than a specialized version of the normal business budgeting process, in the healthcare industry, this viewpoint can be problematic. The core activities of the healthcare budgeting process are fairly straightforward and can be largely automated through specialized industry software. But the economic impact on the wider community that this process engenders is an extremely important consideration because the budgeting process determines pricing for services, taking into consideration insurance and government restrictions, and this process impacts affordability. Within this process are such line items as staffing requirements, workload activities, as well as a host of variables."
