L5: Healthcare System Flashcards
CAM
complementary and alternative medicine
Diverse group of healing therapies not currently considered an integral part of conventional medicine practice
pull factors for CAM
pull people toward CAM
Desire to take a more proactive role in one’s health
Holistic health beliefs
Psychological health benefits
Push factors for CAM
push people away from traditional medical treatment
Side effects
Ineffective treatment
Poor doctor-patient relationship
demographic factors associated with CAM use
Female, middle-aged, highly educated, greater number of chronic health issues
May indicate a desire and financial ability to promote health and need to find effective treatment
May be especially important for chronically ill patients (also use traditional treatment)
concerns for CAM: false categorization
homeopathy (no evidence) vs acupuncture (studies show benefits)
all under one name, but vary in support by evidence
concerns related to CAM
False categorization
Small sample sizes
Less regulation
Can prevent people from seeking other treatment
Healthcare System and Policy in Different Countries
US spends most as percentage of GDP, and most payment from private - but life expectancy is not higher - 43rd on UN list
Overall health care ranking: UK and Switzerland top, Canada and US bottom
Dimensions of Quality Healthcare: care process
safe and coordinated care, engagement and patient preferences
Dimensions of Quality Healthcare: access
includes affordability and timeliness
Dimensions of Quality Healthcare: equity
compares performance for high and low income individuals
Healthcare as a right vs. as a privilege
Dr. Martin’s 6 big ideas:
Improving relationships between doctor and patient
National pharmacare plan
Less care in some cases
Reorganizing resources (moving people to long-term care when needed, etc.)
Guaranteed annual income (increasing minimum wage)
Collaboration, not competition among providers + collaborative research and innovation
paradox of healthcare usage
Both excess and deprivation: some people get too much, others not enough
overutilization in healthcare
1/3 - 1/2 of all healthcare services have no beneficial effect on patients
Disease Reservoir
As diagnostic tech improves, previously undiagnosed problems identified in many people who may not benefit from treatment
Pseudodisease
disease that will not affect duration or quality of life
