Overview of healthcare systems Flashcards
What are the required components of a healthcare system?
Structure, providers, technology, supplies, meds
How do you describe a healthcare system?
Total of the organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to improve health through healthcare delivery.
How is health defined?
Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease
How are structure and function defined?
Structure, or what it is, is defined by its parts and its processes–aka facilities and providers
Function, or how it works, involves inputs (materials, resources, finances) and outputs (services, products) which are then processed, and create change in some way.
What are the 6 critical success factors for the building blocks of health systems, according to the WHO?
- Service delivery: safe, effective healthcare delivery
- Health workforce: responsible and efficient
- Health info: data on performance, and health determinants
- Medical technology: drugs, vaccines
- Health financing: adequate funds (think low and middle-income countries) for healthcare, whether it be public or private.
- Leadership and governance: plan for the future, design systems, accountabilities
How can the overall functioning of a health system be measured?
Cost, quality, equity, access, innovation
How can the “fairness” of a system be measured?
Equity, accountability, choice, comprehensive benefits, minimal financial barriers, universal access
How can quality outcomes be evaluated?
Life expectancy Cancer survival Maternal/neonatal mortality Readmission rates Immunization rates Non-communicable disease rates Avoidable mortality** (this is the best way to measure the quality of healthcare delivery)
What larger social systems exist that may impact health systems?
Behavioral, material/living environment, psychosocial, and nutritional (think food deserts)
What patterns exist for healthcare financing for countries with different income levels?
Low-income countries will mostly pay OOP for care.
Lower-middle income countries will mostly have territorial gov’t healthcare
Upper-middle income countries will have a mix of social health insurance, OOP payments, and territorial gov’t coverage
High income countries will mostly have social health insurance
How much of one’s health status is related to “residence”?
60%
What percent of preventable deaths in the U.S. are due to lifestyle/environmental risk?
50%
What are some of the SDOH?
Employment and job stress Nutrition Poverty Sexual behavior Social support Transportation/pollution Living conditions and neighborhood environment **These situations are often transgenerational... poor SDOH may cause people to become unhealthy and stay unhealthy, which may create generational struggles.
What are the premises of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)?
End poverty, promote well-being and protect the planet.
**Goal 3 focuses on health.
