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Chapter 24. Safeguarding the Public. The H ealthcare S ystem. It includes all the medical services, the ways in which individuals pay for medical care, and programs aimed toward preventing disease and disability.
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Chapter 24 Safeguarding the Public
The Healthcare System • It includes all the medical services, the ways in which individuals pay for medical care, and programs aimed toward preventing disease and disability. • Within the Healthcare system, doctors work with nurses and other healthcare providers to care for patients. • Who are some Healthcare providers?
Doctors & Medical Specialist • Doctors (Primary care physicians)- take care of most people’s routine medical needs. Most primary care physicians are medical doctors who have specialized in one of three areas of medicine: • Family Practice • Internal Medicine • Pediatrics
Doctors cont. • Diagnosis is a doctor’s opinion of the nature or cause of a medical condition. • Medical Specialist is a doctor who has received additional training in a particular branch of medicine: • Neurologist-nervous system disorders • Dermatologists- treat skin disorders • Oncologists- treat Cancers • Allergists- treat allergies and other immune disorders • Pediatricians- provide child care for children • Orthopedic Surgeons- treat bone & joint disorders • Ophthalmologists- treat eye diseases
Nurses • Are licensed healthcare providers who work in collaboration with doctors to care for their patients. • There are several types of nurses, what are some? • RN’s observe and assess patient symptoms, plan the best approach to promoting recovery, and evaluate progress. • Registered Nurses who have received additional training may become nurse practitioners. • They are trained to do many task that doctors use to perform.
Other Providers • Physician Asst.- do many things Doctors use to do, such as prescribing medications. • Physical Therapists-help patients with arthritis, muscle pain, fractures, burns, or sports injuries. • Registered Dietitians- AKA nutritionists, may set up and supervise food services for hospitals, or athletes.
Healthcare Facilities • Doctors’ offices • Clinics • Hospitals • Assisted Living Facilities • Hospice • In 2003, nearly 114 million visits were made to hospital emergency rooms in the United States.
Technology & Healthcare • The internet, e-mail, and other technologies can make healthcare more efficient, and can make patients feel more involved in their case. • The internet & E-mail • Computerized Imaging • Robot Doctors • Electronic Health Records
Tips on Finding a Doctor • Ask for recommendations • Do your research (American Medical Directory) • Identify your preferences • The best time to make a visit to a doctor is while you are well.
Medical history- a record of your present and past health as well as the health of members of your family. • Physical examination- a head-to-toe check of your body to identify any medical problems you may have. During it the Doctor should check: • Height, weight, BP, Body Temp. • Skin, eyes ears, nose, throat • Lungs & Heart • Test reflexes, balance, spine curvature, and joints
Your Rights & Responsibilities • In 1998, The US advisory Commission on Consumer Protection & Quality in the Health Care Industry adopted the patients’ Bill of Rights. Pg.644* • Information • Choice • Access • Participation • Respect • Confidentiality • Complaints
Paying for Healthcare • One way to pay for Healthcare is to pay for all of your own medical expenses out-of-pocket, which can be very expensive. • Health insurance pays for major part of an individual’s medical expenses. • Some companies offer health insurance options to their employees & families. • Currently, the most commonly held insurance are managed care insurance plans, where members are only required to pay a premium (yearly or monthly fee), or whenever they visit the doctor, they are required to pay a small fee such as a copayment.
Traditional Insurance • These plans offer more flexibility than managed ones like before and you can see the doctor at any facility you choose. • However, this plan has more flexibility and has a higher price. • Deductible- required by members to pay their first part of their medical expenses each year. • Once your deductible has been met, the company only pays a percentage of the rest of the years medical expenses.
Government Sponsored Insurance • Some people in the US cannot afford private health insurance and are eligible for government health insurance programs. • Medicare is the name of the federally financed program for people over the age of 65, and are younger with a disability. • Over 40 million Americans have no form of health insurance. • By 2030, about 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age 65.
Rising Healthcare Costs • There are many factors leading to rising cost of healthcare: • Aging Population • Chronic Diseases • Prescription Drug Cost
Public Health • Is the study and practice of protecting and improving the health of people in a group or community. • The public health system includes all the government and private organizations that work with the public to prevent diseases and promote positive health behaviors. • Epidemiology- is the study of disease among populations. • Public health programs today emphasize the need for prevention in order to avoid disease and other outbreaks.
Federal Public Health Agencies • Federal agencies provide help & public service to Americans. • Listed on Pg.651 • We have local health department services such as the ones listed on Pg.652