Safeguarding the Public

Chapter 24

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?

The Healthcare System

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 PracticeInternal MedicinePediatrics

Doctors & Medical Specialist

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 disordersDermatologists- treat skin disordersOncologists- treat CancersAllergists- treat allergies and other immune disordersPediatricians- provide child care for childrenOrthopedic Surgeons- treat bone & joint disordersOphthalmologists- treat eye diseases

Doctors cont.

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.

Nurses

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.

Other Providers

Doctors’ officesClinicsHospitalsAssisted Living FacilitiesHospiceIn 2003, nearly 114 million visits were made

to hospital emergency rooms in the United States.

Healthcare Facilities

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-mailComputerized ImagingRobot DoctorsElectronic Health Records

Technology & Healthcare

Ask for recommendationsDo your research (American Medical

Directory)Identify your preferencesThe best time to make a visit to a doctor is

while you are well.

Tips on Finding a Doctor

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, throatLungs & HeartTest reflexes, balance, spine curvature, and

joints

In 1998, The US advisory Commission on Consumer Protection & Quality in the Health Care Industry adopted the patients’ Bill of Rights. Pg.644*

InformationChoiceAccessParticipationRespectConfidentialityComplaints

Your Rights & Responsibilities

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.

Paying for Healthcare

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.

Traditional 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.

Government Sponsored Insurance

There are many factors leading to rising cost of healthcare:

Aging PopulationChronic DiseasesPrescription Drug Cost

Rising Healthcare Costs

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.

Public Health

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

Federal Public Health Agencies