"An organization of people, institutions, and resources that delivers health care services to meet the health needs of target populations."
The organizations and policies that govern the delivery of healthcare services.
Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the structure and function of the human body, including the various organ systems.
Medical terminology: The language used by healthcare professionals to describe and communicate medical concepts and procedures.
Pharmacology: The study of drugs and their effects on the body, including drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and administration.
Healthcare delivery systems: Understanding how healthcare is delivered in different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Electronic health records: The use of technology to store and manage patient health information in a secure and accessible way.
Health insurance and reimbursement: Understanding the system of paying for healthcare services, including insurance coverage and claims processing.
Patient safety: The prevention of errors, accidents, infections, and other risks that can harm patients.
Healthcare laws and regulations: Understanding the legal and regulatory framework that governs healthcare, including privacy laws, medical malpractice, and healthcare reform.
Health disparities: The unequal distribution of healthcare resources and outcomes based on factors such as race, ethnicity, income, and geography.
Medical ethics: The principles and values that guide ethical decision-making in healthcare, including issues such as informed consent, patient autonomy, and end-of-life care.
Fee-for-Service: In this system, providers are paid for each service they provide, regardless of the outcome.
Capitation: In this system, providers are paid a fixed amount per patient, regardless of the services provided.
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs): ACOs are groups of healthcare providers who are responsible for coordinating care for a group of patients. They are accountable for the quality and cost of care provided.
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): In HMOs, patients are required to choose a primary care physician who oversees all of their care. Services are provided by a network of providers.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): PPOs offer a network of providers at reduced rates for those who use them. Patients have the option of using providers outside of the network, but it may be more expensive.
Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHPs): CDHPs are high-deductible plans that require patients to pay more out of pocket costs, but also provide the option of using tax-advantaged savings accounts to pay for healthcare expenses.
Socialized Medicine: In socialized medicine systems, healthcare is provided by the government and paid for through taxes. Everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Single-Payer Systems: Single-payer systems are similar to socialized medicine, but healthcare providers are typically still private. The government pays for healthcare, but patients can still choose their providers.
Direct Primary Care: In this system, patients pay a monthly fee to a primary care provider who provides comprehensive care with no insurance involvement.
Value-Based Care: In value-based care, providers are paid based on the quality and value of the care they provide, rather than the number of services they perform.
"There is a wide variety of health systems around the world, with as many histories and organizational structures as there are nations."
"Common elements in virtually all health systems are primary healthcare and public health measures."
"Health system planning is distributed among market participants."
"There is a concerted effort among governments, trade unions, charities, religious organizations, or other co-ordinated bodies to deliver planned health care services targeted to the populations they serve."
"Health care planning has been described as often evolutionary rather than revolutionary."
"Nations must design and develop health systems in accordance with their needs and resources."
"Health systems are likely to reflect the history, culture, and economics of the states in which they evolve."
"These peculiarities bedevil and complicate international comparisons."
"Preclude any universal standard of performance." (Continued)
"Delivers health care services to meet the health needs of target populations."
"Governments are often involved in planning and delivering health care services targeted to specific populations."
"Common elements in virtually all health systems."
"Governments, trade unions, charities, religious organizations, or other co-ordinated bodies."
"Nations must design and develop health systems in accordance with their needs and resources."
"Health systems are likely to reflect the history, culture, and economics of the states in which they evolve."
"These peculiarities bedevil and complicate international comparisons."
"Health system planning is distributed among market participants."
"Health care planning has been described as often evolutionary."
"Preclude any universal standard of performance."