BUSI 511 SP College Fundation of US Health Care Delivery Discussion & Responses
Discussion: Foundation of U.S. Health Care Delivery
Topic: Foundation of U.S. Health Care Delivery
Thread: What purpose does an understanding of the history of health care delivery serve? Which factor or factors have been predominant in shaping U.S. health care? Is EBM a worthy goal for U.S. health care delivery? Why or why not?
1st reply
Understanding the history of the health care delivery service is just as important as learning the history of the United States. It is important to learn from the past so as to not make the same mistakes. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” Being knowledgeable about our history can help us learn valuable lessons that can shape the future of the health care system.
Cultural beliefs and values, social makeup, technological advances, economic constraints, political opportunism, and ecological forces have all been factors in shaping the United States health care system and will continue to do so. Cultural values and beliefs play a predominant role in shaping the United States health care. “In recent years, however, societal values have shifted to a social justice mindset, and traditional values of self-reliance may be giving way to greater dependence on the government.” (Shi & Singh, 2019, p. 27) We are seeing cultural values and beliefs change every day. For example, Lil Nas X released unofficial ‘Satan’ Nike shoes containing human blood, Oral Roberts succeeding in the NCAA basketball tournament yet being criticized for their stance on biblical sexual morality, gender equality and privacy issues between parents and children. “Millennials are more inclined toward social justice, for example, viewing the term socialism more positively and the term capitalism more negatively than the general population (Pew Research Center, 2011).” (Shi & Singh, 2019, p. 32) A recent controversy within the healthcare system is COVID-19. Many people lost their jobs during this pandemic when most of the country shut down. As a result, they also lost access to their employer provided healthcare plan. This has caused a push toward the idea of social justice within the health system.
Evidence based medicine (EBM) is a worthy goal and one that is already widely used in the United States health care. According to Greenhalgh (2014), “Tradition, anecdote, and theoretical reasoning from basic sciences would be replaced by evidence from high quality randomized controlled trials and observational studies, in combination with clinical expertise and the needs and wishes of patients. Evidence based medicine quickly became an energetic intellectual community committed to making clinical practice more scientific and empirically grounded and thereby achieving safer, more consistent, and more cost effective care.” Clinical trials are being conducted for many different diseases including asthma, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Examples of successful evidence based medicine include antibiotic treatments, beta blockers lowering the risk of a heart attack, thalidomide for pregnant women and treatment of scurvy. Patient values and concerns should always be taken into consideration. Holistic medicine is becoming more popular as patients are educating themselves on what they are putting in their bodies. One popular drink ‘Gatorade’ contained a potentially harmful ingredient that has since been removed called brominated vegetable oil. This drink is banned in other countries but not in the United States. Bromine is classified as a flame retardant. Mary Pickett (2012) noted “Some side effects have been reported among video gamers and others who binged on drinks containing brominated oil. A few have reported nerve disorders, memory loss or abnormal areas of skin.” This ingredient has not been removed from some brands of soda drinks. Religious beliefs should also be considered, such as a Jehovah’s Witness belief in not receiving any blood products. The medical industry has alternatives for treating these patients such as albumin and immunoglobulins.
second reply
Introduction
The United States healthcare system is quite large and intricate, and its foundation has been shaped by various influences. Those influences include: American beliefs and culture, the social fabric of American society, technological advances, economic influences, political opportunism, and ecological forces (Shi & Singh, 2019, p. 50). The U.S. healthcare system is ever-changing, and those predominate influences have and will assist with future changes and improvements as well. However, historical knowledge and information will help individuals and organizations understand the principles and standards of the healthcare system and what can be done to improve or change it.
Importance of History/Predominant Factors
America in general, has been shaped by the various historical/predominant beliefs, cultures, and various influences. In relation to its healthcare system, those varying forces have influenced how the United States healthcare system is ultimately ran. Therefore, by understanding its background and foundation, it will help one realize and comprehend why America’s healthcare system is the way that it is. America’s political system, laws, and policies emphasize freedom. For example, we have the freedom to choose what type of insurance we want or are able to obtain, and there is no centralized government. However, there are players and providers that have economic interests to protect (p. 15). In a free market, there is competition between players, which is predominately private transactions between buyers and sellers (p. 15). This competition is focused on enhancing their businesses and personal statuses economically. As stated in the above paragraph, economic, political, beliefs/cultural, and ecological influences have all attributed as to why the U.S. healthcare system is unique and large compared to other countries.
Research has shown that a large yet predominate factor of the U.S. healthcare system has been the influence of economic dominance. As I have read through articles, I have noticed that money is a large factor when it comes to how the healthcare system is organized and ran. In 2018, the United States spent around 16.9% of gross domestic product (Abrams & Tikkanen, 2020). Expenses for medical technologies are extreme, and the funding for hospitals and other medical facilities can be quite outrageous (Abrams & Tikkanen, 2020). Therefore, the more expensive resources are the more competitors/players will strive to enhance business income. Overall, expenses/money are large factors that have shaped the United States healthcare system into an economically influenced foundation.
Evidence-Based Medicine
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is using current clinical research and evidence explicitly when making decisions regarding the care of patients (Kang, 2016). Connections between external factual evidence and the diagnosis of a patient will beneficially enhance their medical outcomes. Therefore, EBM is making use of the best and most qualified available information to answer questions relating to patient care (Kang, 2016). Appropriate clinical research will assist physicians and other medical professionals in making decisions that will mostly benefit their patients. Clinical research, evidence, and information is conducted in order to assist medical facilities and professionals in understanding new concepts and scientific observations that can result in efficient and productive patient visits. Overall, EBM will enhance the decision-making process, which will provide patients with a more accurate diagnosis. Also, EBM will help medical professionals stay up-to-date with the scientific and medical world. Medicine and science are forever-changing, so new trials and clinical research is continuously conducted. Therefore, by using current evidence available will allow medical facilities and professionals to make the necessary changes or improvements to their practices and knowledge. With that being said, EBM is a very worthy goal for U.S. healthcare delivery. By partaking in this EBM process, medicine will be delivered in the most efficient, productive, and current way, which will ultimately provide patients with the best care possible.
Biblical Reference
As I discussed how the healthcare system and America in general emphasizes freedom, I began to think how the overall foundation of the United States was built on biblical principles and morals. Freedom is what God gives us, just as the United States implemented laws and amendments that give us various rights. God gives us the freedom to choose to follow Him! 1 Peter 2:16, “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as God’s slaves” (New International Version). God gives us the freedom to decide whether or not to glorify him with our actions or take part in worldly endeavors. God gives us His guidelines so that we will not be hurt! He wants to protect us, and help us live the best life surrounded by His glory. God gives us a right to decide how we want to live this life, and deciding to seek Him and pursue Him will leave us filled with nothing but pure joy!
