Understanding Healthcare

2021.09.01

Understanding Healthcare



The accessibility to healthcare varies from one country to another. The ability to obtain some form of healthcare has long been argued as something that should be made accessible for people of all economic statuses and should be a basic human right. The efficiency of a nation’s healthcare system is also said to directly link to its development and economy. Although different countries access their healthcare through different ways and sectors, each individual’s ability to acquire healthcare can mean the growth or the downfall of a republic.

What is Healthcare?

To simplify, healthcare systems deal with the improvement of one’s health by maintaining, diagnosing, and treating one’s injuries, diseases or illnesses. It can deal with both physical and mental impairments depending on the kind of healthcare the provider offers. The financial boundaries of a person may contribute to how they can access reliable healthcare. The inability to find an affordable method to travel and see healthcare professionals can also restrict people in rural areas from seeking a better healthcare provider. Some people may also fear seeking a healthcare professional due to poor knowledge and education about the healthcare system. Limited and selective healthcare providers may also be a huge factor in terms of availability for public healthcare. As mentioned earlier, access to healthcare depends on the country. Different nations have their own healthcare policies which can either be beneficial or restricting to their citizens.

“Single-payer” healthcare is a type of system where all citizens of a country are entitled to medical care that is funded or covered by the government. Countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have this type of healthcare, and depending on the policy, a non-citizen may also have access when they are in the said nation. In some countries, people are entitled to access healthcare through their jobs and social insurance. This works partially by withholding an amount of their salary as a contribution to their insurance and healthcare. Countries like China, Belgium, and France are among those nations that have this type of healthcare system. Some South American countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, can access healthcare both via private or government options. Those who opt for a more customized healthcare system may choose private healthcare institutions but others who cannot afford it may also access healthcare through the help of the government. Healthcare services also come in different structures and may come in the primary, secondary, or tertiary forms.

Primary Healthcare



The typical act of consulting a doctor after experiencing symptoms of an illness is commonly referred to as primary healthcare. General practitioners or primary care physicians are the medical practitioners performing primary healthcare. Once examined, patients may be referred by these medical professionals to a secondary form of healthcare depending on their condition. Having a more accessible primary healthcare system is quite essential in society because it covers the widest range of services and may cater to patients from all walks of life.

Having reliable healthcare in terms of chronic physical or mental health issues is understandably beneficial for those that have access. Having the ability to seek a primary medical healthcare practitioner as conveniently as possible may also be a lifesaver for people in their golden years as they are in the age bracket that requires more medical attention.  Usual chronic illnesses that people seeking primary healthcare may include, hypertension, diabetes, or forms of thyroid dysfunctions. Others who seek primary mental healthcare may include, forms of depression and anxiety. For women, they may seek primary maternal healthcare during pregnancy or services like vaccinations for their children. The increase in a nation’s population may also mean a higher demand for primary healthcare systems globally even for developing countries.

Secondary Healthcare

Secondary healthcare treatments are usually performed in the emergency room. This is also why it’s synonymously referred to as “hospital care”. They can be an active but short-term treatment for severe injuries or a medical condition requiring urgent attention. Secondary healthcare also covers the practice of patients who are also typically required to see a secondary health care professional after being referred by a primary health care practitioner; this all depends on whether the country has a mixed market for healthcare systems.

Typically, professionals who practice secondary healthcare are experts of a particular field of medicine and patients may be referred to them depending on the medical condition in need of a closer look. A cardiologist is a perfect example of a medical practitioner that performs secondary healthcare. They may need to focus on a patient who has initially reported symptoms of chest pains to their primary healthcare provider and may require further examination.

Tertiary Healthcare



A patient who is required to stay in the hospital is commonly receiving what is known as tertiary healthcare. The need to stay as an in-patient may be due to numerous factors such as the need to monitor or observe the condition further, or a prolonged treatment or procedure. Patients that are receiving tertiary healthcare may have been referred by either a primary or secondary healthcare provider. Small or local hospitals may not be able to perform tertiary healthcare treatments because it requires more specialized equipment and facilities.

Tertiary Healthcare may include a vast amount of procedures. For illnesses like cancer, kinds of tertiary healthcare are always expected to be performed on the patient such as chemotherapy. Tertiary healthcare also covers most kinds of surgeries from neurosurgery to cardiac or even plastic surgery. It is also important to note that the presence and involvement of a primary healthcare provider may still be essential once the patient undergoes tertiary healthcare.

It is no debate that the ability of an individual to access healthcare is a human right. It is also important to understand that healthcare in the community may play an essential part in the stability of society. Being able to provide guidelines regarding health and diet may play a great role in terms of prevention and early detection of medical conditions. The benefits of stable and reliable healthcare in a nation should grow and improve alongside its economy and other sectors of its industry.



 
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