Healthcare System in America

Healthcare System in America

Abstract

Healthcare system in America comprises of three vital dimensions which are access, cost and quality. Flexner was in favor of developing rural doctors and their need for quality education and training since he believed that small towns must have access to the best and not the worst doctor procurable. Cost and quality have always been a cause of concern by all stakeholders. All procedures, equipment and processes through which a physician delivers medical care or assistance are categorized under the term of Medical Technology.

Introduction

In this assignment I will briefly discuss Healthcare system in the U.S with regard to historical perspectives at the outset followed by Technological Advances and its current and future implications on healthcare delivery. General public opinion on technologically driven escalating cost of healthcare expenditure will also be presented towards the end.

Discussion

Historical Perspectives

The healthcare delivery system in the United States basically started as a philanthropic work to provide medical assistance and help through hospitals to the sick persons with no family. Various charitable and religious organizations were the funding resources for these hospitals. Later they also included patients with inadequate income in their domain of assistance. Prime objective was to alleviate symptoms of the disease thus providing some relief to the non affording patients in the community. Patients with contagious diseases used to be quarantined from the rest of the community in order to reduce the chances of further spread of the disease.

Towards the end of nineteenth century two significant developments took place in the healthcare sector which completely revolutionanized the entire approach of healthcare management overnight.

Discovery of microbiological organisms in 1870 as a cause of certain diseases with a concept of antiseptic surgery

Breakthrough in the form of X-ray diagnostics in 1895 which enhanced physicians' competency level towards diagnosis of medical ...