Category: Healthcare

Introduction

Every American citizen is entitled to quality and safe health services. Unfortunately, different regions in the country have recorded numerous gaps and disparities in medical services. In Western New York (WNY), many people are affected by the existing disparities in health services. This paper uses three peer-reviewed journal articles to examine the differences and disparities in health care services in WNY. The targeted disparity is the nature of inequality in accessing healthcare services.

Topic Identification

New York is one of the states with uniform insurance cover and income (McDonough, 2015). However, the community still faces numerous healthcare delivery disparities. McDonough (2015) indicates that health disparities in different counties are associated with gender, racial, and ethnic differences. The elderly, disabled, and homeless persons lack access to exemplary healthcare services (Sanchez, Ybarra, Chapa, & Martinez, 2016). Individuals with psychiatric conditions lack access to adequate preventive and primary health care.

This health disparity is relevant to the nursing profession because of a number of reasons. The first one is that the existing gaps can empower nurses to develop superior models. Secondly, practitioners can examine the nature of these disparities and implement powerful strategies to promote health equity (Noonan, Mondragon, & Wagner, 2016). Curriculum developers in nursing can also examine the problem and offer evidence-based concepts to ensure more people receive high-quality health services.

Literature Review

The article Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care Access and Utilization under the Affordable Care Act indicates that ethnicity and race are powerful categories that affect peoples health outcomes (Chen, Vargas-Bustamante, Mortensen, & Ortega, 2016). Some Americans from marginalized groups lack access to better health services such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos. The unavailability of resources explains why minorities find it hard to get timely health services. Due to the nature of health delivery systems, such groups are affected the most by numerous conditions such as cancers, chronic diseases, premature deaths, and homelessness (Chen et al., 2016). Obesity has also been found to affect many minority races. It is also a risk factor for numerous illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

In the second article Improving the Health of African Americans in the USA: An Overdue Opportunity for Social Justice, it is observed that many African Americans are affected the most by different types of cardiovascular disease. Statistics indicate that minority races are 30 percent more likely to record premature deaths in comparison with whites (Noonan et al., 2016). The percentage is also high for stroke-related deaths. In WNY, the existing health delivery systems targeting minorities are inadequate. The economic positions of such groups make it impossible for them to acquire evidence-based medical services (Noonan et al., 2016). The systems have also failed to consider specific illnesses that affect minorities.

McDonough (2015) indicates that health care access in Americas rural areas is quite low. The elderly lack quality services and care models. Additionally, veterans receive inadequate care in WNY. This analysis indicates clearly that WNY is a community with numerous health care disparities. The article Eliminating Behavioral Health Disparities and Improving Outcomes for Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations offers useful insights for minimizing disparities in healthcare services (Sanchez et al., 2016). For instance, new policies and superior health delivery systems can be designed to tackle the challenge. This issue is significant since policymakers, health professionals, and social workers can use it to implement powerful health promotion initiatives.

Discussion: Personal Point of View

The ultimate goal of nursing is to transform the health experiences and lifestyles of every citizen. However, the existing social, economic, and health systems make it impossible for practitioners to achieve this objective. In Niagara country, different groups do not have access to exemplary medical services (McDonough, 2015). The number of nurses in the county is also low, thereby affecting the nature of services available to the targeted population. This complexity affects the mandate and objective of nursing. When individuals have unequal access to health services, it becomes hard for nurses to meet their needs. The profession of nursing should, therefore, be redesigned to mitigate such gaps.

Researchers in nursing advocate for better policies to support veterans, minority races, and women. They also focus on new models and systems that can ensure the disabled and the elderly have access to quality health services. In WNY, statistics indicate that around 20 percent of the population lacks adequate medical services (McDonough, 2015). Niagara County is affected by diseases that are associated with this disparity. For example, cancer claims around 181 persons in every 100,000 annually in the county (McDonough, 2015). Diabetes affects around 8.9 percent of the countys citizens (McDonough, 2015). Mental health conditions affect 9.7 percent of the population. Around 9 percent of the population is composed of minority racial groups. This means that such groups face discrimination whenever looking for health care services.

Conclusion

Disproportionate access to medical services is one of the major disparities affecting New Yorks healthcare sector. This discussion has revealed that minority groups, the elderly, disabled, and individuals with mental conditions lack adequate health services. Nurse practitioners must identify powerful models, influence new policies, and implement superior strategies to minimize these gaps. Such approaches will transform the situation and ensure more people have access to exemplary healthcare services.

References

Chen, J., Vargas-Bustamante, A., Mortensen, K., & Ortega, A. N. (2016). Racial and ethnic disparities in health care access and utilization under the Affordable Care Act. Medical Care, 54(2), 140-146. Web.

McDonough, J. (2015). Despite low state ranking, county health officials say region is making gains. Niagara Gazette. Web.

Noonan, A. S., Mondragon, H. E., & Wagner, F. A. (2016). Improving the health of African Americans in the USA: An overdue opportunity for social justice. Public Health Reviews, 37(12), 1-20. Web.

Sanchez, K., Ybarra, R., Chapa, T., & Martinez, O. N. (2016). Eliminating behavioral health disparities and improving outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations. Psychiatric Services, 67, 13-15. Web.

In the United States, it is estimated that close to 100 million citizens receive their healthcare insurance through their employers; this is a program referred to as Employer-Sponsored Healthcare. Based on the implications and benefits from this healthcare strategy, it suffices to conclude that employers should be responsible for providing healthcare insurance to their employees, as well as their families.

Purchasing insurance for the workers by their employer has significant benefits to the last one. It has economic advantages, as this tends to reduce administrative costs. When employees are registered as a group, the cost of administration is reduced as opposed to individual registration where a person has to bear all the costs. The problem of adverse risk selection is also reduced through the employer-sponsored healthcare insurance since most employer-sponsored groups are stable: they are formed for reasons of purchasing the cover.

On the other hand, individual policies tend to be higher due to the high rate of risk selection. Another reason is that these insurance policies help the employee enjoy costs reduction because the employer is exempted from state and federal social security and income security payroll taxes. This advantage enables the employees to save their money for household and other basic needs. Individual insurance polices deduct social security from the payroll of individual, hence increasing their cost of healthcare insurance.

Employer-sponsored healthcare insurance is also convenient as it saves the employees time since the employees automatically make the deductions from their payrolls. Therefore, they are not involved in the process of sending or remitting the premium on monthly basis.

More importantly, one cannot evade the question of innovation that goes hand in hand with employer-sponsored healthcare in terms of the delivery system that is evident only in the U.S. It has developed a way to the redistribution of care to cover the costs for patients residing both within and outside the health centers.

This healthcare program has led to the adoption of high quality models that take care of both funding and release of healthcare services to the employees, as well as their families. Kaiser Permanente is an excellent illustration of these models. Another advantage of the employer-sponsored healthcare is the establishment of more complex techniques of meeting the healthcare needs of the employees from all the angles. For instance, successive innovations have seen the dawn of bone-marrow transplant measures.

On the other hand, individual insurance is much expensive in terms of premiums, thus it is a disadvantage to the employee. Furthermore, it takes the individual a lot of time to remit the monthly premiums. The cost of administration of the premium is also high resulting in high premium. In addition, individual insurance premiums are taxed on a regression tax policy.

Those individuals with high income are subjected to high marginal tax rates because of the expensive policies they hold. Therefore, considering these drawbacks, an employer within or outside the U.S. concerned about the needs of his/her workers will definitely offer the employer-sponsored healthcare insurance to his/her employees.

The significance of nucleocapsid (NC) protein in the progress of the HIV-1 development cannot possibly be underrated. Seeing that the specified protein type may have a chaperone activity despite its seeming simplicity and, therefore, enhance the process of nucleic acid aggregation (Wu et al., 2014), the location of the NC protein properties is crucial for addressing the issue of HIV-1 treatment (Jiao et al., 2015). In his recent article, Hua Wu studies the mutations of the aromatic residue and proves that there is a strong connection between the NC chaperone activity and the phenomenon of retroviral replication.

According to the outcomes of the research, the aforementioned variables are related closely to each other. Particularly, the fact that the HIV-1 NC structure works exactly as a nucleic acid chaperone is proven in the course of research. In other words, the study makes it quite obvious that the introduction of the factors such as F16W and F16W/W37F HIV-1 NC makes the DNA stretching curves take the shape of the curves that can be observed in case of introducing DNA to the WT NC factor (Wu et al., 2013).

According to Wu et al. the research aimed at determining the purpose of the HIV-1 NCs as far as the progress of HIV-1 is concerned (Wang et al., 2015). Moreover, the functions of the abovementioned elements were to be identified in the course of the study. Seeing that the researchers have already established their point of view, i.e., the fact that the elements in question act as a nucleic acid chaperone, proving the statement in question can be identified as the third objective of the research.

The methodology developed for studying the issue in question is an evident strength of the article. Indeed, the series of experiments in vitro and in vivo, which Wu et al. carried out in order to study the phenomenon, should be credited for their innovativeness. To be more exact, the combination of the nucleic acid substrates and the fluorescence anisotropy assays analyses shows that the research was carried out with an in-depth approach and a close focus on the problem.

Apart from the tools listed above, the researchers also resorted to the methods such as the use of plasmids, mutagenesis, and recombinant protein (Wu et al., 2013, p. 265). Additionally, stretching experiments have been carried out so that more information could be retrieved in the course of the research. Additionally, Wu et al. performed a fluorescence anisotropy assays so that the excitations could be calculated properly. Indeed, the specified tool can be viewed as a prime method for retrieving information regarding Dop activity (Hecht and Gur, 2015).

However, the research also has several problems. Specifically, the differences in the extent, to which stretching occurred in the HIV-1 NC need to be brought up (Cruceanu et al., 2006). Despite the fact that the authors point to the given issue and even suggest their way of addressing it, the outcomes of the study still lack precision due to the abovementioned factor.

Despite the issues mentioned above, the study carried out by Wu et al. can be considered rather thorough and significant. It opens new opportunities for addressing the HIV-1 disease. Moreover, the study serves as the basis for further researches on the subject matter, thus, contributing to fighting HIV successfully.

Reference List

Cruceanu, M., Stephen, A., Beuning, P., Gorelick, R., Fisher, R., and Williams, M. (2006). Single DNA molecule stretching measures the activity of chemicals that target the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein. Analytical Biochemistry 358, 159-170. Web.

Hecht, N., and Gur, E. (2015). Development of a fluorescence anisotropy-based assay for Dop, the first enzyme in the pupylation pathway. Analytical Biochemistry 485, 97-101. Web.

Jiao, Y., Liu, C., Luo, L., Zhu, W., Zhang, T., Zhang, L., Su, L., Li, H., and Wu, H. (2015). CD4+CD25+CD127 regulatory cells play multiple roles in maintaining HIV-1 p24 production in patients on long-term treatment: HIV-1 p24-producing cells and suppression of anti-HIV immunity. International Journal Of Infectious Diseases 37, 42-49. Web.

Wang, D., Lu, W., and Li, F. (2015). Pharmacological intervention of HIV-1 maturation. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. Web.

Wu, H., Mitra, M., McCauley, M., Thomas, J., Rouzina, I., Musier-Forsyth, K., Williams, M., and Gorelick, R. (2013). Aromatic residue mutations reveal direct correlation between HIV-1 nucleocapsid proteins nucleic acid chaperone activity and retroviral replication. Virus Research 171, 263-277. Web.

Wu, H., Wang, W., Naiyer, N., Fichtenbaum, E., Qualley, D., McCauley, M., Gorelick, R., Rouzina, I., Musier-Forsyth, K., and Williams, M. (2014). Single aromatic residue location alters nucleic acid binding and chaperone function of FIV nucleocapsid protein. Virus Research 193, 39-51. Web.

Introduction

Public opinion has the power to influence a vast variety of decisions that governments make, especially when it comes to issues that affect citizens directly. Health care policies can change depending on the nature of public opinion since matters of health have always been a concern for the majority of citizens. Ranging from high prices on prescription and over-the-counter drugs to policies regarding abortions, the public has always been invested in communicating their opinions to the government. In their study on whether public opinions have a role in influencing the diffusion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Pancheco and Maltby evaluated several components of policy feedback to determine how citizens communicate their opinions to both local and federal health care agencies (309). The researchers found that policy feedback mechanisms were crucial in influencing officials decisions; for instance, gubernatorial announcements regarding the ACA led to the public becoming more aware of the possible changes in policy and therefore encouraged feedback. It is also important to mention that opinion-learning mechanisms were also found to promote the sharing of public opinion by means of providing signals to elected officials whether decisions of health care policies within states were viable. Since it has been shown that public opinions played a significant role in shaping health care policies, it is essential to point out that some states could emulate the decisions made by other states that have identical environments for shaping policies when deciding on what changes should be incorporated in their healthcare systems.

Analysis

According to the recent Kaiser Health Tracking Poll of January 2018, health care was found at the top of the problems that voters wanted their elected officials to discuss, with 39% Democrats, 32% independent voters, and 13% Republicans giving feedback; (Kirzinger et al.). These statistics show that public opinions are interested in influencing further health policy decisions, especially in the context of the upcoming midterm elections. The poll showed that the U.S. public was favorable in their opinions about the potential of the ACA, with 50% of respondents indicating that they would support the policy (Kirzinger et al.). Attitudes toward ACA are essential to recognize because, in 2017, Republicans made an attempt in repealing the Act but failed to do so due to the inefficient support from the public (Cunningham).

In the context of discussing how public opinions could influence health care policy decisions, one should recognize that differences in political views of citizens play a significant role. For instance, Republican voters were the most opposed to increasing spending on welfare and entitlement programs (58% and 51% respectively) compared to independents (30% and 25%) and Democrats (11% for both programs) (Kirzinger et al.). These findings show that health care policies that support the vulnerable populations in the country could depend on the decision that only Republicans express since the government is led by this particular party. The divide in opinions on health care policies is dangerous for the current U.S. society since the lack of unity in public attitudes toward different issues could lead to ineffective change and the dominance of elected officials who choose not to listen to what the public has to say. In the light of the current social and political opposition within the society, it is important for people to come together regardless of their political views and communicate their opinions to the government to shape those health care policies that would be the most beneficial.

Works Cited

Cunningham, Paige. The Health 202: Health Care Is Still a Top Issue for Voters in 2018. But Republicans Lack a Script. The Washington Post, 2018. Web.

Kirzinger, Ashley, et al. Kaiser Health Tracking Poll  January 2018: The Publics Priorities and Next Steps for the Affordable Care Act.KFF, 2018. Web.

Pancheco, Julianna, and Elizabeth Maltby. The Role of Public Opinion  Does It Influence the Diffusion of ACA Decisions? Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, vol. 42, no. 2. 2017, pp. 309-340.

Introduction

The peculiarities of the US health insurance system have always been a contentious issue since much controversy arises regarding certain provisions of the existing policy. For example, access to some medical services is not very easy to obtain. Nevertheless, there is another point of view: the government healthcare program is aimed at providing high-quality medical services, and some ambiguous questions are conventions that cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is required to pay attention to two possible opinions and determine the scope of the government boards responsibility.

Two Competing Solutions

It is possible to pay attention to some features of the current policy to find a way to effectively solve the problem of access to health insurance. For instance, according to Sommers et al., there is also strong evidence that coverage expansion increases access to preventive services, which can directly maintain or improve health (588). In other words, more active actions with regard to preventive measures aimed at ensuring public health can significantly improve the situation in the country. It can be achieved by free vaccination, available preventive drugs, etc.

However, there is another way to solve the problem with access to insurance. The example of the Australian authorities demonstrates that it is possible to try to solve the problem of financing the considered public sector by cutting premiums to insurers (Davey). Such an approach is perhaps too radical and abrupt, and the employees of these services remained unhappy with this decision. Nevertheless, this measure will reduce the states spending on the organization of insurance funds and significantly save budget funds.

Preferable Solution

Ensuring the availability of preventive treatment methods is probably the preferred way to address the issue. Those people who do not have an opportunity to pay for insurance services and choose an appropriate fare should be able to count on at least a preventive package of measures against dangerous diseases, as well as free physicians consultations. According to Keehan et al., the insured share of the American population is likely to increase by approximately 0.6% by 2025 (553). It will improve the health of the population and will be an effective measure against the additional costs of combating viral epidemics.

Responsibilities of the Government

The federal government is responsible for ensuring the normal operation of the terms of the current legislation with respect to the health insurance policy. The authorities in the states monitor that the medical institutions under their supervision comply with the established procedure for providing help. In separate localities, local authorities monitor the activities of medical and nursing staff and are the guarantor of the quality of assistance to those citizens who apply. Despite such a hierarchical system, the central control is still carried out by the federal government.

The responsibility of the executive branch is to consider and timely intervene in the terms of the current policy. The task of the legislative board is to discuss possible innovations and changes in the existing order of providing services in order to improve the system. Finally, the judicial branch is the board for the execution of punishments and the imposition of judicial responsibility on those who do not comply with the terms of the current policy. Effective interaction among these three branches will allow achieving the most high-quality health services in the country and the health of citizens.

Conclusion

Thus, the federal responsibility for the health insurance system is a priority. The decision in favor of providing freer access to services will increase the level of public health. The state will spend less money on disease control if timely preventive measures are taken.

Works Cited

Davey, Melissa. Doctors Call for Plan to Keep Private Health Insurance Premiums down.The Guardian, 2018. Web.

Keehan, Sean P., et al. National Health Expenditure Projections, 2016-25: Price Increases, Aging Push Sector to 20 Percent of Economy. Health Affairs, vol. 36, no. 3, 2017, pp. 553-563.

Sommers, Benjamin D., et al. Health Insurance Coverage and Health  What the Recent Evidence Tells Us. The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 377, no. 6, 2017, pp. 586-593.

Introduction

Tools such as descriptive epidemiologic case study, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YBRSS), education and training, and WHO Statistical Information System will be explored in this study.

Descriptive Epidemiologic Case Study Tool of Analysis

This descriptive epidemiological assessment provides statistical data, which facilitates the discovery and monitoring of chronic diseases. As a result, it enhances a more pragmatic approach to appropriate preventive measures, which are aimed at stopping the spread of cancer/chronic disorders among the persons who had been exposed to the risk of contracting such diseases. Among the issues that can be addressed under this health, approach are bad housing conditions, poverty, and poor hygienic conditions, which led to high mortality rates of this chronic health disorder (Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, 2009).

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

This is a health survey tool that facilitates the collection of data regarding preventive care and risk behavior on chronic diseases. In addition, it focuses on the information, which is centered on access to healthcare services. In this regard, BRFSS is considered to be one of the most important tools for enhancing the understanding of the epidemiology and control of cancer/chronic diseases. Moreover, data that originate from the BRFSS are useful in ascertaining some potential health problems to be experienced in an area. This enables the states to design, implement, and monitor health objectives. As a result, this facilitates the tracking of public health policy programs. In addition, several states make use of these data, which are provided by the BRFSS to back up laws on health (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2008, par.1).

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

The tool is effectively used in studying, understanding, and monitoring chronic health conditions in youths as well as adults. The system draws its efficiency and effectiveness from the fact that it is capable of several health risk behaviors, which causes death as well as disability among this category of people. In fact, the system can assess up to six types of these health conditions (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2012, par.1). Moreover, this system incorporates a nation-wide survey, which is usually conducted in various schools. This health survey is often carried out by various stakeholders such as CDC, governments, health agencies, and local education. In essence, this diverse study coverage renders the YRBSS tool effective for its intended objective.

Education and Training Program

In essence, this is a very critical tool that facilities understanding and control of chronic health conditions. Education and training are often provided by various health professionals who have sound knowledge of chronic conditions. These groups of practitioners work in various public health sections of the United States and about fifty states, with the aim of preventing as well as controlling chronic health disorders (National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, 2012, par.1). These health practitioners work in partnership with individuals and associations to provide healthcare education and training on chronic diseases to the people.

WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS)

This health statistical tool is essential in providing crucial data and information, which facilitates understanding and control of cancer/chronic health disorders (WHO Statistical Information System, 2012, par.1). It provides a detailed report on prevalence rates of chronic diseases that affect different people. Finally, it also incorporates the use of variables such as sex, family size, and occupation, which are relevant for studying the prevalence rate of this health disorder.

References

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2008). Web.

Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (2009). Web.

National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (2012). Web.

WHO Statistical Information System (2012). Web.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System(2012). Web.

The World Health Organization estimates that there is a shortage of more than 4.3 million health care professionals in the world. Therefore, most people in the world today do not receive the health care services that they deserve. The shortage of health care professionals has made it difficult for people to gain access to life-saving health care services. The most vital health care services that many people are usually unable to gain access to include child immunization and prevention from contracting HIV/AIDS. The international recruitment of health care professionals from low and middle-income countries has made this situation worse. For example, studies reveal that approximately1200 health care professionals were trained between 1990 and 2001 in Zimbabwe. However, only 360 health care professionals were present in the country in 2006 (Taylor, Hwenda, & Daulaire, 2011).

It is said that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are the ones that lack enough trained health care personnel. It is also estimated that these countries have a disease burden of 24 percent. However, these countries own about 3 percent of the global health care professionals. Most of the worlds population is said to be aging. This condition is forcing many health workers to specialize in providing health care services, thereby increasing the demand for specialized health care services in the world. However, many nations are not investing adequately in educating health care professionals. This has led to a decline in the provision of health care services in the world.

The WHO International Health Regulations Code aims at promoting the health security of the world population. Therefore, it is important for nations to have strong health care systems so that they can manage to improve the health care needs of the regions that are underserved. However, most nations often lack skilled, motivated, and well-supported health care workers. This state of affairs makes it difficult for these nations to provide vaccines and other health care services to their people in an effective way (Taylor, Hwenda, & Daulaire, 2011).

There are many countries that are working hard so as to ensure that they incorporate the Code into national law so that they can encourage health care workers can return to their home countries. Therefore, to ensure that health care workers return home, countries such as Kenya, Namibia, and Rwanda are monitoring and financing their health care systems so as to motivate health care professionals to bring their expertise home. In the case of high-income countries, Norway has incorporated the Code, which has then enabled it to scale up its education system. This has then made it possible for Norway to implement its own health care system. Norway has, therefore, refrained from hiring health care professionals who come from countries that experience a severe shortage of health care professionals.

It can therefore be observed that though the Code does not offer permanent solutions to the shortage and migration of health care professionals, it is true that adopting the Code has the ability to strengthen health care professionals, thereby enabling them to offer high-quality health care services to their home countries.

References

Taylor, A. L., Hwenda, L., & Daulaire, N. (2011). Stemming the Brain Drain-A WHO Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Web.

Containment of healthcare cost is one of the key goals of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the process of cost reduction, the government must address the effects of the strategies it puts in place. For instance, decreasing the reimbursement for care used is a possible strategy for cost reduction. However, this strategy is likely to cause more harm to healthcare than the benefits. Reduction of reimbursement will reduce the amount spent by the government on healthcare.

However, as Seshamani, Schwartz, & Volpp (2006) posit, reduction in healthcare reimbursement significantly reduces the revenue for patient-care services. It will therefore negatively affect the morale and the performance of the healthcare practitioners. With poor morale and limited resources in health care facilities, many lives will be lost, indicating a failure in the primary objective of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Healthcare cost can also be reduced by cutting the overhead costs. This approach is more appropriate and is likely to facilitate the achievement of healthcare goals. In a healthcare setting, overhead costs include licensing charges, power, rent, and payment of other fixed charges. In an attempt to cut on healthcare spending, the government can subsidize on power and rent, and reduce the licensing and tax charges paid by hospitals. With the fixed charges reduced, healthcare facilities will be able to significantly reduce the charges hence achieving the goal of healthcare cost reduction.

Ortman, Velkoff, & Hogan (2014) explain that between 2012 and 2050, the American population is expected to show an ageing trend. Aging population in the United States is a challenge to healthcare cost reduction. Aging is associated with increased cases of chronic illness, mental and psychological disorders, and general physical weakness and disability (Wiener & Tilly, 2002). An aging population requires more healthcare attention and hence more spending on healthcare.

If the government is to achieve cost reduction, it is necessary to create a strategy that will ensure that the needs of the aging population are addressed in a cost effective manner. The best way to reduce healthcare spending on aging population is by establishing wellness programs that will prevent the older members of the society from the various risk factors that expose them to health problems. For instance, chronic problems among the aged are caused by sedentary lifestyles. Creating activities that involve older people in community and recreation activities will reduce their chances of chronic diseases, physical disability, and mental health cases.

Malpractices among healthcare practitioners are a setback in the attempt to reduce fatalities and healthcare costs. Malpractices cause healthcare losses in terms of time, resources, and health quality. In the attempt to achieve the goals of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the government must ensure that healthcare malpractices are eliminated through severe penalties and improved training of healthcare practitioners. With the practitioners trained and aware of the consequences of healthcare malpractices, resource wastage will be reduced as well as healthcare costs. More lives will be saved by achieving the goals of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The goals of the Affordable Care Act can be achieved through a number of approaches. Improving peoples health is a crucial step in creating a society with few fatalities and less spending on healthcare. A healthy nation can be achieved through a combination of both curative and preventive measures. In areas where people are already exposed to diseases, health can be improved by finding them and providing with necessary treatment as well as by preventing the spread of diseases to uninfected people. This initiative requires healthcare research to determine the best curative approach to the existing health problem.

Preventive measures can take a number of approaches. First, health problems can be prevented through wellness events. The wellness events include sports, healthy living workshops, and community welfare programs. When people participate in physical activities such as sports, they are protected from health problems associated with sedentary lifestyle. Healthy living workshops provide a platform for the public to be educated on how to live healthy lives and on the importance of avoiding unhealthy lifestyles.

Community welfare programs prevent societies from health problems in various ways. First, such programs bring people together, reducing the chances of people suffering from mental disorders caused by lonely lives. Community welfare programs also engage in health and hygiene activities such as city cleaning, thus minimizing the chances of diseases breakout.

The government has a duty to establish curative and preventive health measures. However, the success of the measures depends on the participation and good-will of the people. The measures should therefore implement such that will motivate the participation of the public in the preventive events. One way to motivate people is through the introduction of a reward system where they will earn points for healthy lifestyle behaviors.

The points can then be turned into prizes. The government can introduce punitive measures such as higher deductibles to people who engage in unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking. Public participation in preventive services can also be encouraged by making all of them free. The government should pay for the preventive services without demanding the public to pay for a portion of the charges.

References

Ortman, J. M., Velkoff, V. A., & Hogan, H. (2014). An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States: Population Estimates and Projections. Web.

Seshamani, M., Schwartz, J. S., & Volpp, K. G. (2006). The Effect of Cuts in Medicare Reimbursement on Hospital Mortality. Health Services Research, 41(3 Pt 1), 683700.

Wiener, J. M. & Tilly, J. (2002). Population ageing in the United States of America: implications for public programmes. International Journal of Epidemiology 31(4), 776-781.

The aim of the proposed database is to attain the significant improvement of the efficiency of the healthcare sector and contribute to the reconsideration of the existing approach towards the data collection and cooperation with patients. For this reason, it is crucial to explain to the patients what sort of data they are expected to present for the personnel to be able to process it and to make a certain conclusion. Additionally, the staff should also be taught how to work with the given database.

Therefore, using the information presented in the database the members of the personnel will compile various reports or plans related to the state of the patient and the procedures prescribed to him/her. The data could imply some personal preferences, the information about the previous procedures, some past prescriptions, allergic reactions to various medicines, and a great number of other information crucial for the efficient recovery process.

Additionally, the designed database will help to apply the newest changes to the recovery plan and provide the members of the staff with the new information about them. This data might evidence the efficiency of the cooperation between all members of the staff and the application of the new data. Therefore, the easiness of the access to the information might also prove the success of the implementation of the new database. For instance, the timely data about the negative patients response to the previous treatment obtained with the help of the database might help to avoid the unnecessary and dangerous complications.

Resting on the information provided by the given system, the members of the staff might generate a number of various reports depending on the existing needs. First, they could describe the current state of a patient and the efficiency of the procedures used to contribute to the faster recovery. Additionally, the system could also be used to collect the information needed for the qualitative analysis of the level of performance of the given establishment to determine the areas of weakness and strengths and initiate the change process (Cardon, n.d.).

Furthermore, if to implement the given database to many medical establishments across the country, it might help to align the efficient data collection to obtain the clear vision of the situation in the healthcare sector and consider the efficiency of the existing approach to its management. Finally, the database could be used to create the reports related to the efficiency of some medicines and procedures, complications triggered by them, and their impact on the state of a person.

Resting on the number of advantages resulting from the given database, the possibility of its implementation into the functioning of various medical establishments could be taken as rather high. The feasibility of the proposal is evidenced by a number of concerns raised by it. The creation of the reports needed for the further improvement of the healthcare sector combined with the great contribution to the process of recovery and the state of a patient promote the creation of the conditions needed for the further development of the project.

However, it vital to consider the financial side of the process of implementation. The hospitals should be equipped with the new soft and hardware to align the functioning of the system (Health technology and innovation, n.d.). This process might be rather cost-based; however, the advantages of the usage of the new system evidence the necessity of its implementation.

References

Cardon, D. (n.d.). Healthcare Databases: Purpose, Strengths, Weaknesses. Web.

Health technology and innovation. (n.d.). Web.

Introduction

Patients need to consult healthcare specialists to improve their knowledge about various medical issues they are facing and how they can resolve them. Primary care physicians and medical consultants need to share information to ensure patients receive high-quality care. The Shift Outpatient Model encourages healthcare professionals to communicate and share ideas on various issues facing patients in a healthcare setting. This paper will discuss the impacts of that model on healthcare provision in Ontario, Canada.

The paper focuses on the analysis of the article that researches the models application in healthcare systems, which reduces costs incurred by patients (p. 826). Additionally, the model allows physicians and consultants to register positive results because they rely on evidence-based solutions to make important decisions. Thus, they are able to conduct proper diagnosis, and as a result, they give patients accurate medical advice. More importantly, the model allows both the physicians and the specialist consultants to agree on suitable treatment interventions that need to be administered. This approach encourages health experts to use their skills effectively to ensure that patients get high-quality healthcare.

Summary

Frost, Toubassi, and Detsky (2012) examine relationships between primary care physicians and other specialist consultants in Canadian healthcare settings (p. 825). Their article reveals that consultation processes are poorly designed in many healthcare settings within Ontario, and as a result, the patients are denied quality care. Primary care physicians and specialist consultants do not collaborate with each other, and this makes it difficult for them to perform clinical procedures correctly. Moreover, healthcare professionals failure to share information may result in patients getting irrelevant medical advice from consultants. This leads to negative health outcomes, which may be detrimental to patients wellbeing in the long run. Additionally, consultants inability to collaborate with other physicians denies them an opportunity to go through medical records to find out their patients history.

They propose the Shift Outpatient Model, which guides consultants and physicians to cooperate to attain positive outcomes in their duties. The model encourages them to get involved in formulating primary care interventions in order to understand important clinical and administrative procedures. Moreover, the model focuses on diverse primary healthcare programs that need to be streamlined to improve the quality of services offered to patients. Therefore, a patient-centered consultation process adds value to healthcare and reduces costs incurred by patients whenever they seek medical treatment (Frost, Toubassi & Detsky, 2012, p. 826). In the long run, physicians and consultants acquire new skills that increase their competence in their practice due to their willingness to learn new ideas. The authors insist that this approach has improved health outcomes in Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick. It has made it possible for patients to get sound medical advice and treatment from different health facilities they visit.

Reference

Frost, D.W., Toubassi, D., & Detsky, A.S. (2012). Rethinking the consultation process: Optimizing collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists.Canadian Family Physicians, 58 (8), 825828. Web.