Health Care Delivery System - Case Study Example

Introduction Health care delivery system is one of vital component of public welfare schemes of the government. The recent trends have shown that the rising cost of living has had an adverse effect on the overall public health care system. The healthcare components like accessibility to good medical care, quality and cost are increasingly moving beyond the grasp of general public. The inflationary trend in the economy and the rigidity in the health insurance are creating an extremely vulnerable segment of society who needs to be addressed urgently both in terms of micro level and at macro level. ‘The overall poor health status of the U.S population is, in part, the result of limited access to services, especially for the poor, uninsured and vulnerable population’ (Harrington, 2000). In the recent times, the market driven health components are increasingly driving the common man towards alternative health medicines which provide them with more holistic healthcare modules at lesser cost. Alternative health medicine The alterative health medicines can broadly be defined as a group of diversified medical and healthcare system and practices that uses non conventional methods of medicines. Ernst et al. have defined as ‘diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention which complements mainstream medicine by contributing to a common whole, by satisfying a demand not met by orthodoxy or by diversifying the conceptual frameworks of medicine’ (Ernst, 2004). The alternative medicines are primarily dependent on the regional and cultural beliefs of healing approaches that have been passed on by the generations. The efficacy of the healing is strictly holistic in approach and often treats the disease, not as an isolated event but as part of the wider perspectives that takes into account the physical, mental and social aspect of the individuals. Indeed, the increasing popularity of the alternative medicines can be easily assessed by the fact that the according to Eisenberg et al., the expenditure of complementary and alternative medicine in U.S has considerably increased and is nearly $30 billion (Eisenberg, 1998). Types of Alternative medicines The huge diversity of alternative medicines across the world has become a strong contender to the conventional and mainstream medicine. The therapeutic practice of the alternative medicine practitioners largely relies on the learning and teaching methodologies of the regional experts. While alternative medicines like homoeopathy has, to a certain extent been accepted by the mainstream medicines but others practices have yet to prove their reliability and effectiveness to the west. The various non traditional medicines of the have increasingly become popular in the west mainly because they are more focused towards the holistic welfare of the individuals and promote preventive measures. Few of the alternative medicines are describes as under. Naturopathy This stream of alternative medicine believes that body has natural healing forces within itself and creates congenial environment to provoke the healing process through dietary control, message, yoga etc. Ayurveda Ayurveda is 5000 years old alternative medicine system of Indian sub continent and primarily relies on diet and herbal remedies for prevention and treatment of diseases. Homeopathy This system of medicine is based on the belief that ‘like cures like’ and uses extreme dilution as a curative of the disease. Aromatherapy This is based on the essential oil extracts of the flowers, herbs and trees of medicinal values which are used for specific diseases and general well-being of the individuals. Acupuncture This is chiefly of Chinese origin that divides the body into major nerve zones of pressure, linked to all the vital parts of the body. The needles are punctured along the pre-defined lines and stimulated manually or through electrodes attached to the needle heads. Hypnosis Hypnosis and process of hypnotization has been acknowledged as a separate branch delineating it from the modern sciences. But the science itself has been unable to explain the role of hypnotization in the broader context of effective changes that occur in the physiological responses of the subject, under hypnotization. It is based on hypnotic suggestions that are designed to produce related change of physiological response in the subject who is being hypnotised. Spiritual healing This is very popular healing methodology of the East. It uses the external source of energy (God) through the healer that is passed on to the patient for healing. Reiki and Pranic healing are prime examples of such practices. Yoga These are specialized exercises based on the pattern of breathing and incorporate wide ranging postures that stimulates muscles and nerves to relax and thus promote healing. Meditation This is also Eastern practice of keeping fit through concentration techniques to de-stress and promotes positive attitude and clarity of mind. The meditation helps to focus the mind into channels of positive attitude and help inculcate patience and mental calm. Comparative effectiveness The increasing popularity of the alternative medicine in the West has made it imperative to address this branch of medicine and promote wider awareness of the strength and weaknesses of the system. While most of the alternative medicine systems could not be laboratory tested to prove their efficacy but the widespread use of these system has shown increasing trust of the people at large. Homeopathy system has been one of the most popular systems in UK. According to Thomas, Nicholl and Coleman, Royal College of Physicians have asserted ‘despite its apparent implausibility, homeopathy is among the most popular forms of CAM, with an estimated 470,000 regular users in the UK, and sales growing by around 12% annually’ (Thomas, Nicholl & Coleman, 2001). The meta analysis of homeopathy treatments and techniques have proved that it is effective (Linde, Clausius & Ramirez, 1997). Naturopathy is based on the nature cure and relies heavily on dietary controls to improve and improvise the natural forces of the body to heal. Indeed, diet regulation and control have even been accepted by the mainstream medicine as the most effective prevention techniques and treatment of lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes etc. The modern science has frowned on the cause and consequences of hypnosis basically because of the belief that the responses produced by the hypnotic process can also be otherwise produced. They have ignored the effectiveness of suggestions as relevant parameter of change. According to Clarke Hull, ‘No phenomenon whatever can be produced in hypnosis that cannot be produced to lesser degrees by suggestions given in the normal waking condition’(1933,p 391). Thereby, refusing to acknowledge the role of suggestions as mediator of change, in the physiological experience of the person, who is under hypnotization. The strength of hypnotization lies in the fact that the hypnotic suggestions have effective response therapeutic outcomes that can be validated. Another reason is that the suggestions have expected response criteria that is self confirmatory and hence can be effectively used in trauma cases that need to create positive hallucination to relieve physical and mental painful experiences. Most important of all is the fact that even if the role of hypnotization in effecting a change in the physical experiences of the subject, is denied, medical science, nevertheless must acknowledge the role of suggestions and its effectiveness in the process of hypnotization. Suggestions in hypnotization have been used as communication tools to inform the subjects of the desires of the hypnotist to act according to specific manner. With a relatively high rate of response expectancy, the role of suggestions has earned a right to be examined in a wider context in the medical arena. Indeed, the intervention of other social scientists in explaining the phenomenon of hypnotization has opened a plethora of questions and at the same time, providing the scientists with huge opportunities to explore the scope of various correlated variances that are being used in the process of hypnotization. The foremost being the use of suggestions that are designed to elicit specific response in the subject. The wide scope of suggestions can be used to unravel the mysteries of the unconscious mind of human being which has yet to be resolved with any conclusive results, by the scientists. Limitation The major limitations of the alternative medicinal practices are that they are private and lack effective regulation and control. The efficacy of the system is mostly intangible in nature and is difficult to provide effective traditional way of evidence. It is also important to note that the researchers of alternative medicines are intrinsically linked to conventional medicine and therefore may be biased towards the non traditional treatments and medicines which are widely based on nature cure through age old proven treatments and techniques. Conclusion Health care delivery system is one of vital component of public welfare schemes of the government. The government strategy and policies regarding quality healthcare for people from all segment of society primarily relied on medical intervention and behavioural changes. While traditional approach like medical, behavioral and socio-economic approach are popular, the need for more innovative approach and strategic modules of health promotion have become the need of the hour. There is urgent need to look into the various existing paradigms of traditional and non traditional healthcare strategies and analyzing the factors to identify the best health promotion techniques that are cost effective and sustainable. Reference Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, Appel S, Wilkey S, van Rompay M, Kessler RC. (1998). Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997 - Results of a follow-up national survey. Jama-Journal of the American Medical Association 1998, 280:1569-1575. Ernst E., Cohen, M H., and Stone, J. (2004). Ethical problems arising in evidence based complementary and alternative medicine. J Med Ethics; 30:156–159. Harrington, Charlene & Estes, Carrol,L. (2000). Health Policy: Crisis and Reforms in the U.S. Health Care. Jones & Barlett Publishers. Hull, C. L. (1933). Hypnosis and suggestibility: An experimental approach. New York: Appleton-Century Crofts. Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, et al. (1997). Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet. 1997 Sep 20;350(9081):834-43. Thomas KJ, Nicholl JP, Coleman P. (2001). Use and expenditure on complementary medicine in England: a population based survey. Complement Ther Med. 2001 Mar;9(1):2-11. Read More