The System of Healthcare - Essay Example

Healthcare Under the Chronic Care Model, the components of the healthcare delivery system follow six different notions. These include: “organizational support, clinical information systems, delivery system design, decision support, self-management support, and community resources” (Medscape, 2008, par 1). The initial four concepts are actually practicing concepts, but the last two are actually focused on the patient. The model can be used as a whole, but every now and then, the concepts in the model do need to be used one at a time. When this does happen, however, it is important for the clinician to remember all of the other parts of the model. The first of the six concepts present in the system is that of organizational support. What, exactly, does this mean as it pertains to the model? Organizational support can be defined as: “the concept that addresses the culture of the practice as well as system leadership” (Medscape, 2008, par. 3) In a perfect world, a practice would basically have the top choices of how to handle chronic illness, including practicing improvement. Furthermore, leadership skills would be very active and noticeable within the organization, encouraging change when needed and making sure that the quality of care is the best it can be. The concept here is to motivate both employees and patients in regards to health and living as healthy as possible. This would also mean introducing programs for improvement, if necessary. Organizational support can help the health care practice overall by improving the overall outcomes and the quality of care for the patient. ((Medscape, 2008). The next important concept to consider is that of clinical information systems. Aiming for a good system is not possible without the use of modern-day technology, and technology can provide care centers with up-to-date information regarding patients and the population in general (Ten Components of an Effective Healthcare System, n.d.). This use of technology can therefore assist the provider with providing excellent care. The focus within the scope of the technology should be to provide information about individual patients and their needs, as well as overall data that takes the general patient population into consideration as well. Furthermore, since technology and effective information systems are so commonly used today, most patients would probably not be interested in a service provider that did not provide this type of information (Medscape, 2008). Next, the provider must take delivery system design into consideration. In order to consider this, the make and function of the health care team, the presentation of visits, and follow-up care must all be analyzed. Effective health care can be achieved by using all members of the team effectively and efficiently, as well as preparing for patient interactions and how to handle patient follow-up care ((Medscape, 2008). While groups and the team can be used to interact with the patient, it is still important to keep the primary care provider in the system, because when that individual is lacking, patients have often felt that something was lacking in the visit (i.e. seeing only a nurse that works with their doctor rather than seeing their usual doctor). Decision support is another important concept to consider when providing care for patients. “Decision support includes mechanisms for increasing provider access to evidence-based practice guidelines and to specialists for collaboration; and may include system prompts and reminders”(Medscape, 2008, par. 6). Education is always key in the success of any organization, and this also includes health-care. Therefore, the provider needs to make certain he or she, as well as his or her team, has access to the most recent and up to date procedural information. Self-management support also comes into consideration when focusing on patient-centered interventions. “These interventions can include tailored education resources, skills training, psychosocial support, and collaboration between provider and patient to define problems, set priorities, establish goals, identify barriers, create treatment plans, and solve problems.” By using this procedure, patients should be empowered to manage their healthcare, and doing this can make individuals feel they have choices, thus providing for a significant effect on health goals and outcomes for individuals. When considering an individual for long-term care, self-management can be one of the best ways to get the patient thinking about this consideration, especially if the patient is chronically ill (Gawande, n.d). The provider that could get the patient involved could demonstrate to him or her how long-term care could help, and the person could then decide if he or she would like to make that ultimate choice. Giving the patient power gives them general self-confidence and makes them feel more in control of a situation they may otherwise feel that they had no control over (i.e., that of disease) (Medscape, 2008). The next important item to consider is that of community resources. Community can help an individual get peer support as well as the care that individual needs by interacting with the community, and providing for community-based interventions. Community comes into importance significantly when dealing with low-income, the elderly, or underserved populations. Furthermore, if the community provides helpful resources and other information pertaining to healthcare, it can assist with the overall education of the population. Since education is such a crucial part of staying healthy, a focus on the community is a key way to assist with this ((Medscape, 2008). All six of these concepts will continue to be important to the future of healthcare. Organizational support, for instance, will continue to be important as the business side of the healthcare organizations continue to evolve. Clinical information systems may be the most important concept to focus on when it comes to the evolution of the health care industry, mainly because technology is constantly advancing. With this, there will therefore be an evolving way to database information about students, and health care individuals will need to make sure they are using the latest technology to provide the best patient care. Decision support is always crucial to a patient in need of assistance, and the patient has the right to be fully educated about all ramifications of a decision. Self-management support is important to health care services as well, because they provide for empowerment in the patient. This can therefore make the patient feel that he or she has a choice and is in control of his or her health, instead of feeling lost to an illness. Community resources are also important to health care and will continue to be, as education is critical to the improvement of any kind of system. By keeping the community educated and well-informed of the various health care options that exist, the community in general can aim for better health. References The chronic care model: Components of healthcare delivery. (2008). Medscape Today. Retrieved July 2, 2009, from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/549040_3 Gawande, A. (n.d.). A framework for a better health-care system. Retrieved July 2, 2009, from: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2009/03/atul-gawande-a-framework-for-a-better-healthcare-system.html Ten Components of an Effective Healthcare System (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2009, from: http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=151179 Read More