Health care delivery systems Dr. Aidah Alkaissi

Types of health care There are three types of services which:- 1. Health promotion and illness prevention (primary prevention) WHO define the health “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

Health promotion Health maintaining keeps oneself on top physical and mental health. Health promotion activities emphasize the important role clients play in maintaining their own health and encourage them to maintain the highest level of wellness and avoiding illness OR health promotion activities directed toward increasing the level of well being.

Health promotion and illness prevention strategies: Health education (proper nutrition, weight control and exercise, stress reduction) Immunization programs Environmental programs (air pollution) Identify risk factors for illnesses e.g., cardiovascular disease Not using drugs (alcohol control, stop smoking)

2. Diagnosis and treatment (secondary prevention) Hospitals and physicians agencies Community agencies e.g., clinics provide mammograms, screening test for cholesterol, B.P, D.M

3. Rehabilitation and health restoration (tertiary prevention) Is the process of restoring ill or injured people to optimal and functional levels of wellness. The goal of rehabilitation is to help people move to their previous level of health or to the highest level they capable of given their current health status.

Levels of health care A- Primary prevention ‘’ Activities directed toward decreasing the probability of specific illness” (Pender 1996, P.7) In which way: Education – Knowledge and awareness Immunization Family Planning services Environmental sanitation, work conditions, recreation Early detection and treatment Exercise, good nutrition Rest and sleep

B- Secondary prevention Early identification of health problems, prompt intervention to alleviate health problems In which way: Education Medication Surgery Hospitalization Special diet Psycho therapy Physical therapy

C- Tertiary prevention Begins after an illness, when a defect or disability is fixed stabilized or irreversible. It is focus is to help rehabilitation individuals and restore them to an optimal level of functioning. Rehabilitation Education Long term care Care of the dying

Health care settings A client may categorize as an inpatient or an outpatient. Inpatient: is a person who enters a setting such as hospital and remains for at least 24 hours. Outpatient: is a person who requires health care but does not need to stay in an institution such as a hospital.

Types of health care agencies Physicians Ambulatory care center General clinic Clinics may refer to department inside or outside the hospital managed by a group of physicians or by nurses. Hospital ( governmental nongovernmental) Extended care ((long term care) facilities traditionally called nursing homes, which provide personal care for those who are chronically ill or unable to care for themselves without assistance.

Rehabilitation centers e.g., drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Home health care agencies offer education to clients and families; provide comprehensive care to acute, chronic and terminally ill client. Day care centers (provide care for infants and children while parents work, adults who cannot be left at home alone no need for institution). Rural primary care (provide emergency care to clients in rural areas who require stabilization before transfer to a large hospital).

Hospice services (terminally ill, not saving life but improving or maintaining the quality of life until death). Crisis centers (centers provide emergency services to clients experiencing life crises or provide direct counselling to people at the center or their homes.

Factors affecting health care delivery Increasing number of elderly Advances in technology Economics Women’s health Uneven distribution of services Access to health care The homeless and the poor.