An Introduction to Health Systems

These flashcards encapsulate key concepts from the lecture notes on health systems, covering definitions, examples, and critical issues.

Health System

The sum of organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to improve health.

Main Goals of Health Systems

Good Health,

Responsiveness to the expectations of the population,

Fairness in financial contribution.

Four Main Functions of Health Systems

1. Provide health services

2. Generate resources: raise money that can be spent on health

3. Finance health services: pay for health services

4. Stewardship: govern and regulate the health system

Primary Care

First-contact, ‘gatekeeper’ services in a health system.

Secondary Care

Includes general hospitals and specialized medical services.

Tertiary Care

Specialized hospitals providing advanced treatment.

Health System in Germany

Features universal insurance with 'sickness funds' that cover 90% of people.

Health System in the United Kingdom

Provides universal coverage under the National Health Service, funded by taxes.

Health System in the United States

A complex, fragmented mix of private and public coverage, with a portion of the population uninsured.

Human Resources Issues in Health Systems

Includes personnel shortages, 'brain drain,' and inadequate training or compensation.

Quality of Care Issues

Uneven safety, access, and patient outcomes caused by poor facilities and management.

Financing and Equity Issues

Limited funds and catastrophic out-of-pocket costs affecting poor populations.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Principles

Access to essential health services, quality services, and financial protection.

Measures to Achieve UHC

Raise revenue, improve efficiency, limit out-of-pocket costs, strengthen equity mechanisms.

Out-of-Pocket Model

Health system primarily funded by direct payments from patients to providers, common in developing countries for those without insurance.

Human Resources Issues in Health Systems

Includes personnel shortages, 'brain drain,' and inadequate training or compensation.

Quality of Care Issues

Uneven safety, access, and patient outcomes caused by poor facilities and management.

Financing and Equity Issues

Limited funds and catastrophic out-of-pocket costs affecting poor populations.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Principles

Access to essential health services, quality services, and financial protection.

Measures to Achieve UHC

Raise revenue, improve efficiency, limit out-of-pocket costs, strengthen equity mechanisms.

Challenges to Achieving UHC

Includes inadequate funding, political instability, lack of skilled health workers, and weak governance.