healthcare systems/history of healthcare
Healthcare Systems Study Guide
1.What were the major advances made by the:
Egyptians: designed structured procedures and kept accurate health records; opposed medical research and experimentation
Romans: taught that if the four fluids that the body was composed of became unbalances, then sickness would occur; also developed theories of human anatomy, that were flawed, by dissecting pigs; they recognized that disease was often caused by filth and overcrowding and they installed superior drainage and sanitation systems and also set up public hospitals
Chinese: documented over 1000 medical herbs and established the science of acupuncture and that is a form of alternative treatment.
Greeks: stressed the importance of observation and note taking; said that disease was a result of natural causes; encouraged cleanliness and proper diet to prevent illness; developed the field of anatomy by dissecting animals; first to make a connection between medicine, biology, and the body
Hindus: developed an advanced medical organization: established hospitals staffed by some of the best nurses in the world; Hindu doctors were trained in many types of surgery, including cataracts and plastic surgery; they also made a significant contribution to the understanding of drugs, particularly those used for anesthesia; they also created walled sewer drains and a system of underground water pipes and this was sanitary
Babylonians: similar medical structure that was similar to that of the Egyptians; created rules that required fees to be paid to the physicians for their medical services; physicians were punished severely if patients died or lost their eyesight during treatment
2.What was believed to be the cause of illness in primitive times and how was it treated?
It was believed that illness was caused by supernatural beings. It was also thought that if people were disobedient, the gods would inflect their bodies with sickness or disease. It was treated through priests and medicine men through religious ceremonies where evil spirits were driven out of the body.
3. What was the first treatment for pain?
Herbs and plants were used as medicines. Opium and morphine are powerful painkillers.
4.When and what was the first plague? What was the cause?
The first plague was the bubonic plague in 542 AD, and it was caused by a bacteria transmitted by fleas and rats.
5.What is the difference between a pandemic and epidemic?
An epidemic is a large number of cases in a specific area or population, and a pandemic is an epidemic that spreads to a significantly larger population across several countries or even continents. A pandemic is more widespread and can even spread globally, while an epidemic is a large number of cases in a specific area and population.
6. What happened to medical advances in the Dark Ages?
The study of medicine was forbidden, and people turned to religion, magic, and folklore to cure disease.
7. The Renaissance was known for its focus on:
The Renaissance was a time of enlightenment. People began to reject their commitment to religion, and they developed new ideas about science and the arts. Medical researchers stole corpses to dissect them and Vesalius realized that Galen’s theories were wrong because they weren’t based on humans, they were based on animals. The microscope was also invented, and Anton van Leeuwenhoek’s microscope helped look at cells like red blood cells, and Hooke’s microscope proved that all living things are made of cells. Reason took the place of religion and superstition.
What were the contributions of the following persons:
8.Galen: He re-introduced the ideas of Hippocrates to the Romans but ignored the practice of careful observation. Instead, he taught that the body was composed of four fluids and if those fluids became unbalanced, then sickness would happen. He also developed theories of human anatomy by dissecting pigs. Most of his theories were flawed and incorrect, and the Romans contributed very little to medical advancement.
9.Imhotep: He was the first ever physician and he became well known for his medical care of the Egyptian royal family.
10.Hippocrates: He stressed the importance of observation and note taking. He taught that disease was a result of natural causes, not supernatural punishment. He noted that the only way to cure disease was to observe the sick. He also encouraged proper diets and cleanliness to prevent illness from occurring. He wrote the Hippocratic Oath, which physicians are still required to abide by to this day.
11.Joseph Lister: Lister discovered that microorganisms were responsible for infection in people. He developed methods of medical asepsis, which are cleaning procedures that kill microorganisms and help to eliminate infection.
12.Anton van Leeuwenhoek: Leeuwenhoek created a single-lens microscope in the mid 1600s, and this invention led him to the discovery of red blood cells.
13.Sir Alexander Fleming: He discovered penicillin. Penicillin is an antibiotic that is still used across the world to treat diseases caused by bacteria. This is just one medicine that destroys disease causing microorganisms.
14.Wilhelm Roetgen: He created a tool that changed medical procedures forever, in the early 1900s. He made the X-Ray Machine, and this allowed physicians, for the first time, to diagnose illnesses and fractures without using invasive surgeries.
15.Crick and Watson: They identified the structure and function of DNA.
16.Louis Pasteur: He used a microscope and discovered that microorganisms were to blame. He then developed a system of heating and sealing to destroy these dangerous microbes in wines that caused them to turn sour. Pasteurization(this process) is still used today, specifically on milk and dairy products.
17.Clara Barton: Clara Barton founded the Red Cross.
18.Florence Nightingale: She was the first female nurse.
19.Edward Jenner: He administered the first vaccination in 1796.
20.Jonas Salk: He created the first successful polio vaccine.
21.Rene Laennec: He invented the stethoscope.
22.What types of health insurance did the government develop in the 1920s?
Medicare and Medicaid were developed to help elderly people and low-income families pay for healthcare.
23.What are important approaches to medical research and problem solving?
The scientific method is an important approach to problem solving and medical research.
24.What are the steps in the scientific method?
The first step was observation/question, and this is determining the top of the research, experimentation, or problem to be solved. The second step is research, which is learning about the topic. The third step is making a hypothesis, which is the predicated outcome. The fourth step is to experiment, which is testing the hypothesis. The fifth step is to collect data from the experiment. The sixth step is the analysis, which is studying the data. The seventh step is to make a conclusion by comparing the hypothesis to the results of the experiment.
25.What is non-compliance?
Non-compliance is not cooperating with or obeying a prescribed treatment plan.
26.What is included in the patient bill of rights?
In a patient’s bill of rights there are: the right to emergency treatment, the right to respect, the right to informed consent, the right to refuse treatment, the right to choose providers, the right to privacy, the right to appeal, and patient responsibilities.
27.Who receives geriatric care? Where would this population receive care?
The elderly population would receive geriartic care in facilities such as adult daycare centers, independent living facilities, retirement communities, and nursing homes.
28.What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine allows patients all over the world to consult with doctors through cameras and TV Screens. It allows patients to communicate with healthcare providers from their own homes.
29.What is included in practice management software?
Practice management software helps manage billing and documentation, and it allows these tasks to be completed electronically, saving time for physicians and other healthcare workers. It performs a variety of functions, including: storing patient information, billing and collections, scheduling, and managing electronic medical records(EMR).
30. What is wellness? What are the components of wellness?
Wellness can be described as total good health. There are many factors to wellness, including physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual.
31. What is patient-centered care?
Patient centered care is a partnership between healthcare providers and the patient. Healthcare providers should consult patients about their preferences, needs, and values for treatment. The patient’s care plan should reflect the person’s goals and it should involve and empower the person. Healthcare providers have the obligation and responsibility to act as an advocate for the patient by presenting them with options that are safe and effective for them.
32. What is the role of an epidemiologist?
The role of an epidemiologist to study diseases. They study diseases like cancer.
33. How can you contain costs in healthcare?
You can contain costs in healthcare through outpatient services, which means that healthcare facilities are now treating more people as outpatients by reducing the length of hospital stays, which can reduce the cost of service. Advanced technology can make this more manageable. Another thing you could do is preventative care, which includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, and patient awareness, to prevent illnesses. Another thing is energy conservation but conserving energy to reduce the bills for electricity, water, and other utilities. Energy can be conserved by watching the temperature, recycling, and using automatic faucets, solar power, and energy-efficient lighting.