Introduction to Health Care

Introduction to Health Care

Agenda

  • Introduction to Health Care

  • Definitions of Health Care

  • Types of Health Care

  • Objectives of Health Care Systems

What Is Health Care

  • Health care, health-care, or healthcare refers to:

    • The maintenance or improvement of health.

    • Involves prevention, diagnosis, treatment of diseases, illnesses, injuries, and other physical and mental impairments in people.

  • Efforts involved in health care include:

    • Maintaining or restoring physical﷼, mental, or emotional well-being.

    • Carried out primarily by trained and licensed professionals in various disciplines.

Types of Health Care

Overview of Types of Health Care

  • Categories of health care include:

    • Primary Care

    • Secondary Care

    • Tertiary Care

Primary Care

  • Definition: Basic curative care focusing on simple diagnosis and treatments.

  • Characteristics:

    • Point of entry into the health care system

    • Typically involves:

    • General Practitioners (GPs): Medical doctors treating acute and chronic illnesses.

    • Preventive care and health education offered by GPs.

    • Support from medical assistants, including pharmacists and nurses.

Secondary Care

  • Definition: Specialized care requiring sophisticated diagnosis and treatment methods, more complex than primary care.

  • Examples of professionals in this category:

    • Physical therapists

    • Respiratory therapists

    • Occupational therapists

    • Speech therapists

    • Dietitians

Tertiary Care

  • Definition: Highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services.

  • Availability:

    • Usually provided in centers specifically designed and equipped for these purposes.

  • Examples of services:

    • Cancer management

    • Neurosurgery

    • Cardiac surgery

    • Plastic surgery

    • Treatment for severe burns

Healthcare Systems

  • Definition: Healthcare systems are organized to meet the health care needs of target populations.

  • Purpose: To ensure health care systems effectively meet these needs.

The Fundamental Objectives of Healthcare Systems

  • Main goals include:

    • Improve Health Conditions: Aim to elevate population health levels through various mechanisms:

    • Ongoing effort to prolong life and prevent premature death.

    • Reduce mortality rates associated with diseases.

    • Minimize concerns related to health issues.

    • Reduce Disability: Focus especially on community disabilities.

    • Vaccination Programs: Emphasis on immunization against diseases, referred to as “Vaccines”.

    • Increase Beneficiary Acceptance: Ensure the health system is welcoming and accessible for all.

  • Additional Objectives:

    • Provide balanced health care services for all societal members.

    • Establish skilled manpower to manage health services efficiently.

    • Ensure the necessary financial resources are available to sustain health services.

    • Develop a comprehensive health information system.

    • Encourage private sector participation in the operation and management of government health facilities.