Introduction to Health Care

Introduction to Health Care

  • Course Title: HSA 170

  • Instructor: Dr. Lina H. Khusheim

Concepts of Health, Definitions, and Models

  • Date of Lecture: 30/1/2019 - 2/2/2020

Agenda

  • World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Goals of Healthcare Systems

  • Health Models

  • Health Services

Previous Lecture

  • Discussion topics included:

    1. What is Health Care?

    2. Types of Health Care:

    • Health Care Systems

    • Fundamental Objectives of Healthcare Systems

World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Definition:

    • WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on international public health.

    • Established on April 7, 1948.

    • Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.

    • Member of the United Nations Development Group.

Goals of Healthcare Systems (WHO)

  • The goals identified by WHO for healthcare systems include:

    1. Improving Population Health + Equity

    2. Responsiveness and People-Centeredness

    3. Social and Financial Protection

Improving Population Health

  • Definition and focus:

    • Population health status should be assessed across different socioeconomic groups.

    • Safety measures must guard populations against existing and emerging health risks.

    • Health systems should foster resilience to unknown future health risks.

    • Aim for equity by diminishing disparities in health outcomes across populations.

Fair Financing (WHO)

  • Definition:

    • A fairly financed health system does not inhibit individuals from seeking necessary care due to payment at the time of service.

    • Individuals should contribute approximately the same percentage of income towards necessary healthcare services.

Responsiveness

  • Definition:

    • Responsiveness involves meeting individuals' legitimate expectations concerning non-health enhancing aspects of the health system.

  • Importance of Responsiveness:

    • High patient satisfaction with non-medical care aspects correlates with better compliance to treatment, prompt care-seeking behaviors, and improved understanding of medical information.

What is Health?

  • Definition:

    • Health is generally characterized as a state of overall well-being.

    • It encompasses the functional and metabolic efficiency of an organism, typically referring to humans.

Broad Definition of Health

  • Health is defined as:

    • A state of well-being derived from favorable interactions among personal potentials, life demands, and social and environmental determinants.

    • Achievable throughout the life course when individuals' capacities and social-environmental influences are sufficient to meet life's demands.

    • Life demands can be physiological, psychosocial, or environmental and can vary significantly; failure to meet these demands results in disease.

Divergent Views on Health

  • Common disagreements regarding health arise from its multi-faceted nature, including:

    • Medical, social, economic, spiritual, and other components.

    • Different definitions including:

    1. Absence of illness

    2. Robustness and high quality of life

    3. Length of life (quantity) and quality of life

    4. Absence of physical and psychological disabilities and pain

Health Models

Types of Health Models

  1. Biomedical Model

  2. Social Model

  3. Health Promotion Model

Health Models Overview

  • Biomedical Model:

    • Focuses predominantly on the physical and biological aspects of disease and illness.

    • Utilized by health professionals for diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases.

    • Historically a dominant approach but now recognized to have limitations.

  • Social Model:

    • Conceptual framework that seeks to improve health and well-being by addressing social, economic, and environmental health determinants.

Comparison of Biomedical and Social Models

  • Biomedical Model:

    • Concentrates solely on biological factors associated with diseases.

    • Practiced primarily by medical professionals emphasizing diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.

    • Known for placing significant demand on the healthcare system and addressing only the physical aspects of health.

  • Social Model:

    • Encompasses a broad range of determinants affecting health.

    • Emphasizes preventative measures.

    • Broadly practiced and contributes to alleviating the burden on healthcare systems.

    • Currently a relevant and effective paradigm.

Conceptual Models of Health

Four Main Conceptual Models:

  1. Medical Model:

    • Characterized by the absence of disease or physical and mental infirmities.

  2. World Health Organization (WHO) Model (Holistic Model):

    • Defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being rather than merely the absence of disease.

  3. Wellness Model:

    • Emphasizes strength and resilience in overcoming illness, along with a "reserve of health".

  4. Environmental Model:

    • Focuses on maintaining equilibrium with the environment while mitigating pain, disability, or limitations, including societal interactions.

Holistic Model (WHO)

  • Definition:

    • "State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

  • Implications:

    • Recognizes individuals as social beings, with their health influenced by behavioral and social interactions.

  • Components of Health:

    1. Physical Health: Functional capacity and ability in activities like self-care, household tasks, and leisure.

    2. Mental Health: Includes considerations for mood disorders, anxiety, and overall emotional well-being.

    3. Social Health: Involves participation in activities and maintaining interpersonal relationships.

References

  • Larson, J. S. (1999). The conceptualization of health. Medical Care Research and Review, 56(2), 123-136.

  • Additional resource available at: http://wiki.engageeducation.org.au/health-and-human-development/unit-3/area-of-study-2-promoting-health-in-australia/comparing-the-biomedical-and-social-models-of-health/