Research Paper on "Health Care Delivery Systems"

Research Paper 8 pages (2345 words) Sources: 6

[EXCERPT] . . . .

The best practices principles identified by the World Health Organization are: (1) The partnership or collaborative arrangement demonstrates a clear added value; (2) The partnership or collaborative arrangement has a clear goal that concerns a priority area for WHO; (3) The partnership or collaborative arrangement supports national development objectives; (4) The partnership or collaborative arrangement ensures adequate participation of stakeholders; (5) The roles of partners are clear; (6) Pursuit of the public health goal takes precedence over the special interests of participants; (7) The structure of the partnership or collaborative arrangement corresponds to the proposed functions; and (8) The partnership or collaborative arrangement has an evaluation or self-monitoring mechanism.

8. Key Strategic Planning Elements in Healthcare Systems Management

The strategic planning elements most frequently utilized were as follows: (1) The development of goals and objectives (92%); (2) The development of a vision for the future (89%); (3) A review of the organizational mission; and (4) Development of action plans (78%) (Streib, 2005). Invariably, these strategic planning elements reflect the mission as a key driver of operations, planning, goal setting, and implementation (Streib, 2005). A second set of strategic planning elements are utilized to a somewhat lesser degree, as follows: (6) The identification of stakeholders' needs and concerns (72%); (7) The development of strategic agendas (71%); (8) The evaluation of internal strengths and weaknesses (60%) and (9) The assessment of external threats and opportunities (57%) (Streib, 2005). Those strategic planning elements that were reported by the smallest number of respondents were as follows: (10) Clarification of organizational mandates (53%); and (11) Feasibility assessment of proposed strategies (36%) (Streib, 2005). The focus appears to be overwhelming on internal mandates for paving the way to successful implementation of strategic plans (Streib, 2005).

9. Healthcare Cost Economics vs. High Quality Patient Care

In a study that examined the relationship between efficient use of resources in a state Medicaid program and the quality of care provided by physicians who customarily provided care for these patients, it was found that the costs generated by providers was not associated with quality of care provided for common conditions in primary care (Stafield, et al., 1994). The findings are from a study that is nearly two decades old. It would be important to compare the conclusions with a more contemporary study, particularly in light of what recent research indicates about care differentials for people of color and for low-income populations. The conclusion of the researchers that "policies directed toward the choice of low-cost vs. high-cost providers will not necessarily lead to a deterioration in the quality of care" may be challenged by the present economy and the socio-economic and cultural changes that have transpired in the interim years (Stafield, et al., 1994). The researchers optimistically assert that improvement in quality and lower costs can be impacted by consistent monitoring of programs over time (Stafield, et al., 1994). Certainly, the recommendations for research to examine quality of care for patients in community health centers categorized as medium-cost warrants additional study (Stafield, et al., 1994).

10. Population-based care delivery

The focus of resource allocation in population-based healthcare is dual. Outcomes are measured for all patients who have a targeted disease or condition, not just those who show up in clinics looking for care. This is the primary difference between traditional individual-centered care and population-based care -- and the result can be a substantive economy of scale (AAMC, 2005).

"A population health perspective encompasses the ability to assess the health needs of a specific population; implement and evaluate interventions to improve the health of that population; and provide care for individual patients in the context of the culture, health status, and health needs of the populations of which that patient is a member" (AAMC, 2005).

In population-based healthcare, the masses of people who seek healthcare are viewed as part of a larger whole with shared medical concerns, and they viewed as unique patients (AAMC, 2005). The approach does not take anything away from treating patients individually but it does impose a systems thinking approach to the provision of care (AAMC, 2005). Individuals are likely to benefit from the additional dimension of care guidelines that are developed for the target populations of which they are members (AAMC, 2005).

References

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Medical Informatics Panel and the Population Health Perspective Panel. Contemporary issues in medical informatics and population health: report II of the Medical School Objectives Project. (1999). Academy of Medicine, 74, 130-141. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Adams, A.O. (2005). Quality of board governance in nonprofit healthcare organizations. The Internet Journal of Healthcare Administration, 2 (2).

Jaklevic, M.C. (2003). Letting the sunshine in. Modern Healthcare, 33(12), 26-8.

Horwitt, Sanford D. (August 23, 2009). Review of The Healing of America by T.R. Reid. San Francisco Chronicle.

Longman, Phillip (September 27, 2009). It's not a socialized world after all. The Washington Post.

Partnerships. World Health Organization (WHO) (2009, January 2). [Provisional agenda item 7. presented by the Secretariat at the… READ MORE

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