Access
to health care varies across countries, groups, and individuals, largely
influenced by social and economic conditions as well as the health policies in place. Countries and jurisdictions
have different policies and plans in relation to the personal and
population-based health care goals within their societies. Health care systems are organizations established to meet
the healthneeds of
target populations. Their exact configuration varies between national and
subnational entities. In some countries and jurisdictions, health care planning
is distributed among market participants, whereas in others, planning occurs
more centrally among governments or other coordinating bodies. In all cases,
according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a well-functioning health care
system requires a robust financing mechanism; a well-trained and
adequately-paid workforce; reliable information on which to
base decisions and policies;
and well maintained health
facilities and
logistics to deliver quality medicines and technologies.
Health
care can contribute to a significant part of a country's economy.
In 2011, the health care industry consumed an average of 9.3 percent of
the GDP or US$ 3,322 (PPP-adjusted) per capita across the 34
members of OECD countries. The USA (17.7%, or US$ PPP
8,508), the Netherlands (11.9%, 5,099), France (11.6%, 4,118), Germany (11.3%,
4,495), Canada (11.2%, 5669), and Switzerland (11%, 5,634) were the top
spenders, however life expectancy
in total population at birth was
highest in Switzerland (82.8 years), Japan and Italy (82.7), Spain and Iceland
(82.4), France (82.2) and Australia (82.0), while OECD's average exceeds 80
years for the first time ever in 2011: 80.1 years, a gain of 10 years since
1970. The USA (78.7 years) ranges only on place 26 among the 34 OECD member
countries, but has the highest costs by far. All OECD countries have achieved
universal (or almost universal) health coverage, except Mexico and the USA. (see also international comparisons.)
Health
care is conventionally regarded as an important determinant in promoting the
general physical and mental health and well-being of people around the world. An example
of this was the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980, declared by the WHO as the
first disease in human history to be completely eliminated by deliberate
Primary
care refers
to the work of health professionals who act as a first point of
consultation for all patients within the health care system. Such a professional would usually be a primary care physician, such as a general practitioner or family physician,
a licensed independent practitioner such as a physiotherapist,
or a non-physician primary care provider (mid-level provider) such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Depending on the locality,
health system organization, and sometimes at the patient's discretion, they may
see another health care professional first, such as a pharmacist,
a nurse (such as in the United Kingdom), a clinical officer (such as in parts of Africa), or an Ayurvedic or other traditional medicine
professional (such as in parts of Asia). Depending on the nature of the health
condition, patients may then be referred for
secondary or tertiary care.
Primary
care is often used as the term for the health care services which play a role
in the local community. It can be provided in different settings, such as Urgent care centres which provide services to
patients same day with appointment or walk-in bases.
Primary
care involves the widest scope of health care, including all ages of patients,
patients of all socioeconomic and geographic origins, patients
seeking to maintain optimal health, and
patients with all manner of acute and chronic physical,mental and social health issues, including multiple chronic
diseases. Consequently, a primary care practitioner must possess a
wide breadth of knowledge in many areas. Continuity is
a key characteristic of primary care, as patients usually prefer to consult the
same practitioner for routine check-ups and preventive care, health education,
and every time they require an initial consultation about a new health problem.
The International Classification of
Primary Care (ICPC) is
a standardized tool for understanding and analyzing information on
interventions in primary care by the reason for the patient visit.
Common
chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care may include, for example: hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD,depression and anxiety, back pain, arthritis or thyroid
dysfunction. Primary care also includes many basic maternal and child health care services, such
as family planning services and vaccinations.
In the United States, the 2013 National Health Interview Survey found that skin disorders (42.7%),
osteoarthritis and joint disorders (33.6%), back problems (23.9%), disorders of
lipid metabolism (22.4%), and upper respiratory tract disease (22.1%, excluding
asthma) were the most common reasons for accessing a physician.
In
context of global population aging,
with increasing numbers of older adults at greater risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, rapidly
increasing demand for primary care services is expected around the world, in
both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organization attributes the provision of essential
primary care as an integral component of an inclusive primary health care strategy.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care
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