Healthcare in the United States : Navigating the basics of a complex system

This book is a collaborative effort among three faculty members from the Darton College of Health Professions, Nursing Department, at Albany State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and part of the University System of Georgia. The book idea originated from a grant-funded program to create open education resources (OER) for students learning in University System of Georgia's eMajor courses. A free pdf form of this text is available for download. The authors of this book are registered nurses who have each worked 25 or more years in various roles and specialties within our healthcare system. There have been many changes throughout the years. The authors' experience and knowledge are from a nursing perspective not found in other texts of similar content. The healthcare system has advanced tremendously since the very beginning of our formalized system. The most significant growth has been in technology use to support, diagnose, increase patient safety, and document patient outcomes. However, more can be done to ensure a system that meets all our citizens' healthcare needs. Readers of this text will learn a brief history of our healthcare system and explore the current state of health in the U.S. In the next 12 chapters, readers will: - consider health as defined using determinants of health - discover the many types of healthcare providers seen throughout the system - differentiate between the different types of healthcare settings - explore state and federal programs that provide oversight - examine private insurance and managed care plans - survey access issues and the cost of healthcare - review how state and federal government provides support to special populations - discover the quick expansion of technology use in healthcare - assess quality determinants and accreditation standards - compare national healthcare systems presently used to the present U.S. healthcare system - identify advantages of a national healthcare system for the United States This book will describe and explain our current healthcare system's complexities by providing the basics of many components in easy to understand terminology. Each chapter includes essential features to assist the student in learning and understanding - Learning outcomes, noting what the student can expect to learn by the end of each chapter. - Key terms for each chapter content, explained and defined within the chapter and in a glossary. - Tables, figures, pictures, and weblinks to enhance learning. - Pause and Reflect scenarios with questions to stimulate thought about the topic. - First person perspectives which bring richness and depth to the topic. - Review questions to challenge the reader's comprehension. - The current state of the U.S. healthcare system in the year 2020, including the impact of COVID-19. Contributors Glossary National Healthcare Systems 12.1 Learning Objectives 12.2 Key Terms 12.3 Introduction 12.3 Basic Models of Healthcare Systems 12.3.1 Germany 12.4 Issues Surrounding the U.S. Healthcare System 12.5 Current U.S. Legislation 12.6 Time for Change 12.7 The Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Healthcare System 12.8 Summary 12.9 Review Questions 12.10 References Healthcare 11.1 Learning Objectives 11.2 Key Terms 11.3 Introduction 11.4 Health Information Technology Support 11.5 Electronic Health Record/Digitalization of Health Records 11.6 Emerging Technologies 11.7 Data Analytics 11.8 Summary 11.9 Review Questions 11.10 References Technology Use in Quality in Healthcare 10.1 Learning Objectives 10.2 Key Terms 10.3 Introduction 10.4 Quality in Healthcare 10.5 Regulatory Agencies for Healthcare 10.6 Comparing the U.S. with Other Countries 10.7 Value-Based Care 10.8 Accreditation 10.9 Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) 10.10 Quality Improvement Programs 10.11 Quality Improvement Examples 10.12 Healthcare Workers and Quality 10.13 Health Disparities 10.14 Summary 10.15 Review Questions 10.16 References Cost of Healthcare 9.1 Learning Objectives 9.2 Key Terms 9.3 Introduction 9.4 Gross Domestic Product and Healthcare 9.5 National Health Expenditure Accounts 9.6 U.S. Healthcare Spending 9.7 Population Growth 9.8 Population Aging 9.9 Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Costs 9.10 Summary 9.11 Review Questions 9.12 References Special Populations 7.1 Learning Objectives 7.2 Key Terms 7.3 Introduction 7.4 American Indians and Alaska Natives 7.5 Military Veterans 7.6 Persons with Disabilities 7.7 Elderly 7.8 Incarcerated 7.9 COVID-19 Virus and Special Populations 7.10 Summary 7.11 Review Questions 7.12 References Private Insurance 6.1 Learning Objectives 6.2 Key Terms 6.3 Introduction 6.4 Fee-for-Service 6.5 Private Insurance 6.6 Managed Care Background 6.7 Managed Care Organizations 6.8 Types of Managed Care Organizations 6.9 Which Type of Healthcare Plan is Right for You? 6.10 Workers’ Compensation Insurance 6.11 Summary 6.12 Review Questions 6.13 References Federal and State Funded Healthcare 5.1 Learning Objectives 5.2 Key Terms 5.3 Introduction 5.4 Federally-Funded Healthcare 5.5 Joint Federal/State Funded Healthcare 5.6 Federally Funded Organizations for the Promotion of Health 5.7 Summary 5.8 Review Questions 5.9 References Healthcare Settings 4.1 Learning Objectives 4.2 Key Terms 4.3 Introduction 4.4 Defining Healthcare Services 4.5 Inpatient HealthCare 4.6 Outpatient Healthcare 4.7 Summary 4.8 Review Questions 4.9 References Healthcare Workforce 3.1 Learning Objectives 3.2 Key Terms 3.3 Introduction 3.4 Physicians 3.5 Advanced Practice Providers 3.6 Registered Nurses 3.7 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) 3.8 Other Assistant Healthcare Workers 3.9 Allied Health Professionals 3.10 Other Doctoral Level Providers 3.11 Other Healthcare Occupations 3.12 Gender Pay Gap 3.13 Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Workforce 3.14 Summary 3.15 Review Questions 3.16 References Overview of Health 2.1 Learning Objectives 2.2 Key Terms 2.3 Introduction 2.4 How is Health Defined? 2.5 How is Health Status Measured? 2.6 How Can We Improve Health in the U.S.? 2.7 Summary 2.8 Review Questions 2.9 References Introduction 1.1 Learning Objectives 1.2 Key Terms 1.3 Healthcare System Defined 1.4 History of the U.S. Healthcare System 1.5 Timeline of Important Healthcare Events 1.6 Summary 1.7 Review Questions References Access Issues in Healthcare 8.1 Learning Objectives 8.2 Key Terms 8.3 Introduction 8.4 Access to Healthcare 8.5 Barriers to Healthcare 8.6 Consequences of Inadequate Access to Healthcare 8.7 Emerging Issues and Possible Improvements in the Healthcare System 8.8 Summary 8.9 Review Questions 8.10 References _GoBack _GoBack _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk35789354 _heading=h.1fob9te _Hlk42856056 _Hlk42856504 _Hlk42792034 _heading=h.3znysh7 _Hlk42697745 _Hlk42698048 _Hlk40977653 _heading=h.tyjcwt _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk37885273 _heading=h.30j0zll _Hlk36288312 _Hlk63610009 _heading=h.1fob9te _heading=h.3znysh7 _Hlk40690637 _Hlk64710805 _Hlk63624300 _Hlk63638398 _Hlk63638697 _Hlk63635225 _Hlk63635686 _Hlk63638982 _GoBack _GoBack _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk36934936 _heading=h.2et92p0 _heading=h.tyjcwt _GoBack _GoBack _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk36939644 _Hlk63675638 _Hlk63675630 _Hlk63675573 _heading=h.30j0zll _Hlk37009205 _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk63775299 _Hlk63775313 _heading=h.gjdgxs _heading=h.30j0zll _Hlk37018315 _heading=h.1fob9te _Hlk40808784 _heading=h.3znysh7 _Hlk40811267 _heading=h.2et92p0 _Hlk43218369 _heading=h.tyjcwt _Hlk40883224 _Hlk40886437 _heading=h.3dy6vkm _Hlk40883110 _Hlk40813117 _heading=h.1t3h5sf _Hlk40878577 _Hlk63788605 _Hlk63790230 _GoBack _heading=h.2s8eyo1 _Hlk43218435 _heading=h.17dp8vu _Hlk43214270 _Hlk39906793 _heading=h.3rdcrjn _Hlk41039740 _heading=h.26in1rg _heading=h.gjdgxs _Hlk37021916 _heading=h.30j0zll _Hlk40967871 _Hlk65247690 _heading=h.1fob9te _heading=h.3znysh7 _Hlk37021163 _GoBack _GoBack _Hlk37029615 _GoBack Blank Page This book is a collaborative effort among three faculty members from the Darton College of Health Professions, Nursing Department, at Albany State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and part of the University System of Georgia. The book idea originated from a grant-funded program to create open education resources (OER) for students learning in University System of Georgia's eMajor courses. The cost of education in the United States is remarkably expensive, and the added burden of purchasing textbooks for each course can be prohibitive. The opportunity to create free educational materials has been a rewarding experience. A free pdf form of this text is available for download. The authors of this book are registered nurses who have each worked 25 or more years in various roles and specialties within our healthcare system. There have been many changes throughout the years. The authors' experience and knowledge are from a nursing perspective not found in other texts of similar content. The healthcare system has advanced tremendously since the very beginning of our formalized system. The most significant growth has been in technology use to support, diagnose, increase patient safety, and document patient outcomes. However, more can be done to ensure a system that meets all our citizens' healthcare needs. Readers of this text will learn a brief history of our healthcare system and explore the current state of health in the U.S. In the next 12 chapters, readers will: consider health as defined using determinants of health discover the many types of healthcare providers seen throughout the system differentiate between the different types of healthcare settings explore state and federal programs that provide oversight examine private insurance and managed care plans survey access issues and the cost of healthcare review how state and federal government provides support to special populations discover the quick expansion of technology use in healthcare assess quality determinants and accreditation standards compare national healthcare systems presently used to the present U.S. healthcare system identify advantages of a national healthcare system for the UnitedStates. This book will describe and explain our current healthcare system's complexities by providing the basics of many components in easy to understand terminology. Each chapter includes essential features to assist the student in learning and understanding