In order to provide services for the full range of health care needs that exist in a community, a wide spectrum of care is needed. Patients move in and out and through this spectrum of services based on their current need or anticipated health needs. One way of viewing the health care system is by looking at the level of care needed by the patient and the settings and providers that have developed to provide that care. The current system that has evolved throughout the Twentieth Century is now in a period of rapid change, due to the high cost of health care and rapidly developing technologies.
Technological advances have resulted in new services and settings for care. For example, as a result of the new X-ray technology, diagnostic centers have developed to do heart scans. Changes in the way health care services are financed have also resulted in new settings for care. For example, free-standing centers (not attached to a hospital) have developed to provide diagnostic services (tests, lab work, x-rays, etc.) that were once only available in the hospital.
As an example of both technological and financing changes in health care, free-standing surgery centers now exist for many types of surgeries that were once done only in a hospital setting. Outpatient or non-hospital based services are cheaper than are services provided in a hospital setting. More and more services that are now provided in a hospital setting will likely move to a non-hospital setting as technology progresses and health care costs must be contained.
Who Are You Going to Call?
Given the recent changes in health care services and settings, it can be confusing to know where to "enter" the health care system-where to go to get just the right amount of care needed. Where you go is often determined by what's available in the community or how the service will be paid for-"out of your pocket" or by an insurance company.
Teacher Tip: Note that at students' age, parents would make needed health care arrangements. However, students need to begin to understand how the health care system works and when and how to use it. Students may also be the only people available to help someone in an emergency situation; they must be able to recognize an emergency situation and know how to respond appropriately.