Case study on Health Care Providers and Professionals

Case study on Health Care Providers and Professionals

Case study on Health Care Providers and Professionals

Directions: Use the following Case Study Template as a guide to format your Case Study Papers. Make sure you address each of the highlighted areas and track comments. For your final Case Study Paper, please remove all track changes and track comments. Please review the Course Syllabus for more specific requirements. As a reminder, the Case Study Paper should be at least 500 words (750 words max) and have 5 references that are less than 7 years old. Case Study #: Case Study Chapter Title [Insert Student’s Name] CHP390 U.S. Healthcare Delivery System Dr. MyNgoc Nguyen [Month Day, Year] Word Count: ODU Honor Code: We, the students of Old Dominion University, aspire to be honest and forthright in our academic endeavors. Therefore, we will practice honesty and integrity and be guided by the tenets of the Monarch Creed. We will meet the challenges to be beyond reproach in our actions and our words. We will conduct ourselves in a manner that commands the dignity and respect that we also give to others. 1 Case Study #1 Introduction Health care is continuously growing and changing with new technological advancements. These advancements have led to mobile health, wearable devices that monitor health related statistics such as heartrate and sleep, and a new health care program called telemedicine. Telemedicine has the possibility to help reduce health disparities and inequalities for patients in underserved areas as well as for patients of lower economic status and can be used to combat COVID-19. However, barriers still present regarding access to these technological advances and until these barriers are addressed, reduction of health disparities among all communities may be difficult. Possibility for Reduction of Health Disparities and Inequalities Health care has a history of health disparities and inequalities due to geographical location or social class. In recent years, telemedicine programs have shown potential in their ability to reduce health disparities and inequalities for patients in lower income and underserved areas of the community (Ly, Bourgeault, Labonte, & Niang, 2017). This is mostly due to geographical coverage being so large and the population being so small, that the health care demand is not enough to maintain enough easily accessible or highly advanced health care centers for the entire community (Leath et al., 2018). Not being able to afford the time off, not being able to medically handle the travel, or just finding the travel not worth it are common issues resulting in the health disparities and inequalities among rural communities (Douthit, Kiv, Dwolatzky, & Biswas, 2015). Telemedicine and COVID-19 Telemedicine can help greatly during pandemic times. For example, telemedicine can be used to help people gain access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic which would lead to 2 Case Study #1 significant reduction in health disparities and inequities. Telemedicine can be used in the many ways. Barriers to Patient Access of Technological Advances in Healthcare Technological advances in health care intended to improve patient quality of life do not come without disadvantages. Example 1 is a major barrier because example one shows that people still do not have access to technological advances. Example 2 is a major barrier because example 2 shows that people still do not have access to technological advances (Arcaya & Figueroa, 2017). Conclusion Over all the pros and cons pertaining to recent technological advances, especially telemedicine, have led to mixed reviews. Telemedicine seems to be a promising health care intervention in reducing health disparities and inequities among the underserved and lower income communities with Internet access. However, the barriers associated with telemedicine present a threat to increasing the disparities and inequalities in health care among the lower income populations without Internet access and the populations that lack technological education such as the elderly and extremely rural communities. In order for technological advances such as telemedicine programs to ultimately succeed in reducing health disparities and inequities among all the underserved and lower income communities, health care providers need to find a way to ensure that the technology is available and affordable among all communities as well as ensure easy access to adequate technical support. 3 Case Study #1 References Arcaya, M. C., & Figuerea, J. F. (2017). Emerging trends could exacerbate healthcare inequities in the United States. Health Affairs, 36(6), 992-998. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0011 Douthit, N., Kiv, S., Dwolatzky, T., & Biswas, S. (2015). Exposing some important barriers to health care access in the rural USA. Public Health, 129(6), 611-620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.04.001 Flodgren, G., Rachas, A., Farmer A. J., Inzitari, M., & Shepperd, S. (2015). Interactive telemedicine: Effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. The Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, 9, 1465-1858. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2F14651858.CD002098.pub2 Leath, B. A., Dunn, L. W., Alsobrook, A., & Darden, M. L. (2018). Enhancing rural population health care access and outcomes through the Telehealth Ecosystem Model. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 10(2), e218. https://dx.doi.org/10.5210%2Fojphi.v10i2.9311 Ly, B. A., Bourgeault, I. L., Labonte, R., & Niang, M. N. (2017). Physicians’ perceptions on the impact of telemedicine on recruitment and retention in underserved areas: A descriptive study in Senegal. Human Resources for Health, 15(1), 67. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-017-0242-z CHP 390 U.S. Healthcare Delivery Systems Case Study Paper 1 Directions Instructions for Developing the Case Study Paper 1. The purpose of a case study is to build upon your foundational knowledge gained from the assigned reading. Cases are based on real world examples. 2. Read the following case study, “Chapter 4: Health Care Providers and Professionals” carefully. The case study is highlighted in blue. 3. Answer the three questions at the end of the case study in an academic paper format using evidence-based literature and not based on your own opinions. Instructions for Formatting the Case Study Paper 1. Please use the Case Study Template included on the Canvas website under the “Case Study Paper – Module 4” link as a guide to format the paper. 2. All typed work should be double-spaced, in a standard font style (Times New Roman), font size 12. 3. The Case Study Paper should use the APA 7th style format for the entire paper. 4. The paper should be at least 500 words (750 words max). 5. Do not use more than 2 direct quotes. 6. Include an introduction and closing paragraph and APA headings to organize each section of the paper. Each section of the paper should relate to the case study questions. 7. Similarity Index for this assignment is at 20%. Any paper with a similarity index greater than 20% may be penalized with automatic failure. I only count highlights within the body of the paper. Sentences usually get highlighted that are too similar to original work or have improper citations. You have multiple opportunities to submit your paper in the “DRAFT ONLY” submission link so that you can check your work, edit and resubmit. 8. Submit assignments in the designated submission link in Canvas. 9. All assignments are evaluated using the grading rubric. All grades in Canvas are final. 10. Papers with less than a minimum of 5 sources or word count (500words), with no in-text citations or with highlighting by Safe Assign in the body of the paper may receive an automatic failing grade. See Syllabus, “Automatic Failing Grades on Assignments.” No exceptions and no resubmissions Chapter 4: Health Care Providers and Professionals Clinician leadership is necessary to ensure that health care delivery is up to the standard of care within a health care organization. Health care providers and professionals seek to model core leadership elements such as integrity, reliability, and communication. The modern health care organization employs knowledgeable workers who are highly qualified professionals, subject-matter experts, and leaders in their specialty area of health services (Al-Sawai, 2013). The health care workforce includes physicians (MDs and DOs), midlevel providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners), nursing professionals (registered nurses), and other allied health professionals (e.g., physical therapists, dietitians, etc.). It takes a skilled and competent workforce to deliver quality evidence-based health care for a panel of patients (Hain & Kear, 2015). According to Anand and Bärnighausen (2012), “Putting health workers at the center of the system is essential because all health systems work through health professionals to achieve their goals” (p. 186). However, the health system is only as good as the education, training, integrity, morals, and ethics of its workforce members. Leadership is an essential skill set for professionals to possess as a core element of care continuity and coordination of chronic diseases. Case Report Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS) was one of the nation’s leading operators of hospitals and affiliated organizations, with operations in 20 states (Ellison, 2018). However, its recent struggles to stay solvent due to fiscal mismanagement, unethical business practices, and overexpansion have led it to close hospitals in some of its rural service areas—areas that are in critical need of health services and care delivery (Smith-Sable, 2018). Because many of CHS’s hospitals are in rural areas that serve underserved and lowincome populations, the hospital closures will leave patients, medical providers, and professionals without access to a health care delivery system (Smith-Sable, 2018). For example, the Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, part of the CHS network, is a 116-bed hospital located in Kennett, Missouri. CHS announced the closure of the hospital in the summer of 2018, sending shockwaves across the region, because the next closest hospital is more than 100 miles away in St. Louis, Missouri (Ellison, 2018). Closing the hospital will create a gap in medical coverage, leaving hundreds of patients, providers, and patients without access to local health services (Ellison, 2018). Conclusion Access to hospital services and primary care delivery is limited in rural areas of the country, such as in the small county of Dunklin in Missouri where Twin Rivers is located (Ellison, 2018). Demand for modern evidence-based medicine and state-of-the-art medical technology from patients with a complexity of chronic health conditions exert pressure on the finances of health care delivery systems (Hain & Kear, 2015). Overcoming these obstacles and barriers proved to be too much for CHS to overcome at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center. Health care providers in the area have offered a financial bailout to keep the hospital open until community members can vote on a ballot measure in the upcoming county elections (SmithSable, 2018). The loss of this critical access hospital would mean a lack of care coordination and disease prevention and raise the potential for adverse health outcomes. The willingness of local health care providers to financially bail out the local hospital has the potential to save both their livelihoods and the lives of patients throughout the county (Smith-Sable, 2018). References Al-Sawai, A. (2013). Leadership of health care professionals: Where do we stand? Oman Medical Journal, 28, 285–287. http://dx.doi.org/10.5001/omj.2013.79 Anand, S., & Bärnighausen, T. (2012). Health workers at the core of the health system: Framework and research issues. Health Policy, 105(2–3), 185–191. Ellison, A. (2018, July 10). CHS closes Missouri hospital; physicians put their money on the line to expand services. Becker’s Hospital CFO Report. Retrieved from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/chs-closes-missouri-hospital-physicians-puttheir-money-on-the-line-to-expand-services.html Hain, D. J., & Kear, T. M. (2015). Using evidence-based practice to move beyond doing things the way we have always done them. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 42(1), 11–21 Smith-Sable, B. (2018, July 6). After hospital closure, a Missouri community tries to fill the gap in health and jobs. Retrieved from http://kbia.org/post/after-hospital-closure-missouricommunity-tries-fill-gap-health-and-jobs#stream/0 Case Study Paper Questions 1. Healthcare providers and professionals play a critical role in keeping the health of patients optimal and in helping to maintain the healthcare system. Describe how the financial bailout offered by the health care providers within the case study help model their commitment to delivering health care services to their rural community. 2. Consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare providers and healthcare systems within the case study and in general. Give a recent example of how providers, professionals, and patients have pooled their collective resources to either create or maintain a health care delivery system during this pandemic. 3. How can society (community residents, public health officials, governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies etc.) help medical providers and professionals with delivering affordable health care services to the community during this COVID-19 pandemic? © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Chapter 4 Health Care Providers and Professionals Introduction (1 of 2) • The U.S. health care industry is the largest and most powerful employer in the nation. – It employs more than 13% of the total labor force in the United States. – The growth of health care services is closely linked to the demand for health services professionals. Introduction (2 of 2) • The health care sector continues to grow due to: – Growth in population, mainly due to immigration – Aging of the population – Expansion of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leading to greater utilization of health care services Physicians (1 of 2) • All states require physicians to be licensed to practice. • The licensure requirements include: – Graduation from an accredited medical school – A doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) Physicians (2 of 2) • Successful completion of a licensing examination governed by either the National Board of Medical Examiners or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners • Completion of a supervised internship/residency program Similarities and Differences between MDs and DOs (1 of 2) • Both MDs and DOs use traditionally accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery. • Osteopathic medicine, practiced by DOs, emphasizes the musculoskeletal system, such as correction of joint tissues. Similarities and Differences between MDs and DOs (2 of 2) • MDs are trained in allopathic medicine, which views medical treatment as active intervention to produce a counteracting reaction in an attempt to neutralize the effects of disease. Generalists and Specialists (1 of 2) • Physicians trained in family medicine/general practice, general internal medicine, and general pediatrics are considered primary care physicians or generalists. Generalists and Specialists (2 of 2) • Specialists must seek certification in an area of medical specialization. This requires additional years of advanced residency training, followed by several years of practice in the specialty. Primary Care vs. Specialists • Primary care: • First-contact care, gatekeepers in managed care • Longitudinal care, focus on patient as a whole • Training in ambulatory care settings for various conditions • Specialists: • Require referral from primary care physicians • Episodic care that focuses on a particular disease, process, or organ system • Training in hospitals using advanced technology Work Settings and Practice Patterns • Physicians practice in a variety of settings and arrangements. • Some work in hospitals as medical residents or staff physicians. • Others work in the public sector, in federal government agencies, public health clinics, etc. Dentists • The major role of dentists is to diagnose and treat problems related to teeth, gums, and tissues of the mouth. • All dentists must be licensed to practice. • Some states require dentists to obtain a specialty license before practicing as a specialist in that state. Subspecialties of Dentistry • Orthodontics (straightening teeth) • Oral and maxillofacial surgery (operating on the mouth and jaws) • Pediatric dentistry (dental care for children) • Periodontics (treating gums) • Prosthodontics (making artificial teeth or dentures) • Endodontics (root canal therapy) • Public health dentistry (community dental health) • Oral pathology (diseases of the mouth) Pharmacists • The role of pharmacists has expanded from the preparation and dispensing of prescriptions to include: • Drug product education • Serving as experts on specific drugs, drug interaction, and generic drug substitution Subspecialties in Pharmacy • Pharmacotherapists: specialize in drug therapy and work closely with physicians • Nutrition-support pharmacists: determine and prepare drugs needed for nutritional therapy • Radiopharmacists or nuclear pharmacists: produce radioactive drugs used for patient diagnosis and therapy Other Doctoral-Level Health Professionals (1 of 2) • Psychologists: provide patients with mental health care • Podiatrists: treat patients with: – Disease or deformities of the feet, including surgical operations – Medications and corrective devices – Physiotherapy Other Doctoral-Level Health Professionals (2 of 2) • Chiropractors: Provide treatment to patients through: – Chiropractic manipulation – Physiotherapy – Dietary counseling Nurses (1 of 2) • Nurses are the major caregivers of sick and injured patients. They address patients’ physical, mental, and emotional needs. • All states require nurses to be licensed to practice. Nurses (2 of 2) • Nurses work in a variety of settings, including: – Hospitals – Nursing homes – Private practice – Ambulatory care centers. – Community – Migrant health centers Advanced-Practice Nurses (APN) There are four areas of specialization for APNs: – Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) – Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) – Nurse practitioner (NP) – Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) Shortage of Nurses Demand for more nurses has increased due to: • Increased patient-to-nurse staffing ratios needed to treat much sicker patients who necessitate more intensive care • Growth in new opportunities for nursing employment in alternative settings and roles such as case management, utilization review, quality assurance, and prevention counseling Non-Physician Practitioners (NPP) (1 of 2) NPPs receive less advanced training than physicians but more training than registered nurses (RN). Non-Physician Practitioners (NPP) (2 of 2) • They do not: – Engage in the entire range of primary care – Deal with cases requiring the expertise of a physician Value of NPP Services (1 of 2) • Studies have: – Confirmed the efficacy of NPPs as health care providers – Demonstrated that NPPs can provide both highquality and cost-effective medical care • NPPs: – Show greater personal interest in patients – Cost less Value of NPP Services (2 of 2) • Issues that need to be resolved before NPPs can be used to their full potential are: – Legal restrictions on practice – Reimbursement policies – Relationships with physicians Allied Health Professionals (1 of 2) • Technicians and assistants – Receive less than 2 years of post-secondary education and are trained to perform procedures – Require supervision from therapists or technologists – Ensure that care plan evaluation occurs as part of treatment Allied Health Professionals (2 of 2) • Technologists and therapists learn how to: • Evaluate patients • Diagnose problems • Develop treatment plans • Education for the technologist or therapist includes skill development in teaching procedural skills to technicians. Public Health Professionals • Focus on the community as a whole rather than treating the individual – Examples include access to health care, infectious disease control, environmental health issues, and violence and injury issues. • Five core disciplines: – Biostatistics, epidemiology, health services administration, health education/behavioral science, and environmental health. Health Service Administrators (1 of 2) • Health services administrators are employed at the top, middle, and entry levels of various types of organizations that deliver health services. • They are responsible for the operational, clinical, and financial outcomes of the entire organization. Health Service Administrators (2 of 2) • Health service administrators: – Are taught at the bachelor’s and master’s level in a variety of settings – The programs lead to several different degrees. – They constitute the largest portion of the labor force.