TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE

AGING OF THE POPULATION People are living longer due to scientific advances Led to a growing population of older adults with chronic illnesses Greater demand for health care providers and facilities Older population projected to reach 72 million by 2030 and 86.7 million by 2050

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PLAN High cost of health care and large numbers of uninsured people continues to place a demand for a national health care plan High cost to taxpayers Lack of free choice

PANDEMICS Monitored by WHO Occurs when disease outbreak is spread to a wide geographical area affecting a large number of people Major concern is that pandemics will become more frequent as our society is more global Smallpox, bubonic plague, Spanish flu, SARs, H1N1, H5N1, Monkeypox, Ebola

PANDEMIC PLANS EDUCATION Disseminating information out to the public to help prevent the spread of diseases VACCINE PRODUCTION Continually working to produce vaccines to prevent outbreaks of disease PROTECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

WELLNESS & PREVENTION More people are taking proactive approach to health care Shift from treatment to wellness & prevention Balanced diet, exercise, no smoking Early detection Routine exams save lives: blood pressure, cholesterol, pap tests, self-exams

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES Holistic methods, alternative medicine Promote healing through nutrition, exercise, or relaxation Many are culturally based: yoga or meditation Chiropractic or massage

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES CONT. HOMEOPATHY Holistic system of healing: focuses on stimulating body’s ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances Based on principle of similars (“like cures like”) ACUPUNCTURE & AROMATHERAPY Promote balance, peace, harmony & relaxation Restful sleep, immune system boost, overall sense of well-being

HEALTH CARE SPECIALIZATION Specialization in smaller areas has become rule rather than exception Drawbacks to fragmentation of care(having many different doctors): Confusion about care & treatments Loss of continuity of care Conflicting plans of care Too much or too little meds Higher health costs

NEW INNOVATIONS TELEMEDICINE Uses videos, audio, & computer systems to provide health care TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES Robotic surgery

COST CONTAINMENT Controlling costs while still providing excellent care Why have costs increased? Technological advances Aging population Lawsuits If costs are not contained, they could rise to levels that prohibit providing services to all individuals.

COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS DIAGNOSTIC RELATED GROUPS (DRGs) Attempt by Congress to reduce costs to Medicare & Medicaid Payment for service is based on diagnosis Being adopted by many insurance agencies to save money COMBINATION OF SERVICES Avoid duplications, HMOs & PPOs

COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS OUTPATIENT SERVICES Receive care without being admitted to hospital MASS OR BULK PURCHASING Combining purchases, computer inventories preventing waste and overstocking PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE Preventing is less expensive than treating Education, immunizations, health screenings, incentives to participate, wellness programs

COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS ENERGY CONSERVATION Light sensors, heat controls, help control cost of utilities QUALITY OF CARE Should not be sacrificed to save money Agency for Health Care Policy & Research (AHCPR)—federal agency developed in 1990 to research the quality of health care delivery & identify the standards of treatment that should be provided

COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS HOME HEALTH Rapidly growing, less expensive measure, nurses and therapists visiting patients in their homes—reduces doctor visits and hospital stays