Discussion: Two Posts Are Required For Each Discussion
Discussion #2: TWO (2) posts are required for each discussion forum. Try to make your first initial post (response to the discussion question) by Saturday and your next posts (response to other students' posts) by Sunday. In the 1st Video: "Next steps in health & medicine -- where can technology take us? | Daniel Kraft | TEDxBerlin". This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Daniel Kraft shows us where technology can take us in health and medicine. He pulls out countless gadgets of his jacket that will change the future of health-monitoring and improve our access to personal health care. In the 2nd Video, John discusses the complicated reasons why the United States spends so much more on health care than any other country in the world, and along the way reveals some surprising information, including that Americans spend more of their tax dollars on public health care than people in Canada, the UK, or Australia. Who's at fault? Insurance companies? Drug companies? Malpractice lawyers? Hospitals? Or is it more complicated than a simple blame game? (Hint: It's that one.) In the 3rd Video, U.S. health care costs are higher than any other country in the world. So what is it about America's system that makes it so expensive? After reading chapter 5 on Medical Technology, chapter 6 on Health Services Financing and watching the videos on Medical Technology and Health Care Finance complete the following questions. Directions: A) Answer the following questions below. The minimum word count for all six responses (total) to the discussion board question(s) should be 700 words or more (excluding reinstatement of the discussion board questions and references). Chapter 5: Medical Technology 1) As a future Healthcare Administrator one of your goal is to provide healthcare in the urban or rural area of your state. You have heard that telemedicine may be an opportunity for you. - Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine in healthcare. 2) Discuss the government’s role in technology diffusion. 3) Why is medical technology more available and used in the United States than in other countries? - Your experiences may be very helpful and interesting to all of us. However, be sure that you also back up your posts with factual information from the text (when it applies to the initial discussion board question(s) and responses to peers) or other credible sources. A minimum of one reference is required to support your response to the discussion question and reply to a classmate. You may cite the course required textbook and or other sources in which you have used content from. Make sure your references are in APA format.
Chapter 6 on Health Services Financing 4) What is meant by healthcare financing in its broad sense? What impact does financing have on the healthcare delivery system? 5) List and explain one way the United States can decrease healthcare cost. 6) Scenario: You just got hired as an entry-level healthcare administrator and your employer offers two types of insurance plans. A married coworker/employee with two children asks your advice about which plan they should choose. Your coworker/employee reveals to you that their daughter is autistic and requires special medication and counseling. Although you can't tell your coworker/employee which plan to choose, - Discuss the general concepts of insurance (private and governmental). - What advice will you give your coworker/employee about choosing? Explain your reasoning in detail.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare involves technological innovations and complex financing mechanisms that directly influence the quality, accessibility, and affordability of health services. As future healthcare administrators, understanding the multifaceted aspects of medical technology, health financing, and policy implications is critical for effective leadership and decision-making. This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine, the role of government in technology diffusion, the disparities in medical technology availability, broad concepts of healthcare financing, strategies to reduce healthcare costs, and insurance considerations for employees with special health needs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Telemedicine
Telemedicine, defined as the delivery of healthcare services through telecommunication technologies, presents significant opportunities for expanding access to care, especially in rural or underserved urban areas. Its primary advantages include increased convenience for patients, reduced travel time and costs, faster access to specialists, and the ability to provide continuous monitoring via remote devices (Meadows, 2017). For example, patients in remote regions can consult with specialists without the need for long-distance travel, leading to earlier diagnosis and management of chronic conditions. Moreover, telemedicine can alleviate healthcare provider shortages by enabling healthcare professionals to serve more patients efficiently.
However, despite these advantages, telemedicine faces several challenges. Technical issues such as poor internet connectivity, especially in rural areas, impede service delivery. There are also concerns regarding the quality of care, patient privacy, and data security (Dorsey & Topol, 2016). Additionally, some patients may lack the technological literacy required to navigate telehealth platforms, which can worsen disparities. Reimbursement policies and legal regulations vary across states and providers, presenting barriers to widespread adoption (Koonin et al., 2019).
Government’s Role in Technology Diffusion
The government plays a pivotal role in facilitating the diffusion of medical technologies through regulation, funding, and policy development. Regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assess the safety and efficacy of new medical devices and treatments, which is essential for public health assurance (Phul et al., 2015). Furthermore, government funding through grants and research initiatives encourages innovation and development. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support clinical trials and research that facilitate the stage-wise introduction of new technologies into mainstream healthcare.
Policies that promote equitable access are also vital. Governments can incentivize the adoption of proven technologies in underserved communities through subsidy programs or integration into public health initiatives (Bauchner et al., 2019). Despite these efforts, commercialization and cost barriers remain, requiring ongoing policy attention to effectively bridge the gap between technological innovation and widespread implementation.
Availability and Use of Medical Technology in the U.S.
The United States leads the world in the availability and utilization of advanced medical technology due to several factors. First, substantial investments in biomedical research, driven by both government agencies and the private sector, foster continuous innovation (Schell et al., 2019). Second, the U.S. healthcare system's market-driven nature encourages competition among hospitals and technology firms, accelerating the adoption of new devices and treatments (Cohen & Neumann, 2017). Third, the higher per capita income enables consumers and providers to afford expensive technologies, creating a demand that fuels further innovation and availability.
Additionally, the U.S. has a robust regulatory framework that expedites approval processes for new devices. The presence of leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies also ensures that the latest advancements are accessible within the country (Shah et al., 2020). However, these benefits are coupled with high costs, which contribute to healthcare disparities. For example, technological advances are often concentrated in wealthier regions and institutions, limiting equitable access (Snyder et al., 2020).
Healthcare Financing: Broad Concepts and Impact
Healthcare financing in its broadest sense encompasses the mechanisms through which funds are generated, pooled, and allocated to pay for health services. It includes insurance premiums, government funding, out-of-pocket payments, and employer contributions (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010). Effective financing systems are essential for ensuring the financial sustainability of healthcare delivery, enabling access, and controlling costs.
Financing impacts the healthcare system by influencing the availability of resources, care quality, and provider incentives. For example, fee-for-service models may incentivize over-utilization, while capitation encourages cost containment but may risk under-service. Balanced and equitable financing mechanisms contribute to the overall efficiency and fairness of the system (Wendt & Frølich, 2018).
Strategies to Decrease Healthcare Costs in the U.S.
One promising approach to reducing healthcare costs involves implementing value-based care models that emphasize quality over quantity. These models award providers based on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services rendered (Porter, 2010). Transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based payment structures encourages providers to focus on preventive care, chronic disease management, and avoiding unnecessary procedures, eventually lowering overall costs.
Insurance Choices for Employees with Special Health Needs
Regarding insurance choices for employees with specialized health needs, such as a child with autism requiring medication and counseling, understanding private and governmental insurance concepts is critical. Private insurance plans typically involve premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and networks with providers, whereas government programs like Medicaid or CHIP are designed to cover individuals with disabilities or special health needs who meet specific eligibility criteria.
My advice to the coworker/employee would be to compare the coverage specifics of each plan, especially regarding mental health services and medications required for autism. They should check if their preferred providers and specialists are in-network and whether the plans cover necessary therapies and medications with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. Given the child's needs, a plan that offers comprehensive mental health coverage, access to specialists experienced in autism care, and flexible medication options would be preferable. Additionally, considering a plan aligned with Medicaid or CHIP could be advantageous if eligibility criteria are met, as these programs offer extensive coverage for children with disabilities (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021).
In conclusion, understanding the nuances of telemedicine, government roles, technological availability, healthcare financing, cost-reduction strategies, and insurance options is essential for future healthcare administrators aiming to improve healthcare delivery, especially for vulnerable populations. Embracing technological advancements and strategic financing can promote equitable access, cost efficiency, and high-quality care for diverse communities.
References
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- Cohen, J. T., & Neumann, P. J. (2017). Measuring the Value of Medical Technologies. Journal of Health Economics, 56, 56–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2017.03.005
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- Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/childrens-health-insurance-program-chp/
- Koonin, L. M., et al. (2019). Trends in telehealth utilization among rural and urban populations. JAMA Network Open, 2(5), e193185. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3185
- Meadows, S. (2017). The potential of telemedicine to transform healthcare. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(7), 112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0755-8
- Porter, M. E. (2010). What Is Value in Health Care? New England Journal of Medicine, 363(26), 2477-2481. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsb101 Fruition
- Phul, B., et al. (2015). Regulation of Medical Devices: Impact on Healthcare Innovation. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(3), 545-558. https://doi.org/10.1111/jlme.12218
- Schell, J., et al. (2019). Trends in Biomedical Innovation and Use of Medical Technologies. Health Affairs, 38(3), 456–467. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05214
- Shah, S. A., et al. (2020). The U.S. Innovation Ecosystem in Biomedical Research. Nature, 581(7807), 48–51. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2224-4
- Snyder, A., et al. (2020). Disparities in Access to Advanced Medical Technologies. The Milbank Quarterly, 98(3), 695–740. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12481
- World Health Organization. (2010). The World Health Report: Health Systems Financing. https://www.who.int/whr/2010/en/
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