Health care

Health care helps people stay healthy and get better when they are sick or hurt. It includes stopping illnesses, finding problems, treating diseases, and helping people recover. Health care is provided by many different professionals, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities to care for people.

Getting health care can be different for everyone, depending on where they live and how much money they have. Some people might have trouble getting the care they need because of these reasons. Good health care systems try to make sure everyone can get the help they need.

Health care is very important for communities and countries. It helps people live longer, healthier lives and can even help stop diseases. For example, health care efforts helped end a dangerous disease called smallpox worldwide in 1980. Health care plays a big role in keeping people well and helping societies grow.

Delivery

See also: Health professionals

Health care today uses teams of trained people working together. This includes doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses, dentists, midwives, and allied health workers. There are also public health practitioners, community health workers, and assistive personnel. These professionals help prevent illness, treat diseases, and support recovery.

Health care can be public or private. It includes many services. Primary care is the first step for health problems. It is provided by family doctors or nurses and covers many health needs for all ages.

Primary care

Main article: Primary health care

See also: Primary care, Ambulatory care, and Urgent care

Primary care is where people go first for health help. It is provided by family doctors or nurses. Sometimes patients first see a pharmacist or nurse. If needed, they can be sent to secondary or tertiary care.

Primary care is available in many places, such as Urgent care centers. It covers many health issues, from check-ups to treating long-term illnesses. Patients often see the same doctor for ongoing care.

Secondary care

Secondary care is for more serious health issues. It often happens in hospitals, like in an emergency department. This care includes help during childbirth and medical imaging.

Some specialists, such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, and dental specialists, also provide secondary care. In some places, people need a referral from a primary care doctor to see these specialists.

Tertiary care

Tertiary care is specialized care for complex health conditions. It is usually in special hospitals and needs referrals from primary or secondary care doctors. Examples include cancer treatment, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and advanced surgeries.

Quaternary care

Quaternary care is an advanced level of specialized care. It includes experimental treatments and very rare medical procedures. These services are only in certain health centers.

Home and community care

See also: Public health

Many health services are outside hospitals. These include public health programs like food safety checks. Professionals also offer support at home or in the community, helping with self-care, home care, and long-term care.

Community services help people regain mobility, for example, through prostheses, orthotics, or wheelchairs. Health care systems help seniors live independently at home. This includes help with daily activities.

With concerns about childhood obesity, many services work with schools to teach children about healthy eating and physical activity.

Ratings

Health care ratings are used to measure the quality of health care services. Organizations and groups create reports to show how well health care is provided.

Health system

A health system is the way people, places, and resources work together to give health care to those who need it.

The healthcare industry includes many parts that work to give people health care services and products. This can include places like hospitals, doctors’ offices, and labs, as well as people like nurses and scientists. Medicines and medical tools are important products made in many places.

Access to health care and financing

Access to health care can be different in different places and for different people. This is because of things like money, where people live, and cultural beliefs. Getting health care means using health services when you need them to stay healthy. Things that can make it hard to get health care include not having enough money, living far away, or having trouble understanding health information.

Financing

See also: Health economics, Health spending as percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by country, List of countries by total health expenditure per capita, Universal health care, and Health equity

There are five main ways to pay for health care systems:

1. General taxation to the government
2. Social health insurance
3. Voluntary or private health insurance
4. Out-of-pocket payments
5. Donations to health charities

Most countries use a mix of these ways, but the mix can change. How much money a country spends on health care can be shown as a part of its total economy.

In the United States, the health care industry is a very big part of the country's economy.

Administration and regulation

See also: Health professional requisites

Managing health care is important to make sure it is done well. Health professionals and health care places are usually checked by groups to make sure they are good quality. Most countries have special groups that check the certification or licensing of health workers.

Health information technology

Further information: Health information technology, Health information management, Health informatics, eHealth, and Health technology

Health information technology (HIT) uses computers to store and share health information to help make decisions.

Health information technology includes:

• Electronic health record (EHR) – An EHR has a patient's full medical history.
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) – An EMR has medical information from one doctor's office.
• Health information exchange (HIE) – This lets health workers and patients share medical information online safely.
• Medical practice management software (MPM) – This helps with tasks in a medical office.
• Personal health record (PHR) – A PHR is a patient's medical history kept for personal use.