Health Care System
Health Care System
The Health Care System (pronunciation: /ˈhelθ keər ˈsɪstəm/) is a complex network of organizations, facilities, and individuals who provide medical care to populations in need.
Etymology
The term "Health Care System" is derived from the words "health", which comes from the Old English word "hǣlþ", meaning "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well"; "care", which comes from the Old English word "caru", meaning "sorrow, anxiety, grief"; and "system", which comes from the Late Latin word "systema", meaning "an entire whole".
Definition
A Health Care System is a network of health care providers and organizations that deliver health care services to populations. This includes hospitals, primary care facilities, specialty care facilities, public health agencies, and health insurance companies. The system is designed to meet the health needs of individuals and communities.
Components of a Health Care System
A Health Care System is composed of several key components:
- Health care providers: These are individuals or organizations that provide health care services. This includes doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, as well as hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities.
- Health care services: These are the services provided by health care providers. This includes preventive care, acute care, chronic care, and end-of-life care.
- Health care financing: This is the system by which health care services are paid for. This includes health insurance, government funding, and out-of-pocket payments by patients.
- Health care policy: These are the laws and regulations that govern how the health care system operates. This includes policies related to health care access, quality, and cost.
- Health care infrastructure: This is the physical and organizational structures that support the delivery of health care services. This includes hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities, as well as information technology systems.
Related Terms
- Public Health
- Primary Care
- Specialty Care
- Health Insurance
- Health Care Providers
- Health Care Services
- Health Care Financing
- Health Care Policy
- Health Care Infrastructure
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.