The Health Systems Concepts And Introduction

THE HEALTH SYSTEMS
CONCEPTS AND INTRODUCTION
Dr. Jaime Llambías-Wolff, York University Canada

CONTENT
§ Why do study health systems ? § Health systems components § Common challenges to Health Systems
§ QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Why study Health Systems?
§ To understand relations between the different components. § To provide perspective to understand policies § To examine strategies for achieving equity under different situations § To learn from history and several experiences § To improve services § To draw generalizations § To create System`s influence on health status

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
A health care system may be defined as the combination of:
• health care institutions, • supporting human resources, • financing mechanisms, • information systems, • organizational structures • management structures
the collectively delivery of health care services to patients.

Institutions include :
♦ Local, Regional and National
♦ Public and private providers of health care services (hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations, and nursing homes)
♦ Educational institutions that provide training for health professionals
♦ Environmental health departments
♦ Other organizations responsible for health promotion, illness prevention, or health care.

Supporting human resources include:
Ø Public health professionals: physicians, dentists, health services administrators, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, public health workers, social workers, allied health personnel such as medical technicians,
Ø and other professionals directly involved in health promotion, prevention of disease, or health care.

FINANCING mechanisms include:
(Health Care among the largest economic activities: Consumes 6 to 15 % of national income.
§  · National health insurance plans, §  Direct government financing of services, §  · Private health insurance , §  · Managed care financing arrangements, §  · Payroll and other taxing systems, §  · Private out‑of‑pocket expenditures §  · Any other sources that pay for cost of care.

Information systems include:
• Computer networks within and between institutions,
• Printed media • Telephone systems • Interactive television and other video systems; • Any other information media or technology that

Management structures include:
§  · Public health system administrative systems §  · Multi-institutional organisations (ex. hospital chains) §  · Financing administration and financing §  · National health insurance §  · Regional, Provincial insurance §  · Private Insurance §  · Payroll and other taxes