Levels of Healthcare: Difference between revisions
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The healthcare providers who are part of these three levels of healthcare order, together provide medical services such as health issue finding, evaluating, providing treatment or referring to the next level of care based on the health needs. | The healthcare providers who are part of these three levels of healthcare order, together provide medical services such as health issue finding, evaluating, providing treatment or referring to the next level of care based on the health needs. | ||
== Primary Care == | == Primary Care == | ||
As health care systems attempt to meet the needs of populations living longer and with more complex health needs, and with health service delivery being shifted to the community, there has been an increasing emphasis on primary health care. Primary health care is | As health care systems attempt to meet the needs of populations living longer and with more complex health needs, and with health service delivery being shifted to the community, there has been an increasing emphasis on primary health care. Primary health care is often the first point of contact for people in need of healthcare. It is the part of the health system that people use most and may be provided by a wide range of health care professionals, for example, a general practitioner (GP), dentist, physiotherapist or pharmacist. Primary care is often the first point of contact for people in need of healthcare | ||
A primary healthcare service may diagnose and treat common health conditions within their area of expertise. They have the ability to assess the urgency of the condition and, direct the patient by providing appropriate referrals to other medical specialists where needed. Studies have shown that primary care providers benefit the healthcare system as a whole by offering enhanced access to healthcare services, better health outcomes, which often lead to a decrease in hospitalisation and use of emergency department visits. | A primary healthcare service may diagnose and treat common health conditions within their area of expertise. They have the ability to assess the urgency of the condition and, direct the patient by providing appropriate referrals to other medical specialists where needed. Studies have shown that primary care providers benefit the healthcare system as a whole by offering enhanced access to healthcare services, better health outcomes, which often lead to a decrease in hospitalisation and use of emergency department visits. | ||
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When your primary care provider refers you to a specialist, you are then in secondary care. Secondary care simply means you will be taken care of by someone who has more specific expertise about your condition. | When your primary care provider refers you to a specialist, you are then in secondary care. Secondary care simply means you will be taken care of by someone who has more specific expertise about your condition. | ||
S.econdary Health Care is the specialist treatment and support provided by doctors and other health professionals for patients who have been referred to them for specific expert care, most often provided in hospitals. Secondary care services are usually based in a hospital or clinic, though some services may be community based. They may include planned operations, specialist clinics such as cardiology or renal clinics, or rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy. Secondary healthcare includes a wide range of specialists such as psychiatrists, cardiologists, obstetricians, dermatologists, pediatricians and gynecologists. | |||
* Secondary Healthcare includes specialists such as cardiologists, dermatologists, urologists and other specialists. | * Secondary Healthcare includes specialists such as cardiologists, dermatologists, urologists and other specialists. | ||
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== Tertiary Care == | == Tertiary Care == | ||
Tertiary care has been defined as highly specialised medical care, usually over an extended period of time, that involves advanced and complex diagnostics, procedures and treatments performed by medical specialists in state-of-the-art facilities <ref>Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Definition of Tertiary Care. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tertiary%20care. (Accessed on 30 June 2021)</ref>. As such Consultants in tertiary care centres may have access to more specialised equipment and expertise for your condition. | |||
Tertiary care can either be Regional or National, dependant on the size of the country. For most people they may have to travel to reach a tertiary care centre. It is generally an inpatient based service, although there are elements of care that can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Referral for tertiary care services come from both primary and secondary care health professionals. Examples of tertiary care services include specialist cancer management, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, transplant services, plastic surgery, treatment for severe burns, advanced neonatology services, palliative, and other complex medical and surgical interventions. | |||
* This is the care comes into the picture as a referral to patients by the primary and healthcare providers. | * This is the care comes into the picture as a referral to patients by the primary and healthcare providers. | ||
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* Advanced diagnostic centers, specialized intensive care units and modern medical facilities are the key features in the Tertiary Medical Care. | * Advanced diagnostic centers, specialized intensive care units and modern medical facilities are the key features in the Tertiary Medical Care. | ||
* The practices that provide tertiary medical care could be part of the government or a combination of both public and private sectors. The healthcare system in India is an example of the latter. | * The practices that provide tertiary medical care could be part of the government or a combination of both public and private sectors. The healthcare system in India is an example of the latter. | ||
== Conclusion == | |||
The cost of treatment at the various levels can be dramatically different, and generally the cost of treatment for patients at the primary health-care level is usually only a small fraction of that at the third level. Ideally, provision of health care at all levels of care and in all settings should be available to all patients; such health care is referred to as [[Universal Health Care|universal health care]]. | |||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
Revision as of 21:14, 5 August 2021
Original Editors - Kirenga Bamurange Liliane and Naomi O'Reilly and ReLAB-HS
Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Chelsea Mclene, Tarina van der Stockt, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton and Oyemi Sillo
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The healthcare providers who are part of these three levels of healthcare order, together provide medical services such as health issue finding, evaluating, providing treatment or referring to the next level of care based on the health needs.
Primary Care[edit | edit source]
As health care systems attempt to meet the needs of populations living longer and with more complex health needs, and with health service delivery being shifted to the community, there has been an increasing emphasis on primary health care. Primary health care is often the first point of contact for people in need of healthcare. It is the part of the health system that people use most and may be provided by a wide range of health care professionals, for example, a general practitioner (GP), dentist, physiotherapist or pharmacist. Primary care is often the first point of contact for people in need of healthcare
A primary healthcare service may diagnose and treat common health conditions within their area of expertise. They have the ability to assess the urgency of the condition and, direct the patient by providing appropriate referrals to other medical specialists where needed. Studies have shown that primary care providers benefit the healthcare system as a whole by offering enhanced access to healthcare services, better health outcomes, which often lead to a decrease in hospitalisation and use of emergency department visits.
Primary Health Care is an approach to health care that moves beyond traditional primary care to address health concerns at an early stage, emphasize health promotion and illness prevention through health and wellness programmes, and ensure that individuals receive accessible health and social services in their community.vii
- As the name implies it refers to the primary care focuses on the basic healthcare services that address the health issues faced by an individual.
- The care does not require a specialist and can be addressed comprehensively by a relevant health care professional.
- Primary care is witnessing a vigorous growth in both the developed and developing cities across all countries in the world.
- The goal is to make the general health solutions accessible to every individual.
- Primary care expects the increased participation of the general healthcare players, induce good healthcare practices at the basic level and meeting the expectations of the healthcare receivers.
Benefits of Rehabilitation in Primary Healthcare[edit | edit source]
Primary health care is where the diagnosis of a large majority of health conditions, the identification of problems in functioning, and referral to other service delivery platforms need to occur. The following benefits can be listed among others:
- Better quality of life.
- Reduction of the prevalence and minimization of the disabling effects of chronic conditions among adults and children.
- Facilitation of the continuity of care that supports full recovery.
- Helps to lessen the risk of preventable complications and secondary conditions.
- It can also help to avoid costly hospitalizations and re-admissions
Early access to rehabilitation through integration in primary health care helps to optimize outcomes, mitigate disability and improve people’s ability to live independent lives. WHO’s emphasis on universal health coverage and its recent launch of the Rehabilitation 2030 Call for Action are encouraging steps towards the goal of strengthening rehabilitation within the health system and in particular in primary health care.
Secondary Care[edit | edit source]
When your primary care provider refers you to a specialist, you are then in secondary care. Secondary care simply means you will be taken care of by someone who has more specific expertise about your condition.
S.econdary Health Care is the specialist treatment and support provided by doctors and other health professionals for patients who have been referred to them for specific expert care, most often provided in hospitals. Secondary care services are usually based in a hospital or clinic, though some services may be community based. They may include planned operations, specialist clinics such as cardiology or renal clinics, or rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy. Secondary healthcare includes a wide range of specialists such as psychiatrists, cardiologists, obstetricians, dermatologists, pediatricians and gynecologists.
- Secondary Healthcare includes specialists such as cardiologists, dermatologists, urologists and other specialists.
- Individuals reach out to the secondary medical care providers through the referral of the primary healthcare professionals.
- In few countries, the individuals cannot consult the specialists without the referral of the medical practitioner at the primary care level.
- The secondary healthcare providers act as a liaison between the patient and the advanced medical care.
Tertiary Care[edit | edit source]
Tertiary care has been defined as highly specialised medical care, usually over an extended period of time, that involves advanced and complex diagnostics, procedures and treatments performed by medical specialists in state-of-the-art facilities [1]. As such Consultants in tertiary care centres may have access to more specialised equipment and expertise for your condition.
Tertiary care can either be Regional or National, dependant on the size of the country. For most people they may have to travel to reach a tertiary care centre. It is generally an inpatient based service, although there are elements of care that can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Referral for tertiary care services come from both primary and secondary care health professionals. Examples of tertiary care services include specialist cancer management, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, transplant services, plastic surgery, treatment for severe burns, advanced neonatology services, palliative, and other complex medical and surgical interventions.
- This is the care comes into the picture as a referral to patients by the primary and healthcare providers.
- The individuals may require advanced medical procedures such as major surgeries, transplants, replacements and long-term medical care management for diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders.
- The specialized consultive medical care is the highest forms of healthcare practices and performs all the major medical procedures.
- Advanced diagnostic centers, specialized intensive care units and modern medical facilities are the key features in the Tertiary Medical Care.
- The practices that provide tertiary medical care could be part of the government or a combination of both public and private sectors. The healthcare system in India is an example of the latter.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
The cost of treatment at the various levels can be dramatically different, and generally the cost of treatment for patients at the primary health-care level is usually only a small fraction of that at the third level. Ideally, provision of health care at all levels of care and in all settings should be available to all patients; such health care is referred to as universal health care.
Resources[edit | edit source]
References [edit | edit source]
- ↑ Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Definition of Tertiary Care. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tertiary%20care. (Accessed on 30 June 2021)
