Terms of health care such as cost, quality, and resources differ in the field of the health care system and economics. These terms differ across the world and also in a particular country these terms may differ depending on the region. Health care systems operate to serve the entire public equally. However, this is not always the case, factors such as inadequate funds, underdeveloped technology, understaffing in the health care system, and unequal distribution of resources contribute to the disparities observed in the health care systems. Quality health care services should meet all the needs of the client on time and adequately. Poor communities get substandard health care services compared with affluent communities. Poor communities are unable to meet medical bills in well-established medical centers and they seek health services from substandard medical centers. The cost of health care services differs depending on the health condition being addressed and technologies in place (Hussey, 2004, p. 91). The essay seeks to explore how quality, cost, and resources compare and differ in the field of health care and economics.
Quality
The quality of health services offered in different regions differs significantly. Developed countries can provide modern technology in their medical centers; this technology enables them to offer high-quality services to their clients. For instance, a thorough check by conducting all relevant tests to make a correct diagnosis is done. When the correct diagnosis is done right medication is also administered thus increasing the chances of the patient’s recovery. Developed regions have also made the process of seeking health services easier for the patients; they do not have to queue for long waiting for the doctors and other health care professionals to see them. Online booking can be done, doctors give appointments when it is most appropriate for them and the patients. In developing/underdeveloped regions, there is underdeveloped technology; medical centers do not conduct all relevant tests on their patients. Some diagnoses are done based on assumptions or previous medical history of the patient. In these regions, there are few medical facilities, patients’ crowd in the few medical centers which are available. Patients may queue for a whole day waiting to see the doctor. Poor regions also suffer from a lack of enough health care providers, the few who are there are usually overworked and they may end up making incorrect diagnoses due to fatigue. The quality of health care offered in urban settlements differs from that offered in rural settings. Urban dwellers get quality medical services compared to rural residents, major medical centers for instance referral hospitals are based in urban areas and they are easily accessible by the patients. In rural settings level, three and four health centers are found, these are health centers and dispensaries. These facilities lack relevant equipment such as CT scans and MRI to enable them to conduct thorough checks up on patients. Accessibility of rural health facilities is poor in some regions and patients have to walk for long distances to seek medical care (Corrigan & Wolcott, p. 4).
Cost
The cost of medical care differs depending on the patient’s condition, some conditions are expensive to manage. For instance, a health problem that may require an elaborate surgery is more involving and requires the use of sensitive medical equipment. Such conditions cost both the patient and the hospital more funds compared to minor ailments. Regions that have embraced technology in health care systems use a lot of money to purchase equipment and to update their technological systems. The cost of health care continues to increase, developing countries lack adequate funds to meet the medical requirements of their citizens. Developed countries can deliver quality health care services to their citizen because of their stable economic power. The cost of seeking health care from a public institution is lower compared to the private sector. The government offers subsidized health services to the public. Unstable economic status mostly observed in developing countries contributes to poor health services, these countries can not afford to buy medical equipment. The cost of medical care varies depending on the level of the medical center, the cost incurred in referral health centers is higher than in general hospitals and dispensaries. More funds are allocated to major medical centers since they mostly handle complex cases which require elaborate management (Hussey, 2004, p.94).
Resources
In economically stable regions adequate resources to enhance the delivery of quality health services are available. Economic power enables them to purchase all relevant equipment in order to meet patients’ health care demands adequately. Poor/ undeveloped region lacks enough and quality resources to deliver health services. These regions suffer from weak economic strength, high cost of health care usually constrain the economy. Unequal distribution of resources contributes to the disparity of health care observed in different regions. Political influence leads to favors of some areas; more resources are allocated to these regions. Health care services are better compared to other regions which get fewer resources. Adequate human resources in the health care sector improve the quality of health services whereby health care provider handles a patient population that he/she is comfortable with. Developing countries lack adequate resources in the health care sector which eventually compromises the quality of health care services offered. More resources are concentrated in urban areas at the expense of rural areas, better roads to access health facilities are found in urban areas. Most medical centers which are allocated in urban settings have more resources as opposed to those in a rural setting (Lohr, 1990, p. 39).
Conclusion
Though the aim of health care sectors is to deliver equal and adequate health services to the public, terms such as cost, quality, and resources differ. The cost incurred in managing patients with a complex health condition is high compared to those with minor ailments. Technology advancement increases the cost of medical care further, this makes the cost of medical care in technologically developed health centers higher. Government-sponsored health centers are cheaper compared to those owned by individuals or non-governmental organizations medical centers. Rich people can meet the cost of health care while the rich are not. Developed countries offer high-quality medical services to their citizens as opposed to underdeveloped countries. Better medical care services are mostly found in an urban setting, rural areas medical centers comprised of health centers and dispensaries. Unequal distribution of resources contributes to a disparity of health care observed in different regions.
Reference list
Corrigan, A.P. & Wolcott, J.M. (2004).Committee on Data Standards for Patient Safety, Board on Health Care Services, Institute of Medicine, authors. Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care. Washington,: The National Academies Press.
Hussey, P.S. (2004).How does The Quality of Care Compare in Five Countries? Web.
Lohr, K. (1990). Medicare: A Strategy for Quality Assurance. Washington: National Academies Press.