Technology Integration Poses New Ethical Dilemmas for Healthcare
Imagine studying the effects of globalization on healthcare. What would one find from his or her research? Is there a possibility that policies need changed? How does this affect one's licensure? One will study in depth this trend and find ways to solve the issues that arise before it is too late.
Within the United States, "globalization of healthcare encompasses both exporting patients (medical tourism) and importing medical services (outsourcing)" (Herrick, 2007). This makes competition increase, which means that what happens in the U.S. could rival that of Japan; consequently, healthcare would have to improve their quality and provide patients with more choices (Herrick, 2007). Whatever the case, many tasks are getting outsourced to those in foreign countries (Herrick, 2007). This includes "long-distance collaboration-incorporating the services of foreign medical staff into the practice of American medical provides" (Herrick, 2007). One has to note that those that are competing globally can have facilities close to the U.S. And choose to contract specific health insurers (Herrick, 2007).
Since medical services are outsourced, this does change how everything is done. "Information technology makes it possible to provide medical services remotely, including outsourcing them to other countries" (Herrick, 2007). Furthermore, telemedicine is done through using a telephone or any other means is a growing trend, and not many physicians are aware of this (Herrick, 2007). "It gives rural residents access to specialists and will probably become the preferred way to monitor patients with chronic conditions" (Herrick, 2007).
Through outsourcing, this lowers costs, and provides high quality as well as convenience. One area that is already outsourced is that of medical transcription (Herrick, 2007). "American hospitals increasingly use radiologists in India and other countries to read X-rays" (Herrick, 2007). Regardless, this does allow for health care providers that are both American and foreign to collaborate. The outcomes can improve if they choose to work together to improve healthcare by means of the treatment and management of it (Johnson, 2010). "A potential solution is for American health care providers to collaborate...
"Currently, most insurers do not include foreign providers in their networks, but they may in the future" (Herrick, 2007). For example, a Calfornia-based health insurance company, Blue Shield, they have it set up where people can get healthcare in Mexico and to live at least 50 miles from the border. This resulted in at least 40,000 pepole to sign up for this healthcare plan. Not only that, but their physican speaks Spanish as well as understands one culture (Herrick, 2007).
Here are some more options as medical tourism grows (Smith, 2010). "Over the next few years, at least 40 company-sponsored health plans will offer overseas options through United Group Programs" (Herrick, 2007). As of 2006, the legislature of West Virginia had hearings on including hospitals that are foreign for employees health plans (Smith, 2010). "IndusHealth and PlanetHospital are in the process of creating health insurance products that combine American-based primary care with foregin travel for expensive procedures" (Herrick, 2007).
One needs to note how competition affects the markets of health care in the U.S. When global competition is prominent, medical procedures could become cost-effective; however, labor costs could increase. A shortage of workers could occur for specialties' in medicine in the U.S.; consequently, the wages could possibly rise. This becomes the case when it is difficult to outsource medicine. However, through the use of outsourcing, not much would take place on the effect of it with those who work in emergency medicine (Johnson, 2010).
By having global competition, this could make the shortage of physicians become worse (Smith, 2010). "Today nearly one-quarter of practicing physicians in the U.S. attended a foreign medical school" (Herrick, 2007). At least one-third of those in medical residency programs have foreigners in them. Furthermore, many could return home after the completion of their studies. Not only that, but medical graduates would possibly work in rural areas that are hit the hardest (Hogenbirk,…
