Healthcare services and delivery systems

U.S. healthcare system built dominant European-American cultural values, beliefs, practices. These differ dominant values, beliefs, practices cultural groups Mexicans. Compare contrast values/beliefs/practices cultural group.

The first important difference is one between formalism and lack of formalism. European-American cultural values are less formal, but Mexicans will need to be addressed with Mr. / Mrs. At the first meeting. It will also be important to continue this type of address throughout the consultation. Compared to the European-American approach, the male is believed to be the head of the family and, in a traditional Mexican family, he will be the one who provides for the family, as well as the one making the final decisions. This could imply that he is the one who needs to be explained in more detail the procedures, the treatment etc.

It is also important to note the religiousness of the Mexican community, usually much more profound that the European-American approach. This influences their perception on illness and disease: a traditional Mexican could believe that this was caused by God and that it is God's way of showing displeasure towards the individual. This obviously also has consequences on the Mexican approach to treatment: it will work only if God makes it work.

2. There are several ways in which the healthcare administrator can meet the challenges previously discussed. One is to implement a specific program strictly directed towards facilitating healthcare for Mexican communities. This program could include hiring health mediators that could act as both translators/on-site interpreters and facilitators for the Mexican patients. At the same time, the healthcare administrator could also hire and promote Mexicans in the healthcare facility. This could work in different ways, both creating trust with Mexican patients and facilitating the interaction with Mexican groups. The administrator could/should also develop informational instruments in Spanish, specifically targeting the requirements and problems that these patients have. This informational approach could go as far as organizing healthcare and hygiene seminars with members of the Mexican community, with prevention goals in mind.

3. According to the AARP, there are three types of managed care plans: health management organizations (HMO), preferred provider organizations (PPO) and point of service (POS). In a HMO, the patient pays for a fixed insurance fee every month, not reflecting the type of service he or she refers. When the patient requires a medical service, he addresses the primary medical point of contact and is referred to one of the healthcare facilities that are part of the HMO network.

The PPO involves payment for services as they occur: the medical staff and the hospital submit the invoice and the insurance company pays for the particular treatment or service that was given. The POS combines the HMO and the PPO: it offers HMO services within the network, but also the PPO flexibility of choosing a healthcare facility outside the network and paying according to the PPO approach.