The paper looks critically at the healthcare industry and the changes that have taken place over the last decade. It looks at the reforms introduced over time including the Obama Healthcare plan and examines the changes that have taken place and the challenges that these reforms have had .
¶ … Healthcare Industry
Changes in healthcare in the last ten years
In the last two decades, the average cost of healthcare per person was $2,800. This almost doubled in a span of ten years to reach a staggering $4,700. The cost tripled to reach $7,500 per person in 2008. This has happened as the number of Americans without insurance keeps increasing. The number of uninsured Americans has risen from 13.1% in 2001 to 16.3% in 2008 (Chideya, 2012). This implies that approximately 50 million people are uninsured today the reason being the job losses that were witnessed during the world economic meltdown and employer's decision to cut back on coverage (Chideya, 2012). A number of innovations in the healthcare sector were also registered within the last ten years especially the use of iPhone in clinical trials. These phones could be turned into EKG monitors that automatically transmitted data to a cardiologist (Chideya, 2012). This innovation is yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Upon approval heart patients will be in a position to check their symptoms whenever they are (Chideya, 2012). The device is very cost effective as it is expected to cost $100. Besides, it is remarkably simple.
Biggest change in healthcare within the next ten years
The enactment of Affordable Care Act will most likely impact the healthcare sector big time. Its provisions will most likely come online. Some of its provisions will protect against gender bias in insurance; deter insurers from turning away people with pre-existing conditions; and track health disparities due to race (Chideya, 2012).
Advancement in technological innovation will most likely spur health disparities. The wealthy Americans will do everything within their powers to ensure that they live. Cases related to illegal organ transplants will be in the rise. Legal, ethical, and humane debates in the healthcare sector will be in the public discourse. Staff roles and work content is also likely to change as patient-focused care using multi-skilled team is integrated into the process of performing ancillary tasks (Chideya, 2012). The composition of care team will vary depending on the patient population and patient-focused care design.
The restructuring that has taken place in the health industry with regard to delivery of patient services will most likely affect the work environment. This will most likely translate into reduced quality of patient care. The current complex and cumbersome occupational regulation will most likely impact the competition and cost containment measures in the health care sector (Pindus & Greiner, 1997). State regulatory bodies and third party payers will also be caught in the mix. The most significant impediment that they will most likely face is the challenge of collaborating to ensure that economic incentives do not undermine the quality of healthcare or access to qualified providers (Pindus & Greiner, 1997).
Changes in the health industry will encourage prioritization of provision of out-patient-based care as opposed to reliance on hospital-based care. Care will then be provided in non-hospital setting like physician's offices, patients' homes, and freestanding outpatient clinics (Pindus & Greiner, 1997). Work re-structuring models in the healthcare sector like the patient centered care, patient focused care, and operations improvements will lead to restructuring of the Registered Nurse, licensed practical nurse, and nurse's aides jobs. The models will also lead to cost reductions in the healthcare sector. Much attention will be given to the quality of care given to patients. This is because decision making has moved out of individual doctor/patient relationship.
The role I plan to serve in the industry
I am planning to be a physician assistant where my responsibility would be to prescribe pharmaceuticals. In spite of the restrictions that exist, I would at times be permitted to prescribe controlled substances to patients under my care (Pindus & Greiner, 1997). Because it is not mandatory that a physician be physically present when supervising the physician assistants, as long as they are available by some form of communication, I would therefore be required to carry out my duties diligently knowing the in put of physician will not be there.
Skill evolvement in anticipation of industries' needs
It has been reported that there is a decrease in perceived value of patient care in the United States Academic Health Centers (AHCs). There is need for the AHCs to become efficient and productive in patient care and research (Garson & Levin, 2001). In response to these changes the U.S. healthcare systems continues to evolve. A lot of pressure is also exerted oh the healthcare delivery by the increasing costs and the increasing numbers of the uninsured (Garson & Levin, 2001). The health system is basically undergoing an evolution. As a physician assistant I have no option but to adapt to the changes that are taking place in the healthcare sector. I have taken cognizance of the fact that patients will keep increasing and that latest technology will be used in healthcare service delivery. I will therefore endeavor to collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and nurse educators in delivering healthcare services to my patients. To enhance my skills in the ever changing health care sector I will also take part in continuing education that will enhance me with new skills to help me in caring for my patients.
How my perception of healthcare has changed over the years
The thought of having to go for continuous education dampened my spirit when I was enrolling for a medical course. I considered going for continuous education a waste of time and resources. This perception has since changed because I have realized that a lot of changes continue to be visited on healthcare service delivery system. New diseases continue to surface and the knowledge that was impacted on a health service provider at the end of the last century can never be sufficient in the present day health sector. Besides, technological advancement has had a lot of impact on the healthcare service sector in the past decade which cannot just be ignored. As a physician assistant I have to be armed with relevant knowledge that can enable meet to respond to challenges I am faced with at all times. This is why continuous education comes in.
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