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Index - Major Sections
Site Map
Product and Services _______________ Index - Same Level Subject
Index - Child Subjects |
Introduction In order to be able to fully treat the Client, a lot more information needs to be collected than being done now by most all IT systems. Health Care of the Social UnitWHO (1978) describes five basic functional levels of the family unit: biologic, economic, educational, psychological, and socio-cultural. In order to provide good health care and maximize the effectiveness of health care treatments, all five functional levels must be treated. It is the belief of InHCc that disadvantaged people and people in areas where there is a great deal of social change become “ill” for reasons that are still unclear. Many health care organizations serve communities with a diverse population. Clients may speak multiple languages, be culturally diverse, or present other barriers that make the process of entering and accessing the health care system very difficult. In order for the organization to eliminate or reduce these barriers it must first understand their target population. This can only be accomplished through the collection of detail data of the individual and of his or her environment. If the individual is not treated according to their individual needs, then there will be no equity in health care. Unless all information concerning a client’s environment is evaluated, the client will continue to be treated only for the symptoms and not the “cause of the problem”. While a child may have a broken arm, it is more important to know that it was broken by his father who was drunk because he was depression because he had no work. Health care professionals can not just focus on the individual’s present physical problem but rather must focus on the care of the individual as a whole. The individual’s beliefs and the value system that serves as his criterion in the choice of health care solutions are just as important to his health status as a prescribed drug. The individual’s value system and beliefs are mostly influenced by the family unit and it is at this level that the greatest health care cost-health status benefit can be obtained. However, very few systems address the individual within the context of the family unit. Too many health care systems, “patch up the individuals” when they presents to the clinic and send them out again into the same unhealthy environment only to see them again within the month. Any sick member of a household creates a drain of resources away from that household. While the organization may have been treating the individual it is probably more important to look at how any bad health experiences affects all members of that household. The HIS can collect this information The data collection can be performed by specially trained social workers. Household as the Unit of Care In most cases, health and healthcare is a social and cultural experience. Without treating the whole household, every member, the cause of any problem may not be recognized and can not be treated. Individual members of the household arrive at the healthcare clinic and the Healthcare Professional knows nothing about other members. It is often cheaper to treat the household (and better) than to try to treat each member as individuals.. A good HIS provides long term data analysis on each household and its members. All information is related over time and correlated with important health care determinants. Client and Household Profiling Too much money is wasted on "blanket" advertisements such as nutrition, smoking and accident prevent campaigns. Target marketing of healthcare services can ensure that the maximum amount of effect can be had for the minimum amount of money. A good HIS can collect large quantities of data at the detail level such that Data Analysis and Data Mining tools can be used to classify selected groups.By defining these target groups, health care services may be defined such that these groups receive specified services and benefits
Whereas in the past, mass communication campaigns were undertaken to reduce tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles and to promote healthy eating habits, it is now possible to target only those groups that need and respond to a specific type of campaign. This increases their effectiveness and at a reduced cost of implementation. Provides information to calculate fair SubsidiesThe InHCc System provides information that allows for the fair determine of household’s ability to pay. Information is collected from several sources, over different periods of time such that an accurate estimate can be made of the household’s assets and income levels. By using an information system and tracking households over a period of time, and by asking the same financial questions, reviewing personal assets, and reviewing the housing of the client, a very good indication of the household’s ability to pay can be determined. Not one but several indicators are available. The InHCc System provides the ability to compare costs across time and locations for selected target groups. By being able to compare these costs, management can determine the best location, at the best prices, and when to provide services to these targeted groups. Client Choice This may be either a benefit or a disaster for the organization. "Consumer" organizations now published "ratings" and "rankings" of the performance of selected healthcare organizations. These ratings allow the consumer/client to select among provides based on their comparative performance. We will assume in this article that you are one of the "good guys" because you are reading and learning from this web site!
Client Personal Health Record This ability to have the client access his personal health record has been stated as a major benefit to the client and is a much discussed subject at this time. However, the ability to view this information will make it possible for the individual to "better understand" the consequences of his actions. |
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