ITHP Lesson 1.1.1

​Lesson 1.1.1- Healthcare Delivery Systems in the United States

Intro to Healthcare Professions
Unit 1: Healthcare in the United States Overview
Topic 1: Healthcare in the United States

Lesson Objectives:

• describe the organization of the healthcare system in the United States

• identify the types of patient care provided in the U.S. healthcare delivery system

• distinguish between the different areas of specialty care

providers - healthcare providers, are the entities that provide care when treatment is needed.

regulators - government organizations that protect healthcare consumers from health risks and

provide a safe working environment for healthcare professionals.

rehabilitative care - specialized care that is provided to assist a patient to regain mental, physical,

and/or cognitive abilities that have been lost or have deteriorated after surgery.

specialty care - advanced medical treatment of specific health conditions as administered by

specialists.

suppliers - companies that supply medicine and medical equipment to patients and hospitals for

treatment purposes.

urgent care - the term used for walk-in clinics that provide medical care for minor illnesses and

injuries in a setting other than a standard hospital-based emergency department.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - a federal agency that regulates the U.S. drug supply for

safety and efficacy.

emergency care - the inpatient and outpatient hospital services necessary to prevent death or

serious impairment of the recipient's health.

healthcare delivery system - a structure that facilitates the delivery of resources and treatments

to sick or injured people and helps prevent the spread of diseases.

hospice care - for people who are nearing the end of their lives.

long-term care - covers a wide range of services meant to address a person's health or personal

care needs for an extended period of time.

payers - individuals or organizations that pay for healthcare services provided by a healthcare

provider.

primary care – the basic type of care given by healthcare providers today.

Lesson Vocabulary:

Poll

Which parts of our healthcare system have you personally used?

• Doctor's office

• Urgent care

• Emergency room

Healthcare Delivery System

A structure that facilitates the delivery of resources and treatments to sick or injured people and also helps prevent the spread of diseases.

Includes all the institutions, organizations, individuals, and resources that assist the public and healthcare professionals who provide services to patients.

3 Sectors of the US Healthcare System

1. Public Coverage- provided through programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are funded by the government

2. Private Coverage- purchased and provided by private companies, often through employer-sponsored insurance

3. Voluntary Coverage- includes organization that provide free or low-cost health services

Multiple Choice

Which sector in the U.S. healthcare system provides coverage through government-funded programs?

• public

• private

• voluntary

Components of the U.S. Healthcare Delivery System

1. Providers- provide care when treatment is needed

2. Suppliers-supply medicine and medical equipment to patients and hospitals for treatment purposes

3. Payers-individuals or organizations that pay for healthcare services provided by a healthcare provider

   1. 3 types- private, commercial, government

4. Regulators-government organizations that protect healthcare consumers from health risks and provide a safe working environment for healthcare professionals; establish standards for all sectors to follow in order to maintain high quality and safety

Word Cloud

Name a type of healthcare provider

Types of Patient Care Services

1. Primary Care

2. Urgent Care

3. Emergency Care

4. Specialty Care

5. Supportive Care

• Basic type of care given by healthcare providers.

• Includes routine care for common illnesses and injuries.

• Main goal: to prevent disease and promote wellness

​

Primary Care

• Walk-in clinics that provide medical care for minor illnesses and injuries in a setting other than a standard hospital-based emergency room

• Advantage: convenience; usually open at night and on weekends

• Most common conditions treated: broken bones and sprains, bronchitis, ear aches and infections, eye irritations, food poisoning, hives and rashes, respiratory illnesses

​

Urgent Care

• Involves inpatient and outpatient hospital services necessary to prevent death or serious impairment

• Helps with life-threatening or limb-threatening conditions in people of all age groups

  ​

Emergency Care

• Involves advanced medical treatment of specific health conditions as administered by specialists

  ​

Specialty Care

​Specialty	​Description
​Medical	​A branch of medical practice that focuses on a specific area of medicine. It involves advanced training and expertise in a particular area of medicine such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, pediatrics, etc...
​Surgical	​Involves the treatment of conditions requiring operative or manual procedures. It involves the use of surgical instruments, techniques, and procedures to diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, deformities, and other physical conditions
​Diagnostic	​Includes tests like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other laboratory services used to diagnose illnesses or problems with the body
​Dental	​Specific area of expertise within the field of dentistry. It focuses on a specific aspect of oral health, such as treatment of malocclusions, gum disease, missing teeth, facial injuries, and oral health in communities and populations

Word Cloud

Name a Medical Specialty

Supportive Care

• Refers to medical and non-medical services that are provided to individuals after they have been discharged from a healthcare facility

• Designed to help individuals recover from an illness or injury, manage chronic conditions, or receive end-of-life care.

Covers a wide range of services meant to address a person's health or personal care needs for an extended period of time. These services help people live with a level of independence when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.

Long-Term Care

Provided to assist a patient in regaining mental, physical and/or cognitive abilities that have been lost or deteriorated after surgery, treatment, injury, or any medical condition. The main goal is to help the patient regain their abilities.

Rehabilitative Care

For people who are nearing the end of their lives. A team of specialists provide services that aim to maximize comfort for the terminally ill. Care is provided to minimize pain and support physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.

Hospice Care

Multiple Choice

What is the main goal of rehabilitative care?

• to help the patient regain their abilities

• to provide end-of-life care to the terminally ill

• to create a comfortable environment for the elderly

• to offer emergency care to poor people

Multiple Choice

Kate was walking down the stairs one day when she suddenly tripped and fell. The fall was severe, and she felt intense pain in her ankle. It appeared to be a sprain because of the way it looked.

What type of care would Kate receive for her injury?

• 
  rehabilitative care

• 
  urgent care

• 
  primary care

• 
  hospice care

Categorize

Options (7)

cardiology

oncology

operative procedures

oral care

gum disease treatment

x-rays and scans

laboratory tests

Categorize the specialty services according to their respective functions.

Medical

Surgical

Diagnostic

Dental

Match

Match the healthcare delivery system component with the correct example.

• 
  

  physicians and nurses

• 
  

  pharmaceutical companies

• 
  

  insurance companies

• 
  

  food and drug administration

providers

suppliers

payers

regulators

• 
  

  providers

• 
  

  suppliers

• 
  

  payers

• 
  

  regulators

What's Next?

Next Class: Friday, 1/30/26

Lesson 1.1.2- Health Insurance

Poll

How well did you understand today's lesson?