Comparing Healthcare Performance

There are frequent articles blaring how poor the U.S. healthcare system is compared to other developed countries.

Watch the provided video and read the following web site articles:
Is U.S. health care the best or 'least effective' system in the modern world? PBS NewsHour Video (12:23)

Despite cutting-edge technology and government overspending, the U.S. approach to healthcare falls short when compared with other countries.

How the U.S. health-care system works - and how its failures are worsening the pandemic And on and on. But how helpful is this? Or does the constant bombardment about the deficiencies in healthcare simply create an atmosphere of distrust and hopelessness? Perhaps even more important these articles do not contain rigorous research that supports actions. Be sure to look for assertions backed by rigorous research as the article below is.
Mirror, Mirror 2021: Reflecting Poorly

Measured five performance domains:

Access to care
Care process
Administrative efficiency
Equity
Health care outcomes
For Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Using data for the performance domains, the following ranking was developed.

As you can see (Per the screenshot attachment) under overall rankings Norway, Netherlands, and Australia are the top three. The U.S. is last at 11.The report conclusions were: Four features distinguish top-performing countries from the United States: 1) they provide for universal coverage and remove cost barriers; 2) they invest in primary care systems to ensure that high-value services are equitably available in all communities to all people; 3) they reduce administrative burdens that divert time, efforts, and spending from health improvement efforts; and 4) they invest in social services, especially for children and working-age adults.

Compare U.S. healthcare performance on a global scale. Include the following aspects in the assignment:

Read the research article.
Summarize the finding for each of the 5 performance domains:
Access to care
Care process
Administrative efficiency
Equity
Health care outcomes
Under the Discussion section (Achieving better health outcomes will require policy changes within and beyond health care) identify one policy change for each performance domain that you feel would have the greatest impact.
Do you agree with the findings of the report? Why or why not?

Full Answer Section

     
  1. Administrative Efficiency:
  • Finding: The U.S. ranked last in administrative efficiency due to complex billing practices and high out-of-pocket costs for patients.
  1. Equity:
  • Finding: The U.S. demonstrated significant disparities in healthcare access and quality based on race, income, and geography.
  1. Health Care Outcomes:
  • Finding: Despite spending more per capita on healthcare, the U.S. has worse health outcomes in areas like life expectancy, infant mortality, and treatable chronic diseases.
Discussion: The report suggests four key policy changes for the U.S. to improve healthcare performance:
  1. Universal Coverage: Expanding health insurance coverage to all citizens can improve access and reduce disparities.
  2. Investment in Primary Care: Strengthening primary care can ensure preventive services and chronic disease management are readily available, potentially leading to better overall health outcomes.
  3. Reduced Administrative Burden: Streamlining healthcare administration can decrease costs and free up resources for patient care.
  4. Investment in Social Services: Investing in programs like affordable housing and education can indirectly improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health.
Agreement with Findings: The report's findings align with evidence from other sources. The U.S. spends more on healthcare but achieves poorer outcomes compared to other developed countries. The proposed policy changes address core issues like access, affordability, and efficiency. While implementing these changes would be complex, they offer a potential path towards a more equitable and effective healthcare system. Limitations: It's important to acknowledge that the report uses data from a specific timeframe and may not reflect the most recent developments. Additionally, cultural and societal factors can influence healthcare systems, making direct comparisons challenging. Overall, the "Mirror, Mirror 2021" report provides valuable insights into U.S. healthcare performance compared to other developed nations. By acknowledging its shortcomings and considering the proposed policy changes, the U.S. can strive towards building a more effective healthcare system for all.  

Sample Answer

     

This analysis compares U.S. healthcare performance with other developed nations based on the "Mirror, Mirror 2021" report by the Commonwealth Fund. The report evaluates healthcare systems across five domains:

1. Access to Care:

  • Finding: The U.S. ranked poorly in access to care, with a significant number of uninsured individuals and challenges obtaining timely appointments.

2. Care Process:

  • Finding: The U.S. showed mixed results in care process. While it excelled in some areas like use of preventive screenings, it fell short in chronic disease management and avoiding unnecessary procedures.