HIM 205 Assignment 14_ Factors Influencing Future

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Health Science

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Jan 9, 2024

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1 The future of healthcare is driven by six main factors: 1. Social & Demographic Forces: The demographic population of the United States is constantly changing, along with its social state. This change can also affect the future of healthcare delivery, Shi & Singh state, “From a demographic standpoint, the United States is getting bigger, older, and more ethnically diverse. Shifts in the demographic composition of the population, cultural factors, and lifestyles affect not only the need for health care, but also the means by which those needs will be met” (Shi & Singh, 2022, p. 623). In the future the elderly population might become the leading force in trend which could lead to a change in lifestyle and also accommodation within the healthcare field, a growth of the elderly demographics can benefit from improved long term care services. The elderly population can bring about a higher demand for healthcare services in general because of a higher rate of chronic disease like diabetes, heart, and arthritis. There will also be a need for expansion of government programs like Medicare, the elderly population relies heavily on this program offered by the government and it can’t afford to collapse in the future. Considered as a melting pot of cultures, society in the United States continues to grow, immigrants will continue to contribute to the population in need of healthcare services thus there would need to be a reform to help carry out this demand. 2. Economic Forces: The economic state of this country continues to constantly change, historically the national debt has played a big factor in how much the country can afford to help its citizens. Household income and employment growth can also define the availability of healthcare delivery. According to Shi & Singh in regards to economic obstacles, “Any default would negatively affect the economy, households, and entitlement programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, the very safety

2 nets on which many vulnerable people depend” (Shi & Singh, 2022, p. 624). Major events such as the Great Recession, and the recent Covid 19 Pandemic can trigger a change in the economic state of the country which could also affect national programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP; it is very important that the future of healthcare delivery can address these issues and find ways to fix any detrimental loss to healthcare services. 3. Political Forces: Politics heavily runs the nation, it has affected every decision including healthcare reforms. Shi & Singh state, “Party politics along ideological lines can hold up major initiatives from moving forward. Americans have remained divided over major policy issues, however, and health care is one such issue” (Shi & Singh, 2022, p. 625). Reforms such as ACA that was placed into force through the Obama administration was a major change that occurred within the healthcare system, it aided in enrolling many individuals into Medicaid plans that would offer them healthcare services. In the future hopefully there will be reforms that can appease most of the individuals in need of healthcare services. 4. Technological Forces: Technology is an important driving force that has revolutionized the way healthcare functions in the United States. As technology continues to advance, it has also improved and brought about major healthcare innovations. Machines needed to detect a variety of diseases, along with helping enhance the healthcare workers industry, have both become a major factor in healthcare delivery. It is important to note that while technology advances and changes the healthcare field it can also bring about an increase in the price of these services. Technology is expensive to maintain and it is only fair to say that insurance premiums will continue to rise in order to pay off these expenses. Shi

3 & Singh state, “Technologies that promote a greater degree of self-reliance or achieve cost-efficiencies will almost certainly receive much attention in the future. Nevertheless, the overall effect of technology is to increase costs unless it is accompanied by utilization control measures” (Shi & Singh, 2022, p. 625). 5. Informational Forces: Information Technology continues to be a big player within the healthcare field, it has influenced health care delivery all over the world. In European countries they have smart cards that can help avoid fraud and identity theft. According to Shi & Singh, Americans are hesitant to use this technology in fear of stolen health information, but eventually America will have to adapt to this change that is already being implemented worldwide. 6. Ecological Forces: The Covid 19 Pandemic has shown us how prepared the country should be to handle ecological forces that may form obstacles affecting healthcare delivery. The shortage of staff, and the thousands of people that were in need of medical assistance shows us how there should be reforms made within the system in order to be prepared for natural disasters and other unforeseen catastrophes. According to Shi & Singh, “New diseases, natural disasters, and bioterrorism have major implications for public health, and potentially even global consequences. Growth of populations around the globe will intensify interactions at the human–animal–ecosystems interface, raising the probability of engendering diseases that are as yet unknown” (Shi & Singh, 2022, p. 636). Technological forces will most certainly be the most relevant in the future of healthcare. We have already witnessed a huge amount of changes with Artificial Intelligence in the past couple of years, innovative surgeries, treatments, and diagnostic machines are the future of healthcare

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