Comparison of Health System Characteristics and Outcomes

37207o prepare for this Discussion:

Review the information related to health system characteristics in the Shi and Singh (2015) course text, as indicated in the Resources.
Research the characteristics of the U.S. healthcare delivery system and the systems of your selected countries using the Walden library and credible websites, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) site.
Consider the following questions as you research your selected country:
How is the health system organized? Is there a central governing agency?
How does an individual gain access to needed services, including specialized care?
How are healthcare services paid for? For example, does the country have a national health system with tax-funded coverage, a health insurance system with a single payer, a health insurance system with multiple insurers, or something else?
What benefits do people in this country experience because of the health system’s characteristics? For instance, are people guaranteed access to healthcare services? Do patients receive well-coordinated care because their health information is readily available to providers through an integrated technology system? Do they have a great deal of choice when selecting physicians?
What challenges do people in this country encounter? For instance, is there typically a long wait to see a specialist? Do patients encounter adverse effects because medical supplies are not readily available? Are healthcare services prohibitively expensive for most people?
By Day 4
Post a comprehensive response to the following:

Describe two or more defining characteristics of the U.S. healthcare system.
Explain how these characteristics compare to the characteristics of the healthcare system of your selected country. (Be sure to identify the country in your posting.)
Explain potential benefits and challenges for people in the United States and your selected country based on the health system characteristics you have identified.
Reminder: Be sure to cite your supporting documentation appropriately in correct APA format.

Sources:
http://statehealthcompare.shadac.org/
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2015). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Chapter 1, “An Overview of US Health Care Delivery” (pp. 20–28)
Chapter 2, “Beliefs, Values, and Health” (pp. 52–73)
Chapter 14, “The Future of Health Services Delivery” (pp. 557–558)