Other Titles
Cross-country health systems
Abstract
Purpose: Located on different continents, the United Kingdom (UK), Israel and the United States (US) are high income countries differing in size, population size, and type of health care systems; yet, their general population's health outcomes are similar. This study used qualitative and quantitative information to gain insight on the health care systems and health care accessibility of vulnerable groups in the general populations of these three industrialized countries.
Methods: Using a case-oriented, cross-country comparison, this study uses the three factors of the Behavioral Model of Utilization (i.e., health system environments, population characteristics and health behaviors/outcomes) to examine health care accessibility for selected vulnerable groups in each of the three countries (i.e., Israel, UK, US).
Results: The health system environments and population characteristics differed dramatically. The health system of the United Kingdom had open access to all; Israel"s health system provided basic healthcare to all citizens, yet citizens could opt for different levels of services. The fee-for-service system in the US resulted in barriers to healthcare access for vulnerable citizens. Regardless of the type of healthcare system and level of access to health care, all three countries experienced threats to health. All health systems showed features indicating their adaptation to the dominant or majority group of the country"s general population. However, all three high income countries' health systems were inadequate at addressing vulnerable population groups (i.e., socioeconomically low income individuals, minorities, immigrants, non-citizens) as demonstrated by unmet need and inadequate health behaviors.
Conclusion: Despite the diversity of health system philosophies and approaches, none of the health systems were effective at addressing health care inaccessibility and or unmet need for vulnerable population groups. Health systems in high income countries must acknowledge that access to healthcare is an important component of a healthy population; knowledge development of specific strategies to improve health within communities is equally important. Health systems in the three countries lack strategies that proactively engage, reach-out to and facilitate health care access for vulnerable populations. Nurses must be fully engaged through their work and research within communities to strengthen health systems and improve the health of all.
Sigma Membership
Unknown
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Health Promotion, Health Systems, Vulnerable Populations
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Sue A.; Zlotnick, Cheryl; and Heaslip, Vanessa, "A case-oriented, cross-country comparison of three high-income countries' health systems and healthcare accessibility" (2017). INRC (Congress). 492.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2017/presentations_2017/492
Conference Name
28th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Dublin, Ireland
Conference Year
2017
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
A case-oriented, cross-country comparison of three high-income countries' health systems and healthcare accessibility
Dublin, Ireland
Purpose: Located on different continents, the United Kingdom (UK), Israel and the United States (US) are high income countries differing in size, population size, and type of health care systems; yet, their general population's health outcomes are similar. This study used qualitative and quantitative information to gain insight on the health care systems and health care accessibility of vulnerable groups in the general populations of these three industrialized countries.
Methods: Using a case-oriented, cross-country comparison, this study uses the three factors of the Behavioral Model of Utilization (i.e., health system environments, population characteristics and health behaviors/outcomes) to examine health care accessibility for selected vulnerable groups in each of the three countries (i.e., Israel, UK, US).
Results: The health system environments and population characteristics differed dramatically. The health system of the United Kingdom had open access to all; Israel"s health system provided basic healthcare to all citizens, yet citizens could opt for different levels of services. The fee-for-service system in the US resulted in barriers to healthcare access for vulnerable citizens. Regardless of the type of healthcare system and level of access to health care, all three countries experienced threats to health. All health systems showed features indicating their adaptation to the dominant or majority group of the country"s general population. However, all three high income countries' health systems were inadequate at addressing vulnerable population groups (i.e., socioeconomically low income individuals, minorities, immigrants, non-citizens) as demonstrated by unmet need and inadequate health behaviors.
Conclusion: Despite the diversity of health system philosophies and approaches, none of the health systems were effective at addressing health care inaccessibility and or unmet need for vulnerable population groups. Health systems in high income countries must acknowledge that access to healthcare is an important component of a healthy population; knowledge development of specific strategies to improve health within communities is equally important. Health systems in the three countries lack strategies that proactively engage, reach-out to and facilitate health care access for vulnerable populations. Nurses must be fully engaged through their work and research within communities to strengthen health systems and improve the health of all.