Explain how health care reform has helped shift the focus from a disease-oriented health care system to one of wellness and prevention. Discuss ways in which health care will continue this trend and explain the role of nursing in supporting and facilitating this shift.
2 references pls
The healthcare system has undergone significant changes in recent years, and one of the most notable transformations has been the shift from a disease-oriented model to one that emphasizes wellness and prevention. This change has been largely driven by health care reform efforts that have sought to improve the quality of care and reduce costs by addressing the root causes of illness and promoting healthy behaviors. In this essay, we will discuss how health care reform has helped shift the focus from a disease-oriented health care system to one of wellness and prevention. We will also discuss ways in which healthcare will continue this trend and the role of nursing in supporting and facilitating this shift.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 was a significant milestone in health care reform efforts in the United States. The ACA aimed to improve the quality of care while reducing costs by shifting the focus from a fee-for-service model to one that rewards providers for improving patient outcomes. The ACA also placed a greater emphasis on wellness and prevention by requiring insurers to cover certain preventive services, such as cancer screenings and immunizations, without cost-sharing. This shift in focus from treating illness to preventing it has helped to reduce the burden on the health care system by reducing the number of costly and avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
In addition to the ACA, other health care reform efforts have focused on improving population health by addressing social determinants of health, such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to affordable housing. These efforts recognize that health outcomes are influenced by factors outside of the traditional health care system and that addressing these root causes is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs. By addressing these social determinants of health, health care providers can help individuals and communities lead healthier lives and reduce the need for expensive medical interventions.
As healthcare continues to shift towards a wellness and prevention-oriented model, nursing will play a critical role in supporting and facilitating this shift. Nurses are uniquely positioned to promote healthy behaviors and provide preventive care. Nurses can work with patients to develop individualized care plans that address their unique health needs and help them to set and achieve health goals. Nurses can also provide education and resources to patients and their families about healthy lifestyle choices, such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Additionally, nurses can work collaboratively with other healthcare providers and community organizations to address social determinants of health and promote health equity.
In conclusion, health care reform efforts have helped to shift the focus from a disease-oriented health care system to one that emphasizes wellness and prevention. This shift has been driven by a recognition that improving population health requires addressing social determinants of health and promoting healthy behaviors. Nursing will play a critical role in supporting and facilitating this shift by promoting healthy behaviors, providing preventive care, and working collaboratively with other healthcare providers and community organizations to address social determinants of health.
References:
- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (2010). U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf
- Healthy People 2030. (2020). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/healthypeople