Health care is the management or maintenance of healthcare in an individual through the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, or cure of illness, disease, injury, and or other mental and physical impairments. Health care professionals deliver health care and related services. Individuals who suffer from a physical impairment or disability that hinders them from performing ordinary activities can apply for and receive federal benefits such as Medicaid and Medicare. These programs provide partial or full disability income for medical care and rehabilitation.
A fundamental purpose of health care services is to maintain bodily health and enhance overall wellness. It is for patients that health care providers provide for an active lifestyle of exercise, eating well, and self-care. When a patient is in need of a specialized procedure, he or she must be referred to a specialist for which there are hospitals with extensive medical staff and skill sets to perform those procedures. In some situations, if a patient does not respond to medication, surgery may be an option, but it must always be under the supervision of a specialist.
One of the most important ways that families can achieve health care coverage is to have primary care physicians available at the primary care facility. Primary care facilities are designed to meet the primary health needs of their residents. There is usually a primary care physician whose office is located on the premises of the hospital. These physicians have more professional training and experience in treating and diagnosing common illnesses as opposed to family practitioners who specialize in treating conditions that only affect the family.
The next way families can achieve health care coverage is by selecting specialists according to a predetermined criteria. Specialists are physicians who are board certified to treat a specific illness or condition and who are board members of special education programs that promote health education. Most primary care physicians also belong to professional organizations such as the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American College of Rheumatology. In order to become board certified, these doctors have to pass written and comprehensive examinations and have three years of experience in this specialty. Once licensed, they are required to take an additional two years of medical school and complete a specialty residency in the specialty of their choice. After that, they will be board certified.
The final way that families can get comprehensive primary care, from a health center, is through a patient-centered treatment program. A patient-centered treatment program is designed around the philosophy that the primary focus of treatment should be on the well-being of the patient. This type of care often involves several different services that allow the patient to get the support he or she needs from multiple providers. These various services often include primary care physicians, specialists, home health care professionals, nursing home aides, mental health professionals, and emotional health therapists. Family members can help to support the patient through each stage of the treatment process by being there when he or she is having problems, helping to plan treatments and therapy, and following up with the professionals to make sure that the plan is being followed.
When combined with preventative health care and a quality primary care physician, family members can help patients to realize their full potential. In the best health care centers, family members play an active role in the care of their loved ones. In a system where prevention and pre-screening are the keys to recovery, family members play a key role in the health care of their family member or friend by providing a comprehensive support system that includes support from the patient’s primary doctor; other healthcare providers such as specialists and nursing home aides; home health care professionals such as caregivers and personal care attendants; social workers and psychologists; physical therapist and occupational therapist. All of these professionals work together to offer a comprehensive service to the patient and their family.
