Question

Evaluate and explain five the healthcare-related controversies that might be expected to develop in the near future due to the changes that are evolving the industry. Include in your discussion the forces that are driving these changes and the challenges faced by your local health care system.

Please references and own words. PLEASE PLEASE

Answer 1

Please find your answers as follows-

1. Change #1: Technological Advancements in Medicare (in usage/practise/procedures/systems etc. pertaining to healthcare)
   • Potential controversy: Delayed/faulty/inappropriate medical services
     • Explanation: Since pretty much all medicare services are increasingly becoming aligned with the "Internet-of-things" such as - wearable tracking devices and innovative phone apps etc., it is quite possible that technical glitches may trigger unanticipated and undesirable service outcomes
   • Forces driving the change: Increasing healthcare service demands (due to rising populations), concerns for cost-saving and improved efficiency etc.
   • Challenges faced by the local healthcare system: Frequent updation and monitoring of technological healthcare systems, training and development for clinical staff etc.
2. Change #2: Regulatory changes that reduce affordability
   • Potential controversy: Overly expensive medicare
     • Explanation: Medicare's hugely subsidised - owing to the health care reforms initiated during Obama's presidency. However, at the moment, changes are being carried out, on a frequent basis, to lessen the public burden of these reforms. It is feared that the ACA might be repealed altogether pretty soon!
   • Forces driving the change: Political agendas, insurance-related inefficiencies and pricing issues etc.
   • Challenges faced by the local healthcare system: Reduced public trust, reduced demand for services, reduced profits etc.
3. Change #3: Moving towards a "data-driven" culture
   • Potential controversy: Privacy Concerns
     • Explanation: Data protection and security will be (or rather, is already) a huge concern if there's data mining and integration in healthcare systems. There's a huge risk of personal information becoming commonplace - and ruining lives, careers, trust etc.
   • Forces driving the change: Need for better/speedier/efficient healthcare management, cost-cutting etc.
   • Challenges faced by the local healthcare system: Frequent updation, integration and monitoring of data systems, training and development for clinical staff, searching for data geniuses in the workforce and employing them, managerial challenges, cultural issues etc.
4. Change #4: Change in Business Model - from "Non-profit" to "For-profit"
   • Potential controversy: Costlier services
     • Explanation: For-profit organisations are way more growth-oriented, competitive and R&D conscious than Non-profit organisations. Naturally, they charge much higher for their services.
   • Forces driving the change: Rising costs, shifts in healthcare policies/laws etc.
   • Challenges faced by the local healthcare system: Reduced demand for services, reduced profits etc.
5. Change #5: Switch to preventative medicine rather than emergency treatment
   • Potential controversy: Incorrect self-diagnosis may lead to severe/fatal adverse reactions, dangerous drug interactions etc.
     • Explanation: Advancement in technology as well as rising costs of Medicare have increasingly enabled people to search for health solutions outside the traditional healthcare infrastructure (doctor-patient counselling). They often employ the internet to seek answers to their health issues and go in for random recommendations.
   • Forces driving the change: Rising healthcare costs, technological advancements - easily available information etc.
   • Challenge faced by the local healthcare system: Patients arrive in worse states, sometimes, owing to their inappropriate self-medication and/or drug abuse etc. and it becomes difficult to treat them.