Healthcare Services

Different types of healthcare services along with different levels of access exist within American healthcare.
-Primary care refers to the non-emergent medical care that is provided for by physicians within the private practice realm, such a family medicine, pediatrics and OBGYN. It is through a primary care provider that a patient gains access to the healthcare world, including referrals to specialists as well as more advanced procedures. One of the most important kinds of care which primary care physicians offer is preventive care, including vaccinations and health education. By receiving preventive care, a great deal of health care mishaps can be avoided in the future by these patients. If someone lacks access to a primary care physician, they will be unable to take full advantage of what American healthcare has to offer. In order to see a majority of primary care physicians, some form of insurance is necessary; therefore financial boundaries exist here as well.
-Emergency care is somewhat abused by the American population. Since emergency departments cannot legally turn away patients, they often act as the safety net to those patients who either lack access to a primary care physician, and/or lack health insurance. Due to this, a great deal of time and resources, which could be used for more necessary causes (like in emergency cases) are exhausted on those cases which could easily be taken care of by a primary care physician. Situations like this have greatly contributed to an increase in the cost of healthcare services, such as insurance, over the years. When patients have chronic disease, such as diabetes, it is important for them to maintain a relationship with a primary care physician whom they can refer to whenever they have any questions, rather than rely on the ED when they have any problems. It is through a PCP that they can maintain a healthy blood sugar level as stay educated on how they should be taking care of their disease. It can be inferred from the illegality involved with turning away patients from the ED, that physicians do have an ethical duty to serve those in need of health care. This can be further applied to primary care physicians and their obligation to serve those in need.
-Volunteer clinics and care embodies a third option of healthcare available to the public. It is through free clinics that the uninsured populations are provided basic healthcare services that they would not normally have access to. Although these services may not be nearly what a patient requires, they do help relieve some of the burden on physicians who work to provide access to these uninsured patients. However, these clinics and services may not be available in all areas, especially rural towns.