University of Phoenix
HCS 531
Significant Health Care Event
There are many events that have influenced health care and the way it has been delivered throughout the years. These events have helped shape and change health care with the ever changing needs of the population at large. Some of the influences are society, culture, finance, religion, politics, health trends, environment and population (Shi and Singh, 2012, p.9). For the purpose and focus of this paper, we will discuss a specific significant event and how this event has impacted health care.
Significant Event’s Relation to Health Care
One significant event that has occurred in society today is excessive litigation, and this has greatly …show more content…
Many times poor outcomes that people seek litigation are risks of procedures or illness, not necessarily negligence. Consumers of the health care fail to realize how the settlement of the litigation will be dispersed. These factors negatively impact the delivery of health care because it detracts from its ability to meet the two criteria of a functional health care system; the ability of all citizens to receive adequate health care when needed, and for the care to meet consistent levels of quality and be cost-effective (Shi & Singh, 2012, p. 5). Excessive litigation limits the services that can be provided, increases costs, reduces accessible facilities, and causes a decrease in the amount of people electing to train in a health care profession. It increases unnecessary procedures, or decreases necessary procedures based on risk for litigation and takes the focus of health care away from where it should be; on the patient (Catino, …show more content…
This is especially true when people file false claims or don’t realize that the poor outcome was directly related to the health issue that had already debilitated their health. The consumers need to be held accountable for their decisions and completely understand the risks and benefits of the health care they are receiving. This will come when people realize the importance of becoming their own advocate.
Conclusion
Excessive litigation is a recurring trend in health care. The litigation was intended to protect those who suffer from gross negligence or malpractice. The vicious cycle that occurs or that people fail to realize is that the excess litigation only hurts the consumers in the end by the increased cost or decrease in availability of services in certain areas and regions.
References
Catino, M. (2009). Blame culture and defensive medicine. Cognition, Technology, & Work, 11(4), 245-253. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10111-009-0130-ySatiani, B. (2004). The economics of health care litigation. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 38(3), 287-90. doi: