View source for Health care

{{Short description|Prevention of disease and promotion of well-being}}
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[[File:Medical_Doctors_Density_per_10_000_population.png|thumb|upright=1.6|Global concentrations of health care resources, as depicted by the number of physicians per 10,000 individuals, by country. Data is sourced from a [[World Health Organization|WHO]] [https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/medical-doctors-(per-10-000-population) indicator] and is from 2017-2023.]]
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| caption2          = Graphic of hospital beds per 1,000 people globally in 2013, at top;<ref>{{cite web |title=Hospital beds per 1,000 people |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/hospital-beds-per-1000-people?year=2013 |website=Our World in Data |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412185105/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/hospital-beds-per-1000-people?year=2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital]] in [[New York City]], a hub for health care and [[life sciences]],<ref name=NYCHealthCareLifeSciencesHub>{{cite web|url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-mayor-adams-announce-plan-sparc-kips-bay-first-its-kind-job-and-education-hub|title=Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams Announce Plan for SPARC Kips Bay, First-of-Its-Kind Job and Education Hub for Health and Life Sciences Innovation|publisher=[[State of New York]]|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=October 13, 2022|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101195547/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-mayor-adams-announce-plan-sparc-kips-bay-first-its-kind-job-and-education-hub|url-status=live}}</ref> is one of the world's busiest [[hospital]]s, below. Pictured is its [[Weill Cornell Medical Center|Weill Cornell]] facility (white complex at the center).
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'''Health care''', or '''healthcare''', is the improvement or maintenance of [[health]] via the [[preventive healthcare|prevention]], [[diagnosis]], [[therapy|treatment]], [[wikt:amelioration|amelioration]] or [[cure]] of [[disease]], [[illness]], [[injury]], and other [[disability|physical and mental impairments]] in people. Health care is delivered by [[health professional]]s and [[allied health professions|allied health fields]]. [[Medicine]], [[dentistry]], [[pharmacy]], [[midwifery]], [[nursing]], [[optometry]], [[audiology]], [[psychology]], [[occupational therapy]], [[physical therapy]], [[athletic training]], and other [[health profession]]s all constitute health care. The term includes work done in providing [[primary care]], [[wikt:secondary care|secondary care]], [[tertiary care]], and [[public health]].

Access to health care may vary across countries, communities, and individuals, influenced by social and economic conditions and [[health policy|health policies]]. Providing health care services means "the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best possible health outcomes".<ref name="NAP2009">{{Cite book|url=https://www.nap.edu/read/2009/chapter/2|title=Access to Health Care in America|publisher=The National Academies Press, US National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine|date=1993|doi=10.17226/2009|pmid=25144064|isbn=978-0-309-04742-5|author1=Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Monitoring Access to Personal Health Care Services|last2=Millman|first2=M.|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211044453/https://www.nap.edu/read/2009/chapter/2|url-status=live}}</ref> Factors to consider in terms of health care access include financial limitations (such as insurance coverage), [[Geography|geographical]] and [[Logistics|logistical]] barriers (such as additional transportation costs and the ability to take paid time off work to use such services), [[sociocultural]] expectations, and personal limitations (lack of ability to communicate with health care providers, poor [[health literacy]], low income).<ref name=RHI2021>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access|title=Healthcare Access in Rural Communities Introduction|publisher=Rural Health Information Hub|date=2019|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211044452/https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access|url-status=live}}</ref> Limitations to health care services affect negatively the use of medical services, the efficacy of treatments, and overall outcome (well-being, mortality rates).

[[Health system]]s are the [[organization]]s established to meet the health needs of targeted populations. According to the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), a well-functioning health care system requires a financing mechanism, a well-trained and adequately paid [[Health Human Resources|workforce]], reliable information on which to base decisions and [[health policy|policies]], and well-maintained [[health facilities]] to deliver quality medicines and technologies.

An efficient health care system can contribute to a significant part of a country's [[Economic system|economy]], development, and [[industrialization]]. Health care is an important determinant in promoting the general [[physical health|physical]] and [[mental health]] and [[well-being]] of people around the world.<ref name="WHO">{{cite web |url= https://www.who.int/topics/health_systems/en/ |title= Health Topics: Health Systems |publisher= World Health Organization |website= www.who.int |access-date= 2013-11-24 |archive-date= 2019-07-18 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190718195540/https://www.who.int/topics/health_systems/en/ |url-status= live }}</ref> An example of this was the worldwide [[Eradication of infectious diseases|eradication]] of [[smallpox]] in 1980, declared by the WHO, as the first [[disease]] in human history to be eliminated by deliberate health care interventions.<ref>World Health Organization. ''Anniversary of smallpox eradication''. Geneva, 18 June 2010.</ref>

==Delivery==
{{See also|Health professionals}}
[[File: Jericho Health Centre 20050326.jpg|thumb|Primary care may be provided in community health centers.]]
The delivery of modern health care depends on groups of trained [[professional]]s and [[paraprofessional]]s coming together as [[interdisciplinary team]]s.<ref name=USDL>United States Department of Labor. [https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/ ''Employment and Training Administration: Health care''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129005204/http://www.doleta.gov/BRG/Indprof/Health.cfm |date=2012-01-29 }}. Retrieved June 24, 2011.</ref> This includes professionals in [[medicine]], [[psychology]], [[physiotherapy]], [[nursing]], [[dentistry]], [[midwifery]] and [[allied health]], along with many others such as [[public health|public health practitioners]], [[community health worker]]s and [[unlicensed assistive personnel|assistive personnel]]. These professionals systematically provide personal and population-based preventive, curative and [[Physical medicine and rehabilitation|rehabilitative]] care services.{{cn|date=June 2022}}

While the definitions of the various types of health care vary based on the different [[Culture|cultural]], political, organizational, and disciplinary perspectives, there is general consensus that primary care constitutes the first element of a continuous health care process and may also include the provision of secondary and tertiary levels of care.<ref name="Cookie">Thomas-MacLean R et al. [http://www.uwo.ca/fammed/csfm/tutor-phc/documentation/trainingpapers/TUTOR_Definitio_%20of_primar_%20health_care.pdf ''No Cookie-Cutter Response: Conceptualizing Primary Health Care.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412075131/https://www.uwo.ca/fammed/csfm/tutor-phc/documentation/trainingpapers/TUTOR_Definitio_%20of_primar_%20health_care.pdf |date=2019-04-12 }} Retrieved 26 August 2014.</ref> Health care can be defined as either [[Public health care|public]] or [[Private healthcare in the United Kingdom|private]].{{cn|date=June 2022}}
[[File: FEMA - 18213 - Photograph by Robert Kaufmann taken on 10-25-2005 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|The [[emergency room]] is often a frontline venue for the delivery of primary medical care.]]

===Primary care===
{{Main|Primary health care}}
{{See also|Primary care|Ambulatory care|Urgent care}}
[[File:Terapevt Mudrov train.JPG|thumb|[[Hospital train]] "Therapist Matvei Mudrov" in [[Khabarovsk]], [[Russia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2014/06/|title=June 2014|website=Magazine|access-date=9 March 2019|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160425/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2014/06/|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

'''Primary care''' refers to the work of [[health professionals]] who act as a first point of consultation for all [[patients]] within the [[health care system]]. The primary care model supports first-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated person-focused care.<ref>{{cite web |title=Primary care |url= https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/clinical-services-and-systems/primary-care |access-date=21 June 2024 |website=World Health Organization}}</ref> Such a professional would usually be a [[primary care physician]], such as a [[general practitioner]] or [[Family medicine|family physician]]. Another professional would be a licensed independent practitioner such as a [[physiotherapist]], or a non-physician primary care provider such as a [[physician assistant]] or [[nurse practitioner]]. Depending on the locality and health system organization, the patient may see another health care professional first, such as a [[pharmacist]] or [[nurse]]. Depending on the nature of the health condition, [[patient]]s may be [[Referral (medicine)|referred]] for secondary or tertiary care.{{cn|date=June 2022}}

Primary care is often used as the term for the health care services that play a role in the local community. It can be provided in different settings, such as [[Urgent care]] centers that provide same-day appointments or services on a walk-in basis.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

Primary care involves the widest scope of health care, including all ages of patients, patients of all [[socioeconomic]] and geographic origins, patients seeking to maintain optimal [[health]], and patients with all types of acute and chronic physical, [[mental health|mental]] and social health issues, including [[Multimorbidity|multiple chronic diseases]]. Consequently, a primary care practitioner must possess a wide breadth of knowledge in many areas. [[Transitional care#continuity|Continuity]] is a key characteristic of primary care, as patients usually prefer to consult the same practitioner for routine check-ups and [[preventive medicine|preventive care]], [[health education]], and every time they require an initial consultation about a new health problem. The [[International Classification of Primary Care]] (ICPC) is a standardized tool for understanding and analyzing information on interventions in primary care based on the reason for the patient's visit.<ref>World Health Organization. [https://www.who.int/classifications/icd/adaptations/icpc2/en/index.html ''International Classification of Primary Care, Second edition (ICPC-2)''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160335/https://www.who.int/classifications/icd/adaptations/icpc2/en/ |date=2020-12-22 }} Geneva. Accessed 24 June 2011.</ref>

Common chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care may include, for example, [[hypertension]], [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[asthma]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]], [[Major depressive disorder|depression]] and [[Anxiety disorder|anxiety]], [[back pain]], [[Osteoarthritis|arthritis]] or [[Thyroid disease|thyroid dysfunction]]. Primary care also includes many basic [[maternal health|maternal]] and child health care services, such as [[family planning]] services and [[vaccination]]s. In the United States, the 2013 [[National Health Interview Survey]] found that skin disorders (42.7%), osteoarthritis and joint disorders (33.6%), back problems (23.9%), disorders of lipid metabolism (22.4%), and upper respiratory tract disease (22.1%, excluding asthma) were the most common reasons for accessing a physician.<ref>{{cite journal  |vauthors=St Sauver JL, Warner DO, Yawn BP, etal |title=Why patients visit their doctors: assessing the most prevalent conditions in a defined American population |journal=Mayo Clin. Proc. |volume=88 |issue=1 |pages=56–67 |date=January 2013 |pmid=23274019 |doi=10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.08.020 |pmc=3564521}}</ref>

In the United States, primary care physicians have begun to deliver primary care outside of the managed care (insurance-billing) system through [[direct primary care]] which is a subset of the more familiar [[concierge medicine]]. Physicians in this model bill patients directly for services, either on a pre-paid monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, or bill for each service in the office. Examples of direct primary care practices include [[Foundation Health]] in Colorado and [[Qliance]] in Washington.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In the context of global [[population aging]], with increasing numbers of older adults at greater risk of chronic [[non-communicable disease]]s, rapidly increasing demand for primary care services is expected in both developed and developing countries.<ref>World Health Organization. [https://www.who.int/ageing/en/ ''Aging and life course: Our aging world.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611084251/https://www.who.int/ageing/en/ |date=2019-06-11 }} Geneva. Accessed 24 June 2011.</ref><ref>Simmons J. [http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/233658/topic/WS_HLM2_PHY/Primary-Care-Needs-New-Innovations-to-Meet-Growing-Demands.html ''Primary Care Needs New Innovations to Meet Growing Demands.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711160400/http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/233658/topic/WS_HLM2_PHY/Primary-Care-Needs-New-Innovations-to-Meet-Growing-Demands.html |date=2011-07-11 }} ''HealthLeaders Media'', May 27, 2009.</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] attributes the provision of essential primary care as an integral component of an inclusive [[primary health care]] strategy.<ref name="Cookie"/>

===Secondary care===
[[File:Aerial-Picture-of-Jackson-e1445995779731.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Jackson Memorial Hospital]] in [[Miami]], the primary teaching hospital of the [[University of Miami]]'s [[Miller School of Medicine]] and the largest hospital in the United States with 1,547 beds<ref>[https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/100-of-the-largest-hospitals-and-health-systems-in-america-2021.html "100 of the largest hospitals and health systems in America"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602024829/https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/100-of-the-largest-hospitals-and-health-systems-in-america-2021.html |date=2 June 2022 }}, ''Becker's Hospital Review''</ref>]]
'''Secondary care''' includes [[acute care]]: necessary treatment for a short period of time for a brief but serious illness, injury, or other health condition. This care is often found in a [[hospital]] [[emergency department]]. Secondary care also includes skilled attendance during [[childbirth]], [[intensive care medicine|intensive care]], and [[medical imaging]] services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/health+care+system|title=Health Care System|website=the Free Medical Dictionary|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205030143/https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/health%20care%20system|url-status=live}}</ref>

The term "secondary care" is sometimes used synonymously with "hospital care". However, many secondary care providers, such as [[psychiatrists]], [[clinical psychology|clinical psychologists]], [[occupational therapists]], most [[dental specialties]] or [[physiotherapist]]s, do not necessarily work in hospitals. Some primary care services are delivered within hospitals. Depending on the organization and policies of the national health system, patients may be required to see a primary care provider for a [[referral (medicine)|referral]] before they can access secondary care.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/care-in-the-nhs#:~:text=Secondary%20care%20refers%20to%20services,first%20contact%20with%20a%20patient.&text=Secondary%20care%20services%20are%20usually,services%20may%20be%20community%20based.|title=Secondary Care|website=MS Trust|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205025603/https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/care-in-the-nhs#:~:text=Secondary%20care%20refers%20to%20services,first%20contact%20with%20a%20patient.&text=Secondary%20care%20services%20are%20usually,services%20may%20be%20community%20based.|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.einsure.com/blog/the-difference-between-primary-secondary-and-tertiary-health-care/|title=Difference between primary, secondary and tertiary health care|website=EInsure|date=24 January 2017|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506205753/https://www.einsure.com/blog/the-difference-between-primary-secondary-and-tertiary-health-care/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In countries that operate under a [[mixed market]] health care system, some [[physician]]s limit their practice to secondary care by requiring patients to see a primary care provider first. This restriction may be imposed under the terms of the payment agreements in private or group [[health insurance]] plans. In other cases, [[Medical specialty|medical specialists]] may see patients without a referral, and patients may decide whether self-referral is preferred.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In other countries patient self-referral to a [[medical specialist]] for secondary care is rare as prior referral from another physician (either a primary care physician or another specialist) is considered necessary, regardless of whether the funding is from [[Health insurance|private insurance schemes]] or [[national health insurance]].{{cn|date=April 2024}}

[[Allied health professions|Allied health professionals]], such as [[physical therapy|physical therapists]], [[respiratory therapists]], [[occupational therapist]]s, [[Speech and language pathology|speech therapists]], and [[dietitians]], also generally work in secondary care, accessed through either patient self-referral or through physician referral.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

===Tertiary care===
[[File:NationalNeurologyHospital.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|[[National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery]] in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]] is a specialist neurological hospital.]]
'''Tertiary care''' is specialized consultative health care, usually for [[inpatient]]s and on referral from a primary or secondary health professional, in a facility that has personnel and facilities for advanced [[medicine|medical]] investigation and treatment, such as a [[tertiary referral hospital]].<ref>Johns Hopkins Medicine. [http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient_care/pay_bill/insurance_footnotes.html ''Patient Care: Tertiary Care Definition''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711120409/http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient_care/pay_bill/insurance_footnotes.html |date=2017-07-11 }} Accessed 27 June 2011.</ref>

Examples of tertiary care services are [[cancer]] management, [[neurosurgery]], [[cardiac surgery]], [[plastic surgery]], treatment for severe [[burn]]s, advanced [[neonatology]] services, palliative, and other complex medical and surgical interventions.<ref name="Emory">Emory University. [http://www.em.emory.edu/hospital_eu.html School of Medicine.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423081310/http://www.em.emory.edu/hospital_eu.html |date=2011-04-23 }} Accessed 27 June 2011.</ref>

=== Quaternary care ===
The term '''quaternary care''' is sometimes used as an extension of tertiary care in reference to advanced levels of medicine which are highly [[Medical specialist|specialized]] and not widely accessed. [[Clinical research|Experimental medicine]] and some types of uncommon [[diagnosis|diagnostic]] or [[surgery|surgical]] procedures are considered quaternary care. These services are usually only offered in a limited number of regional or national health care centers.<ref name="Emory"/><ref>Alberta Physician Link. [http://www.albertaphysicianlink.ab.ca/orientation_guide/levels-of-care.html ''Levels of Care''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614134839/http://www.albertaphysicianlink.ab.ca/orientation_guide/levels-of-care.html |date=2014-06-14 }} Retrieved 26 August 2014.</ref>

===Home and community care===
{{See also|Public health}}
Many types of health care interventions are delivered outside of health facilities. They include many interventions of [[public health]] interest, such as [[food safety]] surveillance, distribution of [[condom]]s and [[needle-exchange programme|needle-exchange programs]] for the prevention of transmissible diseases.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

They also include the services of professionals in residential and community settings in support of [[self-care]], [[home care]], [[long-term care]], [[assisted living]], treatment for [[substance use disorder]]s among other types of health and social care services.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

Community [[Physical therapy|rehabilitation]] services can assist with mobility and independence after the loss of limbs or loss of function. This can include [[prosthesis|prostheses]], [[orthotics]], or [[wheelchair]]s.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

Many countries are dealing with aging populations, so one of the priorities of the health care system is to help seniors live full, independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. There is an entire section of health care geared to providing seniors with help in day-to-day activities at home such as transportation to and from doctor's appointments along with many other activities that are essential for their health and well-being. Although they provide home care for older adults in cooperation, family members and care workers may harbor diverging attitudes and values towards their joint efforts. This state of affairs presents a challenge for the design of ICT (information and communication technology) for home care.<ref>{{Cite conference
| last1 = Christensen
| first1 = L.R.
| last2= Grönvall
| first2= E.
| title = ECSCW 2011: Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 24–28 September 2011, Aarhus Denmark
| chapter = Challenges and Opportunities for Collaborative Technologies for Home Care Work
|editor=S. Bødker |editor2=N. O. Bouvin |editor3=W. Letters |editor4=V. Wulf |editor5=L. Ciolfi
| book-title= ECSCW 2011: Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 24–28 September 2011, Aarhus Denmark
|location=London
| pages = 61–80
| publisher = Springer
| year = 2011
| doi = 10.1007/978-0-85729-913-0_4
| isbn = 978-0-85729-912-3 }}</ref>

Because statistics show that over 80 million Americans have taken time off of their primary employment to care for a loved one,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/business/economy/home-health-care-work.html|title=Home Health Care: Shouldn't It Be Work Worth Doing?|last=Porter|first=Eduardo|date=2017-08-29|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-11-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160411/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/business/economy/home-health-care-work.html|url-status=live}}</ref> many countries have begun offering programs such as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program to allow family members to take care of their loved ones without giving up their entire income.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

With obesity in children rapidly becoming a major concern, health services often set up programs in schools aimed at educating children about nutritional eating habits, making physical education a requirement and teaching young adolescents to have a positive self-image.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sanyaolu |first1=Adekunle |last2=Okorie |first2=Chuku |last3=Qi |first3=Xiaohua |last4=Locke |first4=Jennifer |last5=Rehman |first5=Saif |date=January 2019 |title=Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in the United States: A Public Health Concern |journal=Global Pediatric Health |language=en |volume=6 |pages=2333794X1989130 |doi=10.1177/2333794X19891305 |issn=2333-794X |pmc=6887808 |pmid=31832491}}</ref>

===Ratings===
{{Main|Health care ratings}}
[[Health care ratings]] are ratings or [[evaluation]]s of health care used to evaluate the process of care and health care structures and/or outcomes of health care services. This information is translated into report cards that are generated by quality organizations, nonprofit, consumer groups and media. This evaluation of quality is based on measures of:{{cn|date=April 2024}}
* [[health plan]] quality
* hospital quality
* of [[patient experience]]
* physician quality
* quality for other health professionals

==Health system==
{{Main|Health system|Health care systems by country|Health policy}}
A '''health system''', also sometimes referred to as '''health care system''' or '''healthcare system''', is the organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to populations in need.{{cn|date=April 2024}}
Health care extends beyond the delivery of services to patients, encompassing many related sectors, and is set within a bigger picture of financing and governance structures.

===Industry===
{{See also|Healthcare industry}}
The [[healthcare industry]] incorporates several sectors that are dedicated to providing health care services and products. As a basic framework for defining the sector, the United Nations' [[International Standard Industrial Classification]] categorizes health care as generally consisting of hospital activities, medical and dental practice activities, and "other human health activities." The last class involves activities of, or under the supervision of, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, scientific or diagnostic laboratories, pathology clinics, residential health facilities, patient advocates<ref>{{cite web | title=Patient advocacy services ensure optimum health outcomes | author=Dorothy Kamaker | date=2015-09-21 | url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/patient-advocacy-20150920-gjr53j.html | access-date=2015-09-26 | archive-date=2017-12-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220213648/http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/patient-advocacy-20150920-gjr53j.html | url-status=live }}</ref> or other [[allied health professions]].

In addition, according to industry and market classifications, such as the [[Global Industry Classification Standard]] and the [[Industry Classification Benchmark]], health care includes many categories of medical equipment, instruments and services including [[biotechnology]], diagnostic laboratories and substances, drug manufacturing and delivery.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

For example, pharmaceuticals and other medical devices are the leading high technology exports of Europe and the United States.<ref name="Europe">{{cite web|title=The Pharmaceutical Industry in Figures|year=2007|url=http://www.efpia.eu/|access-date=February 15, 2010|work=[[European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations]]|format=pdf|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160435/https://www.efpia.eu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PHRMA">{{cite book |title=2008 Annual Report|publisher=[[Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America]]|year=2008}}</ref> The United States dominates the [[biopharmaceutical]] field, accounting for three-quarters of the world's biotechnology revenues.<ref name="Europe"/><ref name="EFPIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.efpia.org/content/Default.asp?PageID=388|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823030103/http://www.efpia.org/content/Default.asp?PageID=388|archive-date=23 August 2009 |title=Europe's competitiveness|work=[[European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations]]|access-date= February 15, 2010}}</ref>

===Research===
{{main|Medical research|Nursing research}}
{{For outline|Healthcare science}}
The quantity and quality of many health care interventions are improved through the results of science, such as advanced through the [[medical model]] of health which focuses on the eradication of [[illness]] through [[medical diagnosis|diagnosis]] and effective treatment. Many important advances have been made through health research, [[biomedical research]] and [[pharmaceutical research]], which form the basis for [[evidence-based medicine]] and [[evidence-based practice]] in health care delivery. Health care research frequently engages directly with patients, and as such issues for whom to engage and how to engage with them become important to consider when seeking to actively include them in studies. While single best practice does not exist, the results of a systematic review on patient engagement suggest that research methods for patient selection need to account for both patient availability and willingness to engage.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Domecq|first1=Juan Pablo|last2=Prutsky|first2=Gabriela|last3=Elraiyah|first3=Tarig|last4=Wang|first4=Zhen|last5=Nabhan|first5=Mohammed|last6=Shippee|first6=Nathan|last7=Brito|first7=Juan Pablo|last8=Boehmer|first8=Kasey|last9=Hasan|first9=Rim|last10=Firwana|first10=Belal|last11=Erwin|first11=Patricia|date=2014-02-26|title=Patient engagement in research: a systematic review|journal=BMC Health Services Research|volume=14|issue=1|pages=89|doi=10.1186/1472-6963-14-89|pmid=24568690|pmc=3938901|issn=1472-6963|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Health services research]] can lead to greater efficiency and equitable delivery of health care interventions, as advanced through the [[social model of disability|social model of health and disability]], which emphasizes the societal changes that can be made to make populations healthier.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Bond J. |author2=Bond S. | title=Sociology and Health Care| publisher=Churchill Livingstone| year=1994 | isbn=978-0-443-04059-7}}</ref> Results from health services research often form the basis of [[evidence-based policy]] in health care systems. [[Health services research]] is also aided by initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence for the development of systems of health assessment that are clinically useful, timely, sensitive to change, [[culturally sensitive]], low-burden, low-cost, built into standard procedures, and involve the patient.<ref name = "campro">
{{cite conference
 | author = Erik Cambria |author2=Tim Benson |author3=Chris Eckl |author4=Amir Hussain
 | title = Sentic PROMs: Application of Sentic Computing to the Development of a Novel Unified Framework for Measuring Health-Care Quality
 | book-title = Expert Systems with Applications, Elsevier
 | year = 2012
 |volume=39 |issue=12 |pages=10533–10543 | doi = 10.1016/j.eswa.2012.02.120
}}
</ref>

==Access to health care and financing==
Access to health care may vary across countries, communities, and individuals, influenced by social and economic conditions as well as [[health policy|health policies]]. Providing health care services means "the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best possible health outcomes".<ref name="NAP2009"/> Factors to consider in terms of health care access include financial limitations (such as insurance coverage), [[Geography|geographical]] and [[Logistics|logistical]] barriers (such as additional transportation costs and the ability to take paid time off work to use such services), [[sociocultural]] expectations, and personal limitations (lack of ability to communicate with health care providers, poor [[health literacy]], low income).<ref name=RHI2021/> Lower [[Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio#Cost-effectiveness threshold|cost-effectiveness thresholds]] can make make health care more affordable by avoiding the least cost-effective procedures.<ref name="x719">{{cite journal |last1=Vanness |first1=David J. |last2=Lomas |first2=James |last3=Ahn |first3=Hannah |date=2021 |title=A Health Opportunity Cost Threshold for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in the United States |url=https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/168036/1/M20_1392_manuscript_1_.pdf |journal=Annals of Internal Medicine |volume=174 |issue=1 |pages=25–32 |doi=10.7326/M20-1392 |issn=0003-4819 |pmid=33136426 |access-date=8 June 2025 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Financing===
{{See also|Health economics|Health spending as percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by country|List of countries by total health expenditure per capita|Universal health care|Health equity}}
There are generally five primary methods of funding [[health care systems]]:<ref>World Health Organization. [http://whqlibdoc.who.int/searo/2004/SEA_HSD_274_eng.pdf "Regional Overview of Social Health Insurance in South-East Asia.'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903195354/http://whqlibdoc.who.int/searo/2004/SEA_HSD_274_eng.pdf |date=2012-09-03 }} Retrieved December 02, 2014.</ref>
# General [[taxation]] to the state, county or municipality
# [[social insurance|Social health insurance]]
# Voluntary or private [[health insurance]]
# [[Out-of-pocket expenses|Out-of-pocket payments]]
# [[Donation]]s to health [[charities]]
[[File:Life expectancy vs healthcare spending.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Life expectancy vs healthcare spending of rich [[OECD]] countries. [[List of countries by total health expenditure per capita|US average of $10,447 in 2018]].<ref name="life">[https://ourworldindata.org/the-link-between-life-expectancy-and-health-spending-us-focus Link between health spending and life expectancy: US is an outlier] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311193123/https://ourworldindata.org/the-link-between-life-expectancy-and-health-spending-us-focus|date=11 March 2022}}. May 26, 2017. By [[Max Roser]] at [[Our World in Data]]. Click the sources tab under the chart for info on the countries, healthcare expenditures, and data sources. See the later version of the chart [https://ourworldindata.org/us-life-expectancy-low here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305030958/https://ourworldindata.org/us-life-expectancy-low|date=5 March 2022}}.</ref>]]
In most countries, there is a mix of all five models, but this varies across countries and over time within countries. Aside from financing mechanisms, an important question should always be how much to spend on health care. For the purposes of comparison, this is often expressed as the percentage of GDP spent on health care. In [[OECD]] countries for every extra $1000 spent on health care, life expectancy falls by 0.4 years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-02|title=Improve operational efficiency in healthcare with RPA|url=https://www.nuaig.ai/improve-operational-efficiency-in-healthcare-with-rpa/|access-date=2021-05-27|website=NuAIg|language=en-US|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527055633/https://www.nuaig.ai/improve-operational-efficiency-in-healthcare-with-rpa/|url-status=live}}</ref> A similar correlation is seen from the analysis carried out each year by Bloomberg.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/u-s-near-bottom-of-health-index-hong-kong-and-singapore-at-top|title=These Are the Economies With the Most (and Least) Efficient Health Care|website=BloombergQuint|date=19 September 2018 |access-date=2019-01-14|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160336/https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/u-s-near-bottom-of-health-index-hong-kong-and-singapore-at-top|url-status=live}}</ref> Clearly this kind of analysis is flawed in that life expectancy is only one measure of a health system's performance, but equally, the notion that more funding is better is not supported.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In the United States, the healthcare industry accounts for 18% of gross domestic product in 2020 and is one of the largest and most complex parts of the U.S. economy.<ref name="The Investopedia Team">{{cite web|url= https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/health_care_sector.asp |title= Healthcare Sector: Industries Defined and Key Statistics|date=2021-10-21|id=([http://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/health-at-a-glance.htm link])|pages=5, 39, 46, 48|access-date=2013-11-30}}</ref> In 2011, the [[health care industry]] consumed an average of 9.3 percent of the [[gross domestic product|GDP]] or [[United States dollar|US$]] 3,322 ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP-adjusted]]) per capita across the 34 members of [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]] countries. The US (17.7%, or US$ PPP 8,508), the [[Netherlands]] (11.9%, 5,099), [[France]] (11.6%, 4,118), [[Germany]] (11.3%, 4,495), [[Canada]] (11.2%, 5669), and [[Switzerland]] (11%, 5,634) were the top spenders, however [[life expectancy|life expectancy in total population at birth]] was highest in Switzerland (82.8 years), [[Japan]] and [[Italy]] (82.7), [[Spain]] and [[Iceland]] (82.4), France (82.2) and [[Australia]] (82.0), while OECD's average exceeds 80 years for the first time ever in 2011: 80.1 years, a gain of 10 years since 1970. The US (78.7 years) ranges only on place 26 among the 34 OECD member countries, but has the highest costs by far. All OECD countries have achieved universal (or almost universal) health coverage, except the US and [[Mexico]].<ref name="OECDHealthGlance">{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/Health-at-a-Glance-2013-Chart-set.pdf|title=Health at a Glance 2013 – OECD Indicators|publisher=OECD|date=2013-11-21|id=([http://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/health-at-a-glance.htm link])|pages=5, 39, 46, 48|access-date=2013-11-24|archive-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412075105/http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/Health-at-a-Glance-2013-Chart-set.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="OECDLifeExpectancy">{{cite web |url= http://stats.oecd.org//Index.aspx?QueryId=51904 |title= OECD.StatExtracts, Health, Health Status, Life expectancy, Total population at birth, 2011 |publisher= OECD's iLibrary |year= 2013 |format= online statistics |website= stats.oecd.org/ |access-date= 2013-11-24 |archive-date= 2019-04-02 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190402130935/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?QueryId=51904 |url-status= live }}</ref> (see also [[Health system#International comparisons|international comparisons]].)

In the [[United States]], where around 18% of GDP is spent on health care,<ref name="auto"/> the [[Commonwealth Fund]] analysis of spend and quality shows a clear correlation between worse quality and higher spending.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.commonwealthfund.org/health-care-quality-spending-interactive|title=Health Care Quality-Spending Interactive {{!}} Commonwealth Fund|website=commonwealthfund.org| year=2018 | doi=10.26099/bf4n-8j57 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-14|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160427/https://www.commonwealthfund.org/health-care-quality-spending-interactive|url-status=live| author1=Commonwealth Fund }}</ref>

Expand the [[OECD]] charts below to see the breakdown:
* "Government/compulsory": Government spending and compulsory health insurance.
* "Voluntary": Voluntary health insurance and private funds such as households' out-of-pocket payments, NGOs and private corporations.
* They are represented by columns starting at zero. They are not stacked. The 2 are combined to get the total.
* At the source you can run your cursor over the columns to get the year and the total for that country.<ref name=OECD-barcharts/>
* Click the table tab at the source to get 3 lists (one after another) of amounts by country: "Total", "Government/compulsory", and "Voluntary".<ref name=OECD-barcharts/>

<div style="display:inline-table; vertical-align:top;">
[[File:Health spending by country. Percent of GDP (Gross domestic product).png|thumb|none|upright=1.4|[[Health spending as a percent of GDP by country (gross domestic product)|Health spending by country]]. Percent of GDP ([[Gross domestic product]]). For example: 11.2% for Canada in 2022. 16.6% for the United States in 2022.<ref name=OECD-barcharts>[[OECD]] Data. [https://data.oecd.org/healthres/health-spending.htm Health resources - Health spending] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412163054/https://data.oecd.org/healthres/health-spending.htm |date=12 April 2020 }}. {{doi|10.1787/8643de7e-en}}. 2 bar charts: For both: From bottom menus: Countries menu > choose OECD. Check box for "latest data available". Perspectives menu > Check box to "compare variables". Then check the boxes for government/compulsory, voluntary, and total. Click top tab for chart (bar chart). For GDP chart choose "% of GDP" from bottom menu. For per capita chart choose "US dollars/per capita". Click fullscreen button above chart. Click "print screen" key. Click top tab for table, to see data.</ref>]]</div>
<div style="display:inline-table; vertical-align:top;">
[[File:Average annual health spending. US dollars (PPP) per person. OECD countries and more.png|thumb|none|upright=1.4|[[List of countries by total health expenditure per capita|Total healthcare cost per person]]. Public and private spending. US dollars [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]. For example: $6,319 for Canada in 2022. $12,555 for the US in 2022.<ref name=OECD-barcharts/>]]
</div>

===Administration and regulation===
{{See also|Health professional requisites}}
The [[Health administration|management and administration of health care]] is vital to the delivery of health care services. In particular, the practice of health professionals and the operation of health care institutions is typically [[Regulation|regulated]] by national or state/provincial authorities through appropriate regulatory bodies for purposes of [[quality assurance]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=World Health Organization|title=Quality and accreditation in health care services|location=Geneva|url=http://www.who.int/hrh/documents/en/quality_accreditation.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160336/https://www.who.int/hrh/documents/en/quality_accreditation.pdf|archivedate=2020-12-22}}</ref> Most countries have credentialing staff in regulatory boards or [[health department]]s who document the [[Health professional requisites|certification or licensing of health workers]] and their work history.<ref>Tulenko et al., "Framework and measurement issues for monitoring entry into the health workforce." ''Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of human resources for health''. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2012.</ref>

===Health information technology===
{{see|Health information technology|Health information management|Health informatics|eHealth|Health technology}}
Health information technology (HIT) is "the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making."<ref>{{cite web|title=Health information technology — HIT|url=http://www.healthit.gov/unintended-consequences/content/glossary.html#h|website=HealthIT.gov|access-date=5 August 2014|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160429/http://www.healthit.gov/unintended-consequences/content/glossary.html#h|url-status=live}}</ref>

Health information technology components:
* [[Electronic health record]] (EHR) – An EHR contains a patient's comprehensive medical history, and may include records from multiple providers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/electronic-medical-records-emr|title=Definition and Benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) {{!}} Providers & Professionals {{!}} HealthIT.gov|website=www.healthit.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-11-27|archive-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909080734/https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/electronic-medical-records-emr|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Electronic Medical Record]] (EMR) – An EMR contains the standard medical and clinical data gathered in one's provider's office.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Health information exchange]] (HIE) – Health Information Exchange allows health care professionals and patients to appropriately access and securely share a patient's vital medical information electronically.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthit.gov/HIE|title=Official Information about Health Information Exchange (HIE) {{!}} Providers & Professionals {{!}} HealthIT.gov|website=www.healthit.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-11-27|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160341/https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/health-information-exchange|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Medical practice management software]] (MPM) – is designed to streamline the day-to-day tasks of operating a medical facility. Also known as practice management software or practice management system (PMS).{{cn|date=May 2024}}
* [[Personal health record]] (PHR) – A PHR is a patient's medical history that is maintained privately, for personal use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/what-personal-health-record|title=What is a personal health record? {{!}} FAQs {{!}} Providers & Professionals {{!}} HealthIT.gov|website=www.healthit.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-11-27|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222160342/https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-personal-health-record-0|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Health care by country]]
* [[Global health]]
* [[Healthcare system]] / [[Health professionals]]
* [[Tobacco politics|Tobacco control laws]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
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* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Travel health}}

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