Health Care Systems and Health Policies

In the context of the rather complex healthcare system in the United States that the pharmacist, like other healthcare providers, has to navigate in order to provide the needed services for patients, the primary goal of this course is to provide a thorough understanding of the healthcare system, health care delivery in the various settings and how services are paid for in the United States and draw parallels with selected developed and developing countries healthcare systems. An additional goal is to promote the pharmacist as a public health advocate in addition to providing patient-centered care. This course describes the components of a healthcare system; the goals and functions of the system, and how the system is assessed for attainment, performance, and quality. It also examines the key features of the U.S. healthcare system, the organization of healthcare delivery in the U.S., and the financing mechanisms for paying for healthcare; these are compared with those from other countries. Healthcare system regulation is covered by addressing health policy development, implementation, and evaluation and health care reform with special reference to the Affordable Care Act (ACA, 2010). The rising healthcare and medication costs in the U.S. and the strategies for containing those, whiles promoting access and quality in the system are addressed. An overview of basic public health concepts, key agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and Pharmacy practice and career paths in the U.S. Public Health Service conclude the course.