The continuum of care involves persistent, coordinated treatment of patients through all stages of engagement with the health care system. It incorporates medical interventions at the level of primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care (Bowie and Green 15). By providing coordinated treatment at all stages and across involved organizations, it is possible to improve patient outcomes through minimized redundancy and increased efficiency (Hardin et al. 6). For example, annual physical examinations can help identify actual and potential health issues early, enabling timely and effective treatment across the rest of the continuum. Similarly, computed tomography scans can reveal critical internal changes in aspects like a muscle mass that may necessitate secondary care referrals and inform all further treatment. Rehabilitation, including post-traumatic physical therapy, is essential at the other end of the continuum, enabling full recovery after the treatment. Thus, services aimed at early identification of illness and after-treatment programs are crucial parts of the continuum.
One of the main benefits of the continuum of care-oriented approach is a reduction in costs for both health care providers and patients. The implementation of effective interprofessional collaboration along the continuum of care lines can cut both gross charges and direct expenses at participating organizations in half (Hardin et al. 8). Identifying problems early, whether through annual physical examinations or computed tomography scans, can allow patients to avoid much costlier later treatments, especially in the case of progressive diseases. Better coordination of computed tomography services can solve the problem of over-testing, which is a common drain on organization and patient resources (Hardin et al. 8). Physical rehabilitation is irreplaceable as a means of restoring overall health, making relapses and new health problems less likely, and allowing patients to save money in the long term. Patients also benefit financially from general improvements to the efficiency of health care, as treatments become more successful and cost-effective.
Works Cited
Bowie, Mary Jo, and Michelle Green. Essentials of Health Information Management: Principles and Practices. 3rd ed., Cengage Learning, 2014.
Hardin, Lauran, et al. “Competing Health Care Systems and Complex Patients: An Inter-Professional Collaboration to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Health Care Costs.” Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, vol. 7, no. 1, 2017, pp. 5-10.