Many factors influence the basic characteristic of the health care system in any country. These factors include the political climate of a country, technological and economic development, social and cultural values. Population characteristic such as health and demographic trends, physical population influences the character of the health care system. The combined effect of all these factors influences the course of health care delivery. The paper focuses on the effect of imperfect markets in the US in relation to victims of a motor vehicle collisions and posttraumatic stress disorders. It will also explore the differences in the systems as compared to other nations.
Generally, patients have various degrees of choice in selecting their providers. However, true economic market forces do virtually not drive the national health care system in the US. This happens despite the private sector controlling most of the health care system. In a free market, victims of posttraumatic stress disorder can choose to receive services from any provider. In this way, they can be able to receive the value for the services rendered. Posttraumatic stress disorder patients require specialized health care treatment different from other inpatient patients. Hence, having different providers to choose from will increase access to treatment (Shi & Singh, 2008).
The forces of free markets will increase the quantity demanded saree pricesares lowered for given services hence many victims of posttraumatic stress disorder will receive services. On the contrary, the number of services demanded will decrease as the price increases. From an outlook, it appears as if multi providers do exist in the US. Most patients are either enrolling in the private sector or in government-sponsored schemes such as Medicare and Medicaid. These plans act as intermediates between victims of posttraumatic stress disorders and health care providers.
In some plans, the power shift from the patients to the administrators of the plans. In respect, this implies that the health plans are the real buyers in the health care services instead of patients. Consequently, the victims of posttraumatic stress disorder may not receive the necessary attention. Private health plans on the other hand offer their members enrollment to a limited choice of providers rather than having an open system.
In a free market, providers compete on the basis of price and quality. However, in the US the consolidation of buying power in the hand of private health plans is forcing the providers to form alliances on the delivery side. The consideration of such a plan put into perspective the issue of technology in the provision of health services.
Victims of motor vehicle collisions sometimes require some specialized treatment, which requires the use of advanced technology. The US have made considerable advancement in medical technology. The growth in technology supported by innovation and research creates demand for new services. This shrinks resources to finance sophisticated care for motor vehicle collision victims. The demand increases the cost of health care providers in the US.
Sometimes victims of motor vehicle collisions and posttraumatic stress disorder receive services, which are not confined to the hospital and physician offices, where most of the health care is provided. Consequently, some new settings such as home health, outpatient surgery centers, and sub-acute care units have emerged up.
In conclusion, imperfect perfects in the US have affected the provision of health care services to the victims of motor vehicle collisions and posttraumatic stress disorder. The imperfect perfect, which is, partially market-driven affect the quality of services provided in the US as compared to other nations in the world. These victims require specialized healthcare provision, which sometimes differs from other healthcare services.
Reference
Shi, L. & Singh, D. (2008). Delivering health care in America: a systems approach. New York: Jones, & Bartlett Learning.