Health care delivery

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Health care delivery

Health care delivery (pronunciation: /ˈhelTH ˌker dɪˈliv(ə)rē/) refers to the provision of health services to patients. It encompasses a wide range of services, from preventive care to treatment and rehabilitation.

Etymology

The term "health care delivery" is derived from the English words "health", "care", and "delivery". "Health" comes from the Old English hǣlth, which means "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well". "Care" is from the Old English caru or cære, which means "sorrow, anxiety, grief", and by extension, "burden, charge, care". "Delivery" comes from the Old French delivrer, which means "to set free".

Components of Health care delivery

Health care delivery is composed of several key components:

  • Primary care: This is the first point of contact for patients and involves general health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment of common illnesses.
  • Secondary care': This involves specialized care that is typically provided by hospitals or specialists upon referral from primary care providers.
  • Tertiary care: This is a higher level of specialized care, typically provided in facilities such as research centers or specialized hospitals.
  • Quaternary care: This is an even more specialized level of care, often involving complex treatments and procedures.

Related Terms

  • Health care system: The organization of people, institutions, and resources to deliver health care services to meet the health needs of a population.
  • Health care quality: The degree to which health care services increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.
  • Health care reform: Efforts to change health policies at the local, state, or national level.
  • Health care law: The legal rules, regulations, and guidelines related to health care.

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