Health services are activities that aim to protect, promote and improve health by preventing or alleviating disease, injury and disability. They can be delivered in a variety of ways, from primary care to specialty medical and surgical services, as well as community support, and rehabilitation. Health services can be offered in hospitals, private practices, or public agencies. They are provided by a wide range of professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists and pharmacists, as well as many others.
The goal of health services is to keep people healthy and functioning as fully as possible. Health services may also be referred to as healthcare or medical services, though the latter term tends to denote more specific types of care such as hospitalization and medication.
A common entry-level career in healthcare is a registered nurse (RN). While most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree for this position, some prefer and even require a master’s. A master’s degree can help you advance into management roles within health care facilities.
In the United States, health care is a complex and evolving system with many players. Once a cottage industry of independent physicians, clinics and hospitals, today most cities have 3 to 4 integrated health systems with centralized administration anchored around large hospitals and extending into suburbia. These health systems consist of hospitals, primary and specialist physicians, and outpatient facilities that are linked to one another.
There are several different theories on how health care should be organized and delivered. A key philosophy is efficiency, which considers that the best way to maintain and improve health is by maximizing the use of available resources to treat or prevent illness. Other philosophical approaches include utilitarianism, in which the ethical right action is based on the principle that the greatest good for the greatest number of people should be the priority.
Another consideration is equity, which calls for equal access to healthcare services regardless of race, class or religion. This may be reflected in healthcare delivery policies such as those that encourage the development of health centers and hospitals in rural areas or those that provide support for underserved communities, including pregnant women, children, the elderly and patients with HIV/AIDS.
In addition to treating diseases and injuries, health services can help prevent them by promoting healthy lifestyles. This includes encouraging breastfeeding, smoking cessation, regular physical activity and a balanced diet. It also involves screening for certain diseases, such as pap smears, breast cancer and colon cancer.
As a basic human right, everyone should have access to affordable and quality health services. This should be reflected in healthcare policies, which should take into account the needs of different populations and communities, as well as environmental and economic conditions. These factors influence the level of availability and accessibility of healthcare services, which can impact self-rated health and mortality rates.