Factors Affecting Health Care Utilization - Essay Example

Health Care Utilization Introduction In the healthcare sector, accessibility of patients to care and treatment services is the most important compulsion right. In this respect, healthcare facilities are entitled with the responsibility to ensure that patients are offered with effective healthcare services. Health care facilities operating within a nation are required to enhance their operational efficiencies in order to serve each and every individual with required treatment needs (Andersen, 1995). In this context, the essay discusses the factors that might affect in healthcare utilization of John. Additionally, the mutable and immutable factors in relation to the case scenario are identified and discussed. Subsequently, the essay comprises recommendation techniques through which all his associated mutable factors might be transformed for effective healthcare utilization. Factors Affecting Utilization The provided case described about an individual named John Q., who has recently moved on to a rural community. Presently, John’s father has a heart attack and accordingly, John is in urgent need of medical aid, as he is suffering from high blood pressure for the fear of heredity disease. He possesses a Medicaid for meager financial condition. Based on the Medicaid he wants to consult a physician in the healthcare facilities located in the area for his treatment needs. However, there are certain factors including low income, which acted as a barrier in his approach to consult desired physician appropriately. Additionally, factors including underdevelopment of the area and lack of transportation among others are acting as a hindrance in his healthcare utilization (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010; Andersen, 1995). According to the provided case and the health belief model of Andersen, it can be recognized that John’s father undergoing a severe heart attack has put John in a traumatic situation making him feel that he might also be subjected to similar kind of health related issues, as he is suffering from high blood pressure. Moreover, his poor financial condition is another important factor, which is affecting in better utilization of healthcare. Additionally, distance of the nearby Medicaid facility has further influenced the mental stability of John due to lack of sufficient transportation facilities. John resides in a non-urban area owing to which he fails in obtaining adequate healthcare support, as in rural area the availability of healthcare, pediatric and medical experts are less. The schedule timing of the healthcare facility located in around 40 miles from his place is another crucial factor affecting in healthcare utilization. Moreover, John is also required to make an appointment two weeks before in order to meet the primary care physician. It also implies that there is a lack of full-service healthcare facilities within the area (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010; Andersen, 1995). Identification of the Mutable and the Immutable Factors According to the model of health services utilization developed, healthcare utilization is dependent on two most important factors that include mutable factors and immutable factors. Mutable factors are the issues that can be mitigated with the implementation of better social norms. On the other hand, immutable factored are the problems, which cannot be resolved by adopting different policy initiatives. On effective evaluation of the provided case, multiple mutable and immutable factors can be identified. Factors such as low income, behavior and healthcare facility location can be considered as mutable factors, since these factors can be resolved by undergoing change or implementation of social policies depending upon the needs. However, the factor relating to John suffering from high blood pressure and the chances of being subjected to heart attacks due to hereditary effect is immutable and thus, cannot be changed. Other factors such as the schedule date, physician appointment and timing of the Medicaid facility can also be considered as a mutable factor due to the reason that changes in timing and appointment factors completely depends on the facility management (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010; Andersen, 1995). Changing Mutable Factors In the case scenario, John is identified to be influenced by different factors, which are affecting his healthcare utilization. The mutable factors such as fear of heredity disease and distance of the healthcare facility are creating hindrance in the effective utilization of healthcare services. The aforementioned mutable factors can be mitigated by shifting to a location with ample transportation as well as healthcare facilities. In this regard, the change of the mutual factors might aid in effective utilization of healthcare services (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010). The second mutable factor i.e. meager financial condition is one of the most crucial aspects hindering in the effective utilization of healthcare services. This mutual factor might change by attaining a new position within the present company where he is currently working or might get a better job opportunity in some other company. In both the cases, it can be expected that John might receive a better salary package. Subsequently, John with a better job package might be able to improve his current troublesome condition. John cam also make an effort to adjust the appointment time with the physician in the healthcare facility located within 40 miles from the resident place (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010; Andersen, 1995). The third mutable factor is lack of transportation services in the area. In this regard, the issue of transportation services might be mitigated in the community through the implementation of social norms relating to the development of the public transportation system. Additionally, transportation system provided by healthcare facilities operating in the area might mitigate the issue transportation for patients and others. In addition, the development as well as implementation of better healthcare services outreach programs might assist in the successful provision of healthcare services in underdeveloped areas. In this respect, John with the change of the identified mutable factors might be assisted with the opportunity of effectively utilizing healthcare services provided within the area through Medicaid (Barsukiewicz et al., 2010; Andersen, 1995). Conclusion The case scenario depicted different factors that include low income, low financial position, fear of hereditary disease, distance of healthcare facilities and lack of public transportations among others are identified to influence John in effectively utilizing healthcare services. In this regard, it can be comprehended from the foregoing discussion that the mutable factors might be changed, which would ensure John in using his Medicaid appropriately. In this context, John holds multiple opportunities of changing mutable factors and accordingly, attains appropriate medical attention at times of urgent medical needs. Thus, the change in the mutual factors through better income packages, changing resident location to a better developed area and improved transportation system might assist John in effective healthcare utilization. References Andersen, R. M. (1995). Revisiting the behavioral model and access to medical care: Does it matter? Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, 36(1), 1-10. Barsukiewicz, C., Raffel, M., & Raffel, N. (2010). The U.S. health system: Origins and functions. United States of America: Cengage Learning. Read More