When someone wants to learn about a new place or a new culture they might begin to do so by researching main topics like food, religion, climate, location, etc. Something that is almost never considered when learning about a new culture is healthcare. Since I am interested in the pursuing a career in the healthcare field, the differences between the American healthcare system and the Italian healthcare system was a subject that I was interested to learn more about. During my stay in Italy I had the chance to experience the Italian healthcare system first hand. Working in a private medical clinic allowed me to directly compare my experiences in the United States to those that I had in Italy. While both the United States and Italy are developed …show more content…
Through my own experiences, I can see that this relationship is very different in these two places. In America, it is most common for a patient to arrive at a doctor’s office and then be shown into an examination room where they wait for the doctor to come in. In Italy, the doctor stays in one room, and the patient goes to them. In America, doctors ask patients questions about their health and spend very little time getting to know the patient or talking about their personal lives. In Italy, it is considered very rude to not have a long conversation with the patient about everything and anything that is going on in their lives before moving on to the medical questions. This practice comes from Italian culture and is actually very similar to how they enjoy meals. Every meal, and social interaction for that matter, is a long process where you are expected to sit and talk for a long time. It makes sense that this social practice seeps into the healthcare …show more content…
Many of the basic rights, like privacy, are the same in both countries. In Italy, however, the rights of the patient are much more limited than in the United States. For example, Italy does not have a legal order of “Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)”. In the United States, the patient has the right to choose if and/or how long life-extending measures should be carried out. In Italy, it is completely up to the doctor of when to stop these procedures; the patient has absolutely no say in the matter. Another shocking example of the lack of patient rights in Italy, is that doctors can choose to not share a cancer diagnosis with a patient. A doctor has the ability to keep the true diagnosis of cancer or other terminal illnesses hidden from the patient. Often times a patient will get one copy of the results, while their family gets a different copy with the actual results. Many feel that the patient has to deal with the illness so the family takes the burden of the diagnosis. I feel that this practice ties into the cultural aspect of “La Dolce Vita” or the sweet life. Italians believe that life should be sweet and lived to the fullest. A terminal diagnosis would only get in the way of achieving this goal. If in the United States a doctor withheld a terminal diagnosis from a patient, there would be very many
"Viaggiando manterrà il vostro cuore giovane nella vostra mente forte," was one of the many inspirational quotes told to me by my Italian grandmother. Storytelling was her forte. And it is because of these stories of her life that I developed an obsession for Italy and travel. Full of energy and complete wanderlust, she lived life to the fullest, passing away at 94. I often wonder if her long life had anything to do with growing up in Italy, and whether her lifestyle choices varied significantly from that of American culture. From a business perspective, GDP is an oftentimes used term to describe the government’s spending habits. And as a business major intent on making a positive difference in our society, I can’t help but wonder why Italians have a much longer lifespan, yet spend nearly half of what the United States do on their health care system.
Health care in France and The United States: Learning from each other. Paul V. Dutton, Associate Professor of European History, Northern Arizona University Research Fellow, HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The health care system in Italy compared to the health care system in America is completely different from one another. Italy and America take two completely different approaches to a health care system which is supported by income tax and the private health sector (Glauco). In America the public health system is restricted to Medicare and Medicaid, which in turn means the private health insurance is the main source of health coverage (Glauco). The citizens of Italy pay approximately 50% of their income tax in order to receive free health coverage (Glauco). To some, Italy’s health care system may seem more reasonable. However, the system can become tricky, since the free healthcare is limited to emergency services and general practitioner visits (Glauco). Any specialty doctor visit has a cost as well as some prescriptions
Walter Cronkite once said “America's health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system.” The unorganized health care “system” in the US leaves many without the medical attention they desperately need. However on the other side of the globe, another developed nation portrays the complete opposite. Japan uses a form of the Bismarck model fused with its cultural values to achieve an effective health care system that produces better health outcomes at lower costs; however, there are downfalls to this system.
In the contemporary world, America is one of the greatest countries. From the polio vaccine to Coca Cola, United States is mother to many inventions. As Americans, we enjoy higher quality living standards than most other parts of the world. This pleasure-oriented lifestyle makes a lot of other nations envious of us. And with the envy comes antipathy. For the time it has existed, the American healthcare system has been a subject of scrutiny and debate.
Newman, Alex. “Examining Healthcare: A Look Around the Globe at Nationalized Systems.” The New American. 15 Sep. 2008: 10. eLibrary. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
The U.S. healthcare system is very complex in structure hence it can be appraised with diverse perspectives. From one viewpoint it is described as the most unparalleled health care system in the world, what with the cutting-edge medical technology, the high quality human resources, and the constantly-modernized facilities that are symbolic of the system. This is in addition to the proliferation of innovations aimed at increasing life expectancy and enhancing the quality of life as well as diagnostic and treatment options. At the other extreme are the fair criticisms of the system as being fragmented, inefficient and costly. What are the problems with the U.S. healthcare system? These are the questions this opinion paper tries to propound.
When it comes to health matters, everyone becomes attentive. People believe that with good health, one can virtually accomplish anything that they desire. This is the reason to as why health is given all the attention. It is important to have a clear understanding of the meaning of the term health, healthcare and systems that are put in place to facilitate healthcare.
One of the most commonly debated topics in recent American history has been that of health care. Would Americans be able to reap more benefits if individuals continue to be independent in their pursuits of health care, or would it be beneficial for all if the government introduced more regulations regarding health care, changing our system to resemble those of other developed countries? As more solutions are offered, it becomes harder for people to reach a consensus on the best way to approach this issue. Despite this, America must decide what system of healthcare will benefit the most citizens and improve the quality of life the most. It is becoming increasingly apparent that a universal healthcare system would be the most effective and
A country’s health care system refers to all the institutions, programs, personnel, procedures, and the resources that are used to meet the health needs of its population. Health care systems vary from one country to another, depending on government policies and the health needs of the population. Besides, health care programs are flexible in the sense that they are tailored to meet health needs as they arise. Among the stakeholders in the formulation of a country’s health care system are governments, religious groups, non-governmental organizations, charity organizations, trade/labor unions, and interested individuals (Duckett, 2008). These entities formulate, implement, evaluate, and reform health services according to the needs of the sections of the population they target.
Healthcare is the maintenance or restoration of health by treatment from trained and licensed professionals (Webster). The American people faced many issues with the way the healthcare system is split up. There are four basic healthcare models the United States usescurrently. First, PBS describes that the Beveridge model, covered/ran by the government, through tax payments. This is the only model used in Great Britain but in America it only covers veterans and soldiers, in Great Britain everyone in the country has coverage by it . Another system model the US takes up is the Bismarck model,it helps people to buy their own health insurance through their employer (Healthcare Economist). Three main countries that use this model are Japan, Switzerland, and Germany whose ex-leader, Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, created the Bismarck method of health care. Which not only covers 90% of their country but allowsthe rich 10% opt out (Reid&Palfreman). An Americans third model option takes of the ideas of both Beveridge and Bismarck and its name is the National Health Insurance (NHI), which Taiwan operates with. The NHI allows private providers to become a choice even though citizens. These four systems have been used for decades and President Obama has put a bill together to propose a change in America'shealthcare. The Affordable Care Act [Obamacare], will give coverage through employers, help people find their own insurance, or government coverage through Medicare for the elderly, and Medicaid for a 1/3 of others (KFF). Medicaid is offered for those with low income, but only states with governors and legislators who approve for this one actually benefit the KFF (Kaiser family foundation) explained. Those who don't have or want health insuranc...
Dr. Smilkstein’s learning process is brilliant. The Natural Human Learning Process describes the six steps that the human brain goes through when learning something new. The process describes the way we learn different skills and the way our emotions can determine the way we learn. This process has helped me and other humans to understand the way the human brain works along with the way we learn.
Italy is a developed country in Europe with a population of 59.83 million people. Life expectancy is the second highest in Europe and ranks tenth in the world, having an average lifespan of 82.2 years. Italian healthcare has been universal since 1978 and has remained effective ever since. Italy is ranked as the second best healthcare system, just behind France. There are many factors that ensure the effectiveness of the Italian healthcare system, such as government funding and individual cost, private insurance companies, medical technology, and preventative measures and the spread of diseases.
Today, 108 years later, much has changed within the health care arena. Presently, there is an increase in the number of persons resorting to the public hospitals and public clinics for medical attention. For those that are in good financial standing they make use of private hospitals or/and other private medical facilities. While some people may use the public medical facilities by choice, there are others whom, because of their income or lack of income, have no other alternative but to fall at the hands of the public services. Too, for many years the Bahamas has had the problem of immigrants from Haiti crossing the Bahamian borders illegally and this therefore results in an increase in the funds allocated for the health care industry.
are changing as more immigrants are entering this country and the health care system. Cocultures