Healthcare services mean medical services administered to an individual to prevent, treat, cure or heal illnesses, injuries, or disabilities. It also means any medical care or service administered in connection to healthcare recognized by the state laws.
The healthcare industry is made up of a comprehensive system of therapeutic, remedial, and preventive services. Providing these services are; Medical Laboratories, Clinics, government, and volunteer agencies, medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare professionals, Nursing care providers like; Angel Nursing Health Care Services Potomac, private insurance companies, and Hospitals.
Although healthcare covers all areas of medical services, it is however categorized into four main services. Listed below are the four major services in healthcare. And if you are looking for a highly-trusted gold coast physio and a top-notch provider of other allied health services, click the given link.
Health Promotion
Health promotion involves the programs, activities, and processes that aid an individual or group of people to increase control over their health. Over time, it has been established that public health professionals, Non-governmental organizations, and various health professionals have been the major players in health promotion. This is evident in their awareness programs. Awareness programs against breast cancer, the effect of tobacco consumption, and proper breastfeeding have proven to be effective movements in health promotion. Other examples of health promotion services are; promotion of child and family nutrition, promotion of early literacy, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention, and education. Example of organizations involved in health promotion services include World Health Organization, United Nations, Society for Family Health, Center for Disease Control, and so on
Disease Prevention
Disease prevention is often time used interchangeably or misinterpreted for health promotion. Disease prevention differs from health promotion as it focuses on efforts at reducing the development of chronic diseases and morbidity. An example of a disease prevention service is the administration of the COVID 19 vaccines to the populace. Usually, disease prevention is a prophylactic procedure. Disease prevention can also be achieved through consumption of healthy foods, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis and treatment go hand in hand because it is after the root cause of a disease has been established that treatment can then be administered for such a disease. Diagnosis is the identification of disease through signs and symptoms while treatment is the administration of drugs, surgery, or other forms of care to eradicate a disease condition.
To break it down further, when you go to a doctor with a fever, stomach ache, and maybe headaches, the doctor will note down these symptoms and might ask you to carry out some tests. This process is called the diagnosis process. Once the root cause of the symptoms has been established the doctor will go ahead to administer drugs. They will also make sure to help you note down the dosage of the prescribed drugs. This process is referred to as treatment. Treatment can also be in the form of surgery.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a form of healthcare service aimed at helping an individual gain back a function or ability he or she might have lost as a result of a disease, injury, or accident. Usually, rehabilitation services are rendered by specialists like cardiologists, physiotherapists, athlete chiropractors, etc.
For example, a person who has had a heart attack may need the help of a cardiologist to be able to breathe well again. Likewise, a person with a stroke may need the help of a physiotherapist to help with their motor skills. In the same vein, a person suffering from memory loss as a result of an accident may need help for memory restoration. Other rehabilitation services include cognitive rehabilitation to help improve thinking, learning, planning, and decision making. Music therapy to help improve feeling and social connection. Recreational therapy to help improve emotional well-being through arts, exercise, and relaxation. Speech therapy to help with speaking, reading, and swallowing. Depending on the severity of an individual’s condition or taste, rehabilitation services may be carried out at offices, hospitals, homes, or rehabilitation centers.
In conclusion, healthcare services play a major role in human wellbeing. Thus, there is a need to know what it entails and what to look out for while sourcing for the services of healthcare providers. In order to enjoy adequate healthcare, you need to be proactive. The knowledge of the above will help in making the right choice and help you live a healthy lifestyle.