As we wrap up the end of the semester, it was interesting to read about the importance of healthcare in the final chapter. Right away, the text emphasizes that the health care industry is advancing and becoming more refined than ever before. With its sophistication, causes individuals to be more aware of the complexity when purchasing its products and services. I found it interesting to read about when to seek medical treatment. Learning about self-care is not only cost-effective, but it also saves a trip to the doctor’s office or clinic. However, there are times that one should seek medical care when the illness or injury occurs. Some common forms of self-care include proper use of over-the-counter remedies, eating a healthy diet, and assessing health care information resources and only using well-known health books and websites. There are many at-home diagnostic kits are available for allergies, HIV, pregnancy, and many other conditions. It’s important to realize the times when you need to seek help, which include accidents that include extreme bleeding or inability to use the injured body, sudden fever over 102 degrees fahrenheit, or trauma to the head or spine along with blurred headache, loss of consciousness or persistent headaches.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 350)
It was interesting to read about energy therapies, which focuses on energy fields thought to originate either within the body or other sources. However, these fields have not been experimentally proven. The energy fields include acupressure, qigong, and acupuncture. Acupressure is based on energy flow such as qi, and applies pressure. In traditional chinese medicine, qigong is a technique that brings movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing together, which increases the flow of qi. Acupuncture is one of the most popular TCM therapies, and one of the oldest In this therapy, small needles are precisely placed to various parts of the body to relieve a wide variety of health conditions. Even though I am not a big fan of needles, it would be interesting to try out acupuncture. I would definitely want to go with someone so I didn’t have to face the needles all alone.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 363)
Lastly, an important topic while reading this chapter was the issue facing the health care system. The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, which was designated to provide a means for all Americans to obtain health care that would be affordable. One issue that arises from this act is the cost of health care. Insurance systems add to America’s high health care costs by increasing consolidation. Within the private health insurance market, only four companies dominate with a total of 83 percent. I was unaware that reduced competition promotes higher premiums because the affordable insurance depends on rivalry within the market. Even with the ACA in place, many health professionals still believe the health care system in the U.S has failed and therefore, should be replaced. I took a course in Healthcare in the U.S, and from that course, and from reading this chapter, I learned how important it is to understand the health care system we are using, and that we aren’t just getting a health plan that we don’t understand and the small details associated with health insurance plans. The text advises people to read the compiled evidence on what is and isn’t working in the health care system, and to base our decisions on how to improve the health care delivery in the U.S, leaving our biased opinions.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 367)
Health Aspect:
I had an overall good, but busy weekend. I went into the city yesterday and enjoyed a nice night out, going ice skating (my favorite) and then going to Eataly. I ordered pastries that were delicious, but were a bit expensive. Today, I went out to lunch with my family, and ordered a margarita pizza that was very tasty and ended up doing homework for the rest of the day. I have to study for the final lab practical that is on Tuesday, and I am getting nervous about finals. I know it is important to not stress and to prepare the best I can for when finals begin. I am excited for break and getting the chance to spend time with family. However, I need to finish strong, ending the semester so I can enjoy the time off. I want to continue my goals of running while on break, and continuing on exercising at home. Even though the last couple of days I haven’t been eating healthy, I want to get back into the swing of healthy meals now that I am done celebrating my birthday with family and friends. Best of luck to everyone on finals and I have loved reading the blogs during the semester. Great job everyone!
Health Aspect 