Quality Gap In Health Care

Great Essays
Quality Gap in Healthcare Scientific research can be thought of as a complex problem-solving endeavor (Leong & Austin, 2006). Research is conducted to refine or reject theories or to develop new theories (Leong & Austin, 2006). Current research shows that health disparities are systematically linked with socially disadvantaged populations (Braveman, Kumanyika, Fielding, LaVeist, Borrell, Manderscheid, & Troutman, 2011). Health disparities are avoidable health differences according to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), or other characteristics associated with discrimination or marginalization (Braveman, et al., 2011). When attempting to improve the health status of individuals in developed countries, the primary focus is on improving …show more content…
Nearly six years later, the effectiveness of the ACA is still questionable. Hospitals located in low to middle class neighborhoods are seeing more volume, and thus more revenue. Others are taxed by the burden of patients with government mandated insurances. Further study is needed to determine if the physical conditions of the hospitals in low SES neighborhoods have improved since the ACA’s enactment, and if the health of socially marginalized individuals has improved. The primary purpose of this study is to determine if the quality gap in hospitals located in low SES and high SES communities has decreased since the enactment of the ACA. Further, this study seeks to determine if the overall health of socially marginalized groups has increased since the ACA took effect. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs may be appropriate for this purpose. Both methods have inherent strengths and weaknesses. The following paper will address the appropriateness of a qualitative and quantitative research design when determining the effectiveness of the ACA.
Quantitative Research
…show more content…
The secondary purpose is to determine if access to health care has improved the overall health of socially marginalized groups. Qualitative research methods are appropriate to explore the deeper impact that hospital conditions have on the self-worth of a person. Interviews with individuals impacted by the ACA can also speak to improvements (or decline) in health of the individual. However, qualitative methods alone are inadequate to address all of the research questions. A qualitative description of hospital conditions will vary according to the person interviewed. One person may be satisfied with the conditions of the hospital, while another is completely dissatisfied. Therefore, an exclusively qualitative method is not

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Health Policy Case Study

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The end of the “separate-but-equal” provision of the Hill Burton Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and federally funded Medicare and Medicaid have changed the way hospitals operate forever. Even privately owned hospitals could no longer continue the segregation and discrimination of people. They simply couldn’t afford loosing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, as well as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans that would no longer pay for patients unless the hospitals agree to comply.…

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    A possible cause of this problem is healthcare has ties to social injustices, opportunities, quality of life to our patients and our communities. Health and health care disparities can be described as the differences which cannot be explained by variety in health care needs, patient preferences, or treatment recommendations. Articles reviewed…

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Disparities In Healthcare

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Healthcare disparities exist among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States. It 's a basic human right to receive the highest quality of care regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and the level of treatment or quality of care people receive should not be determined by their race or ethnicity. Although people are aware of this, yet not everyone gets the same quality of care or treatment in the U.S. The United States spends more money on healthcare delivery than most developed countries, and yet the quality of healthcare is lower than most of the developed countries due to healthcare disparities among racial/ethnic minorities (Lavizzo-Mourey, R., 2008). Racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to disproportionately suffer from healthcare…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The health care system in America is very diverse with different races and cultural groups from a different part of the world. We also have a lot of vulnerable patients from low-income families and people of color; as nurses, we have the duty and responsibilities to advocate for these patients fairly with no discrimination to provide them with the care they need. The purpose of this discussion post is to describe ethical dilemma, health disparities and the current population health, discuss the pros and cons of health care reform and the Affordable Care Act and the principles of Social Justice and Human Rights Protection in the Reduction of Health Disparities. Ethical Dilemma associated with State of Population and Health Disparities An ethical…

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Addressing Disparities

    • 308 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Discuss some of the efforts currently underway to address disparities in care, including the ACA. As mentioned in the text, disparities in health care system are prevalent, with racial and ethnic minorities receiving lower-quality of care in a variety of health care settings and across a range of medical conditions. However, these disparities not only affect the groups facing disparities, but also limit overall improvements in quality of care and health for the broader population.…

    • 308 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Health Disparities Essay

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Common Health Disparities in the Latino Population As individuals progress throughout their lives, healthcare plays an important role. Individuals rely on health care services to provide strong mental and physical health on their wellbeing. The types of health care that may be provided could consist of, but are not limited to, routine visits, surgery, rehabilitation, medications or full body screenings. Ultimately, the health care systems, as a whole, would be able to provide these necessary services. A main issue with healthcare is that not everyone receives the same quality of care.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In this Scenario it talks about the effects that the Healthcare Reform Bill of 2010 has had on the American economy. Yes, there has been a tremendous amount of individuals who still lack the opportunity to be insured due to living below the poverty level or the lack of having the means, because even though it is offered from their employees the rates are still too expensive for them to be able to afford it for their entire household. Also, there is a stipulation clause that is set in place that puts an emphasis on whether or not one even is eligible for this new found insurance and if one does not meet that quota they are not eligible to even receive the new health insurance. Prior to 2010 this problem with the lack of coverage was in the…

    • 1229 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many researchers have identified health disparities the goal is look at the the cyclical pattern that ultimately results in widened disparities in health care between minority groups and the majority and in continued discrimination of minority group( e.g., Buki, Borrayo, Feigal & Carrillo, 2004; Clegg, Li, Hankey, Chu, & Edwards,2002) . According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states there is inequality in the quality of care given. For example if a white person suffered from a cardiovascular disease and a person of color suffered from the same thing would they received the same treatment? With health disparities healthcare becomes bias because society tends to aid the white person first and better versus the person of color. The first definition of health disparity was found in September 1999, Director Harold Varmus that worked for the white house was charged with creating a…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The health disparities epidemic between immigrants and nonimmigrants in the United States is identified as an immense health concern and requires immediate attention. An immigrant is any person who goes to another country to live permanently. According to the American Community Survey (ACS), in 2014 immigrants made up more than 42.4 million, or 13.3%, of the total U.S. population. The disparity in health between U.S born citizens and immigrants is a challenging problem among professionals in the United States. The health of individuals is important so they can live with an optimal level of functioning.…

    • 1561 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Health Care Disparities

    • 168 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Health care disparities have been an issue that is of great interest to public health professionals. Several efforts have been made in efforts to reduce the existing health disparities. Health care disparities are politically sensitive issues and because they are interlaced with race relations, it poses a threat to achieving an overall healthy population. The issues of health care disparities are deeply rooted in socio economic status, culture, access to health care services, utilization of healthcare services, utilization of preventative care, genetics and other social determinants of health. David Satcher presents evidence of this problem where he writes “African American men have the greatest rate of lung cancer from smoking, and both African…

    • 168 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Disparities In Healthcare

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Collaborating for a Better Health Care Systems Minority communities and people from rural areas distrust health and other government systems due to a number of reasons. Zekeri and Habte research about perceived factors that influence disparities in health found that indicate that perceived racial discrimination, mistrust issues with Caucasians and mistrust with public institutions are major factors that influence disparities in health (Zekeri & Habte, (2006). Making health a culture means that we have to strengthen connections between our health care systems, public health systems, and the community. Health care providers and professionals who care for the patients will have a greater influence and impact if they are supported by infrastructures…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    in many ways, in healthcare blacks have been regulated and separated to different hospitals, so even denied care completely. Lyndon B. Johnson brought upon 2 programs called Medicaid and Medicare. These programs vastly improved access to hospital care for racial and ethnic minority Americans on Medicare. “They led to significant improvements in access to care for minority patients, improvements in the quality of care provided to minority patients, and greater diversity among the providers serving them. ”(James 2015)…

    • 1286 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Health Resources and Services Administration defines health disparities as population specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or even access to healthcare (Health Resources & Services Administration, 2016, para. 1). Age, race or ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, disability, and geographic location all contribute to an individual’s ability to achieve good health. Studies have shown that these groups have higher rates of chronic conditions along with higher prevalence of mortality and poorer health outcomes, when compared with other populations. It is important to recognize the impact of these social determinants on health outcomes of these populations. In the film, The American Nurse, we…

    • 1290 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Plan members must select a primary care practitioner which could be a physician, physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. The primary care is responsible for coordinating health delivery for plan members. Receiving care by a specialist physician will require a referral from the primary care provider (PCP.) This cost containment strategy is intended to avoid service being duplicated by the PCP and the specialist. (www.amjc.com)…

    • 1227 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    According to the World Health Organization, health is considered a fundamental human right of every human being. However, as time has passed, the gap between health status or the lack thereof has widened between the marginalized and the privileged (Giddings, 2005). Social justice is an important element to incorporate in the nursing profession, as it is a key link to providing holistic health care not only for the patient, but also for the community and globally. Social justice is defined as equal distribution of resources and responsibilities, including wealth, opportunities and privileges in society.…

    • 1317 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays