Continuum of Care: How Health Care is Organized to Respond to Health Issues

Describe the continuum of care and how health care is organized to respond to health issues In the United States (U.S.), health care is organized to respond to health issues as needed. In recent years with the talk of health care reform, the continuum of care is a resurfacing issue. Most Americans seek health care only when needed. This could be because the fee for service, the payment received is only for that particular illness. In the continuum of care in rural community, based settings, this concept integrates health promotion and disease prevention, primary care, specialty outpatient and acute hospice care, tertiary care, intensive physical rehabilitation, long-term care, and palliative care and hospice (Laureate Education, 2011). In an urban setting, the continuum of care primarily falls upon the primary physician. In a rural setting, all of the above-mentioned services are found under one roof, specialty care can be divided into different clinics strategically located for the benefit of all the community. The continuum of care responds to all aspects of health care this would ensure a long relationship with the patient throughout the course of the disease
Analyze how geographic location and other factors impact the delivery of services along the continuum of care As stated earlier, geography can determine what types of services are available. Since health care delivery is a business, in urban area, the competition is steep. In metropolitan areas, there are a variety of hospitals, clinics, private practice, rehabilitative services and physicians of several disciplines. However, those who have employee-based insurance are usually eligible to seek services in certain localities within the organization. Medicaid insurance plans have a choice of two healthcare providers. The patient must choose a healthcare provider where services can be obtained but are limited to only a certain level of quality, depending on what state government sanctioned