University of Kentucky
Exploring Health and Health Care: Examining our Health Care Crisis and Potential Solutions for Kentucky and the Nation
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Thomas E. Wallace
Abstract
Health care is in crisis in Kentucky, and in the US as a whole. There are many misconceptions, emotions, and rhetoric surrounding health care. Many stakeholders have strong interests in the way in which our healthcare systems operate. This collective effort sought to identify the important potential approaches to improving our health system and involving the stakeholders in that solution. Using an Honors seminar approach, students presented and learned from each by addressing the following: What is health, and how is it defined? Should health care be a right or a privilege, or some combination? What is the history of US and Kentucky health care systems, including health care professions and health insurance? How do they influence our health system? How do economics drive our health care market? Who are the stakeholders in our country’s health care system, and what role do they play? How do they influence our health care system? To address these questions, students worked in teams, researched the health systems of at least 20 countries, and compared and contrasted these systems with those in the US. Through analysis of the resulting data, they then designed new health systems and discussed how one might influence the stakeholders to achieve such innovative models. Many positive ideas were created to bring about positive change to improve our health system. Interestingly, many students favored health care as a right with responsibility and accountability included, but realized that many of these ideas must deal with the varied and sometimes opposing interests of stakeholders. This presentation will expound on these innovative ideas and the issues surrounding their potential implementation.
Exploring Health and Health Care: Examining our Health Care Crisis and Potential Solutions for Kentucky and the Nation
Health care is in crisis in Kentucky, and in the US as a whole. There are many misconceptions, emotions, and rhetoric surrounding health care. Many stakeholders have strong interests in the way in which our healthcare systems operate. This collective effort sought to identify the important potential approaches to improving our health system and involving the stakeholders in that solution. Using an Honors seminar approach, students presented and learned from each by addressing the following: What is health, and how is it defined? Should health care be a right or a privilege, or some combination? What is the history of US and Kentucky health care systems, including health care professions and health insurance? How do they influence our health system? How do economics drive our health care market? Who are the stakeholders in our country’s health care system, and what role do they play? How do they influence our health care system? To address these questions, students worked in teams, researched the health systems of at least 20 countries, and compared and contrasted these systems with those in the US. Through analysis of the resulting data, they then designed new health systems and discussed how one might influence the stakeholders to achieve such innovative models. Many positive ideas were created to bring about positive change to improve our health system. Interestingly, many students favored health care as a right with responsibility and accountability included, but realized that many of these ideas must deal with the varied and sometimes opposing interests of stakeholders. This presentation will expound on these innovative ideas and the issues surrounding their potential implementation.