HCA - Exam Study Guide with Complete Solutions
Assessing Patient Cues - ANSWER-Physicians rely on both verbal and non-verbal cues
Social Cues such as race, gender, age and ethnicity
Physical Cues such as obesity influence physician information provided and treatment
options
Attitude Cues such as good (complaint) patient or complainer/arguer/questioner
Biomedical Model? - ANSWER-The Biomedical Model of health focuses on purely
biological factors and excludes psychological, environmental, and social influences. It is
considered to be the leading modern way for health care professionals to diagnose and
treat a condition in most western countries.
Challenges to the Healthcare System - ANSWER-Aging Population- People living
longer and with health problems. Chronic conditions and cost of care. Communications
with the elderly (and children)
Cultural Diversity-People from different cultures have different perceptions of health and
life styles/habits. Culture associated with health disparities, access to healthcare
services and health literacy. Health status is determined by a multitude of factors.
Changes in Health Insurance & Managed Care-
Health insurance and health services are constantly rising in cost. High provider
turnover
The cost and quality debate
Impact of New Technologies on Healthcare-
Advances in technology have affected how we communicate within the healthcare
system
Not everyone has access to technology or the skills to use it. How well we communicate
words/data will impact our health status and life expectancy.
Communication & Medical Malpractice Lawsuits - ANSWER-Most people don't think of
communication playing a role in medical malpractice suits
Rise and cost of medical malpractice litigation is a serious problem facing the U.S.
healthcare system
Cost associated with medical malpractice are passed on to consumers in premiums
Malpractice insurance is extremely expensive for physicians
Provider-patient communication problems may increase the risk of medical malpractice
litigation
Patients who believe they haven't been treated well by providers raises the risk of a
lawsuit being initiated
Malpractice suits can be reduced by up to 30% when the physician of administration
apologizes
Most patients who are prone to making malpractice claims report communication
problems such as:
Feelings being ignored by the physician
Inadequate explanation of their diagnosis or treatment
Questions not being addressed adequately
, Lack of full informed consent
Feeling hurried or rushed by the physician
Consumeristic View - ANSWER-The patient takes a more active role when
communicating with the provider.
Replaces trust with accountability.
Presumes that the patient's health care values dominate.
Convergence - ANSWER-Emphasizing similarities between ourselves and another
person
Culture & Diversity-Why are we concerned and why do we care? - ANSWER-*We want
to receive care from people who are like us-gender, race, ethnicity etc.* - Provider
should look like the people they care for.
Demand for inpatient care.... - ANSWER-will continue to fall due to:
Technological advances
Changes in Medicare reimbursement
Managed Care
Behavioral changes...doubtful
Different Components of healthcare system - ANSWER-Hospitals
STAC's, LTAC's, IRF's, Psych, Addiction Treatment; Free-standing ED Unita
Nursing Homes (SNF's, CCRC's & ALF's)
Physician Practices
Solo proprietor
Group practice (multi-specialty or single-specialty)
Corporate Medicine
Diagnostic Organizations
Radiology, Laboratory, MRI/PET
Infusion Therapy Centers; Home care/VNA's; Surgery Centers
Hospice Programs (inpatient, hospice house, at home)
Health Centers, Urgent Care Centers & Dialysis Clinics
Departments of Health & Public Health (State/Municipality)
Regulatory Agencies (State/Federal/County/Municipal/Voluntary)
Pharmacies, EMS/Ambulance Companies & DME Providers
Divergence - ANSWER-Emphasizing the differences between ourselves and another
individual based upon perceived social group differences.
downward communication - ANSWER-higher levels of administrators communicate to
lower levels of hierarchy
Education=Income=Health Status - ANSWER-Education & Income-
Provides opportunities for enhanced income which increases likelihood of improved
health status
Assessing Patient Cues - ANSWER-Physicians rely on both verbal and non-verbal cues
Social Cues such as race, gender, age and ethnicity
Physical Cues such as obesity influence physician information provided and treatment
options
Attitude Cues such as good (complaint) patient or complainer/arguer/questioner
Biomedical Model? - ANSWER-The Biomedical Model of health focuses on purely
biological factors and excludes psychological, environmental, and social influences. It is
considered to be the leading modern way for health care professionals to diagnose and
treat a condition in most western countries.
Challenges to the Healthcare System - ANSWER-Aging Population- People living
longer and with health problems. Chronic conditions and cost of care. Communications
with the elderly (and children)
Cultural Diversity-People from different cultures have different perceptions of health and
life styles/habits. Culture associated with health disparities, access to healthcare
services and health literacy. Health status is determined by a multitude of factors.
Changes in Health Insurance & Managed Care-
Health insurance and health services are constantly rising in cost. High provider
turnover
The cost and quality debate
Impact of New Technologies on Healthcare-
Advances in technology have affected how we communicate within the healthcare
system
Not everyone has access to technology or the skills to use it. How well we communicate
words/data will impact our health status and life expectancy.
Communication & Medical Malpractice Lawsuits - ANSWER-Most people don't think of
communication playing a role in medical malpractice suits
Rise and cost of medical malpractice litigation is a serious problem facing the U.S.
healthcare system
Cost associated with medical malpractice are passed on to consumers in premiums
Malpractice insurance is extremely expensive for physicians
Provider-patient communication problems may increase the risk of medical malpractice
litigation
Patients who believe they haven't been treated well by providers raises the risk of a
lawsuit being initiated
Malpractice suits can be reduced by up to 30% when the physician of administration
apologizes
Most patients who are prone to making malpractice claims report communication
problems such as:
Feelings being ignored by the physician
Inadequate explanation of their diagnosis or treatment
Questions not being addressed adequately
, Lack of full informed consent
Feeling hurried or rushed by the physician
Consumeristic View - ANSWER-The patient takes a more active role when
communicating with the provider.
Replaces trust with accountability.
Presumes that the patient's health care values dominate.
Convergence - ANSWER-Emphasizing similarities between ourselves and another
person
Culture & Diversity-Why are we concerned and why do we care? - ANSWER-*We want
to receive care from people who are like us-gender, race, ethnicity etc.* - Provider
should look like the people they care for.
Demand for inpatient care.... - ANSWER-will continue to fall due to:
Technological advances
Changes in Medicare reimbursement
Managed Care
Behavioral changes...doubtful
Different Components of healthcare system - ANSWER-Hospitals
STAC's, LTAC's, IRF's, Psych, Addiction Treatment; Free-standing ED Unita
Nursing Homes (SNF's, CCRC's & ALF's)
Physician Practices
Solo proprietor
Group practice (multi-specialty or single-specialty)
Corporate Medicine
Diagnostic Organizations
Radiology, Laboratory, MRI/PET
Infusion Therapy Centers; Home care/VNA's; Surgery Centers
Hospice Programs (inpatient, hospice house, at home)
Health Centers, Urgent Care Centers & Dialysis Clinics
Departments of Health & Public Health (State/Municipality)
Regulatory Agencies (State/Federal/County/Municipal/Voluntary)
Pharmacies, EMS/Ambulance Companies & DME Providers
Divergence - ANSWER-Emphasizing the differences between ourselves and another
individual based upon perceived social group differences.
downward communication - ANSWER-higher levels of administrators communicate to
lower levels of hierarchy
Education=Income=Health Status - ANSWER-Education & Income-
Provides opportunities for enhanced income which increases likelihood of improved
health status
