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83-409: Nursing is a health care profession that "integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence". Nurses practice in many specialties with varying levels of certification and responsibility. Nurses comprise

166-649: A basic framework for defining the sector, the United Nations' International Standard Industrial Classification categorizes health care as generally consisting of hospital activities, medical and dental practice activities, and "other human health activities." The last class involves activities of, or under the supervision of, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, scientific or diagnostic laboratories, pathology clinics, residential health facilities, patient advocates or other allied health professions . In addition, according to industry and market classifications, such as

249-452: A bed. They often delegate such care to nursing assistants . Medication management and administration are common hospital nursing roles, although prescribing authority varies across jurisdictions. In many areas, RNs administer and manage medications prescribed by others. Nurses are responsible for evaluating patients throughout their care – including before and after medication administration – adjustments to medications are often made through

332-569: A challenge for the design of ICT (information and communication technology) for home care. Because statistics show that over 80 million Americans have taken time off of their primary employment to care for a loved one, many countries have begun offering programs such as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program to allow family members to take care of their loved ones without giving up their entire income. With obesity in children rapidly becoming

415-612: A clear correlation between worse quality and higher spending. Expand the OECD charts below to see the breakdown: The management and administration of health care is vital to the delivery of health care services. In particular, the practice of health professionals and the operation of health care institutions is typically regulated by national or state/provincial authorities through appropriate regulatory bodies for purposes of quality assurance . Most countries have credentialing staff in regulatory boards or health departments who document

498-718: A collaborative effort between the prescriber and the nurse. Regardless of the prescriber, nurses are legally responsible for the drugs they administer. Legal implications may accompany an error in a prescription, and the nurse may be expected to note and report the error. In the United States, nurses have the right to refuse to administer medication that they deem to be potentially harmful. Some nurses take additional training that allows them to prescribe medications within their scope of practice. Effective patient/family education leads to better outcomes. Nurses explain procedure, recovery, and ongoing care, while helping everyone cope with

581-650: A few hundred municipal hospices to remain in operation in northern Europe. Nuns who had been serving as nurses were given pensions or told to marry and stay home. Nursing care went to the inexperienced as traditional caretakers, rooted in the Roman Catholic Church , were removed from their positions. The nursing profession in Europe was extinguished for approximately 200 years. During the Crimean War , Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna called for women to join

664-609: A gain of 10 years since 1970. The US (78.7 years) ranges only on place 26 among the 34 OECD member countries, but has the highest costs by far. All OECD countries have achieved universal (or almost universal) health coverage, except the US and Mexico . (see also international comparisons .) In the United States , where around 18% of GDP is spent on health care, the Commonwealth Fund analysis of spend and quality shows

747-644: A half century, over 5,000 deaconesses had surfaced in Europe. Formal use of nurses in the military began in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Nurses saw active duty in the First Boer War , the Egyptian Campaign (1882), and the Sudan Campaign (1883). In the 19th and early 20th century, nursing was considered a woman's profession, just as doctoring was a profession for men. With increasing expectations of workplace equality during

830-441: A licensed independent practitioner such as a physiotherapist , or a non-physician primary care provider such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner . Depending on the locality and health system organization, the patient may see another health care professional first, such as a pharmacist or nurse . Depending on the nature of the health condition, patients may be referred for secondary or tertiary care. Primary care

913-419: A major concern, health services often set up programs in schools aimed at educating children about nutritional eating habits, making physical education a requirement and teaching young adolescents to have a positive self-image. Health care ratings are ratings or evaluations of health care used to evaluate the process of care and health care structures and/or outcomes of health care services. This information

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996-575: A narrower scope of practice. Nursing is a female-dominated profession in many countries; according to the WHO's 2020 State of the World's Nursing, approximately 90% of the nursing workforce is female. For instance, the male-to-female ratio of nurses is approximately 1:19 in Canada and the United States. This ratio is matched in many other countries. Notable exceptions include Francophone Africa , which includes

1079-400: A primary care practitioner must possess a wide breadth of knowledge in many areas. Continuity is a key characteristic of primary care, as patients usually prefer to consult the same practitioner for routine check-ups and preventive care , health education , and every time they require an initial consultation about a new health problem. The International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)

1162-633: A short period of time for a brief but serious illness, injury, or other health condition. This care is often found in a hospital emergency department . Secondary care also includes skilled attendance during childbirth , intensive care , and medical imaging services. The term "secondary care" is sometimes used synonymously with "hospital care". However, many secondary care providers, such as psychiatrists , clinical psychologists , occupational therapists , most dental specialties or physiotherapists , do not necessarily work in hospitals. Some primary care services are delivered within hospitals. Depending on

1245-989: A significant part of a country's economy , development, and industrialization . Health care is an important determinant in promoting the general physical and mental health and well-being of people around the world. An example of this was the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980, declared by the WHO, as the first disease in human history to be eliminated by deliberate healthcare interventions. The delivery of modern health care depends on groups of trained professionals and paraprofessionals coming together as interdisciplinary teams . This includes professionals in medicine , psychology , physiotherapy , nursing , dentistry , midwifery and allied health , along with many others such as public health practitioners , community health workers and assistive personnel , who systematically provide personal and population-based preventive, curative and rehabilitative care services. While

1328-782: A source of free/inexpensive labor. Exploitation of nurses was not uncommon by employers, physicians, and education providers. Many nurses saw active duty in the First World War , but the profession transformed again during the Second World War . British nurses of the Army Nursing Service were part of every overseas campaign. More nurses volunteered for service in the US Army and Navy than any other occupation. The Nazis had their own Brown Nurses, numbering 40,000. Two dozen German Red Cross nurses were awarded

1411-411: A wide range of settings, including hospitals, private homes , schools , and pharmaceutical companies . Nurses work in occupational health settings (also called industrial health settings), free-standing clinics, physician offices, nurse-led clinics , long-term care facilities and camps. They work on cruise ships , military bases , and in combat settings. Nurses act as advisers and consultants to

1494-494: Is a standardized tool for understanding and analyzing information on interventions in primary care based on the reason for the patient's visit. Common chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care may include, for example, hypertension , diabetes , asthma , COPD , depression and anxiety , back pain , arthritis or thyroid dysfunction . Primary care also includes many basic maternal and child health care services, such as family planning services and vaccinations . In

1577-417: Is considered necessary, regardless of whether the funding is from private insurance schemes or national health insurance . Allied health professionals , such as physical therapists , respiratory therapists , occupational therapists , speech therapists , and dietitians , also generally work in secondary care, accessed through either patient self-referral or through physician referral. Tertiary care

1660-536: Is defined and governed by law, and entrance to the profession is regulated at the national or state level. The nursing community worldwide aims for professional nurses to ensure quality care, while maintaining their credentials, code of ethics , standards, and competencies, and continuing their education. Multiple educational paths lead to becoming a professional nurse; these vary by jurisdiction; all involve extensive study of nursing theory and practice as well as training in clinical skills. Nurses provide care based on

1743-530: Is described in many sources as "the first visiting nurse". These traditions were influential in the development of the ethos of modern nursing. Its religious roots remain in evidence in many countries. One example in the United Kingdom is the use of the historical title "sister" to refer to a senior nurse. During the Reformation , Protestant reformers shut down monasteries and convents, allowing

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1826-404: Is further complicated by the numerous interpretations of nursing's defining essence. During the 1980s there was an increased focus on research utilization (RU). Nursing research took an interest in clinical issues and US nursing schools began teaching research methods to facilitate interpretation and integration of scientific findings in routine practice. Several RU initiatives were active during

1909-574: Is often used as the term for the health care services that play a role in the local community. It can be provided in different settings, such as Urgent care centers that provide same-day appointments or services on a walk-in basis. Primary care involves the widest scope of health care, including all ages of patients, patients of all socioeconomic and geographic origins, patients seeking to maintain optimal health , and patients with all types of acute and chronic physical, mental and social health issues, including multiple chronic diseases . Consequently,

1992-505: Is seen from the analysis carried out each year by Bloomberg. Clearly this kind of analysis is flawed in that life expectancy is only one measure of a health system's performance, but equally, the notion that more funding is better is not supported. In 2011, the health care industry consumed an average of 9.3 percent of the GDP or US$ 3,322 ( PPP-adjusted ) per capita across the 34 members of OECD countries. The US (17.7%, or US$ PPP 8,508),

2075-404: Is selected based on the care setting and the population served. In providing nursing care, the nurse uses both nursing theory and best practice derived from nursing research . Many nursing theories are in use. Like other disciplines, the profession has developed multiple theories derived reflecting varying philosophical beliefs and paradigms or worldviews . In general terms, the nursing process

2158-622: Is sometimes used as an extension of tertiary care in reference to advanced levels of medicine which are highly specialized and not widely accessed. Experimental medicine and some types of uncommon diagnostic or surgical procedures are considered quaternary care. These services are usually only offered in a limited number of regional or national health care centers. Many types of health care interventions are delivered outside of health facilities. They include many interventions of public health interest, such as food safety surveillance, distribution of condoms and needle-exchange programs for

2241-545: Is specialized consultative health care, usually for inpatients and on referral from a primary or secondary health professional, in a facility that has personnel and facilities for advanced medical investigation and treatment, such as a tertiary referral hospital . Examples of tertiary care services are cancer management, neurosurgery , cardiac surgery , plastic surgery , treatment for severe burns , advanced neonatology services, palliative, and other complex medical and surgical interventions. The term quaternary care

2324-751: Is the method used to assess and diagnose needs, plan outcomes and interventions, implement interventions, and evaluate outcomes. The nursing process as defined by the American Nurses Association comprises five steps: 1) evaluate, 2) implement, 3) plan, 4) diagnose, and 5) assess. Digital health platforms connect nurses and nurse assistants with job openings in healthcare facilities such as skilled nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals. Platforms offer an app to facilitate communication and allow nurses to find work opportunities based on their preferences. Healthcare partners and facilities benefit from access to qualified nurses. In 2017,

2407-407: Is the most diverse of all health care professions . Nurses practice in a wide range of settings, but generally follows the needs of their patients. The major specialties are: Nurses with additional degrees allow for specialization. Nursing professions can be separated into categories by care type, age, gender, certain age group, practice setting, individually or in combination. Nurses practice in

2490-414: Is translated into report cards that are generated by quality organizations, nonprofit, consumer groups and media. This evaluation of quality is based on measures of: Access to healthcare may vary across countries, communities, and individuals, influenced by social and economic conditions as well as health policies . Providing health care services means "the timely use of personal health services to achieve

2573-619: The Global Industry Classification Standard and the Industry Classification Benchmark , health care includes many categories of medical equipment, instruments and services including biotechnology , diagnostic laboratories and substances, drug manufacturing and delivery. For example, pharmaceuticals and other medical devices are the leading high technology exports of Europe and the United States. The United States dominates

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2656-508: The Iron Cross for heroism under fire. The development of undergraduate and post-graduate nursing degrees came after the war. Nursing research and a desire for association and organization led to the formation of professional organizations and academic journals . Nursing became recognized as a distinct academic discipline, initially tasked to define the theoretical basis for practice. Nurses are perceived to be in short supply around

2739-556: The Netherlands (11.9%, 5,099), France (11.6%, 4,118), Germany (11.3%, 4,495), Canada (11.2%, 5669), and Switzerland (11%, 5,634) were the top spenders, however life expectancy in total population at birth was highest in Switzerland (82.8 years), Japan and Italy (82.7), Spain and Iceland (82.4), France (82.2) and Australia (82.0), while OECD's average exceeds 80 years for the first time ever in 2011: 80.1 years,

2822-481: The biopharmaceutical field, accounting for three-quarters of the world's biotechnology revenues. The quantity and quality of many health care interventions are improved through the results of science, such as advanced through the medical model of health which focuses on the eradication of illness through diagnosis and effective treatment. Many important advances have been made through health research, biomedical research and pharmaceutical research , which form

2905-446: The certification or licensing of health workers and their work history. Health information technology (HIT) is "the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making." Health information technology components: Notes on Nursing In her introduction to

2988-417: The first schools of nursing to be connected to a hospital and medical school. It spread widely in Europe and North America after 1870. Nightingale included five factors that helped nurses in her time who worked amidst poor sanitation and little education. These factors included fresh air, clean water, a working drainage system, cleanliness, and good light. Nightingale believed that a clean working environment

3071-815: The prevention , diagnosis , treatment , amelioration or cure of disease , illness , injury , and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health professionals and allied health fields . Medicine , dentistry , pharmacy , midwifery , nursing , optometry , audiology , psychology , occupational therapy , physical therapy , athletic training , and other health professions all constitute health care. The term includes work done in providing primary care , secondary care , tertiary care , and public health . Access to healthcare may vary across countries, communities, and individuals, influenced by social and economic conditions and health policies . Providing health care services means "the timely use of personal health services to achieve

3154-536: The social model of health and disability , which emphasizes the societal changes that can be made to make populations healthier. Results from health services research often form the basis of evidence-based policy in health care systems. Health services research is also aided by initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence for the development of systems of health assessment that are clinically useful, timely, sensitive to change, culturally sensitive , low-burden, low-cost, built into standard procedures, and involve

3237-523: The 1974 edition, Joan Quixley, then head of the Nightingale School of Nursing , wrote that despite the passage of time since Notes on Nursing was published, Nightingale's work was still incredibly relevant. Whether it be in regards to home care, hospital care, or community care, Quixley argues that her techniques are still applicable to modern settings . "With its mid-nineteenth century background of poverty , neglect , ignorance and prejudice

3320-557: The 19th century in the Crimea, Central America, and Jamaica. Her predecessors had great success as healers in the Colony of Jamaica in the 18th century, and they included Seacole's mother (Mrs. Grant), Sarah Adams, Cubah Cornwallis , and Grace Donne, the mistress and doctress to Jamaica's wealthiest planter, Simon Taylor . Other important nurses in the development of the profession include: Red Cross chapters, which began appearing after

3403-462: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are male. The number of male nurses in the United States doubled between 1980 and 2000. On average, male nurses in the US receive more pay than female nurses. Nursing practice is the actual provision of nursing care. In providing care, nurses implement a nursing care plan defined using the nursing process . This is based around a specific nursing theory that

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3486-741: The Order of Exaltation of the Cross ( Krestodvizhenskaya Obshchina ) for a year of service in military hospitals. The first section of twenty-eight "sisters", headed by Aleksandra Petrovna Stakhovich, the Directress of the Order, reached Crimea early in November 1854. Florence Nightingale laid the foundations of professional nursing after the Crimean War , in light of a comprehensive statistical study she made of sanitation in India, leading her to emphasize

3569-517: The UK's National Health Service began trialing such a platform. Platforms such as United States –based ConnectRN, Nomad Health, Gale Healthcare solutions or Lantum add resources, career development tools, and networking opportunities. Florence Nightingale's seminal epidemiological study examining mortality among British soldiers during the Crimean War was published in 1858. With the exception of her works, nursing practice remained an oral tradition until

3652-416: The United States, the 2013 National Health Interview Survey found that skin disorders (42.7%), osteoarthritis and joint disorders (33.6%), back problems (23.9%), disorders of lipid metabolism (22.4%), and upper respiratory tract disease (22.1%, excluding asthma) were the most common reasons for accessing a physician. In the United States, primary care physicians have begun to deliver primary care outside of

3735-662: The basis for evidence-based medicine and evidence-based practice in health care delivery. Health care research frequently engages directly with patients, and as such issues for whom to engage and how to engage with them become important to consider when seeking to actively include them in studies. While single best practice does not exist, the results of a systematic review on patient engagement suggest that research methods for patient selection need to account for both patient availability and willingness to engage. Health services research can lead to greater efficiency and equitable delivery of health care interventions, as advanced through

3818-501: The best possible health outcomes". Factors to consider in terms of healthcare access include financial limitations (such as insurance coverage), geographical and logistical barriers (such as additional transportation costs and the ability to take paid time off work to use such services), sociocultural expectations, and personal limitations (lack of ability to communicate with health care providers, poor health literacy , low income). Limitations to health care services affect negatively

3901-502: The best possible health outcomes". Factors to consider in terms of healthcare access include financial limitations (such as insurance coverage), geographical and logistical barriers (such as additional transportation costs and the ability to take paid time off work to use such services), sociocultural expectations, and personal limitations (lack of ability to communicate with health care providers, poor health literacy , low income). Limitations to health care services affects negatively

3984-630: The body as mentioned before including the skin, cannot be correctly described by one who is not well versed in anatomy. Hence, anyone desirous of acquiring a thorough knowledge of anatomy should prepare a dead body and carefully, observe, by dissecting it, and examining its different parts." In the Middle Ages , members of religious orders such as nuns and monks often provided nursing-like care. Examples exist in Christian , Islamic , Buddhist , and other traditions. The biblical figure of Phoebe

4067-484: The book was a challenge to contemporary views of nursing, of nurses and of the patient". "The book was the first of its kind ever to be written. It appeared at a time when the simple rules of health were only beginning to be known, when its topics were of vital importance not only for the well-being and recovery of patients, when hospitals were riddled with infection, when nurses were still mainly regarded as ignorant, uneducated persons. The book has, inevitably, its place in

4150-470: The context of global population aging , with increasing numbers of older adults at greater risk of chronic non-communicable diseases , rapidly increasing demand for primary care services is expected in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organization attributes the provision of essential primary care as an integral component of an inclusive primary health care strategy. Secondary care includes acute care : necessary treatment for

4233-565: The countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire , the Democratic Republic of Congo , Djibouti , Guinea , Gabon , Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Rwanda , Senegal , and Togo , which all have more male than female nurses. In Europe, in countries such as Spain , Portugal , Czech Republic and Italy , over 20% of nurses are male. In the United Kingdom, 11% of nurses and midwives registered with

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4316-438: The definitions of the various types of health care vary depending on the different cultural , political, organizational, and disciplinary perspectives, there appears to be some consensus that primary care constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process and may also include the provision of secondary and tertiary levels of care. Health care can be defined as either public or private . Primary care refers to

4399-660: The desire for quietness, or for cleanliness). Prior to the Civil War , nursing was centralized mainly to family. It was the domestic act of caring for loved ones that were sick. However, nursing began to shift from simple home care to hospital care. The shift in nursing began during the Civil War, when around 20,000 men and women served as nurses in hospitals for both the North and South. These nurses offered support, assisted surgeons, administered medication, and much more. Soon after

4482-715: The establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863, offered employment and professionalization opportunities for nurses (despite Nightingale's initial objections). Catholic orders such as Little Sisters of the Poor , Sisters of Mercy , Sisters of St. Mary , St. Francis Health Services, Inc. and Sisters of Charity built hospitals and provided nursing services during this period. The modern deaconess movement began in Germany in 1836. Within

4565-507: The following definitions: Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well, and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles. The use of clinical judgment in

4648-563: The founding of the Cochrane Collaboration in 1993. The emerging area of evidence-based medicine also applies to nursing. Common barriers to the study and integration of research findings into clinical decision making include: a lack of opportunity, inexperience, and the rapid pace of evidence accumulation. Nurses manage and coordinate care to support activities of daily living (ADL). This includes assisting in patient mobility, such as moving an activity intolerant patient within

4731-425: The health care and insurance industries. Many nurses also work in health advocacy and patient advocacy , helping in clinical and administrative domains. Some are attorneys and others work with attorneys as legal nurse consultants , reviewing patient records to assure that adequate care was provided and testifying in court. Health care Health care , or healthcare , is the improvement of health via

4814-403: The history of nursing, for it was written by the founder of modern nursing". The book included advice and practices for the following areas: Much of her advice and practices are considered to be very timely, and are applicable to this day. She had a very holistic approach- making the claim that the symptoms of disease were not due to the disease itself, rather symptoms were caused by wants (ex.

4897-463: The importance of sanitation. "After 10 years of sanitary reform, in 1873, Nightingale reported that mortality among the soldiers in India had declined from 69 to 18 per 1,000". Nightingale believed that nursing was a social freedom and mission for women. She believed that any educated woman could help improve the care of the ill. Her Notes on Nursing (1859) was a popular call to action. The Nightingale model of nursing education led to one of

4980-435: The individual's physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs. The profession combines physical science, social science, nursing theory, and technology. Nurses typically hold one or more formal credentials. Roles and responsibilities follow the level of education. For example, in the United States, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) have less education than Registered Nurses (RN) and accordingly,

5063-698: The largest component of most healthcare environments. There are shortages of qualified nurses in many countries. Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians , therapists , patients, patients' families, and other team members that focuses on treating illness to improve quality of life. In the United Kingdom and the United States, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners diagnose health problems and prescribe medications and other therapies, depending on regulations that vary by state. Nurses may help coordinate care performed by other providers or act independently as nursing professionals. In addition to providing care and support, nurses educate

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5146-462: The late 20th century, but the RU movement was superseded by evidence-based practice in the 1990s. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is about using research, but unlike RU it allows for the integration of research findings with clinical expertise and patient preferences. The EBP movement had originated in the field of medicine with Archie Cochrane publishing Effectiveness and Efficiency in 1972, leading up to

5229-410: The late 20th century, nursing became an officially gender-neutral profession, though in practice the percentage of male nurses remained well below that of female physicians in the 21st century. Hospital-based training became standard in the US in the early 1900s, with an emphasis on practical experience. The Nightingale-style school began to disappear. Hospitals and physicians saw women in nursing as

5312-458: The list. A 2023 American survey found that around 30% were considering leaving patient care. According to the traditional interpretation physicians are concerned with curing or treating medical conditions, while nurses focus on care. In healthcare settings this line is often blurred, complicating the task of distinguishing the professions. Although nursing practice varies both through its various specialties and countries, nursing organizations offer

5395-526: The managed care (insurance-billing) system through direct primary care which is a subset of the more familiar concierge medicine . Physicians in this model bill patients directly for services, either on a pre-paid monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, or bill for each service in the office. Examples of direct primary care practices include Foundation Health in Colorado and Qliance in Washington. In

5478-404: The medical situation. Many times, nurses are busy, leaving little time to educate patients. Patients' families needs similar education. Educating both patient and their families increases the chance for a better outcome. Nurses have to communicate in a way that can be understood by patients. Education techniques encompass conversations, visuals, reading materials, and demonstrations. Nursing

5561-422: The mid-20th century. The inaugural issue of Nursing Research , the first scientific journal specialized in nursing, came in in 1952. During the 1960s, interest in attaining PhDs increased among nurses in the US, but nursing remained a fledgling area of research, with few journals until the 1970s. Nursing research is increasingly presented as a valid discipline, although lacking a prevailing definition. The question

5644-432: The nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. The practice of nursing is based upon a social contract that delineates professional rights and responsibilities as well as accountability mechanisms. In almost all countries, nursing practice

5727-662: The nursing field, nursing began to be recognized more professionally, thus training became more standardized. Much of this training was inspired by Nightingale. In 1873, 14 years after the publication of Notes on Nursing, nurse training became formalized. Three separate programs arose (New York Training School, Connecticut Training School, and Boston Training School), and all programs were based on ideals from Nightingale, and are regarded as "Nightingale schools". 27 years later, in 1900, there were between 400 and 800 nursing schools nationally. Many of Nightingale's principles continue to inform modern nursing education and practice, signifying

5810-400: The organization and policies of the national health system, patients may be required to see a primary care provider for a referral before they can access secondary care. In countries that operate under a mixed market health care system, some physicians limit their practice to secondary care by requiring patients to see a primary care provider first. This restriction may be imposed under

5893-544: The patient. There are generally five primary methods of funding health care systems : In most countries, there is a mix of all five models, but this varies across countries and over time within countries. Aside from financing mechanisms, an important question should always be how much to spend on health care. For the purposes of comparison, this is often expressed as the percentage of GDP spent on health care. In OECD countries for every extra $ 1000 spent on health care, life expectancy falls by 0.4 years. A similar correlation

5976-553: The prevention of transmissible diseases. They also include the services of professionals in residential and community settings in support of self-care , home care , long-term care , assisted living , treatment for substance use disorders among other types of health and social care services. Community rehabilitation services can assist with mobility and independence after the loss of limbs or loss of function. This can include prostheses , orthotics , or wheelchairs . Many countries are dealing with aging populations, so one of

6059-577: The priorities of the health care system is to help seniors live full, independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. There is an entire section of health care geared to providing seniors with help in day-to-day activities at home such as transportation to and from doctor's appointments along with many other activities that are essential for their health and well-being. Although they provide home care for older adults in cooperation, family members and care workers may harbor diverging attitudes and values towards their joint efforts. This state of affairs presents

6142-515: The provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death. Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities; prevention of illness and injury; alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human responses; and advocacy in health care for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The unique function of

6225-521: The public and promote health and wellness. In the U.S., nurse practitioners are nurses with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing, and are permitted to prescribe medications. They practice independently in a variety of settings in more than half of the United States. In the postwar period, nurse education has diversified, awarding advanced and specialized credentials , and many traditional regulations and roles are changing. Nursing historians face challenges of determining whether care provided to

6308-549: The sick or injured in antiquity is called nursing care. In the fifth century BC, for example, the Hippocratic Collection in places described skilled care and observation of patients by male "attendants," who may have provided care now provided by nurses. Around 600 BC in India, it is recorded in Sushruta Samhita , Book 3, Chapter V about the role of the nurse as "the different parts or members of

6391-410: The terms of the payment agreements in private or group health insurance plans. In other cases, medical specialists may see patients without a referral, and patients may decide whether self-referral is preferred. In other countries patient self-referral to a medical specialist for secondary care is rare as prior referral from another physician (either a primary care physician or another specialist)

6474-626: The use of medical services, the efficacy of treatments, and overall outcome (well-being, mortality rates). Health care extends beyond the delivery of services to patients, encompassing many related sectors, and is set within a bigger picture of financing and governance structures. A health system , also sometimes referred to as health care system or healthcare system , is the organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to populations in need. The healthcare industry incorporates several sectors that are dedicated to providing health care services and products. As

6557-661: The use of medical services, the efficacy of treatments, and overall outcome (well-being, mortality rates). Health systems are the organizations established to meet the health needs of targeted populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a well-functioning healthcare system requires a financing mechanism, a well-trained and adequately paid workforce , reliable information on which to base decisions and policies , and well-maintained health facilities to deliver quality medicines and technologies. An efficient healthcare system can contribute to

6640-473: The war, Nightingale published Notes on Nursing. This was during a pivotal time, and was a critical aspect of the evolution of nursing. After this, nursing began to be increasingly recognized as a professional career. Here is a link to a better article that explores the entire history of nursing: History of nursing in the United States The publication of nursing ideals led to many advancements in

6723-401: The work of health professionals who act as a first point of consultation for all patients within the health care system . The primary care model supports first-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated person-focused care. Such a professional would usually be a primary care physician , such as a general practitioner or family physician . Another professional would be

6806-465: The world, particularly in South East Asia and Africa. A global survey by McKinsey & Company in 2022 found that between 28% and 38% of nurse respondents in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, and France said they were likely to leave their role in direct patient care in the next year. The top five factors which they said would make them stay were: Pay ranked eighth on

6889-535: Was important in caring for patients. In the 19th century, this theory was ideal for helping patients, providing a guide for nurses to alter the environment around patients for the betterment of their health. Nightingale's recommendations built upon the successes of Jamaican "doctresses" such as Mary Seacole , who like Nightingale, served in the Crimean War. Seacole practised hygiene and the use of herbs in healing wounded soldiers and those suffering from diseases in

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