Explaining Concept Paper: Impact of Globalization and Diversity on HealthCare System

Introduction

The globalization and diversification of both local and regional markets have resulted in the risk of the spread of unchecked healthcare issues from one country to another. The United States has been in the forefront of the fight for the globalization and diversification of the healthcare services. The country is significantly affected by the global healthcare issues given its position as a leading travel and trade destination for the global citizenry. Consequently, US citizens are in danger of contracting all kinds of contagious diseases more than any other country in other regions of the world. It is this threat that has compelled the government and non-governmental organizations in the US to spearhead the globalization and diversification of healthcare issues in the world.

Given the myriad of problems that have had a noticeable global impact on the functioning of the healthcare, this paper occupies itself with issues of globalization and diversification of healthcare systems. The paper presents the discussion on the ways that  globalization and diversification of the global health issues have an influence on the healthcare system in the US. The discussion covers three main issues; the major global healthcare issues that have impacted the US healthcare sector; the crucial elements of the culture and diversity of modern healthcare organizations; and, the information on the leadership approaches and transformational tools necessary for the reformation of the healthcare organizations.

 

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Major Global Healthcare Issues 

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is the main global healthcare issue that has significantly impacted  the US healthcare system. The infectious and contagious diseases continue to pose a threat to the American population. Previously, a number of identified EIDs have disrupted the world, including, among others, Ebola, HIV, SARs and H1N1. In response to the threat of infections, governments have devised strategies to counter the effects of the diseases not only within the borders of their countries but also globally. Through governmental and non-governmental organizations, the US government has shown a great support in the fight against EIDs in different parts of the world.

Outbreaks of EIDs often interfere with travel and trade, resulting in significant economic losses. For instance, the SAR outbreak in 2003 resulted in economic losses approximated at about $30 billion (Global Health Policy, 2014). Aware of the fact that infectious diseases usually outbreak in one region and spread over the rest of the world, the US government has taken appropriate action. Through healthcare institutions, the government has established systems to address the threats of EID outbreaks. In 1997, the US President (President Clinton), gave a directive for stronger engagement and support for strengthening and revision of the International healthcare Regulations. He emphasized the that the agency should back not only national but also global efforts in fight against EIDs (Global Health Policy, 2014). Recently, the US government made public its agenda to ensure progress towards a protected, safe and sound world that is free from dangers caused by infectious diseases.

Attempts to prevent, prepare for and undertake appropriate action in response to EIDs continue to receive support from the US. Particularly the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) stands out for its support in the fight against EIDs. The DHHS has directly and indirectly supported the fight against EIDs through organizations such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) among others(Global Health Policy, 2014). The DHHS manages domestic health surveillance within the US, ensures preparedness and efforts aimed at response in other parts of the world. The agencies under the department offer education and training support, provide technical help during an investigation of disease outbreaks and oversee response efforts. In addition, DHHS supports vaccine and drug research for EIDs. The institution also serves as an official US contact point with World Health Organization.

In further response to EID threats, the government of US created the Emerging Pandemic Threats Program under USAID. The program seeks to help countries to increase their capabilities of identifying and responding to threats of dangerous pathogens in both humans and animals. In addition, the program prepares country governmentsfor EID outbreaks. Apart from Emerging Pandemic Threats Program, the government has a number of laboratories that are all coordinated and run by the US military. The laboratories support the observation and research of EIDs locally and globally. The creation of the military laboratories has no doubt impacted the healthcare system in US since these agencies are dependent on governmental funding for their operations. The increased budgetary requirements clearly strain the US healthcare system.

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Another significant issue of the global and US healthcare is the worldwide prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Today, there are approximately thirty-five million people infected with the virus worldwide (Global Health Policy, 2014). In addition, a significant number of people succumb to HIV/AIDS related ailments annually in various parts of the world (Global Health Policy, 2014). In order to protect its citizens, the US government commenced attempts to fight the virus within and outside the country. In early 2000, President Clinton jump-started a plan for AIDS relief that conveyed new attention and allocated funds for fighting HIV/AIDS all over the world. Presently, the government has created several departments, many agendas and activities intended to address the global spread of the virus. The US government is arguably the leading contributor in combating the virus.

Critical Elements of Culture and Diversity that Affect Healthcare Organizations

Different elements of culture and diversity affect modern American healthcare organizations. Recent data on US population shows that the percentage of the Asian-American population may significantly increase in the future. Likewise, the population of African-Americans may also increase substantially, while the population of the whites in the US may not change significantly (Salisbury, 2006). The changes in population structures may come along with diversification of culture, which may in turn affect the provision of healthcare. Consequently, as cultural and racial diversification increases, healthcare organizations must restructure themselves in order to meet the needs of the progressively diverse patients. Workforce diversity is the other element of culture and diversity of modern healthcare organizations (Salisbury, 2006). Healthcare systems have to restructure and reshape themselves as the number of racially and ethnically diverse employees rises. Minorities and women continue to make up the highest proportions  of the healthcare system’s labor force. In addition, the modern healthcare system continues to hire and retain employee base that is diverse, hence meeting and reflecting on the healthcare needs of the society they serve.

The second element of culture and diversity in the modern healthcare is productivity and innovation. Workforce cultures that are diverse and inclusive as opposed to those that are homogeneous tend to increase the rate of innovation and productivity (Salisbury, 2006). Furthermore, workforce cultures that enables integration of racial, ethnic, generational and socio-economic voices helps in addressing the needs of the patients. Avoiding litigation is an additional organizational benefit that  modern healthcare systems enjoy. The development of cultural competencies is the other element of culture and diversity in the modern healthcare system.  As the cultural competencies are being developed, a system responds to the racial and ethnic demographic changes that confront the modern healthcare system. Cultural competency in healthcare sector entails action and undertakings that enable the personnel to efficiently provide services in multiethnic scenarios. Enhancing cultural competence has therefore the potential to increase the potential capacity of the modern healthcare system  (Cross et al., 1989)

Leadership Approaches Necessary for Change Implementation

In order to achieve globalization of the healthcare sector, effective leadership approaches and transformational tools must be implemented. Among the leadership approaches that employ transformational tools, as identified in the past, are modern/renaissance leadership and interactional/transformational leadership (Cook, 2001). The modern/renaissance leadership approach is similar to a charismatic leadership. The approach entail an effective utilization of power, ability to network and employ  influence to guarantee support from key decision makers in an organization. If utilized in the transformation of healthcare system, the approach ensures that changes involving stakeholders are implemented in order to to support the proposed transformations. Transformational/interactional leadership relates to the democratic means of leadership. The leadership style ensures that both leaders and their followers have a common goal in the healthcare institutions. Transformational leadership approach encourages innovation and embraces change.