Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

In the recent wake of health emergencies that transcend globally, examining healthcare systems throughout the world in terms of structure and care delivery is important. Research has shown that the amount of spending on healthcare does not directly correlate with the health outcomes of a country. Understanding the factors that contribute to the health outcomes of a country and how those are related to the structure of the healthcare system can have important implications for health policy on a national and global level. This study provides a comparative analysis of the US healthcare system and European healthcare systems derived from a firsthand account with facilities and providers in the field in four countries. This study utilizes a case study design approach to compare different healthcare system models in terms of healthcare delivery, organization models, funding models, workforce issues, and outcomes. Analysis also includes the history of the development of healthcare, how the healthcare system has evolved over time, the role of government in healthcare, the relationship between culture and health, and the current trends and state of healthcare in each country. Health outcomes data for each country were also included in the analysis. Results from this study indicate trends in global healthcare that support recommendations for health policy.