Characteristics of American Health Care in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Health Care

Document 1

The healthcare system evolved majorly in the period running from 1750 to 2000. Particularly, the system evolved from home-based healthcare that was characterized by itinerant doctors who had little training and carried out simple home remedies to a complex and technologically advanced healthcare system. The complex health care system was referred as "medical industrial complex. " The complex health care system was characterized by highly trained professionals and was built majorly on medical science and technology (Collen & ball, 2015). With the evolution of this system, it was evident that germs were the main causal agents of diseases and hence there was the need for professional doctors, use of technology to treat diseases and the establishment of medical training institutions. In addition, medications from plants and herbs were also highly recommended.

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In case, of emergencies physicians who had no formal degrees were called (Bynum, 2013). Later on, in the late 1700s physicians started graduating having degrees in medical related fields. The first medical college in the US being was opened in 1765 by the University of Pennsylvania. Later in 1781, physicians started operating with licenses a program that was introduced by Massachusetts Medical Society. Patients who had the ability to pay received a special treatment in smaller and private. Later on, in 1865 hospitals were categorized into private and public and patients would be treated in the hospitals of their choice (Collen & Ball, 2015). As years moved forth, more medical institutions intensified medical research and training of medical personnel. The need for more medical research led to the creation of one of the best medical school in the US known as the Johns Hopkins University which enrolled students for a four-year medical degree.

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The university stands up to date and is known for producing highly skilled and competent doctors today. Most of the medical practices being used today in the 21st century are just improvements of the healthcare systems introduced in the 18th and 19th centuries (Rodin & Feranti, 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, this essay has discussed certain aspects and characteristics of the healthcare systems that have had a greater impact in shaping today's US healthcare system. Some of these major aspects or rather characteristics include the realization of the “germ theory”, the introduction of the nursing profession, the creation of hospitals and medical training centers or institutions, the introduction of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the introduction of free treatment options for the poor. With these aspects, the United States of America has achieved a recognizable success in promoting a healthy and disease free society.

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