Global Health / Nursing Trends Wealthy Nations
In the era following World War II, industrialized nations, which were the most affluent nations in the world, invested more money into healthcare and social services than in the era prior to the war. This meant that many industries related to healthcare, including medical healthcare professionals, medical billing, support staff, and creative and building industries, experienced growth as well. The healthcare models in wealthy, postwar nations, did not all grow and develop in the same ways through the 1950s and 1960s. The spectrum of healthcare system types ranges from private market-based to state-owned and operated. Some countries, such as France and Japan, have healthcare systems that blend characteristics from both medical models. There are many historical and political factors beyond healthcare system arrangement, however, which are seriously impacting global health trends currently (Kovner and Knickman 2008).
The socioeconomic disparities between nations and their healthcare system capacities has a strong effect upon patient care...
These disparities affect patient care an workforce distribution via secondary impacts as well. The healthcare-related braindrain which occurs when healthcare workers, including nurses and doctors from less affluent nations leave their nation of origin to make more money for the same work in more affluent nations. The result is that there are fewer persons from the less affluent nations available to provide medical care and support to vulnerable, less-wealthy populations. Less-wealthy nations over time develop historical connections related to occupation and nation of origin as more and more people become aware of the amount of money can be made in different countries. This is a serious healthcare-related economic, cultural, and political issue that affects the composition and compensations of healthcare workers, especially nursing staff.
The United States is a largely privately-owned and operated healthcare system. Despite being considered the most affluent and influential nation, America falls…
