# Introduction to Healthcare Study Guide - Module 1  ## Metadata - Author: [[Stanford University]] - Full Title: Introduction to Healthcare Study Guide - Module 1 - Category: #articles - Summary: This text introduces the basic structure of healthcare systems, highlighting the interaction between patients and providers and the challenges they face, such as rising costs and access to care. It explains the concept of risk pooling as a solution to financial risks associated with healthcare expenses. The text also discusses the roles of intermediaries like insurance companies and government payers in managing healthcare funds and payments. - URL: https://readwise.io/reader/document_raw_content/165077285 ## Highlights - Providers - Health care providers, the people who can help patients such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, a pretty wide range of people. Sometimes also include institutions like hospitals or imaging centers, makers of health care goods and services like a pharmaceutical company or a medical device maker. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmn7g8z59swhx763gdyskdg)) - Note: Basically anyone that provides any kind of health service to patients, not just doctors - In the US, the Medicare program is a large government program and one of its key roles is to cover people over age 65 ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmre0tbs6161v7wmv53f1jn)) - In the UK, the National Health Service is a large public intermediary that is available to everyone. But there is also the option for people there to buy private insurance, foregoing the coverage offered by the NHS and opting to pay premiums for a private policy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmrgs83d0zecrmv2qj0ckgs)) - In the U.S., most people under age 65 get their insurance from a private insurance company, and there are many different insurers that offer coverage, which individuals can choose between. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmrgvk38gya7daxt47fnsa5)) - Need a tool that manages incoming information from patients, and sorts that out into diagnoses and treatment plans. May benefit if they can better identify patients likely to need services in the future. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmrvwmxf2cmpykcedwdrwrz)) - electronic health records, or EHR data. The main purpose is to aid providers in working with patients. It may be heavily regulated because of privacy concerns. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hxmrx3be6fk3r7krde91bzc1)) - Note: note the “heavily regulated” nature of EHR, likely lots of legal hurdles