Current Practices in Select Healthcare Systems

In this chapter, current practices of healthcare delivery in three economically advanced countries will be reviewed. Is healthcare delivery commensurate with economic prosperity? Countries with technological and economic advantages may be better poised to deliver healthcare efficiently. However, this is not the case in fact. The following review will show that medico-legal and technological prowess may not translate into a healthier life and better healthcare delivery. It will be argued that poor allocation of ample resources is tantamount to resource insufficiency. The chapter will cite anonymous but true cases of patients to illustrate the salient points. IntroductIon In this chapter, current practices of healthcare delivery in three G8 countries will be reviewed. Does economic prosperity lead to a better quality of delivered healthcare? Countries with technological and economic advantages may seem to be better poised to deliver healthcare efficiently. However, this may not be the case in fact. The following review will show that medico-legal and technological prowess may not translate into a healthier life and better healthcare delivery. Distribution of wealth does not necessarily correlate with the distribution of health. It will be argued that poor allocation of ample resources is tantamount to resource insufficiency. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-772-0.ch001