Loading...
Healthcare does not Simply Equate to Hospitals
Howitt, Peter Darzi, Ara
Howitt, Peter
Darzi, Ara
Author(s)
Contributor(s)
Keywords
Collections
Files
Loading...
av.2E201.2E4.pdf
Adobe PDF, 342.77 KB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Online Access
Abstract
"The future of healthcare is not, principally, about the hospital. The future is with primary healthcare in the management of chronic disease or, even better, in public health and a drive to reduce the incidence of those diseases. Suzanne Robertson-Malt's excellent editorial in this edition of Avicenna, sets out the challenge clearly. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rightly aspire to world-class healthcare, but they are in danger of becoming the world leaders in a less desirable area-- -the prevalence of chronic disease. It may seem strange for one of the authors, as a colorectal surgeon, to be emphasising the importance of primary healthcare and prevention. Yet the evidence is clear that the burden of disease across the world is shifting to chronic disease. Already the majority of global deaths--- 60% in 2005-- - are caused by chronic disease [1]. Amongst the relatively affluent GCC states this figure rises further; in Oman, for instance, 75% of deaths are due to non-communicable diseases [2]. Nor is it just deaths that will be driven by chronic disease. It is projected that the two leading contributors to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2020 will be chronic diseases (heart disease and depression) [3]. Chronic disease should be prevented where possible and managed effectively in the community when it does occur. Hospital treatment of chronic disease--- such as emergency amputations carried out on diabetic patients--- must be the last resort. However, currently there is a danger that the development of GCC healthcare repeats the experience of Europe, North America and Australasia,"(pg 1)
Note(s)
Topic
Type
Article
Date
2010-12-12
Identifier
ISBN
DOI
Copyright/License
Creative Commons Copyright (CC 2.5)