Comparing Japan to the Australian Health Care System - Essay Example

Comparing the Japan to the Australian health care system affiliation Comparing the Japan to the Australian health care system Japan Health Care System Japan health care system is admirable and envied by nations across the globe. The system provides the most affordable services across the globe. In analyzing this assumption, Japanese citizens only pay a third of their hospital bills and the rest is settled by the government. Regardless of this low cost on citizens, Japan has the lowest mortality rates across the globe (Ikegami, 2011). In comparison to Australia, Japan has a life expectancy of 84 while Australia has one at 73. In addition, Japan records the lowest child mortality rates across developed nations. However, the nation dos not have satisfied human resources behind its success. To minimize the cost of health care, the country has created laws that govern the medical institution price and cost their services. For instance, in Japan hospitals are required to operate as nonprofit organizations. This would enable the organizations to focus on service delivery other than making money out of patients. For this reason, hospitals are required to operate at a loss. Public medical institutions are the most affected since they have to operate at a loss. The effects on the working force have been significant since their compensation does not match their provisions to the field (Ikegami, 2011). The government plays major mandate in the Japan health care system. The state spends 8.5% of its GDP on health care (Ikegami, 2011). The funds are used to pay a two third bill of a patient medical bill. In addition, the funds may pay a full medical bill for patients who cannot afford the services provided. Public hospitals are the largest beneficiaries of the state funding. The institutions are provided with enough financial resources to provide quality medical services to patients. The ins6itutions are also funded to acquire proper medical facilities to cater for the demand of medical services in the country. The state also plays a role in ensuring medical institutions commit to provision of affordable health care. The state provides bills and legislations that require hospitals top develop a nonprofit organization operation framework. Funding of the healthcare system is also done by private firms or corporate. However, the level of this funding is much lower than the state spending (Ikegami, 2011). Wealthy person in Japan may also spend more in funding their medical bills than poor patients. Insurance companies are also required to cut the cost of providing medical covers to patients. In regards to workforce, Japan has a great workforce that any developing country. Physicians and nurses have a one-time certification with no renewal. However, the number of graduates and trained physicians has surpassed the number of institution from which they may seek employment. The trend developed the growth of small medical institutions and clinics. In per 1000 population, Japan has 2.2 physicians and 9.5 practicing nurses. These numbers match developed nations such as the U.K, United States and Canada. However, the workforce is overworked. For instance, Ikegami (2011) points out that one physician may work 14 hour per days which corresponds to 100 patients daily. Australian health care system In the year, 2012 the Australian government allocated 9.5% of its GDP to developing health care systems. The allocation amounted $140.2 billion (Louise& Parker, 2011). State funding has significantly developed the health care system in Australia. However, not all person and institution benefit from the state funding on the health care system. Aid appropriateness is determined by the wealth of both the institution and individuals. In individuals, persons who cannot afford paying medical bills are liable for 100% compensation of their bill by the state (Louise & Parker, 2011). However, the state does not dictate the operations of institutions and insurance companies in regards to price quotation. However, the mandate of public hospitals is determined by the state. For instance, the state requires each province to have an operational public hospital. The issue of health care has been sensitized in the country which has made it develop to a quality level only below Germany and New Zealand and above the United States and Canada. However, as predicted in 2005, Australia has a workforce shortage. There is a shortage of 3,000 doctors and 10,000 nurses (Louise & Parker, 2011). This is prior to the shortage of student and graduates in the medical filed. Comparing the Japan to the Australian health care system One major difference is the role and mandate of the government in regards to price control and funding. The state of Australia spends more in health care than Japan. However, the access of these funds in Japan is made ore easier s patients are required to only pay 30% of their medical bills (Ikegami, 2011). This different in Australia where one is determined legible for aid depending on their wealth status (Louise & Parker, 2011). However, the population density of Australia is much greater which makes it is a difficult tasks to provide aid to all citizens. For this reason, the Australian government does not dictate the operations of insurance companies and private medical institutions. Different from Japan hospital may operate as profit making ventures. However, this mandate is limited to private institutions only. In analyzing the health indicators in the two nations, there is minimal difference. However, the quality of services in Australia is much greater. The health care system in Australia is provided with greater concern as the state, private companies and individuals fund the system (Louise & Parker, 2011). The government in Japan has the mandate to fund the system on its own which limits its growth. However, Japan citizens access health care services more than Australians which increases their life expectancy. There is a significant difference in the workforce in both health care systems. In Japan the workforce is overworked as physicians work extra hours and attends to more patients than Australia. This makes working conditions dreadful. In Australia, physicians work for reasonable hours which increase the quality of service delivery. The trend is because compensation in the Japan system does not match the efforts required. However, the Japan system does not suffer from a workforce shortage. References Ikegami, N. (2011). Japanese universal health coverage: evolution, achievements, and challenges. The Lancet 378 (9796): 1108. Louise, F. & Parker, A. (2011).Introduction to Public Health. Sydney: Elsevier. Read More