The concept of social justice is defined as justice that is exercised within a given society and particularly if it is applied among and to different society classes. It is also the ability for people to realize their given potential within the society they live in. market justice on the other is an approach derived from concepts of individualism, personal effort, voluntary behavior, and self interest. These concepts denote situations that are different in a society but they share some characteristics. Market justice dwells on the creation of a situation or society where people are depended on their personal efforts and themselves to survive while social justice is based on society creation where people live in unity have equal rights accorded by the state, and share responsibilities.
Market justice has outlived its given role in the US health care and there is a lack of it in the health system (Sarasohn-Kahn, 2008). A study that was published in JAMA examined some use of narcotic drugs and opioids to treat patients in moderation to reduce severe pain (Pletcher et al, 2008). There is a likelihood of Hispanic and African-American patients not to receive these drugs compared to white patients. This example continues to ruin the U.S. health system delivery. Every citizen should be entitled to equality in accessing health care. Market justice is influenced by the resources and choices of an individual in health care distribution.
With social justice, the health care distribution is determined by an individual. Social justice unlike market justice is used in public health and the latter is used in the private health sector. Social justice encourages access to health care by families with low income. Cases where social injustices occur include times or place where there is a difference that is preventable in states of health among a group of people. They take the form of health states that are negative like infectious diseases and malnourishment.
Medical technology refers to interventions which can be used for effective and safe diagnosis, prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment of diseases and illness. These interventions include devices, pharmaceuticals, organizational systems, and procedures in healthcare. Cost effectiveness is an important tool used to make choices on interventions on healthcare. Cost effectiveness comes in where new products such as diagnostic tests, new technologies and pharmaceuticals are in continuous development. In turn the health care system is required to be responsible for any potential hope provided by these products.
Clinical effectiveness is a tool used to find and understand what works in healthcare and medicine. Clinical effectiveness is based on making a practice that is clinical more explicit and based on evidence and has a goal of making the clinical practice effectiveness better as well as the service delivery. Simply this effectiveness is more about doing something right and in the correct way.
Different medical technologies are important in driving and delivering efficient healthcare systems. Studies have shown that medical technology has effectively reduced the number of people who stay in hospitals by a big percent. The shift to out-patient from in-patient care has provided reasonable cost savings and has also improved the quality of life. Medical technology has played an important role in enabling people be part of the contributing society and also valuable. Some diseases would have prevented some people from working but with such innovative technologies there has been reduction of these diseases. Medical technology has also improved the economy of various countries by provision of high quality jobs and also it attracts investments as well as creating an innovation hub.
Medical technology has added a positive impact to consumers. There are some technologies such as radiological imaging machines that a consumer can use and has sole responsibility without a physicians order. Consumers have a greater and direct stake in the efficiency of medical technology because they are the ones who benefit from it. Compared to the providers, consumers of medical technology have no need to overstate the benefits of these technologies unless there is an issue of negotiating with payers. Medical technology has greatly improved the lives of the consumers unlike the past years where treatment was entirely based on assumptions.
Health care expenditure continues to grow in the U.S. rapidly. This has also led to an increase in the health care insurance premiums. Experts on health care have pointed this problem to be caused by diffusion and development of medical technology. Medical technology is one of the primary factors explaining the continued health spending. Basically, a new technology can either decrease or increase spending in healthcare but all together the advancement in medical technology has largely contributed to the rising spending on health care. Consumers in the long run need medical care that helps them maintain and achieve good health, thus the medical technology advances are seen as ways to achieve this goals.
Health insurance is an assurance to medical suppliers as well as researchers in that it provides ways for consumers (patients) to have resources that will pay other medical technologies, thus encouraging development and research (The KFF organization, 2007).
References
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Organization, (2007). Snapshots: How Changes in Medical Technology Affect Health Care Costs. Retrieved From http://kff.org/health- costs/issue-brief/snapshots-how-changes-in-medical-technology-affect/
Sarasohn-Kahn, J., (2008). Market Justice vs. Social Justice in Health Care – Our National Identity Crisis. Retrieved From http://healthpopuli.com/2008/01/03/market-justice-vs- social-justice-in/
Pletcher, M., J., et al, (2008). Trends in Opioid Prescribing by Race/Ethnicity for Patients Seeking Care in US Emergency Departments. JAMA. 2008;299(1):70-78. doi:10.1001/jama.2007.64. Retrieved From http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1149438
