Question

Explain what is secondary care, who provides secondary care and what barriers do you feel exist in obtaining secondary care?

Answer 1

Medical professionals frequently speak about levels of care. They're divided into the categories of primary care, secondary care, tertiary care, and quaternary care. Each level is related to the complexity of the medical cases being treated as well as the skills and specialties of the providers.

Secondary Care Specialists

When primary care provider refers to a specialist, then it is in secondary care. Secondary care simply means patient will be taken care by someone who has more specific expertise in what is ailing. Many secondary care providers, such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, most dental specialties or physiotherapists do not necessarily work in hospitals. Some primary care services are delivered within hospitals. Depending on the organization and policies of the national health system, patients may be required to see a primary care provider for a referral before they can access secondary care. Physiotherapists are both primary and secondary care providers that do not require a referral.

Allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and dietitians, also generally work in secondary care, accessed through either patient self-referral or through physician referral.

There are some barriers existing in obtaining secondary care.

1) Language problem

2) Lack of insurance coverage

3) Lack of specialists

Thanks.