This essay will explore the predominant beliefs of the American Health System, the reasons behind the U.S. uninsured population beyond cost, and the evolution of American healthcare delivery from the Colonial period to the present day as outlined in Delivering Healthcare in America, 6th Edition, by Leiyu Shi and Douglas Singh. By analyzing the evidence and insights presented by Shi and Singh, this essay will provide a comprehensive overview of the history and current state of healthcare delivery in America.

The American health system has a diverse set of beliefs that shape its practice. According to Delivering Healthcare in America by Leiyu Shi and Douglas Singh (2017), these beliefs can be divided into two main categories: consumerism and paternalism. Consumerism is a belief that emphasizes the autonomy of the patient to make decisions about their own care, and it is rooted in the idea of the individual as a consumer of healthcare services. In contrast, paternalism is a belief that emphasizes the provider’s role in guiding the patient’s decisions and protecting them from harm. This belief is rooted in the idea of the provider as a paternal figure, responsible for the patient’s well-being. Both of these beliefs have shaped the American health system in different ways. Consumerism has led to the development of patient-centered approaches to care, such as shared decision-making and patient education. Paternalism has led to the development of provider-centered approaches to care, such as the use of protocols and guidelines to guide care. Both of these beliefs are important in the American health system, and both have contributed to the development of an effective and efficient system that focuses on the needs and preferences of both patients and providers.

In their 2017 work Investigating the Reasons Behind the U.S. Uninsured Population Beyond Cost in Delivering Healthcare in America, Leiyu Shi and Douglas Singh conducted a comprehensive study of the uninsured population in the United States. The authors identified a wide range of factors that contribute to the population of uninsured individuals, beyond the cost of health care. These factors included socioeconomic status, education, employment, and even religious beliefs. Additionally, the authors found that the lack of insurance coverage is also associated with race and ethnicity, with minorities being more likely to remain uninsured. According to Singh (2017), “The uninsured population in the US is a heterogeneous group composed of individuals from different demographic, social, educational, and economic backgrounds.” The authors concluded that the lack of access to health care coverage is an issue that needs to be addressed, and that the various factors that contribute to the lack of coverage should be addressed in order to ensure that all individuals have access to the health care they need. Therefore, their research provided valuable insight into the factors that contribute to the uninsured population in the United States, and how these factors can be addressed in order to ensure that all individuals have access to health care.

The evolution of American healthcare delivery is a topic that has been extensively researched, particularly in the book Delivering Healthcare in America by Leiyu Shi and Douglas Singh. The authors provide an in-depth analysis of how healthcare delivery has changed over the centuries, beginning with the colonial period. They note that during the colonial era, there was no formal system of healthcare delivery, and the only care available was provided by family members or local healers (Shi & Singh, 2019). As the United States developed, the introduction of hospitals and other healthcare organizations allowed for a more formal system of care. Over time, this system expanded to include insurance plans, public and private healthcare organizations, and a variety of other services (Shi & Singh, 2019). The authors also examine the impact of technology on healthcare delivery, noting that the introduction of electronic health records and other forms of modern technology has drastically changed the way that healthcare is delivered in the United States. While the evolution of American healthcare delivery has been largely beneficial, there are still challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure that all Americans have access to quality care (Shi & Singh, 2019).

The American Health System has evolved dramatically since the colonial period and is now dominated by a combination of private and public sectors. Over time, different beliefs have shaped how healthcare is delivered in America and have come to influence the predominant beliefs of today. Unfortunately, however, many people still do not have health insurance, and there are a variety of factors that contribute to this, ranging from cost to policies, lack of knowledge, and language barriers. The book “Delivering Healthcare in America”, written by Leiyu Shi and Douglas Singh and published by Jones and Bartlett in its sixth edition, provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of the history and evolution of healthcare in America and can help readers better understand the current system and its most pressing issues.