Those seeking healthcare in third world countries face unique challenges that impact their decision to seek either public or private healthcare. Within less developed countries, 80% of healthcare is administered through the private sector, even though public healthcare is available at no additional cost to patients (9). Lax certification standards and healthcare practice laws mean that most private physicians are unqualified and have little or no formal training, and yet some studies show that they are no worse at diagnosing and treating patients (7). The current theory is that the financial incentive of providing quality care to patients encourages private physicians to adhere to higher standards than public physicians, who are paid regardless of performance and have no recourse for malpractice or irresponsibility; as an extreme example, public physicians are often not in their clinic and receive income even when they are not present to work, so patients turn first to private physicians because they are more likely to be present in their practice during hours of operation (1). In addition, patients seek private physicians because they offer shorter waiting times, longer sessions with patients, cleaner and safer facilities, a greater likelihood of diagnosis, increased options for treatment, and lower cost of care (1). In fact, physicians that worked in both public and private settings were reported to spend more times with patients, provide more accurate diagnoses, and offer more treatment in their private practice than in their public office (16).
While the evidence promoting private industry as the superior structure for healthcare delivery in third world countries is compelling, arguments made in favor of public healthcare systems conflict with some claims supporting the private sector. For example, some studies show the lack of formal training in the private sector as compared to the public sector leads to worse patient diagnosis and treatment with the wrong medication or dose (1). In addition, the cost of medications in the private system have been reported to be up to four times the price for patients as the same medication prescribed in a public system (1). Lastly, patients turn consistently to the public sector for vaccinations, which are offered free (1).
While the specifics of healthcare practices in the third world public and private sectors are consistently debated and often conflicting, the fact remains that the significant majority (80%) of the population relies on the private system for care, despite the cost of private care and the widespread poverty in these countries. The ability of patients to freely choose the source of their care leads to an improved quality of treatment, a new economy for healthcare, accountability for physicians, and the most options and freedom for patients.
While the evidence promoting private industry as the superior structure for healthcare delivery in third world countries is compelling, arguments made in favor of public healthcare systems conflict with some claims supporting the private sector. For example, some studies show the lack of formal training in the private sector as compared to the public sector leads to worse patient diagnosis and treatment with the wrong medication or dose (1). In addition, the cost of medications in the private system have been reported to be up to four times the price for patients as the same medication prescribed in a public system (1). Lastly, patients turn consistently to the public sector for vaccinations, which are offered free (1).
While the specifics of healthcare practices in the third world public and private sectors are consistently debated and often conflicting, the fact remains that the significant majority (80%) of the population relies on the private system for care, despite the cost of private care and the widespread poverty in these countries. The ability of patients to freely choose the source of their care leads to an improved quality of treatment, a new economy for healthcare, accountability for physicians, and the most options and freedom for patients.