Human Services 7

In Chapter 4, you read about the medical, public health, and human services model of service delivery. In this discussion, compare and contrast the different models of delivery. Explain the differences between the three service delivery models.  In your responses to your classmates, build on their initial posts and explain which service model is most appealing to you and why.

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document.

Response

Alyssa Aylesworth posted Jun 18, 2019 4:52 PM

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The field of human services includes three different models of delivery: medical, public health, and human services. Depending on the problem the person is facing, these three models can be used separately or in conjunction with each other.  All of these models of delivery are similar in that their focus is helping people in need: the patient/the community/the client and possibly even those close to them. However, even though they are all about helping people, each one has its different strengths. 

The medical model service of delivery focuses on people who are sick or with diseases. The main goal of those who utilize this service is to be cured, or at the very least receive livable management for their affliction.  Commonly this field prescribes the use of drugs to increase the life quality of the patient.  The public health model service of delivery is complex in nature because of all the problems it concerns itself with, but at its core its focus is to make sure the general public is healthy by promoting herd immunity, preventing epidemics, eliminating environmental hazards, advocating protective laws, encouraging healthy practices and preventing illness, disease, and injury in individual scopes. Modern public health focuses on making every facet of life safe and enjoyable instead of just making sure citizens aren't just "not sick". This model bridges the medical service and human service delivery that emphasizes prevention as the key. The human services model of service delivery primary focus is helping individuals solve their problems in living. When public health couldn't help in prevention and the problem isn't medical, this is where the human service model comes in. Even though this service focuses on helping individuals, it still can shift focus to those individuals in a group. This can include places with a high homeless population or a location with a high population of substance abuse, but each individual in these groups will have their own special needs. While the other methods largely use medical assistance, human service uses the development of life skills and problem-solving to facilitate the client. 

References

Woodside, M. An Introduction to the Human Services, 8e. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from  https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305142848/