The Same, But Different
We are at the one-week mark in Madrid! When looking at the itinerary, today was probably my most anticipated day. It indeed did not disappoint. I have been looking forward to hearing a lecture on the healthcare system in Spain since we arrived. I learned bits and pieces of some of the most popular healthcare systems in my sociology class this past semester, so I was eager to learn more about Spain in a direct context. I had the perception that one of the biggest differences between the United States and Spain, in terms of healthcare, was universal healthcare. My view still stands after our lecture, but my understanding on this topic has grown throughout my experiences today.
We started by touring a private hospital that was a bus ride away from our hostel. It was very nice, featuring a main floor with areas for scans and bloodwork, several floors for various specialties, and an emergency room as well. I haven't been in a hospital in the US that is as new, so it was somewhat hard for me to compare directly. One observation was the building being plain and cleanly feeling. There were no added pictures really or advertisements scattered throughout. I was super appreciative of this experience. We then spent time listening to a physician who presented us with an overview of the public healthcare system. My main takeaways included the strong mindset of healthcare being a basic human right. I think the United States as a whole greatly differs from this understanding. It seems the citizens of Spain have a different cultural view and understand the benefit of paying taxes in order to obtain healthcare for everyone. Another key point I became more appreciative of is that a 'healthcare system' does not only involve hospitals, clinicians, and patients but also the environment, public services, and police force for example. Though culture plays a role in individual health behaviors, policies and laws are foundational in the health of populations. We discussed the General Health Law of 1986 that established universal healthcare in Spain. Another major point that I had previously learned and emphasized in this lecture was the significantly lower administrative spending for healthcare in Spain. Spending more dollars that directly impact the care of patients and communities seems beneficial in the overall health and well-being here. The mere stress of obtaining insurance or receiving a hospital bill seems detrimental to Americans' health.
A new piece of knowledge I gained was about how each of the communities in Spain (essentially synonymous to states in the US) has their own way of operating a public health system. I had previously thought the healthcare professionals were employed by the national government, so that was really interesting to learn more about. I also enjoyed learning the ways in which all people are still similar. For example, I asked about the system for elderly individuals because I was curious if there were many differences related to policies or culture, since Spain's average life span is longer. The trend towards parents being in nursing home, assisted living, or retirement community situations has risen in Spain as well. With more people in the work force, less time is available to be caregivers for parents or grandparents. I think socializing and culture play a factor here but most people worldwide likely want the best for their family members in the context of time and money available.
There is so much to learn about these complex systems, and I feel like I have only dipped my toes in the water. With my wonderful mother being a funeral director, I am always intrigued to hear other countries way of handling situations after death. I have always viewed this part of life as a part of a larger system of healthcare because of how I grew up in such close proximity to the funeral industry. I decided to ask our program director if she knew of any differences. She told me that funeral care is not a part of a free public service for everyone and includes purchasing insurances and paying for services and such. Contrasting to the US though, burials or services are most often within 1-2 days of death. Laura said this is likely a relation to Catholic beliefs.
I went to a Moroccan Hammam with two other girls after our tour and class. This was such an amazing experience and something I will always remember. We grabbed some lunch and attended a Flamenco show with the rest of the class. Each of these activities continues to open my eyes into how other people around the world experience joy and quality time with friends, two of the most important parts of well-being, in my opinion. I ended the night with my first scoops of gelato in Spain. Today may now be on the top of my pyramid, but I am excited to see what others might top this Tuesday.
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