Abstract
Publisher Summary This chapter presents social institutions and the organization, and delivery of health care. Institutional factors influence the delivery of health care as the patient's individual social characteristics do. An examination of the major social institutions that contribute to the social organization of the society reveals that the delivery of health care is the fastest-changing social institution in the nation. It is changing so rapidly that research into its processes and outcomes has a difficult time keeping pace. One reason is the conversion around it of five major societal forces: medicine, government, industry, organized citizen groups, and the mass media. Each of these five is also changing within itself and with reference to the other four institutions. One effect of this double-change process is a highly charged, conflict-laden atmosphere around health care delivery. The area of health care delivery is one of the fastest-changing institutions in American society. The individual members of each institution must take up a responsible role in bringing their point of view to the bargaining table. If this does not occur, uncontrolled conflicts will rage and the system of health care would weaken.
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