What does underuse refer to in healthcare practice?

Underuse in healthcare practice specifically refers to situations where necessary healthcare services are not being utilized to their full potential. This can happen when patients do not receive essential treatments, preventive care, or medical interventions that they require for their health.

Choosing not to follow standard healthcare practices can lead to this underuse, as it may involve failing to implement evidence-based guidelines, leading to missed opportunities for patient care. For example, if healthcare providers do not adhere to preventive measures like vaccinations or screenings, patients may not receive the health benefits that those services are designed to provide.

In contrast, closely following standard healthcare practices would result in appropriate use of resources, while concepts like fair distribution of resources or the reduction of harm focus on different aspects of healthcare system management and ethics. Understanding underuse helps healthcare administrators identify gaps in care and improve patient outcomes by ensuring that essential services are available and utilized efficiently.