Which model illustrates healthcare provided to a patient over a defined span of time?

The continuum of care is a model that effectively illustrates how healthcare is delivered to patients across various stages of their health journey over a defined period. This model emphasizes the importance of providing integrated, coordinated care that supports individuals through different healthcare needs, from prevention and initial diagnosis to treatment and long-term follow-up.

In this context, the continuum of care recognizes that patient needs can change over time, requiring a flexible and holistic approach to health management. It encompasses various services and settings, ensuring that care is patient-centered and seamless, which is critical for achieving optimal health outcomes in a palliative care setting.

While the other options, such as the healthcare continuum, palliative care model, and patient journey, also relate to patient care, they do not specifically emphasize the aspect of providing healthcare over a defined time span in the same comprehensive manner as the continuum of care. The healthcare continuum tends to focus on the range of services available rather than the timeline of care. Similarly, the palliative care model specifically targets addressing the needs of patients with life-limiting conditions but does not inherently convey the time aspect. The patient journey generally describes the experiences and processes a patient goes through in their healthcare journey without explicitly framing it within a defined time period.