On what foundation is the demand management concept based?

The correct choice relates to the foundation of the demand management concept, which is fundamentally about educating patients on prevention. By teaching patients about preventing illnesses and understanding their health better, demand management seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of health issues that require immediate medical attention. This proactive approach empowers individuals to take charge of their health, ultimately leading to lower demand for acute care services, improved health outcomes, and greater efficiency in the healthcare system.

Patient education on prevention not only informs them about healthy lifestyle choices but also encourages them to engage in regular check-ups and screenings. When patients are aware of the importance of preventive measures, they are more likely to adopt behaviors that can prevent conditions from developing or worsening, thus managing the overall demand imposed on healthcare resources.

While the other options may contribute to healthcare delivery in various ways, they do not serve as the foundational principle of demand management in the same way that educating patients on prevention does. Access to immediate care, increasing the number of providers, and streamlining processes are all valuable approaches but focus primarily on improving responsiveness and capacity rather than addressing the root causes of healthcare demand directly through patient education.