An Invitation to HealthAn Invitation to HealthChapter 16Chapter 16
Health-Care Consumerism and Health-Care Consumerism and Complementary/Alternative MedicineComplementary/Alternative Medicine
Prepared by:
Karlyn Grimes, M.S. R.D.
©2004 Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Health Beliefs of StudentsHealth Beliefs of Students
Evaluating Online Health SitesEvaluating Online Health Sites
Check the CreatorCheck the Creator
Check Website Check Website Creation & Creation &
UpdatesUpdates
Look for Look for Possible BiasPossible Bias
Consider theConsider theAuthorAuthor
Check the Check the ReferencesReferences
Evaluating Health NewsEvaluating Health NewsWho are the scientists involved? Are they Who are the scientists involved? Are they
recognized, legitimate health professionals?recognized, legitimate health professionals?
Where did the scientists report their findings?Where did the scientists report their findings?
Is the information based on personal observations?Is the information based on personal observations?
Does the article, report, or advertisement include Does the article, report, or advertisement include sensationalized statements?sensationalized statements?
Is someone trying to sell you something?Is someone trying to sell you something?
Does the information defy all common sense?Does the information defy all common sense?
Making Sense of Medical Making Sense of Medical ResearchResearch
Types of StudiesTypes of Studies Epidemiological studiesEpidemiological studies Animal studies or Animal studies or
preclinical trailspreclinical trails Clinical trialsClinical trials
Research TerminologyResearch Terminology Controlled studiesControlled studies Single-blind studiesSingle-blind studies Double-blind studiesDouble-blind studies Placebo effectPlacebo effect Prospective studiesProspective studies Retrospective studiesRetrospective studies Peer-reviewed journalsPeer-reviewed journals ReplicationReplication Meta-analysisMeta-analysis
Self-CareSelf-CareVital SignVital Sign Normal ValuesNormal Values
TemperatureTemperature MorningMorning: 98.9ºF; : 98.9ºF; AfternoonAfternoon: 99.9ºF: 99.9ºFMeasure your temperature with a mercury or Measure your temperature with a mercury or digital thermometer.digital thermometer.
Blood Blood PressurePressure
120/70 to 140/90 depending on your age and 120/70 to 140/90 depending on your age and gender.gender.
PulsePulse 72 beats per minute.72 beats per minute.Take your pulse rate at your wrist or at the Take your pulse rate at your wrist or at the carotid artery in your neck.carotid artery in your neck.
RespirationRespiration 15-20 breaths per minute15-20 breaths per minute
Are You Getting Quality Care From Your Are You Getting Quality Care From Your Primary Care Physician?Primary Care Physician?
Did your physician take a comprehensive history? Was the Did your physician take a comprehensive history? Was the physical examination thorough?physical examination thorough?
Did your physician explain what he or she was doing during Did your physician explain what he or she was doing during the exam?the exam?
Did he or she spend enough time with you?Did he or she spend enough time with you?
Did you feel free to ask questions? Did your physician give Did you feel free to ask questions? Did your physician give you straight answers? Did he or she reassure you when you you straight answers? Did he or she reassure you when you were worried?were worried?
Does your physician seem willing to admit that he or she Does your physician seem willing to admit that he or she doesn’t know the answers to some questions? doesn’t know the answers to some questions?
Does your physician hesitate to refer you to a specialist even Does your physician hesitate to refer you to a specialist even when you have a complex problem that warrants such care?when you have a complex problem that warrants such care?
Standard Tests Performed During A Standard Tests Performed During A Medical CheckupMedical Checkup
Common Medical TestsCommon Medical Tests
Chest X-rayChest X-ray ElectrocardiogramElectrocardiogram UrinalysisUrinalysis Blood TestsBlood Tests
Elective TreatmentsElective Treatments Laser vision
surgery Cosmetic surgery
Your Right to Privacy and Access Your Right to Privacy and Access to Medical Recordsto Medical Records
Access to Access to
Medical RecordsMedical Records
Notice of Notice of Privacy Privacy
PracticesPracticesConfidentialityConfidentiality
Prohibition Prohibition
on on
MarketingMarketing
Complementary and Complementary and Alternative MedicineAlternative Medicine
DefinitionDefinition All health-care approaches, practices, and treatments not widely All health-care approaches, practices, and treatments not widely
taught in medical schools and not generally used in hospitals.taught in medical schools and not generally used in hospitals. 5 Categories of CAM5 Categories of CAM
Alternative medical systems acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy and naturopathy.
Mind-body interventions biofeedback and visualization.
Biologically based therapies herbal medicine.
Manipulative and body-based methods Chiropractic, massage therapy and reflexology.
Energy therapies
What Should I Know Before I Try What Should I Know Before I Try CAM?CAM?
Is it safe?Is it safe? Is it effective?Is it effective? Will it interact with other medications or Will it interact with other medications or
conventional treatments?conventional treatments? Is the practitioner qualified?Is the practitioner qualified? What has been the experience of others?What has been the experience of others? Can you talk openly and easily with the Can you talk openly and easily with the
practitioners?practitioners? Are you comfortable with the CAM care Are you comfortable with the CAM care
setting?setting? What are the costs?What are the costs?
Health-Care PractitionersHealth-Care Practitioners
PhysiciansPhysiciansAllied-HealthAllied-HealthPractitionersPractitionersNursesNurses
ChiropractorsChiropractorsDentistsDentists
Health-Care FacilitiesHealth-Care Facilities
College Health CentersCollege Health Centers
Outpatient Outpatient Treatment Treatment
CentersCenters
HomeHomeHealthHealthCareCare
Hospitals and Hospitals and
Medical CentersMedical Centers
Who Are The Uninsured?Who Are The Uninsured?
Health Insurance PlansHealth Insurance Plans
Private Fee-for-Private Fee-for-Service PlansService Plans
Indemnity Plans
Managed Care PlansManaged Care PlansPPOPPOHMOHMO
Public or Public or Governmental PlansGovernmental Plans
MedicareMedicareMedicaidMedicaid
Taking Charge of Your Health Taking Charge of Your Health CareCare
Trust your instinctsTrust your instinctsDo your homeworkDo your homework
Find a good primary care physicianFind a good primary care physicianSee your doctor regularlySee your doctor regularly
Get a second opinionGet a second opinionChallenge medical judgmentsChallenge medical judgments
Seek supportSeek supportSpeak upSpeak up
Bring your own advocateBring your own advocate
