© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter FifteenBecoming an Informed Healthcare Consumer

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Acquiring Health InformationAcquiring Health Information

Family and friendsFamily and friends Advertisement and Advertisement and

commercialscommercials Labels/detailed Labels/detailed

directionsdirections

TestimonialsTestimonials Mass mediaMass media Health Health

practitionerspractitioners On-line computer On-line computer

servicesservices

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Acquiring Health Information Acquiring Health Information (cont’d)(cont’d)

Health reference Health reference publicationspublications

Reference librariesReference libraries Consumer Consumer

advocacy groupsadvocacy groups

FolkloreFolklore Voluntary health Voluntary health

agenciesagencies Government Government

agenciesagencies Qualified health Qualified health

educatorseducators

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Why People ConsultWhy People ConsultHealth PractitionersHealth Practitioners

Diagnosis of a health problemDiagnosis of a health problem Treatment of a health problemTreatment of a health problem Screening for potential problemsScreening for potential problems Consultation of a health concernConsultation of a health concern Prevention of disease processPrevention of disease process

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Types of Health PractitionersTypes of Health Practitioners

Physicians (M.D., Physicians (M.D., D.O.)D.O.)

Chiropractic (D.C.)Chiropractic (D.C.) AcupunctureAcupuncture ReflexologyReflexology

HomeopathyHomeopathy NaturopathyNaturopathy HerbalismHerbalism AyurvedaAyurveda

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RestrictedRestrictedHealthcare ProvidersHealthcare Providers

Dentists (D.D.S.)Dentists (D.D.S.) Psychologists Psychologists

(Ph.D., Ed.D.)(Ph.D., Ed.D.) Podiatrists Podiatrists

(D.P.M.)(D.P.M.) Optometrists Optometrists

(O.D.)(O.D.)

Opticians Opticians (technicians)(technicians)

Nurses (R.N., Nurses (R.N., L.P.N.)L.P.N.)

Allied Health Care Allied Health Care ProfessionalsProfessionals

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Self CareSelf Care

People are becoming more People are becoming more responsible of their own healthresponsible of their own health

BenefitsBenefits• decreased healthcare costsdecreased healthcare costs• effective for particular conditionseffective for particular conditions• free physicians for other tasksfree physicians for other tasks• increased interest in health activitiesincreased interest in health activities

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Self Care (cont’d)Self Care (cont’d)

Self care is an appropriate Self care is an appropriate alternative in 3 areas:alternative in 3 areas:• acute conditionacute condition• therapytherapy• health promotionhealth promotion

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Health Care FacilitiesHealth Care Facilities

3 types of hospitals3 types of hospitals• PrivatePrivate• PublicPublic• VoluntaryVoluntary

Other facilities Other facilities include:include:• Nursing homesNursing homes• Rehabilitation Rehabilitation

centerscenters• Private Private

clinics/centersclinics/centers

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Health InsuranceHealth Insurance

HMO’sHMO’s MedicareMedicare MedicaidMedicaid

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Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC’s)Drugs (OTC’s)

Prescription drugs require permission Prescription drugs require permission from a licensed physicianfrom a licensed physician

Active ingredient is greater than OTCActive ingredient is greater than OTC Price is higher than OTCPrice is higher than OTC

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC’s) (cont’d)Drugs (OTC’s) (cont’d)

Both are sold as brand name and Both are sold as brand name and generic typesgeneric types

2,500 prescription drugs are 2,500 prescription drugs are available vs. 300,000 OTCavailable vs. 300,000 OTC

Both are regulated by the FDABoth are regulated by the FDA

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Advanced Medical DirectivesAdvanced Medical Directives Legal documents that express desires of the type of care Legal documents that express desires of the type of care

to be provided in the case that you become incapacitatedto be provided in the case that you become incapacitated• TypesTypes

Living willsLiving wills Medical Power of Attorney for Health CareMedical Power of Attorney for Health Care Organ Donation cards/requestsOrgan Donation cards/requests

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Health Care Quackery and Health Care Quackery and Consumer FraudConsumer Fraud

1.1. Prepare and do your homework regarding Prepare and do your homework regarding informationinformation

2.2. Comparison shopComparison shop

3.3. Insist on formal contracts and dated receiptsInsist on formal contracts and dated receipts

4.4. Obtain written instructions/warrantiesObtain written instructions/warranties

5.5. When complaining, put them in writingWhen complaining, put them in writing

6.6. Press for resolution of your complaintsPress for resolution of your complaints

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Chapter FifteenChapter FifteenBecoming an Informed Healthcare Becoming an Informed Healthcare

ConsumerConsumer