Consumerism in the western economies is a common phenomenon, but even developing economies are resorting to it. Consumerism is the consumption of goods and services at a higher rate. In healthcare, consumerism is neither a program nor a product, it is an introduction to new care delivery methods, which promote and facilitate bigger patient responsibility through the intelligent use of information technology (Magee, 2009). Experts have noticed that, due to reduced reimbursement on medical care, physicians allocate little time to each patient in order to maximize the number of patients they can attend to in a day. Patients have in turn used the existence of technology like internet to shape the healthcare landscape.
A significant element to the achievement of consumer directed health strategy such as high-deductible plans with employee-owned health saving s account, creative purchasing attitudes in the minds of the employees. When they subsidize the cost of these services, they look for low-costing high quality options.
However, individuals should become more mindful of their own health status by properly selecting the products and services they use, considering their price s and effects, the healthcare also needs to shift from consumer-centric model to a business-sustaining model. This move occurs when healthcare providers view physicians as to guide and counsel consumers in a clinical decision making process (Cohen, Grote, Pietraszek, & Laflamme, 2010). They can also avail information online for the consumers to contribute in decision-making.the health providers can educate consumers on the transparency in the pricing and accountability for adherence to treatment. Providing consumers with a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic and care delivery options is another important move. The healthcare providers should be ready to recognize the diversity of consumers in relation to behaviors and attitudes. Most importantly, they should respond to consumes desire for better services and personalization.
References:
Cohen, S. B., Grote, K. D., Pietraszek, W. E., & Laflamme, F. (2010). Increasing consumerism in healthcare through intelligent information technology. American Journal Of Managed Care, 16SP37-43.
Magee, M. (2009). Powering healthcare visions: taking advantage of complexity, connectivity, and consumerism. Intel Technology Journal, 13(3), 6-19.
