(c) 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter Eighteen: Becoming an Informed Health-Care Consumer

Products and Services of the Following were listed as Health Interests of American Youths Diseases Diseases Sexual health Sexual health Weight loss/gain Weight loss/gain Drugs and Alcohol Drugs and Alcohol Depression/Mental Health Depression/Mental Health Violence Violence Smoking Smoking Eating Disorders Eating Disorders Acne/Skin care Acne/Skin care Local clinics Local clinics Sexual assaults Sexual assaults

Acquiring Sources of Health Information Via family and friends Via family and friends Through advertisements and commercials Through advertisements and commercials Reading labels/detailed directions from health sources Reading labels/detailed directions from health sources Folklore (passing information down through generations) Folklore (passing information down through generations) Health Reference Publications Health Reference Publications

Acquiring Sources of Health Information, cont’d Testimonials Testimonials Mass media Mass media Health practitioners Health practitioners Consumer Advocacy groups Consumer Advocacy groups Voluntary Health Agencies Voluntary Health Agencies

Government agencies Government agencies Qualified Health educators Qualified Health educators Health-care providers Health-care providers Online Computer Services Online Computer Services Acquiring Sources of Health Information, cont’d

Why People Consult Health Practitioners Diagnosis of a health problem Diagnosis of a health problem Treatment of a health problem Treatment of a health problem Screening for potential problems Screening for potential problems Consultation of a health concern Consultation of a health concern Prevention of disease process Prevention of disease process

Types of Health Practitioners Primary care physicians (M.D./D.O.) Primary care physicians (M.D./D.O.) Chiropractic medicine (D.C.) Chiropractic medicine (D.C.) Acupuncture (stimulation of body parts) Acupuncture (stimulation of body parts) Reflexology (foot manipulation) Reflexology (foot manipulation)

Types of Health Practitioners, cont’d Homeopathy (herbs, minerals to restore body) Homeopathy (herbs, minerals to restore body) Naturopathy (correcting body/mind balance) Naturopathy (correcting body/mind balance) Herbalism (use of herbs for treatment) Herbalism (use of herbs for treatment) Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine based on herbal medicine) Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine based on herbal medicine)

Other Health-Care Providers with Restricted Scope of Practice Dentists (D.D.S.) Dentists (D.D.S.) Psychologists (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Psychologists (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Podiatrists (D.P.M.) Podiatrists (D.P.M.) Optometrists (O.D.) Optometrists (O.D.) Opticians (technicians under the scope of optometrists/ophthalmologists) Opticians (technicians under the scope of optometrists/ophthalmologists) Nurses (A.P.N., R.N., L.P.N.) Nurses (A.P.N., R.N., L.P.N.)

Self-Care/Home Care A trend toward individuals’ taking increased responsibility for prevention/management of certain health conditions A trend toward individuals’ taking increased responsibility for prevention/management of certain health conditions Benefits are: Benefits are: Reduced costs Reduced costs Effective care for particular conditions Effective care for particular conditions Free up time for medical specialists to spend with other patients Free up time for medical specialists to spend with other patients Increased interest in health related activities Increased interest in health related activities

Health Care Facilities 3 types of hospitals 3 types of hospitals Private Private Public Public Voluntary Voluntary Other facilities include: Other facilities include: Nursing homes Nursing homes Rehabilitation centers Rehabilitation centers Private clinics/centers Private clinics/centers

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC) Prescription drugs require permission from a physician before dispensing Prescription drugs require permission from a physician before dispensing Active ingredient is greater than OTC Active ingredient is greater than OTC Price is much higher than OTC Price is much higher than OTC Both are sold as brand name and generic Both are sold as brand name and generic 2,500 prescription drugs are available compared to 300,000 OTC 2,500 prescription drugs are available compared to 300,000 OTC Both are regulated by the FDA Both are regulated by the FDA

Advanced Medical Directives Legal documents that express desires of the type of care to be provided in the case that you become incapacitated Legal documents that express desires of the type of care to be provided in the case that you become incapacitated Types Types Living wills Living wills Medical Power of Attorney for Health Care Medical Power of Attorney for Health Care Organ Donation cards/requests Organ Donation cards/requests

Becoming a Skilled Health Care Consumer 1. Prepare and do your homework regarding information 2. Comparison shop 3. Insist on formal contracts and dated receipts 4. Obtain written instructions/warranties 5. When complaining, put them in writing 6. Press for resolution of your complaints

(c) 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter Eighteen: Becoming an Informed Health-Care Consumer