1. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Fourteen Becoming an Informed Health Care Consumer

2. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Sources of Health Information Family and friendsFamily and friends Advertisements and commercialsAdvertisements and commercials Labels and directionsLabels and directions FolkloreFolklore TestimonialsTestimonials Mass mediaMass media Health practitionersHealth practitioners Online computer servicesOnline computer services

3. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Sources of Health Information (cont.) Health reference publicationsHealth reference publications Reference librariesReference libraries Consumer advocacy groupsConsumer advocacy groups Voluntary health agenciesVoluntary health agencies Government agenciesGovernment agencies Qualified health educatorsQualified health educators

4. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Why People Consult Health Care Providers 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 about a health concernConsultation about a health concern Prevention of disease processesPrevention of disease processes

5. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Physicians and Their Training Primary care physiciansPrimary care physicians Health care providers who see patients on a routine basisHealth care providers who see patients on a routine basis Often focus on preventive careOften focus on preventive care PhysiciansPhysicians Doctor of Medicine (MD)Doctor of Medicine (MD) Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

6. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Patient-Provider Communication Take part in health care decisionsTake part in health care decisions Be prepared to ask questionsBe prepared to ask questions Inform providers about all drugs and supplements you are takingInform providers about all drugs and supplements you are taking Get the results of every test, and understand what they meanGet the results of every test, and understand what they mean Make sure you agree on specific surgery and treatment plansMake sure you agree on specific surgery and treatment plans

7. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Care Practitioners Chiropractic Chiropractic Manual manipulation of the vertebral column to relieve misalignments and cure illnessManual manipulation of the vertebral column to relieve misalignments and cure illness Third-largest health profession in the U.S.Third-largest health profession in the U.S. Medical training largely mirrors that of primary care physiciansMedical training largely mirrors that of primary care physicians May work within conventional medical groups on postural conditionsMay work within conventional medical groups on postural conditions

8. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Care Practitioners (cont.) AcupunctureAcupuncture Insertion of fine needles into the body to alter electroenergy fieldsInsertion of fine needles into the body to alter electroenergy fields Balance forces within the body to strengthen qiBalance forces within the body to strengthen qi Manipulative PracticesManipulative Practices Massage, reflexology, rolfing, etc.Massage, reflexology, rolfing, etc. HomeopathyHomeopathy Use of minute doses of herbs, minerals, or other substances to stimulate healingUse of minute doses of herbs, minerals, or other substances to stimulate healing

9. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Care Practitioners (cont.) NaturopathyNaturopathy Emphasis on the use of natural agents to correct underlying imbalancesEmphasis on the use of natural agents to correct underlying imbalances HerbalismHerbalism Use of herbal preparations for treatmentUse of herbal preparations for treatment Therapeutic touchTherapeutic touch Biofield therapyBiofield therapy AyurvedaAyurveda Traditional Indian medicineTraditional Indian medicine Treatment directed toward the elimination of impuritiesTreatment directed toward the elimination of impurities

10. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Provides framework for well-controlled research into effectiveness of alternative approaches to medicineProvides framework for well-controlled research into effectiveness of alternative approaches to medicine Information available onlineInformation available online http://nccam.nih.gov

11. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Restricted-Practice Health Care Providers Nurse professionals (APN, RN, LPN)Nurse professionals (APN, RN, LPN) Registered nurse (RN)Registered nurse (RN) Advanced practice nurse (APN)Advanced practice nurse (APN) Licensed practical nurse (LPN)Licensed practical nurse (LPN) Allied Health Care ProfessionalsAllied Health Care Professionals Respiratory therapistsRespiratory therapists Physical therapistsPhysical therapists Dental hygenistsDental hygenists

12. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Self-Care/ Home Care A trend toward individuals taking increased responsibility for prevention/management of certain health conditionsA trend toward individuals taking increased responsibility for prevention/management of certain health conditions Benefits are:Benefits are: Reduced costsReduced costs Effective care for particular conditionsEffective care for particular conditions Frees up time for medical specialists to spend with other patientsFrees up time for medical specialists to spend with other patients Increased interest in health-related activitiesIncreased interest in health-related activities

13. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Health Care Facilities Types of hospitalsTypes of hospitals PrivatePrivate PublicPublic VoluntaryVoluntary Other facilities include:Other facilities include: Nursing homesNursing homes Rehabilitation centersRehabilitation centers Private clinics/centersPrivate clinics/centers

14. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Health Care Costs and Reimbursements Health insuranceHealth insurance Group versus individual plansGroup versus individual plans High-deductible health plans with health savings accountsHigh-deductible health plans with health savings accounts MedicareMedicare Medigap and Advantage Medicare ProgramsMedigap and Advantage Medicare Programs MedicaidMedicaid Health maintenance organizations (HMO)Health maintenance organizations (HMO) Extended or long-term care insuranceExtended or long-term care insurance Access to health careAccess to health care

15. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Health-Related Products Prescription drugsPrescription drugs Research and development of new drugsResearch and development of new drugs Long processLong process Generic drugsGeneric drugs Over-the-counter drugsOver-the-counter drugs

16. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. New Drug Development and Approval

17. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Prescription vs. Over-the- Counter Drugs (OTC) Prescription drugs must be ordered for patients by a licensed practitionerPrescription drugs must be ordered for patients by a licensed practitioner Active ingredient is typically a higher concentration than OTCActive ingredient is typically a higher concentration than OTC Price is much higher than OTCPrice is much higher than OTC Both are sold as brand name and genericBoth are sold as brand name and generic Both are regulated by the FDABoth are regulated by the FDA

18. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Over-the-Counter Drug Label

19. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Health Care Consumer Fraud Earning money by marketingEarning money by marketing Inaccurate health informationInaccurate health information Unreliable health careUnreliable health care Ineffective health productsIneffective health products

20. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Becoming a Skilled Health Care Consumer 1.Prepare yourself for consumerism 2.Comparison shop 3.Insist on formal contracts and dated receipts 4.Obtain written instructions and warranties 5.Put complaints in writing 6.Press for resolution of your complaints

21. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Fourteen: Becoming an Informed Health-Care Consumer