Consumerism in the United States is a century-old concept that attracts both negative and positive definitions. In healthcare, consumerism defines patients as consumers who, together with healthcare providers and other stakeholders, put in measures that ensure trust, relevant information, and technology are used to attain better decisions and outcomes (Carman et al., 2019). Trends deployed to enforce consumerism include patient advocacy, research initiatives that involve communities, and increased patient engagements.
The positives of consumerism in healthcare are vast. First, the concept has increased the aspect of shared decision making (SDM). SDM is advantageous since patients are supported in making preference-sensitive decisions that rely on scientific and informed evidence, thus increasing the number of positive patient outcomes. Patients are also involved in research practices that give them the knowledge to better their choices and reshape the healthcare systems to their benefit. Consumerism has also led to increased transparency in healthcare information. With information about research outcomes, pricing, and quality ranking being available, patients can make decisions that ensure that both quality and affordability factors are considered (Carman et al., 2019). On affordability, consumerism has a direct impact on healthcare accounts that are controlled by patients. These accounts, such as the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), require informed decision-making to avert overspending or illegible reimbursements. This is better realized through consumerism.
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Despite the positives, consumerism in healthcare comes with challenges associated with communication. The quality of communication between caregivers and patients have been recorded as being prone to deteriorations under consumerism (Zeckhauser & Sommers, 2013). Patients may demand an increased level of attention from healthcare providers who are already overwhelmed, thus subjecting more pressure to the system. Besides, consumerist patients may hold conflicting views with caregivers, thus jeopardizing their relations.
It is worth that a healthcare manager embraces consumerism for better patient outcomes. However, more research should focus on improving communication models to avert conflicts.
References
Carman, K., Lawrence, W., & Siegel, J. (2019). The ‘New’ Health Care Consumerism. Health Affairs . https://doi.org/10.1377/hblog20190304.69786
Zeckhauser, R., & Sommers, B. (2013). Consumerism in health care: Challenges and opportunities. AMA Journal of Ethics , 15 (11), 988-992. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2013.15.11.oped1-1311
