PowerPoint Lecture Outlines prepared by Dr. Lana Zinger, QCC CUNY Savvy Health Care Consumerism

Transcription

1 PowerPoint Lecture Outlines prepared by Dr. Lana Zinger, QCC CUNY 16 Savvy Health Care Consumerism

2 Taking Responsibility for Your Health Care! Self-Help or Self-Care Know your body. Pay attention to body signals. Take appropriate action to stop progression of illness or injury. Many common forms of self-care, including Diagnosing symptoms/conditions that occur frequently but don t require a physician visit Using over-the-counter remedies Performing home health tests Learning minor first aid

3 Taking Responsibility for Your Health Care! When to Seek Help Recognize when a condition needs professional help See a professional for conditions such as serious accident or injury, adverse drug reactions, unexplained sudden weight loss, and any symptom that is unusual and recurs over time Home health tests for many conditions should not be a substitute for professional diagnosis and care

4 Taking Responsibility for Your Health Care! Assessing Health Professionals Identify what type of help you need and where to find it. You should feel comfortable with your provider. Your provider should explain diagnosis and treatment options thoroughly and involve you in any patient care decisions. Be sure to understand coverage options. Check certifications, affiliations, availability, and whether provider shows respect and empathy for patient. Ask questions.

5 ABC News Video: Dr. Web s Credentials Dr. Web s Credentials Discussion Questions 1. Would you ever get an online diagnosis for a medical problem? 2. Do you think Web doctors or websites should be held responsible for the outcomes of advice they give? 3. Why would a person pursue an online consultation rather than make a live visit to a health care provider? Is an online doctor better than none at all? 4. Does your insurance cover this type of consultation? Do you think it should?

6 Choosing Health Products! Prescription Drugs Prescription drug use has risen by 25 percent over the past decade. 45 percent of Americans report taking at least one prescription drug in the past month, while 18 percent report taking three or more. Generic drugs medications sold under a chemical name rather than a brand name, and contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs but are less expensive

7 Choosing Health Products! Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs Nonprescription substances used in the course of self diagnosis and self-medication The FDA has categorized 26 types of OTC preparations Those most commonly used are analgesics; cold, cough, allergy, and asthma relievers; stimulants; sleeping aids and relaxants; and dieting aids

8 Common Over-the-Counter Drugs, Their Uses, and Potential Side Effects Continued

9 Common Over-the-Counter Drugs, Their Uses, and Potential Side Effects

10 The Over-the-Counter Medicine Label

11 ABC News Video: What s in the Water? What s in the Water? Discussion Questions 1. Can you avoid ingesting drugs in the water you drink? How? 2. Is it a safer alternative to drink unregulated bottled water instead of tap water? 3. Should cities be responsible for screening public drinking water for pharmaceuticals?

12 Choices in Medical Care! Conventional Western (allopathic) Medicine! Primary care practitioners (PCPs) Osteopaths Ophthalmologists Optometrists Dentists Nurses Nurse practitioners (NPs) Physician s assistant (PAs)

13 Health Insurance Insurance allows the patient to pay into a pool of funds and then the health care provider bills the insurance carrier for all or part of the heath care charges they incur. 46 million Americans are uninsured. 25 million Americans between the ages of 19 and 65 are estimated to be underinsured. Many students are uninsured.

14 Health Insurance! Private Health Insurance Fee-for-service or indemnity Deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance Preexisting condition clauses Waiting periods Lifetime limit

15 Health Insurance! Managed Care A network of physicians, hospitals, and other providers and facilities linked contractually to deliver comprehensive health benefits A budget based on an estimate of the annual cost of delivering health care for a given population An established set of administrative rules requiring patients to follow the advice of participating providers

16 Health Insurance! Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) Wide range of covered health benefits Least expensive form of managed care Patient s typically required to use the plan s doctors and hospitals! What are some of the downsides to HMOs?

17 Health Insurance! Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Networks of independent doctors Contract to provide discounts Have choice of provider Pay more! Point of Service (POS) Fastest growing managed care Can go outside of HMO but must pay an extra cost

18 Health Insurance! Medicare and Medicaid Medicare covers 99 percent of adults over 65 years of age. Medicaid is a welfare program that includes people with disabilities and children who do not have health care coverage. Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs)

19 Issues Facing Today s Health Care System! Cost The United States spends more than any other nation; costs are over $2 trillion annually Individuals with preexisting conditions, and those who are self-employed often find themselves unable to find or afford health care. Health care expenditures are projected to grow by 6.2 percent each year, reaching over $4 trillion annually by 2018 nearly 20 percent of our projected gross domestic product (GDP).

20 Issues Facing Today s Health Care System! Factors for High Costs Excess administrative costs Duplication of services Aging population Growing rates of obesity and inactivity Demand for new diagnostic and treatment technologies Emphasis on crisis-oriented care Inappropriate use of services by consumers

21 Health Care Spending per Person, 2007 (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

22 Where Do We Spend Our Health Care Dollars?

23 Issues Facing Today s Health Care System! Access Access to health care depends on many factors Supply of providers and facilities Proximity to care Health status Ability to maneuver in the system Insurance coverage

24 Issues Facing Today s Health Care System! Quality and Malpractice Mechanisms for safety Education Licensure Certification/registration Accreditation Peer review Mistakes do happen, and deaths can occur because of medical errors. Outcome measurements access the quality of heath care at the individual level!! Do you believe the U.S. health care system is safe?

25 The Perils of Medical Waste Hospitals generate a substantial amount of medical and pharmaceutical waste. This can contaminate groundwater and surface water, and pollute oceans Pharmaceutical drugs have been detected in drinking water. Green ways to manage unused medications Send your medicine to those in need. Take your drugs back to the pharmacy.

26 The Debate Over National Health Insurance! Proponents of Reform: Health care should be available and affordable for everyone. Health care is a right, not a privilege.! Opponents of Reform: The high cost of changing the system is more than the United States can afford. The government should not interfere with market industry.

27 The Debate over National Health Insurance! Critical Issues! Many Americans feel: We are paying for the most expensive system in the world without obtaining full coverage. We pay for people who don t have insurance. Prevention and early treatment are not emphasized.! The Institute of Medicine, a nonpartisan organization, recommends a single-payer, tax-financed scheme.! Similar to the Canadian model, such a scheme might cover everyone.