Consumer-Driven Healthcare, Essay Example

Consumer-driven healthcare is largely dependent on the needs of the modern consumer population and the overall challenges of managing the process of healthcare from this perspective. Most notably, consumers possess specific areas of need that require guidance and expertise from the healthcare community, but these also reflect a challenging set of conditions that often require greater convenience for consumers on the go who possess busy lifestyles. This does not always bode well for healthcare practices because there is a degree of urgency for many consumers that is difficult to manage with a large population requiring care and treatment. As a result, medical necessity has become increasingly relevant in determining what steps are required in evaluating patient needs on an individual basis (Abbott & Stevens, 2013). Furthermore, some consumers do not feel as if they have a say in their care, and this reflects a challenging scenario under which they are unable to capitalize on the benefits of healthcare services out of fear and lack of follow through (Hare, Law, & Brennan, 2013).

I believe that it is imperative to develop strategies that will improve consumer-driven healthcare needs to the next level and to be cognizant of the issues that impact consumer health in different ways. It is necessary to expand knowledge and resources for those with urgent needs, along with promoting wellbeing for those who may not have the same level of access to care and treatment due to lack of efficiency. These efforts must be balanced to the degree that they will impact patients in a positive manner over time. Nurses must support a balanced effort of their own that is efficient and cost effective in managing the needs of these patients. In addition, they must be able to adapt and to be flexible as needed to promote an environment where quality of care is a critical priority. It is essential to create opportunities for growth and to be cognizant of emerging treads that are influenced by consumer needs, wants, and expectations regarding their healthcare needs.

References

Abbott, R., & Stevens, C. (2013). Redefining Medical Necessity: A Consumer-Driven Solution to the US Health Care Crisis. Loy. LAL Rev., 47, 943.

Hare, C., Law, J., & Brennan, C. (2013). The vulnerable healthcare consumer: An interpretive synthesis of the patient experience literature. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 37(3), 299-311.