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STRATEGIES IN EVALUATING HEALTH INFORMATION, HEALTH PRODUCTS, & HEALTH SERVICES

OBJECTIVES

  • Identify three key aspects of consumer health.

  • Discuss strategies for evaluating health information, products, and services.

  • Examine health information, products, services, and healthcare providers.

CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION

  • Consumer health information serves as a valuable tool for internalizing concepts.

    • It empowers individuals to enhance their ability to evaluate and select health information, products, and services.

IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION

  • The decisions people make regarding the purchase and use of available products and health services directly impact their health.

HEALTH INFORMATION

  • Definition: Health information encompasses anything that is heard, seen, or read related to health.

PLATFORMS USED IN ACQUIRING INFORMATION

  • Print media:

    • Books, brochures, magazines, and newspapers.

  • Broadcast media:

    • Television, radio, and online programs.

  • Word-of-mouth:

    • Conversations, testimonials, and others.

CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING RELIABILITY AND QUALITY OF HEALTH INFORMATION

  • Consider the following criteria: CARS (Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support).

CREDIBILITY

  • Assess the author’s credentials or the sponsoring organization or society.

  • Evaluate if the author or organization is respected and well-known as a source of reliable, scientific information.

ACCURACY

  • Verify the information's currency, factual accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

  • Consider how frequently the website or publication is updated.

REASONABLENESS

  • Evaluate if the information is fair, balanced, and consistent.

  • Determine whether the author presents a fair and balanced argument supporting his or her ideas.

SUPPORT

  • Check if scientific statements are supported by appropriate documentation.

  • Look for references to legitimate scientific publications or journals.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING HEALTH INFORMATION

  • Inquires about:

    • Who are the people or agencies providing the information?

    • What is their reputation within the community?

    • What are their educational backgrounds and professional experiences in the health sciences?

  • Determining if the information is presented in an educational and scientific manner.

  • Assessing if the intentions behind the information aim to improve health and prolong life or if they are mainly commercial motives.

HEALTH PRODUCTS

  • Definition: Health products are substances, materials, or equipment prepared or manufactured for consumer purchase and used in the treatment, care, and maintenance of health.

RX AND OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

  • Prescription drugs (Rx):

    • Require a prescription from a licensed provider.

    • Example: Antibiotics used to fight bacteria.

  • Over-the-counter drugs:

    • Can be bought without a doctor’s prescription.

    • Example: Biogesic.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF HEALTH PRODUCTS

  1. Know the name of the drug for future reference.

  2. Read the label carefully.

  3. Consult with a physician about potential side effects.

  4. Be precise about the timing and dosage of the medication, including before or after meals and with or without food.

  5. Store medicine out of children’s reach.

IMPACT OF UNWISE USE OF HEALTH PRODUCTS

  • If health products are not used wisely, consumers may experience minimal protection, value, and satisfaction.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING HEALTH PRODUCTS

  • Investigate the following:

    • Who are the manufacturers of the product?

    • What is the reputation of the manufacturing company?

    • Does the product protect your health?

    • Has the product been tested and tried by others? For how long?

    • Has the product been recommended or prescribed by a physician?

    • Does the product have a seal of acceptance or meet high-quality standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

HEALTH SERVICES

  • Definition: Health services encompass the activities, information, or resources provided to satisfy the needs or wants of consumers.

  • Offered by recognized medical and health professionals, clinics, hospitals, health insurance plans, and quacks.

  • Designed to address the health needs of individuals.

  • As a wise consumer, awareness of these health services and how to access them is crucial, as they are valuable consumer tools.

HEALTH PROVIDER

  • Definition: The healthcare delivery system employs healthcare providers who specialize in their respective fields, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and nutritionists (dietitians) who directly deliver services to consumers.

HEALTH FACILITIES

  • Categories:

    • Primary

    • Secondary

    • Tertiary

  • The higher the level of the healthcare facility, the more advanced its infrastructure, equipment, and healthcare personnel.

  • This also determines patient referral and the extent of medical management.

PRIMARY LEVEL

  • It is the first point of contact between individuals and higher-level healthcare facilities.

  • Examples: Barangay Health stations and rural health units.

SECONDARY LEVEL

  • Includes district healthcare institutions with 50-100 bed capacities, serving as referral centers for primary level facilities.

  • Examples: Municipal and District Hospitals.

TERTIARY LEVEL

  • Specializes in healthcare facilities equipped with diagnostic, therapeutic, and state-of-the-art equipment, with a bed capacity of over one hundred.

  • Examples: Medical Centers and Regional or Provincial Hospitals.

HEALTHCARE PLANS AND FINANCING SYSTEMS

  • Definition: Healthcare systems are structured plans for organizing and coordinating health services to deliver care to the population.

PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION

  • PhilHealth: A tax-exempt, government-owned and controlled corporation established in 1995.

  • Ensures a sustainable national health insurance program for all, reflected in continual improvement of benefits and delivery system.

PHILHEALTH SIX MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

  1. Formal Sector:

    • Includes formal and contractual employees.

  2. Informal Sector:

    • Self-employed individuals and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

  3. Indigent Members:

    • Individuals with no definite source of income.

  4. Sponsored Members:

    • Members whose contributions are covered by another person or entity.

  5. Lifetime Members:

    • Members who have reached retirement age and successfully paid at least 12 monthly contributions.

  6. Senior Citizens:

    • Individuals aged sixty years and above who do not fall under any of the other categories.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO)

  • Members pay fixed monthly premiums regardless of their healthcare utilization.

  • Clients can choose from various prepaid programs, including independent practitioner association and preferred provider organization.

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

  • Provides a financial safety net by requiring individuals or groups to pay premiums to an insurance policy.

  • The policy determines the types and extent of healthcare services provided.