CHAPTER PROBLEMS week 4
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Mercy College of Health Science *
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Feb 20, 2024
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CHAPTER PROBLEMS
1.
For several years, Annie Brouck’s employer has offered a traditional indemnity plan for health care coverage for herself, her husband Jim, and their children, Tess and Tasha. Annie and Jim are in their early 30s; their children are 10-year-old twins. Recently, the monthly premium for their insurance coverage has increased dramatically. Annie’s employer has decided to offer a high-deductible health plan where the family will have an initial deductible of $5,000. The cost of this high-deductible plan has a monthly premium that is almost 50% lower than the indemnity plan. Describe the steps Annie might follow in deciding whether to choose this plan or to remain with the more expensive indemnity plan.
Annie plans to decide between a high-deductible health plan and a traditional indemnity plan. To make an informed choice, she will be utilizing the consumer decision-making process, which involves several steps such as recognizing the need for health insurance, gathering information about the available options, evaluating the pros and cons of each plan, making a decision, and finally, taking action by enrolling in the chosen plan. By going through this process systematically, Annie can make a well-informed decision that best suits her healthcare needs and financial situation.
2.
In recent years, there has been a growing attempt to measure the performance of health care providers. The federal government and the states have published data on how hospitals compare to acceptable clinical standards with regard to pneumonia. Explain how these data could affect the consumer decision-making process.
The availability of data sets pertaining to healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in shaping consumers' decision-making process. By accessing this information, consumers can make more informed choices about which healthcare providers to use. For instance, they can compare the data from different hospitals and healthcare centers and assess which ones perform better than others regarding quality of care, patient satisfaction, and other parameters. This can help them choose the most suitable provider for their healthcare needs.
Moreover, data sets can also catalyze healthcare providers to improve their performance and patient outcomes. When hospitals and healthcare centers know their performance data
is publicly available and can be compared with their peers, they are incentivized to improve their services and outcomes to attract more patients. This, in turn, leads to a virtuous cycle of better patient care and outcomes. By leveraging the power of data, healthcare providers can improve their services and gain a competitive edge in the market.
3.
In terms of decision-making sequences, how would you explain and describe: (a) the 25-
year-old, healthy worker who sees the same physician for minor medical needs; (b) the retired individual who calls the state medical society and seeks a second opinion prior to
open-heart surgery; and (c) the consumer who searches WebMD to diagnose their condition and then goes to the local pharmacy and speaks to the physician about a possible over-the-counter remedy to help them with their self-diagnosis.
Let's delve into the scenario of a 25-year-old, healthy worker seeking medical attention from the same physician for minor issues. In such a case, several factors may influence the person's decision to remain loyal to their current physician. For instance, convenience could play a role, as it is more practical to visit the same doctor for minor ailments rather than looking for a new one every time. Moreover, familiarity with the physician's practice and the facility could also be a contributing factor. Finally, trust built up over time between the patient and the doctor could determine the patient's decision to remain with the same physician.
Next, consider the situation where a person who has retired from work is facing the prospect of
undergoing open-heart surgery. In this scenario, the individual may feel a sense of apprehension and uncertainty about the recommended treatment. Seeking a second opinion from a professional medical society can be a helpful and reassuring step for this person. By consulting with experts in the field, the retiree can gain access to a wealth of knowledge and experience, which can provide valuable insights into the proposed treatment. This can help the person make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the surgery or explore other options that may be available. In addition to the practical benefits of seeking a second opinion, this process can offer emotional support and peace of mind. By engaging with a trusted medical
society, individuals can feel confident that they receive fair and objective advice and that their concerns and questions are being heard and addressed. Overall, seeking a second opinion from a professional medical society can be a wise and empowering decision for anyone facing a major medical procedure. It can help alleviate anxiety, increase confidence, and ensure that the
best possible care is received.
Finally, consider a consumer who turns to WebMD to diagnose their condition and then visits their local pharmacy to discuss a possible over-the-counter remedy with their physician. This decision-making sequence is becoming increasingly familiar with the proliferation of online health resources. However, it is essential to remember that self-diagnosis can be risky, and consulting with a medical professional is always advisable. The individual's decision to seek an over-the-counter remedy from their physician may be driven by cost, convenience, or a preference for non-prescription options.
4.
Mary recently brought her child to the Express Clinic at their Big Market Basket Food Store. This convenience clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner from 8:00 a.m. until the store closes at 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week. The nurse practitioner did an exam and
prescribed a prescription for an inner-ear infection. Mary had it filled in the pharmacy and returned home. Shortly afterward, she started to have second thoughts. “Should I have just waited and taken my daughter to the pediatrician?” she wondered. Two days later, she got a newsletter from the Express Clinic. On the cover page she saw a story headline that said, “In a recent survey, 97% of the mothers we surveyed were delighted with the care they received for their children at Express Clinic.” What strategy was being
implemented by Express Clinic? What was the organization trying to counter?
The organization has implemented a post-purchase evaluation strategy to address the issue of post-purchase dissonance among its customers. This strategy entails conducting a thorough evaluation of the customer's experience after making a purchase from the organization. The main objective of this approach is to ensure that customers are satisfied with their purchase and that their expectations have been met. By doing so, the organization hopes to minimize the
risk of customers experiencing dissonance or regret after making a purchase, which can ultimately lead to negative reviews and reduced customer loyalty.
5.
On what level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs would you place each of the following decisions: (a) buying health insurance, (b) going skiing, (c) following a low-fat diet?
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that outlines five hierarchical levels of human needs. These levels include physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. Buying health insurance, skiing, and following a low-fat diet can be associated with different levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. For example, buying health insurance can be related to the safety needs level, as it provides financial security and protection against unforeseen health risks. Going skiing can be associated with the esteem needs level, as it fulfills the need for accomplishment, recognition, and self-esteem. Following a low-fat diet can be linked to the physiological needs level, as it caters to the basic needs of hunger, thirst, and bodily functions. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs provides a framework for understanding the different levels of human needs and how they can be fulfilled to achieve personal growth and fulfillment.
Source:
Berkowitz, E. N. (2016). Essentials of Health Care Marketing (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781284124200
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