Clunky, costly, highly regulated health systems, often dominated by rent-seeking middlemen, are being shaken up by firms that target patients directly, meet them where they are—which is increasingly online—and give them more control over how to access care. Here is a summary of the article from The Economist.
Consumers of healthcare
We keep hearing the term “consumers of health” but the American healthcare system is too profitable to allow people to be consumers of healthcare. “The need for action now is clear. Health care costs are climbing so fast they may soon threaten the quality of care and access to care which Americans enjoy.” Ronald Reagan.
SUMMARY: According to Wolters Kluwer consumers have become savvier about healthcare: they see differences in their healthcare, they know care and medications may cost more, and they believe variations have a number of causes—but mainly result from lack of collaboration across care teams or the system.
SUMMARY: From the prices of medications to the choice of doctors and treatments the idea that people are “consumers of healthcare” is a canard. The fact that we don’t have control is one reason why Gallup reported that so many people are unsatisfied with the state of healthcare in the U.S.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Pharma needs more consumer markers because patients are consumers of health care and that extends into prescription drug choices as well. The days of using TV to push prescription drugs and patients running to their doctor are pretty much over.
KEY TAKEAWAY: As insurers merge and people pay more for healthcare they are going to have to take a more active role in the management of their health including what treatments THEY want and need as consumers of healthcare.