PHED 2022- Wellness Focus Lifestyle, Behavior & Disease

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Consumer Health
LectureOutline
I. A New Era in Consumer Health
A. Introduction
1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ushers in new era of consumer health care
2. As a result, Medicaid has expanded and now covers 3.9 million more
Americans
B. Improving Your Health Literacy
1. About one-third of the population in the U.S. has limited ability to
understand health information and to use that information to make good
decisions about health and medical care.
a. Health literacy is the ability to understand health information and use
it to make good decisions about health and medical care.
2. Regardless of their literacy skills, college students do not seek out
information on health concerns.
C. Finding Good Advice Online
1. Two in three Internet users are “e-health” consumers who seek
information or support, communicate with health-care providers, or buy
medical products online.
2. Guidelines for evaluating websites with medical information:
a. Check the creator.
b. Look for the latest research.
c. Check the references.
d. Consider the author.
e. Look for possible bias.
D. Getting Medical Facts Straight
1. Rather than putting your faith in the most recent report or the hottest
trend, try to gather as much background information and as many
opinions as you can.
2. Look for answers to the following questions:
a. Who are the researchers?
b. Where did the researchers report their findings?
c. Is the information based on personal observances?

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d. Does the article, report, or advertisement include words like amazing,
secret, or quick?
e. Is someone trying to sell you something?
f. Does the information defy all common sense?
E. Evidence-Based Medicine
1. Evidence-based medicine is a way of improving and evaluating patient
care by combining the best research evidence with the patient’s personal
values.
2. Practice guidelines can be developed by doctors who use evidence-based
medicine.
F. Outcomes Research
1. Outcomes are the impact that a specific medication or treatment has on a
patient’s condition, overall health, and quality of life.
2. Outcomes research can help determine which of several therapies or
approaches provides the best results at the most reasonable costs.
II. Personalizing Your Health Care
Personalized medicine can alert your doctor to potential threats that might be
prevented, delayed, or detected at an earlier, more treatable stage and, if you do
develop a disease, pinpoint the medications that will do the most good and cause
the least harm.
A. Your Family Health History
1. Mapping your family medical history can help identify health risks you
may fact in the future.
B. Gender Differences
1. The genders differ significantly in the way they use health-care services in
the U.S.
2. Many experts believe that the need for birth control and reproductive
health services gets women into the habit of making regular visits to
health-care professionals. There are no comparable specialists for men.
3. Men tend to be more positive about their experiences of being
hospitalized.
4. The genders also differ in the symptoms and syndromes they develop.
C. Health-Related Apps
1. Emergency Medical Center Locator
2. GoodRx
3. iTriage
4. Cook It Allergy Free
5. UMSkinCheck
D. Self-Care

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1. Most people do treat themselves.
a. People should know their vital signs and how they compare against
normal readings.
E. Oral Health
1. Oral health refers to the entire mouth, including all the structures that
allow us to talk, bite, chew, taste, swallow, smile, scream, or scowl.
2. Oral health is a critical part of overall health.
3. Poor oral health can lead to a variety of health problems.
4. Gum or periodontal disease, is an inflammation that attacks the gum and
bone that hold teeth in place.
5. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
6. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease.
7. Periodontitis is where plaque moves down the tooth to the roots, which
then become infected.
8. Gingivitis and periodontitis trigger an inflammatory response that
eventually leads to an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
III. Becoming a Savvy Health-Care Consumer
Your first step should be learning more about your body, any medical conditions
or problems you develop, and your options for treatment.
A. Choosing a Primary Care Physician
1. Your rapport with your primary physician and the feelings of mutual
trust and respect that develop between you can have as much of an
impact on your well-being as your doctor’s technical expertise.
2. Guidelines for talking with your doctor:
a. Prepare in advance.
b. Ask about a “question hour.”
c. Go online
d. Interrupt the interrupter.
e. Ask for access to your medical record.
B. Your Medical Exam
1. Analysts have not found evidence that an annual screening physical is
warranted for health adults, primary care physicians feel differently.
2. Medical history is health related information collected during the
interview of a client by a health-care professional.
3. Point out any pain or concerns you have during your physical as your
physician examines your head, neck, chest, extremities, pulse and blood
pressure, abdomen, and rectum and genitals.
C. Medical Tests
1. Laboratory tests may include; chest x-rays, urinalysis, blood tests.

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2. Specific tests and procedures that are often overused include those for low
back pain, osteoporosis screening, cardiac screening, pap testing, and
pelvic exams.
3. Pap smear is a test in which cells removed from the cervix are examined
under a microscope for signs of cancer; also called a Pap test.
D. Preventing Medical Errors
1. More people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents,
breast cancer, or AIDS.
2. The best defense against medical errors is information.
E. Avoiding Medical Mistakes
1. Be sure to find out from your doctor and pharmacist the name of the drug,
what it is supposed to do and how and when to take it and for how long.
2. Ask if the drug causes any side effects and what you should do if any
occur.
3. Inform your doctor if you take any over-the-counter drugs.
4. Follow the directions exactly.
5. Other additional steps to take:
a. Keep a record of all your medication.
b. Always turn on the lights when you take medication.
c. Never take someone else’ medication.
d. Always check labels for warnings.
e. Don’t take medicine with grapefruit juice.
f. Don’t leave medicines in a car for prolonged periods.
IV. Your Medical Rights
Consumers have basic rights that help ensure that you know about any potential
dangers, receive competent diagnosis and treatment, and retain control and
dignity in your interactions with health-care professionals.
A. Your Right to Information
1. By law, a patient must give consent for hospitalization, surgery, and other
major treatments.
2. Informed consent is a right, not a privilege.
B. Your Right to Privacy and Access to Medical Records
1. Your medical records are your property.
2. Key provisions to the federal standards that protect the privacy of
patients’ medical information include:
a. Access to medical records
b. Notice to privacy practices
c. Prohibition on marketing
d. Confidentiality

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C. Your Right to Quality Health Care
1. The essence of a malpractice suit is the claim that the physician failed to
meet the standard of quality care required of a reasonably skilled and
careful medical doctor.
V. Elective Treatments
A. Introduction
1. Medical technology has developed new treatments.
2. Some treatments are new alternatives for correcting common problems,
others offer the promise of looking younger or more attractive.
B. Vision Surgery
1. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most common
technique to correct vision.
2. A surgeon uses a razor like instrument to life a flap of the cornea and then
reshapes the exposed area.
3. Prices have fallen, but ophthalmologists have warned consumers that
some laser surgery centers have cut corners to cut prices, such as hiring
inexperienced surgeons or using optometrists or technicians rather than
MDs.
C. Cosmetic Surgery
1. The most common cosmetic operation is lipo-suction, the removal of fatty
tissue by means of a vacuum device.
2. Breast augmentation is another cosmetic procedure.
D. Body Art Perils
1. Adverse reactions to inks, even henna, used for temporary body art
E. Health Hoaxes and Medical Quackery
1. Quackery is medical fakery; unproven practices claiming to cure diseases
or solve health problems.
2. Be suspicious when you see:
a. Claims that a product is a “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous
cure,” “secret ingredient,” or “ancient remedy.”
b. Claims that the product is an effective cure for a wide range of
ailments.
c. Claims that use impressive-sounding medical terms.
d. Undocumented case histories of people who’ve had amazing results.
e. Claims that the product is available from only one source and payment
is required in advance.
f. Claims of a “money-back” guarantee.
g. Websites that fail to list the company’s name, physical address, phone
number, or other contact information.

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3. To keep from risking your life on false hopes, follow these guidelines:
a. Arm yourself with up-to-date information.
b. Ask for a written explanation of what a treatment does and why it
works.
c. Don’t part with your money quickly.
d. Don’t discontinue your current treatment without your physician’s
approval.
VI. Nontraditional Health Care
A. Overview
1. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to various
medical and health-care systems, practices, and products that are not
considered part of conventional medicine because there is not yet
sufficient proof of their safety and effectiveness.
2. Holistic methods focus on the whole person and the physical, mental,
emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
3. People use CAM to improve their overall health and well-being or to
relieve the symptoms associated with chronic or terminal illnesses or the
side effects of conventional treatments for diseases.
B. Who Uses CAM
1. Thirty-eight percent of adults in the U.S. report use of CAM therapy in the
previous 12 months.
2. Populations most likely to use CAM are: women, adults between ages 30
and 69, cancer survivors, adults with higher levels of education, those
who are physically active, people who have existing medical conditions or
made frequent medical visits in the prior year, residents of Western states,
former smokers, and people with private health insurance under age 65.
C. Types of CAM
1. Alternative Medical Systems
a. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine, based on the
philosophy that a cycle of energy circulating through the body,
controls health, .corrects pain and disease by inserting needles into
meridians throughout the body.
i. Long thin needles are inserted at specific points along longitudinal
lines, or meridians, throughout the body.
ii. Research has found that acupuncture:
(a) Helps alleviate nausea in cancer patients undergoing
chemotherapy.
(b) Relieves pain and improves function for some people with
osteoarthritis of the knee.

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(c) Helps in treating chronic lower back pain.
(d) May or may not be of value for many other conditions.
2. Ayurveda is a traditional form of medical treatment in India.
a. Ayurveda’s basic premise is that illness stems from incorrect mental
attitudes, diet, and posture.
3. Homeopathy is based on the idea that increasing dilution can increase
efficacy.
4. Naturopathy emphasizes natural remedies such as sun, water, heat, and
air as the best treatments for disease.
5. Mind–Body Medicine
a. Mind–body medicine uses techniques designed to enhance the mind’s
capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms and can have a
positive effect on psychological functioning and quality of life.
b. Some of these therapies are now mainstream such as patient support
groups and cognitive-behavior therapy. Some are still considered
CAM such as prayer, yoga, t’ai chi, visual imager, mental healing, and
creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
c. Other approaches that have won some acceptance include hypnosis,
and biofeedback.
6. Biologically-Based Therapies
a. Biologically-based therapies use substances such as herbs, foods, and
vitamins.
b. In the last ten years, sales of herbal supplements have skyrocketed by
100 percent.
c. Most of the herbs tested have proven generally safe, although side
effects such as headache and nausea can occur.
7. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
a. CAM therapies based on manipulation and/or movement of the body
are divided into three subcategories:
i. Chiropractic medicine is based on the theory that many diseases
are caused by misalignment of the bones.
ii. Massage therapy and bodywork includes osteopathic
manipulation, Swedish massage, Alexander technique, reflexology,
Pilates, acupressure, and Rolfing.
iii. Unconventional physical therapies include colonics, hydrotherapy,
and light and color therapy.
8. Energy Therapies
a. Energy therapies focus on energy fields believed to exist in and around
the body, including the use of electromagnetic fields and even
therapeutic touch.

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VII. The Health-Care System
A. Health-Care Practitioners
1. Physicians – a medical doctor (M.D.) trained in American medical schools
usually takes at least three years of premedical college courses and then
completes four or five years at medical school.
2. Nurses – a registered nurse (RN) graduates from a school of nursing
approved by a state board and passes a state board examination. They
may have bachelor degrees and may specialize in certain areas.
3. Specialized and Allied-Health Practitioners – more than 60 types of health
practitioners work with physicians and nurses providing medical services.
a. Some examples include clinical psychiatrists, optometrists,
ophthalmologists, and podiatrists.
4. Dentists – (Doctor of Dental Surgery, D.D.S. or Doctor of Medical
Dentistry D.M.D.)
5. Chiropractors (Doctor of Chiropractic D.C.)
B. Health Care Facilities
1. Primary Care is also referred to as ambulatory or outpatient care – is
provided by a physician in an office, emergency room, or clinic.
a. Secondary care is usually provided by specialists of subspecialists in
either an outpatient or inpatient setting.
b. Tertiary care is available at university-affiliated hospitals and regional
referral centers, and includes special procedures.
2. College Health Centers – institutions of higher learning provide direct
health services.
3. Outpatient Treatment Centers handle many common surgical procedures.
4. Hospitals and Medical Centers offer different types of care.
a. The most common hospital is a private, or community hospital, which
may be run on a profit or nonprofit basis.
b. After checking with your health insurance, also,
i. Talk to your physician about recommended hospitals.
ii. Check with the local nursing association about the ratio of patients
to nurses.
iii. Find out about room rates.
iv. Ask how many times in the past year the hospital has performed
the procedure recommended for you.
v. If possible, tour the hospital.
5. Emergency Services should only be used in a true emergency.
6. Inpatient Care remains the most expensive form of health care.
7. Home Health Care is the provision of equipment and services to patients
in the home to restore or maintain comfort, function, and health.

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C. Health Care Financing
1. Your health plan affects many things, including:
a. Who will care for you?
b. What kind of care you will receive?
c. Where you will receive your care?
d. How you will be cared for?
e. How much you will pay?
2. Managed Care
a. A predominant form of health care in the United States that delivers
care through a network of physicians, hospitals, and other health-care
professionals who agree to provide services discounted or at a fixed
rate.
3. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
a. HMOs are managed care plans that emphasize routine care and
prevention by providing complete medical services for a
predetermined monthly payment.
4. Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
a. PPOs are third parties between a business or self-insured person,
which contracts with a group of physicians and hospitals to treat its
members at a discount.
5. Medicare/Medicaid
a. Medicare is how the government helps to pay a percentage of most
medical bills after a deductible for people over age 65.
b. Medicaid protects people with very low or no income.
VIII. What You Need to Know about the Affordable Care Act
A. On March 23, 2010 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed
into law.
B. The law mandates, among other things, that those under 26 can be covered by a
parents’ health policy.
Key Words
acupuncture
Ayurveda
chiropractic
complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM)
evidence-based medicine
gingivitis
gum disease
health literacy
health maintenance

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organization (HMO)
herbal medicine
holistic
home health care
homeopathy
informed consent
integrative medicine
managed care
medical history
naturopathy
outcomes
Pap smear
periodontitis
plaque
practice guidelines
preferred provider organization
(PPO)
primary care
quackery
self-care
vital signs