Question

In what ways is health care different from other consumer purchases? Please cite at least 2 references, thanks!

Answer 1

Ways in which healthcare is different from other consumer purchases; is the fact that as compared with other services healthcare it is not clearly defined. The product or service can be standardized for improving the efficiency and quality in most industries, however in the healthcare; each every consumer is unique, what works for one patient may not necessarily be good for another. In terms of choosing consumers, healthcare defers as in other services, there is a choice while selecting which person or industry business should be conducted with. This is not possible in healthcare as we have to treat patients in the emergency room irrespective of patients’ ability to pay or not (Halamka, 2011). Healthcare professionals are rarely paid directly by their clients i.e. the patients as in other industries. Payment is usually made through government or insurance companies (Mwachofi, 2011).