Consumerism's impact on health care delivery

The purpose of this assignment is to critically examine consumerism's impact on health care delivery, focusing on a patient-centered approach enabled by wearable devices, patient portals, and the evolving landscape of patient access to personal wellness information. Choose a product, wearable device, patient access portal application, or other new technology being introduced into health care that will help you answer the following prompts in the assignment.
Discuss the following points based on your choice of a new technology you imagine may be frequently used in the next five years in a 1,000–1,200-word essay that addresses the following:
1. Describe the concept of consumerism in health care according to your selected technology, discussing how patients have transitioned from passive recipients of information to active consumers of their own health data. Discuss how "consumerism" influences the role of health care information technology for patients.
2. Discuss the anticipated pros, cons, and other challenges related to adopting your described technology.
3. Propose ethical and fiscal solutions to overcome the presented challenges to ensure your selected technology does not price the consumer out of the option to participate in the use of this technology. Consider the Christian worldview principles of service, love, compassion, and generosity in your response.

Sample Answer

Consumerism and the Rise of the Active Patient

In the traditional health care model, patients were often passive recipients of information. They would visit a doctor, receive a diagnosis and treatment plan, and then follow those instructions without much personal insight into their health metrics. The concept of consumerism in health care fundamentally shifts this dynamic, empowering patients to become active participants and informed decision-makers in their own well-being. This transition is not just about having more choices in providers or insurance plans; it's about owning and understanding one's personal health data.

Smartwatches with health monitoring features are a prime example of this consumer-driven shift. A decade ago, a patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) data was only available during a clinical visit. Today, a user can take an on-demand ECG reading on their wrist and receive an immediate notification if an irregular heart rhythm, like atrial fibrillation, is detected. They can then share this data with their doctor, moving from a reactive to a proactive health management model. This real-time data collection gives the patient a continuous, longitudinal view of their wellness that was previously impossible.

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