Mcdonaldization of Health Care
McDonaldization of Health Care Health care is something that affects every person in this country, and the rising cost is making it nearly impossible for people to afford. In The McDonaldization of Society, George Ritzer shows how the health care industry is changing and how the phenomenon of McDonaldization is effecting how we receive health care. Healthcare has become more efficient, calculable, predictable, and controlling. In the following sections, I will explore further these aspects of McDonaldization and how they relate to the health care industry.
Efficiency
In the chapter on efficiency, Ritzer talked about how the health industry has created “walk in/walk out” surgery and emergency centers to handle patients in a more efficient manner. I do believe that creating these emergent care centers are better for the patients for minor issues, such as a child with fever that turns out to be strep throat or a minor laceration. Both of the above kinds of illnesses can bring someone to the emergency room where they would have to potentially wait for hours to be seen because of other major problems that come in.
These emergent care and surgery centers do provide an alternative as opposed to going to the emergency room or the doctors’ office. I do believe this is a trend that is going to continue and may advance into other things as well. One example of this is when they had drive up flu shots last year. It was very efficient, and they were able to get the maximum number of people flu shots in the quickest time.
In an online article from Cardiology Today, Nov 2008, Dr. Dove provides the following on efficiency in health care. A joint statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology identified four important attributes for measuring and publicly reporting efficiency in health care. The four attributes mentioned in the statement: integration of the quality and cost, valid cost measurement and analysis, minimal incentive
Efficiency
In the chapter on efficiency, Ritzer talked about how the health industry has created “walk in/walk out” surgery and emergency centers to handle patients in a more efficient manner. I do believe that creating these emergent care centers are better for the patients for minor issues, such as a child with fever that turns out to be strep throat or a minor laceration. Both of the above kinds of illnesses can bring someone to the emergency room where they would have to potentially wait for hours to be seen because of other major problems that come in.
These emergent care and surgery centers do provide an alternative as opposed to going to the emergency room or the doctors’ office. I do believe this is a trend that is going to continue and may advance into other things as well. One example of this is when they had drive up flu shots last year. It was very efficient, and they were able to get the maximum number of people flu shots in the quickest time.
In an online article from Cardiology Today, Nov 2008, Dr. Dove provides the following on efficiency in health care. A joint statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology identified four important attributes for measuring and publicly reporting efficiency in health care. The four attributes mentioned in the statement: integration of the quality and cost, valid cost measurement and analysis, minimal incentive
References: Dove, MD, James T. (2008).Value-based health care efficiency may lead to better patient outcomes. Cardiology Today. Vol. 11 Issue 11, p40. Persistent Link -http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35639369&site=ehost-live Ellis, Randall P., & McGuire, Thomas G. (2007). Predictability and Predictiveness in Health Care Spending. Journal of Health Economics. 26(1), 25-48. Morehouse, PT MBA, Bridget (2009, February 27). Adding value to profit with predictability. Retrieved April 23, 2009, from Healthcare Entrepreneur Blog Web site: http://www.vantageclinicalsolutions.com/blog/tag/predictability/ Pizzi, Richard (2007, April 19). Healthcare IT News.eu. Retrieved April 23, 2009, from Healthcare IT Newsday Europe Web site: http://healthcareitnews.eu/content/view/385/41/ Sennett, Cary, & Starkey, Katie (2006). Measuring and Improving Efficiency in Health Care: Report from an ABIM Foundation/IOM Meeting. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from http://www.abimfoundation.org/publications/pdf_issue_brief/Issue_Brief_06_06.pdf. Stossel, John (2007, October 3). Control Your Own Health Care. Retrieved April 23, 2009, from Real Clear Politics Web site: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/10/control_your_own_health_care.html