Consumerism and health care: the example of fertility treatment.
This paper discusses the concepts of consumerism and the consumer of health care, and applies them to the example of fertility treatment, drawing on the health policy literature and data from a study of couples undergoing fertility treatment. It is argued that the concept of the consumer is a slippery one, that it provides only a partial view of being a patient, and that in particular it neglects emotional issues.
Meerabeau
L
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School of Health, University of Greenwich, Elizabeth Raybould Centre, Stone House Hospital, Dartford, England.
D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D006113:United Kingdom