Consumer information development and use.
The availability of informational materials to aid consumer health care purchasing decisions is increasing. Organizations developing and disseminating materials include public- and private-sector employers, providers, purchasing cooperatives, State agencies, counseling programs, and accreditation bodies. Based on case study interviews with 24 organizations, we learned that 10 included consumer satisfaction ratings and performance measures based on medical records. An additional four organizations developed materials with consumer satisfaction ratings exclusively. Printed materials were the most common medium used to convey information to consumers. However, other mechanisms for conveying the information were also employed. On the whole, the materials have not been rigorously evaluated. Evaluations are needed to determine if consumers find the information useful and how different individuals prefer to receive the information.
McCormack
L A
LA
Health Economics Research, Inc., Waltham, MA 02154, USA. Imac@her-cher.org
Garfinkel
S A
SA
Schnaier
J A
JA
Lee
A J
AJ
Sangl
J A
JA
D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D003256:Community Participation; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018854:Managed Competition; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States