Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy: Redrawing the Patient as Consumer

by Jonathan Tritter, Meri Koivusalo, Eeva Ollila, Paul Dorfman

Overview

Although the last two decades have seen the healthcare systems of most developed countries face pressure for major reform, the impact of this reform on the relationship between empowerment, consumerism and citizen’s rights has received limited research attention. Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy sets out to redress this imbalance.

This book explores the extent to which globalisation and commercialisation relate to current and emerging health policies. It also looks at the implications for citizens, patients and social rights, as well as how policy making interacts with the interests of global and European trade and economic policies. Topics discussed include:

• How the impact of globalisation on health systems is apparent in the influence of international actors and European policies.
• How the impact of globalisation is mediated by national priorities and policies and is therefore reflected in diverse influences.
• How commercialisation of health is presented as benefiting citizens and patients but has the potential to undermine the aims and values inherent in health systems.
• How the role of citizens' interests, social rights, patient’s rights and priorities of patient and public involvement need to be separated from commercialisation, choice and consumerism in health care.

Essential reading for policy makers and students of public policy, politics, law and health services, Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy will also appeal to those interested in patient involvement international healthcare, international relations, trans-national organisations and the EU.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134115747
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/10/2009
Series:	Critical Studies in Health and Society
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	468 KB

About the Author

Jonathan Tritter is Research Professor in Patient and Public Involvement, Special Advisor in the NHS Centre for Involvement at the University of Warwick and Professorial Fellow in the Governance and Public Management Group in Warwick Business School.

Meri Koivusalo is Senior Researcher in the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland.

Eeva Ollila is Senior Researcher in the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland and Adjunct Professor of Health Policy at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Paul Dorfman is Senior Research Fellow at the NHS Centre for Involvement at the University of Warwick.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Analysing Patient and Public Involvement and Health Policy 2. National Health Systems: From Public Provision to Market Competition 3. From Patients to Consumers 4. Globalisation and Global Policy Influences: Mapping the Big Picture 5. The European Union: Trading in Healthcare or Building a Healthier Europe? 6. England: From NHS to PLC 7. Sweden: A Market Orientation to the Welfare State 8. Finland: Privatisation in the Context of Decentralised Service Provision 9. Comparison between Countries - Is There a Common Concern? 10. Current Trends in Commercialisation and Consumerism in Health 11. Challenges for the Future - People and Public Finances 12. Citizens, Patients and Consumers: Critical Reflections on Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy

Editorial Reviews

'[This book] systematically reveals the shadowy global and European economic forces impelling national governments towards growing commercialisation of public health care under the banner of "consumer choice". The authors show this is neither what most people want from health care, nor the best way to deal with current policy pressures. They highlight the threats that current developments pose, and convincingly show there is a better road to patient and user empowerment' - Mick Carpenter, University of Warwick, UK

From the Publisher