Consequences Of Commercialisation On Quality
Consequences of Commercialisation on Quality
The significant presence of the private sector at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care is well acknowledged as shown by a number of studies. A number of micro studies on utilisation have in fact highlighted the dependence of different strata of a given population on private practitioners, both trained and untrained, for primary level care across states. The distribution of private nursing homes and hospitals presents a picture of variation. The private sector is skewed in favour of urban areas, economically better-developed states and within states in districts that are economically more prosperous.
The dependence on government doctors as consultants is high among the medium sized …show more content…
This resulted in further blurring of their interests between the public and private sectors. This kind of a trend also has a negative impact on teaching, research and patient care in public hospitals. Several state governments have attempted the banning of private practice but this has met with a great deal of resistance by doctors.
The reasons for diminishing quality are straightforward: the provider has the knowledge; the patient has little or none. The provider has an interest in selling what is most profitable, but not necessarily what is best for the patient. Those who cannot afford care are excluded; those who can may not get the care they need, often get care they do not need, and invariably pay too much. Unregulated commercialized health systems are highly inefficient and costly ; they exacerbate inequality, and they provide poor quality and, at times, dangerous care that is bad for …show more content…
Corruption is also rife in recruitment, promotion and transfer of personnel; admission to medical education; procurement of drugs and technology. In private sector, there exists a well worked out system of paying commissions when doctors refers patients. Also, pharmaceutical industry offers a variety of incentives to doctors for prescribing specific brands on medicines.
Thus, commercialization of health care is an important contributor to the erosion of trust in health services and in the ability of health authorities to protect the public. This is what makes it a matter of concern for politicians and, much more than was the case 30 years ago, one of the main reasons for increasing support for reforms that would bring health systems more in line not only with current health challenges, but also with people’s
The significant presence of the private sector at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care is well acknowledged as shown by a number of studies. A number of micro studies on utilisation have in fact highlighted the dependence of different strata of a given population on private practitioners, both trained and untrained, for primary level care across states. The distribution of private nursing homes and hospitals presents a picture of variation. The private sector is skewed in favour of urban areas, economically better-developed states and within states in districts that are economically more prosperous.
The dependence on government doctors as consultants is high among the medium sized …show more content…
This resulted in further blurring of their interests between the public and private sectors. This kind of a trend also has a negative impact on teaching, research and patient care in public hospitals. Several state governments have attempted the banning of private practice but this has met with a great deal of resistance by doctors.
The reasons for diminishing quality are straightforward: the provider has the knowledge; the patient has little or none. The provider has an interest in selling what is most profitable, but not necessarily what is best for the patient. Those who cannot afford care are excluded; those who can may not get the care they need, often get care they do not need, and invariably pay too much. Unregulated commercialized health systems are highly inefficient and costly ; they exacerbate inequality, and they provide poor quality and, at times, dangerous care that is bad for …show more content…
Corruption is also rife in recruitment, promotion and transfer of personnel; admission to medical education; procurement of drugs and technology. In private sector, there exists a well worked out system of paying commissions when doctors refers patients. Also, pharmaceutical industry offers a variety of incentives to doctors for prescribing specific brands on medicines.
Thus, commercialization of health care is an important contributor to the erosion of trust in health services and in the ability of health authorities to protect the public. This is what makes it a matter of concern for politicians and, much more than was the case 30 years ago, one of the main reasons for increasing support for reforms that would bring health systems more in line not only with current health challenges, but also with people’s