Proactive Health Consumer
The program uses validated assessments and empirically based guidance to address four dimensions of being a proactive health consumer:
- Participating as a partner in decision making with health care providers;
- Learning about and carefully considering options before making decisions regarding health plans, providers, tests, treatments, and end-of-life care;
- Engaging in ongoing health and wellness activities; and
- Using health services wisely and in a financially responsible way.
Based on extensive qualitative and quantitative research over the past three years, the PHC includes the comprehensive Healthwise® Knowledgebase, helps increase health literacy, and meets the needs of the insured, under-insured, and uninsured. The program includes a computer-tailored intervention to increase readiness to become a more active participant in one’s health and health care, as well as an interactive Personal Activity Center designed to assist people in each domain of being a PHC. Activities include interactive and editable scripts about how to talk with a doctor about difficult topics, a queue to organize and prioritize questions for a medical appointment, quizzes about health care costs, and interactive testimonials in which the user receives feedback and tips on how they could’ve proceeded in various scenarios.
See our PHC Demo for more information, or scroll down for screen samples.
An article on PHC from the journal “The Art Health Promotion” is available as a PDF Download.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
PHC Screen Samples (click to enlarge)
Introduction screen in the Virtual Coach section—an evidence-based, Computer Tailored Intervention (CTI) that takes approximately 12 minutes to complete.
A sample Virtual Coach feedback screen—Stage of Change feedback for a person in Contemplation for being a proactive health consumer. The CTI assesses Stage of Change and other Transtheoretical Model processes and presents tailored feedback.
A sample PHC portal home page—seen after completing the CTI. This screen is updated at every login and is tailored based on stage, gender, age, and previous activity in the system.
An example of a “Making Good Decisions” portal activity–seven steps for choosing a physician. This is one of eight activities developed to help consumers make informed decisions—others include choosing a health plan, choosing medical tests or treatments, and planning for end-of-life care.
An example of a “Saving Money” portal activity—a testimonial and a quiz about preventive care. This is one of twelve activities designed to help consumers compare costs and quality, use less expensive options when available, avoid unnecessary care, and get recommended preventive care.
An example of a “Working With Your Doctor” portal activity—pre-written scripts on how to voice questions and concerns to your physician, letting you customize, save, and print these before your next doctor visit. This is one of ten activities focusing on the information, skills, and strategies patients can use to communicate with their doctors and share in decisions about their health care.
A sample from the Being Healthy Section—the Stress Management program is one of seven LifeStyle Management programs. Each program includes an evidence-based CTI and online workbook to help individuals live healthier lifestyles.
See our PHC Demo for more information.
