How do you want to use health services?
Jan 27, 2008
As many of you know, my night/weekend job is building an internet healthcare services marketplace. (My day job is currently helping an insurance company build an internal consulting unit). As we’re nearing the end of an initial design phase, I’m wrestling with the answers to a few questions and was hoping some of you might be willing to share your perspectives.
I’d be curious to get your thoughts on what makes you access non-catastrophic health services (broad definition incl. wellness, alternative health, nutrition, medicine, dentistry, etc):
- What characteristics differentiate technically competent providers? How do you find out about them?
- How do providers come to understand your needs from the visit? Do they tend to address your needs or their preferences?
- How relevant have recommendations from friends/ family been for you? Did you find you were looking for the same things that they were?
- For everyday issues, how do you see tradeoffs between expertise, manner/ personality, convenience, and price?
- Is continuity important inherently, or only because quality/ experience is so variable (i.e., someone who works has a trusted brand vs. you really do want to see that person over and over)?
Appreciate any perspectives you’re willing to share! If you don’t want to comment below, please also send replies to consumerfocusedcareATgmailDOTcom
