Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: We introduce the 'active patient' model, which we claim is a better way to describe health-seeking behaviour in low-income countries. Active patients do not automatically seek health care at the closest or lowest cost provider, but rather seek high-quality care (even at higher cost) when they estimate that such care will significantly improves outcomes. We show how the active patient can improve his or her health even when access to adequate quality care is insufficient and that the empirical literature supports this model, particularly in Africa. Finally, we demonstrate the importance, in analysing health care policy, of recognizing patients' efforts to improve health outcomes by seeking quality care.
Source: Health Policy and Planning
Author: K. L. Leonard
Institution: University of Maryland, College Park
Language: English
Subfield: Finance
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: World Bank Group
OpenAlex ID: W2129783297