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Chapter 7: Problem 6

In an opinion column about improving the performance of doctors in the United States, a health economist observed that "it's very hard to measure the things we really care about, like quality of life and improvements in functioning." Why is it difficult to measure outcomes like these? Does the economist's observation have relevance to comparisons in health outcomes across countries? Briefly explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The difficulty in measuring 'quality of life' and 'improvements in functioning' stems from their subjective nature and lack of a standardized system given the individual and societal differences. Such measures, albeit challenging, hold immense relevance in comparing health outcomes across countries.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Difficulty of Measurement

One of the main reasons why it's difficult to measure outcomes like quality of life and improvements in functioning is the subjective nature of these assessments. Different individuals or societies can have varied definitions for quality of life and its improvements. Furthermore, functional improvements are often specific to a person's condition or illness, adding another layer of complexity. Also, these measures are not easily quantifiable or standardized across populations or countries.
02

Relevance to Health Outcome Comparisons

The economist's observation is relevant when comparing health outcomes across different countries because of the intrinsic cultural, societal, economical differences among countries. These differences often reflect in their definitions of quality of life and improvements in function. This diverse perception further complicates the process of making a fair, unbiased, and accurate comparison. Furthermore, the availability and quality of healthcare services, health strategies, and policies might also vary from country to country influencing the health outcomes.
03

Wrapping up and Explanation

Concluding, it's agreed upon that while these measures are challenging to standardize and quantify, they do hold significant relevance and importance in public health care analysis and policies. These measures reflect the socio-cultural perspectives of a population and can add critical insights into devising effective health strategies.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is meant by the phrase "health outcome"? How do health outcomes in the United States compare with those of other high-income countries? What problems arise in attempting to compare health outcomes across countries?

(Related to Solved Problem 7.4 on page 241 ) In 2017 , an article in the Wall Street Journal discussed trends in the health care sector. The article noted the "adoption of new health information technology," using "advanced algorithms and natural-language processing technologies to read and reformat" data on patients. Assuming that health information technology continues to advance, use a graph of the market for medical services to show the effect. Explain any shifts in the demand curve or supply curve and the effect on the equilibrium price and quantity of medical services.

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