HEALTH (1ST QT)

Consumer Health Education

-is the process of assisting you to acquire the correct information and understanding so that you will be able to make a wise
decision about a certain health item.

Consumer Health- refers to the decisions you make about the purchase of a product and use of health information services
that will have direct effect on your health.

Health Information- is the data and facts you got from media and people including the professionals and agencies.

Health Products- are those substances, materials or equipment prepared or manufactured for you to buy and use in the
maintenance of health and the treatment of diseases (ex. foods, eyeglasses, medicines, cosmetics, cars, appliances)

Health Services- refers to the health information, actions, procedures or work furnished, or supplied to help satisfy your needs
and wants as a consumer. This is services and things people do to and for other people (ex. medical consultation and
treatment, using the telephone, using the electricity, and payment for transportation, payment for haircut, payment for
newspapers and your favourite magazines and comics)

Who is a consumer?
We all are because we are all users. We use goods and services every day. We need food, clothing and shelter. We travel on
busses and trains, visit the doctors and dentist, go to the library, or watch television. At home we use energy in the form of
gas, electricity, coal, expect clean drinkable water from the tap.

Consumer- means a natural person who is a purchaser, lessee, recipient or prospective purchaser, lesser or recipient of
consumer products, services or credit.

Different Kinds of a Consumer

1. Spendthrift
2. Close-fisted
3. Wasteful
4. Bargain addict
5. Intelligent
6. Panic buyer
7. Impulsive buyer

Consumer Source of Information in Buying Products and Services

1. Labels and directions

2. Practitioners
3. Health publications
4. Consumer advocacy group
5. Government agencies
6. Health educators
7. Family and friends
8. Advertisement and commercials
9. Folklore
10. Mass media
Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
- Being good consumer means knowing what to look out for and what to avoid. It means know where and how to get the best
value for money, where to go if things go wrong. Your role as a consumer has both right and responsibilities.

1. The right to safety- to be protected against products, production, processes and services that are hazardous to health
or life.

2. The right to be informed- to be given facts needed to make an informed choice and protected against dishonest or
misleading advertising and labelling.

3. The right to choose- to be able to select from a range of products and services and competitive prices with an
assurance satisfactory quality.

Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act no. 7394)

- It is the policy of the State to protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards
of conduct for business and industry. Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to achieve the following
objectives:

1. Protection against hazards to health and safety.

2. Protection against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices.
3. Provision of information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the
consumer.
4. Provision of adequate rights and means of redress.
5. Involvement of consumer representatives in the formulation of social and economic policies.

Choosing the Right Service Provider

- is a matter of safety.
Doctors
- among many health service providers, only doctors are trained and licensed to provide accurate details on the diagnosis and
management of diseases of a patient
- any medical concern should be addressed eventually through a consultation with a doctor
- allowed to perform surgeries and other invasive procedures such as injections of medicines or vaccines
Nurses
- other paramedical personnel who may perform surgery and administration of drugs provided that they are under supervision
of a doctor or in the event of an emergency or as a life-saving measure
Barangay health station
- located in rural areas where doctors are not available and where people from the community can get free basic medical
health information, first aid, and service (ex. blood pressure monitoring)
- manned by the barangay health workers and midwives
Local health center
- a bigger facility where people whose health concerns are improving can go
- usually headed by a doctor with the help of nurses and nurse assistants
Specialized hospital
- for more complicated or emergency health concerns
- where medical specialist can give appropriate care
General practitioners/doctors (who did not go into residency training)
- can also effectively manage medical cases
Colleague
- can give input or offer better care to a patient than a doctor who did not go into residency training
Paramedical professional
- referred by doctors after examining the patient (ex. physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist)
Academic certificate
- given to ascertain the competence or credibility of a health provider
Certificate given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
- given to a duly licensed doctor
Certificate testifying the completion of residency requirement from a reputable hospital
- tells you that the doctor finished residency
Specialty board exam
- usually given by one of the eight specialty divisions/societies listed in the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) website
- certificates from affiliated sites of the PMA do not necessarily indicate that a doctor is a specialist

Doctor Chief Complaint

1. Allergologist Rash, runny nose, wheezing
2. Cardiologist Chest pain, palpitation, dizziness
3. Dermatologist Rash, crumbly nails, hair loss, genital discharge,
growth
4. Endocrinologist Excessive sweating, excessive thirst, palpitation,
weight loss
5. Family Physician General complaints of children and adults
6. Gastroenterologist Abdominal pain, blood in the stool, vomiting
7. Geriatrician General complaints in adults above 60 yrs. old
8. Hematologist Bruises, dizziness, profuse bleeding
9. Infectious Disease Specialist Cough, fever, non-healing wounds, genital
discharge, growth
10. Neurologist Body weakness, dizziness, head ache
11. Obstetrician- Gynecologist Pregnancy, genital discharge, growth, abdominal
enlargement, vaginal bleeding (in women)
12. Oncologist Bleeding, dizziness, loss of appetite, tumor
13. Ophthalmologist Blurring of vision, dizziness
14. Orthopedic Surgeon Bone fracture, joint pains, spine deformity
15. Otorhinolaryngologist Voice hoarseness, decreased hearing, runny nose
16. Pediatrician General complaints in children below 18 yrs. old,
growth and development
17. Psychiatrist Anxiety, hallucination, temper problem
18. Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist Immovable joints, difficulty in writing and walking
19. Rheumatologist Joint pains, rash, unusual sun sensitivity
20. Surgeon Tumor, abdominal pain, burns