Healthcare Quality and Cost Transparency Using Web-Based Tools

Abstract

This chapter explores the use of Web sites to provide patients with understandable information about the quality and price of healthcare healthcare transparency). Our first objective is to discuss patients’ perceptions of empowerment and need for quality and cost information when choosing medical providers and facilities for healthcare procedures. To meet this objective, we address issues of patient awareness of sources of healthcare quality and cost information, perceived responsibility for managing healthcare costs, and knowledge of appropriate actions to exercise choice of providers. Our second objective is to investigate the potential of Webbased tools, which provide healthcare quality and cost information, to facilitate patients’ decisionmaking processes regarding choice of provider for healthcare services, particularly common outpatient procedures. To meet this second objective, we use insights from user-centered design procedures (e.g., focus groups and in-depth interviews) associated with the development of a healthcare transparency Web-based tool.