Segmentation of Health-Care Consumers: Psychological Determinants of Subjective Health and Other Person-related Variables.
In addition to the personalization of medical
treatment, there is an observable, growing trend toward tailoring support
programs more closely to individuals. Supportive programs are non-medical
programs that – in addition to medical treatment or intervention – intend to
help improve patients’ health status. The segmentation model developed by Bloem
& Stalpers (2012) may serve as a solid basis for such an approach. The
model is not designed for or based on a general population; it is instead
focused on individuals’ ‘health experience’ and is therefore a ‘cross-disease’
model. This model is based on the main psychological determinants of subjective
health: acceptance and perceived control. The model identifies four segments of
health-care consumers, based on high or low values on these determinants. The
focus of the present study is to get insights into how the four segments differ
in terms of person-related variables, such as socio-demographic and
socio-economic variables. In the study, several relationships between segments
and person-related variables have been identified. Based on these outcomes,
unique profiles have been formed for each of the four segments. Applications of
the profile-enriched model in daily practice and recommendations for further
research are suggested.
History
Declaration of conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.Corresponding author email
s.bloem@nyenrode.nlLead author country
- Netherlands
Lead author job role
- Higher Education Researcher
Lead author institution
Nyenrode Business UniversiteitHuman Participants
- Yes