Chapter 11 - The rise of consumerism and local advocacy

Summary

This chapter highlights some of the changes occurring in services around the globe in the context of and as a result of political and economic changes. Globalization might lead to a globalized culture in which cultural values become more homogenized and cultural relativism gives way to a uniform view. There is no doubt that globalization has led to an increase in urbanization, which by itself brings a number of problems. As a result of internal migration from rural to urban areas, overcrowding may result and social support networks will change. In many countries, for example in India, the practice of medicine and delivery of health care has been brought under consumer legislation, where patients are seen as consumers and have no rights of protection as consumers. Consumerism can affect health care as a whole or psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy.