Prioritization in health care and ageism

Abstract

Limitations in health-care resource result in the need for health-care prioritization in many countries. It is important to examine whether ageism may influence the prioritization process. The portrayal of issues relating to the elderly in Hong Kong tends to be negative. The need for health-care prioritization is not openly discussed or acknowledged. A survey on how the Hong Kong public prioritizes health services showed high rankings accorded to technological advances over services such as care of the elderly and end of life care. The findings are different from a similar survey in the UK, which ranked end of life care as the second highest. An approach based on risk benefit analyses and engagement with service users is indicated in the health-care prioritization process.