Individualized Medicine: From Potential to Macro-Innovation

Innovations in Health Care—A Conceptual Framework

“…Figure 1 exhibits the three system levels, which can be affected by a diagnostic or treatment innovation. At the micro-level, only the structures, processes and paradigms of the doctor-patient relationship are affected [ 23 ]. For instance, an alternative and innovative hip replacement has no effects on the hospital management, the health insurance company or the patient’s relatives, unless the costs are higher and / or are not covered by the health insurance company.…”

“…The meso-level comprises all stakeholders, structures, processes and paradigms of the health care sector [ 22 , 23 ]. This frequently includes insurance companies, diagnostic and technology enterprises, accreditation boards, and the pharmaceutical industry.…”

“…On the macro-level, all stakeholders, structures, processes and paradigms of the society are involved [ 22 , 23 ]. In particular, social values constitute the framework in which the health care system (meso-level) and the doctor-patient relationship (micro-level) persist.…”

Personalized medicine: Definitions, history, and implications for the OT profession

“…Because most models of individualized medicine, such as pharmacogenomics, also known as pharmacogenetics, categorize individuals into groups, this use of the term individualized medicine more accurately refers to stratified medicine (Flessa & Marschall, 2015).…”

“…Sociologically, however, distinctions are made, with "individual" referring to systemic and unique aspects and "person" referring to the roles the individual has to fill (Flessa & Marschall, 2015).…”