Professor of bioethics said that personal financial incentives are increasingly being used to motivate patients and general populations to change their behavior, most often as part of schemes aimed at reducing rates of obesity, smoking, and other addictive behaviors. These incentives work in the short term, that is, they help one change a behavioral pattern with positive health implications in the long run. Rewarding someone for quitting smoking or giving up junk food and taking up exercise seems to be the ideal way to push them into the right direction, on the path to a healthier and ultimately happier life – if it weren’t for the moral and unintended implications of such “rewards.”
Financial incentive comes with downsides because they affect (intrinsic) motivation, personal choice, as well as alter the doctor-patient relationship. Whether these incentives can’t also be considered bribery is also an issue that is still up for debate, as is what happens with one’s will and determination when they stop coming. In addition extrinsic motivation can come from all places. For instance, instead of receiving money, people can offer to pay certain amounts in case they fail to kick a habit or change something about their current lifestyle, with countless websites of the type being set up to motivate people into making a difference.
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