Physicians support overhaul of U.S. healthcare system
July 9, 2009 – 11:41 am by Gina MonariA Web-based, Pri-Med issued poll that was e-mailed to more than 112,585 Pri-Med alumni clinicians nationwide has highlighted several interesting perspectives on healthcare reform. The poll, which was fielded from June 4 to June 11, garnered a sample of 204 clinicians. Recent poll results among these U.S. clinicians have revealed a common view that major changes to the U.S. healthcare system are necessary, although opinions are mixed on how healthcare reform should be accomplished.
Based on the responses, many physicians believe change is necessary across all areas. Those physicians that hone in on a few specific changes highlighted in their open-ended responses that there is a need for broader healthcare for consumers, according to Lynne Bishop, director, Physician Insights, M|C Communications.
“To these ends, many also called for changes that would make healthcare accessible by curtailing the premiums and profits generated by the payer sector,” Ms. Bishop told Med Ad News.
About 88% of clinicians polled believe the U.S. Healthcare System needs either a substantial system-wide overhaul or major changes in key areas. No clinician respondents say the status quo in the existing healthcare system is acceptable. Pri-Med’s experience in examining clinicians’ preferences and behaviors and the company’s continual interaction with them provides an understanding that the challenges they face in their practices are diverse and complex.
“The options and possibilities for reform are likewise numerous and involve so many parties and stakeholders, that not only is it complex, it’s also uncharted territory,” Ms. Bishop explained to Med Ad News. “What is heartening though, is both the desire for change and the motivation to share solutions.”
Ms. Bishop explains that the choices offered within the poll regarding potential outcomes of healthcare reform were all drawn from about six of the major healthcare reform policy legislation in discussion, such as those reform plan comparisons listed at The Kaiser Family Foundation.
“We expected to see, as the data showed, that there is general consensus among clinicians that the current system is flawed,” Ms. Bishop told Med Ad News. “Similarly, the poll results confirmed our beliefs that clinicians working daily with patients who are underinsured or struggling to meet healthcare costs would be focused on promoting greater healthcare insurance accessibility. What was interesting and surprising, were the clinicians’ relative division regarding the desirability of tactics such as health IT adoption, tax subsidies, etc.”
About 62% of clinicians believe patients will benefit from healthcare reform, but about as many also believe enacted reform will prove detrimental to themselves.
As for key outcomes desired, physicians were somewhat divided. Items that rose to the top, included a desire for expanded insurance accessibility to consumers; the recognition of the need to focus on wellness and prevention among consumers; and desire for reform enabling them to refocus on practicing medicine effectively, rather than preventing malpractice.
With regard to the clinicians’ top most important healthcare reform outcomes, 42% believe in the assurance of healthcare coverage for all individuals, 34% promote prevention and wellness behaviors and programs, 32% promote medical malpractice reform, and 29% believe in ending coverage barriers for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
About 16% of the surveyed respondents believe there should be an expansion of health coverage portability and that provider and institution fee schedules should be restructured. In addition, 12% believe there is a need for the protection of families from bankruptcy and debt resulting from healthcare costs.
About 9% of respondents think there should be an expansion of state and federal mechanisms to aid in health insurance provision, as well as guarantee patients’ choice of physicians.
Of the clinicians surveyed, about 8% believe healthcare insurance premium subsidies, tax credits, or support to individuals should be provided. About 7% believe there should be a renegotiation of Medicare/healthcare plan contract prices for medications, medical supplies and devices; an expansion of public health programs for at-risk populations; and support the encouragement of adopting and implementing of health information technology among providers.
In addition, 6% of the respondents believe that comparative effectiveness research should be encouraged and that providers should be rewarded financial for healthcare quality and medical performance.
Tags: healthcare system, Pri-Med
