Research Shows Many Sick Americans Unsatisfied with Healthcare

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A high percentage of Americans claim to have experienced medical care that was not up to their standards, according to a recent research report by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health. To collect the data used in the report, telephone interviews were conducted from March 5–25, 2012.

Approximately one out of every eight sick Americans (13 percent) says they have been given the wrong diagnosis, treatments, or testing. Twenty-six percent of respondents report their condition was simply not well managed. Oftentimes, these problems could be avoided with improved processes or patient-focused care.

One in four (25 percent) sick Americans claimed that a doctor, nurse, or other health professional did not provide thorough information about prescription medication. Another 23 percent reported visiting multiple medical professionals due to their physician’s inability to properly keep track of their medical treatments. Better communication between the patient and physicians could help reduce these problems, as it seems to be the root of many issues.

From the report, “Sick Americans see a wide range of issues that contribute to quality problems across the nation. These include problems related to insurance plan restrictions, lack of availability of quality services, and concerns about some aspects of the way care is provided. A majority of sick Americans want their encounters with their physicians to involve discussions about broader health issues than just their specific medical problem.”

The healthcare industry needs to focus on providing quality in order to improve the health of Americans who don't believe they're receiving proper medical attention. Improving patient to physician communication could alleviate some of the current deficiencies and boost patient satisfaction. 

©iStockphoto.com/Stigur Karlsson

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