Consumerism among patients

The internet has changed many things. People search the internet for all types of information about their health. One new piece of information is addresses how we, as patients, look on our physicians and what we want from them. A survey of 4001 adults in 2008 by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions demonstrates our attitudes. Overall, this consumer survey reveals that patients are satisfied in general. Trust is still present and most follow their physician’s advice. This is the second survey in the ongoing series. The results split patients into six groups depending on their responses. The six groups remained did not change much between the two surveys. It is not surprising to note that the survey confirms that we are looking on the internet for information about our health care. Consumers checked on the quality of care provided in their community by health care providers and facilities. Cost factors were also on our minds and help drive decisions.

The survey split their finding into six personality groups. Where do you fit? The major group was called “content and compliant.” They are the most happy with the system. They are compliant and use the traditional medical model of the doctor in charge. These patients were unlikely to switch doctors, were comfortable with the standard approach to medicine and confident in using their medications. This sounds like the baby boomer group and showed a slight decrease in number (28.5%) over the interval between surveys. Needless to say, this segment was most unlikely to seek outside information and alternative ways of doing things.

The second assemblage (25.3%) of patients actually grew slightly in proportion from the previous survey. They were identified as the “sick and savvy.” While enjoying faith in the traditional approach, they wanted a hand in decision making. Described as compliant and satisfied, they used web sites and had their own personal health record and were open to innovation. The third band was labeled the “online and onboard” collection. This made up only 8% of the total surveyed but was open to innovation and non-conventional care even though traditional methods were highly thought of. These consumers used web sites to shop for cost and quality and new methods of care.

The “out and about” troop was similar in number but used alternative and holistic means over traditional medicine. They were the least satisfied with current methods. Likewise, they were least compliant; doctor shopped and did not trust as the physician as much. Another larger group making up almost 28% in the survey was the “casual and cautious” faction. This cluster used traditional methods but sought cost containment. The survey classified them as the people less likely to use the system and unhappy with it, but unlikely to switch doctors. A final small group was the “shop and save” troupe, who looked for traditional medicine on the cheap but would be open to alternative areas.