Here’s some great news for doctors: A new survey finds 95% of patients are satisfied with their primary care physicians.
That’s a significant challenge to providing high-quality care, when 90% of patients said the most essential piece of a quality healthcare system is a solid physician-patient relationship, the foundation noted in an announcement.
The survey found patients are worried about rising costs and that increasing drug costs are the biggest pain point. Some 57% said they feel they are one sickness away from being in serious financial trouble and 75% are concerned with their ability to pay for medical treatment if they were sick or injured, up from 62% in 2016. A survey released earlier this year found a quarter of Americans have chosen to forgo medical care because of the costs.
They are also worried that insurance companies—not their doctors—are calling the shots when it comes to their healthcare. Some 69% of patients said insurance companies have the biggest influence on treatment options, but 87% said doctors should decide how medical conditions are treated.
“This year, the results have underscored the urgent need to amplify the physician’s voice,” said Walker Ray, M.D., president of the foundation.
Other survey highlights included: