healthcare technology

A Recent Harris Poll Survey on behalf of NextGen Healthcare Confirms Patients Seek the Convenience of Self Service and Option to See Providers Virtually

The survey was conducted online and the results are based on the inputs gathered from 2,000 U.S. adults, including 1,733 who typically see a healthcare provider annually (“patients”).

The survey results generated insights into patient experiences and preferences related to online healthcare tools.

Telehealth is here to stay.

• 84 % of U.S. patients who received telehealth services since March 2020 plan to continue using telehealth appointments in the future citing reasons such as
  • convenience (43 %)
  • or to avoid being around people who are ill (39 %).

• More than half of U.S. patients (57 %) say they would be more likely to get follow-up medical care if telehealth appointments were an option.
• 48 % patients indicate they would switch to a different healthcare provider if their current provider did not offer telehealth appointments.WOW!
• 69 % patients have seen a healthcare provider via telehealth since the COVID-19 pandemic began,
  • 46 % -  primary care physician (PCP) 
  • 19 % - mental healthcare provider.
  • 15% - women’s health provider
  • 9% ophthalmologist
  • 7% orthopedist

Online access is a must.

58 percent patients would like to have more online access to their healthcare provider. Age plays a role in this: Patients from 18-54 are significantly more likely than patients 55 and older to say they would like to have more online access to their healthcare provider (68 percent vs. 43 percent). Topping the list of most important online services patients would look for if seeking a new provider are:

• online appointment scheduling (49 percent)
• ability to check-in or complete health forms/appointment paperwork online before an appointment (49 percent)
• online prescription management (48 percent)
• online medical records access (47 percent)

John Beck, chief solutions officer for NextGen Healthcare says in the release -  “These survey results confirmed that patients’ overall expectations for healthcare have shifted permanently. Integrated healthcare technology is good for the patient and good for the practice.”

read the original release at https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210520005327/en/National-Survey-Shows-Online-Access-and-Telehealth-are-Keys-to-Patient-Loyalty