Based on concerns about the coronavirus, nearly three-quarters (72%) of US adults have significantly altered their use of traditional heatlhcare services, including avoiding trips to a doctor's office or urgent care facility, delaying care needed for chronic illnesses, and even planning now to put off future care and procedures.
These are findings from a national survey released recently by the Alliance of Community Health Plans and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, conducted by Leede Research. Highlights follow in our brief slide show.
Patient's attitudes and behavior toward standard healthcare services are shifting. More than 4 in 10 have delayed healthcar services, feel uncomfortable going to a hospital or urgent care clinic and more than one-third plan to delay future care.
Many patients report they are uncomfortable visiting a range of medical settings, including a doctor's office, dentist or behavioral health professional's office or seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist.
Vulnerable populations are delaying care, including 60% of respondents who live with a chronic condition and more than half of senior citizens who responded.
A majority of survey respondents fear that the coronavirus will come back in the fall/winter and so are uncertain about planning diagnostic and elective procedures.
A majority of survey respondents said they would like to be tested for coronavirus and would be comfortable doing so in a physician's office. Less than a quarter said they would not like to be tested for the virus and 15% said they were unsure.
Use of telehealth during the pandemic has nearly tripled over previous averages, according to survey authors. For those who have used it recently, nearly all were satisfied. Just about half of respondents are comfortable using telehealth today and one-third would be open to trying a smartphone app.
In-person visits to local retail pharmacies have remained popular; half of respondents feel comfortable picking up prescriptions in person at the pharmacy. About one-quarter have used mail-order for prescriptions during the pandemic and only 9% have used home delivery from a pharmacy.
Demographics of the survey population.
