60 Percent of Physicians Surveyed Fear Dramatic Increase In Patient Wait Time under a Universal Health Care Plan
Physicians polled on their opinions of the healthcare debate favor McCain's plan slightly over Obama or Clinton
Alpharetta, GA (PRWEB) April 1, 2008
In a recent survey commissioned by Jackson & Coker (www. jacksoncoker. com/newsletter/survey-presidential. aspx (http://www. jacksoncoker. com/newsletter/survey-presidential. aspx)), 60% of physicians polled predicted a dramatic wait time for medical procedures as part of any major overhaul of healthcare delivery in the United States.
The survey, entitled "2008 Healthcare Professionals' Opinions on Presidential Health Plans," was sent to thousands of physicians in all major specialties during March, with over 1,000 physicians and health professionals responding.
Participants answered 26 key questions in three major categories: personal knowledge of healthcare reform referred to as "Universal Health Care," their opinions concerning the healthcare proposals of the three presidential candidates, and their thoughts on how healthcare reform can be implemented in the most equitable, cost-effective manner.
"Any health care reform that will prove successful must have the support and cooperation of health care professionals," states Dr. Larry J. Sabato, professor of political science at the University of Virginia and author of A More Perfect Constitution.
"That's why this survey matters. The professionals know the current system inside out, and they are best qualified to evaluate the candidates and their reform proposals, as well as many of the specific reforms that are on the table right now," he adds.
The majority of physician respondents (62%) have been practicing medicine fifteen years or longer. With a seasoned perspective on issues related to healthcare delivery, they voiced strong opinions on the concept of "Universal Health Care" (UHC) and how it should be effectively implemented, as indicated by their unedited comments.
Eighty-nine percent of physicians felt that they are somewhat familiar or very familiar with the concept of Universal Health Care. Interestingly, 46% felt that the current healthcare system--with significant improvements--might be the answer, whereas 38% speculated that a universal healthcare delivery system is called for, however it is designed and implemented.
Who should be covered by universal health care? This critical question, at the heart of the political debate, was phrased as such: "Should universal health care be available to non-citizens in the US?" Six percent of respondents absolutely favored access with no restrictions, whereas 34% opted for access with some restrictions. However, 37% answered "not at all." Certainly politicians and legislators will need to reach some agreement on the matter before any UHC plan is adopted.
Rating the presidential candidates' proposals
The survey focused on another key question, all the more significant in the context of the heated race for the White House. "Which current presidential candidate do you feel would most improve the US healthcare system?" The favorable responses were very close by percentages:
Senator John McCain - 30%
Senator Hillary Clinton - 28%
Senator Barack Obama - 24%.
Interestingly, a significant portion of respondents (21%) did not favor proposals of any of the three remaining contenders. In fact, among former contenders, Ron Paul's proposal garnered the greatest interest.
Overall, half of the respondents felt that the healthcare reform plans of the presidential candidates are extremely important in deciding who gets their vote. This opinion appears to reflect the urgency in addressing apparent shortcomings of the current healthcare model in the United States, as most respondents clearly indicated in their comments.
Dr. Sabato puts the matter in perspective: "There is a near-consensus that the current system simply doesn't work very well, according to this survey. What to do about it is another matter entirely. The three major candidates all have their supporters in approximately equal groupings. Change that is 'substantial but incremental attracts the backing of close to half (46%), though universal health care is backed by 38%--a fact that may surprise some observers."
Implementing Universal Health Care
Regardless of which candidate's health plan is adopted, if any, a wide consensus among respondents (55%) was that any major overhaul of America's healthcare system should achieve a number of important objectives:
Make health care available to the uninsured Reduce costs associated with medical care Streamline all facets of healthcare delivery Make prescription drugs much more affordable.
In what ways could healthcare delivery be more streamlined if UHC were implemented? Four areas were noted most prominently among respondents:
Increased standardization of regulations concerning patient care More efficient processing of electronic medical records Greater access to affordable prescription drugs Doctors spending more quality time with each patient.
The implications for practice management are open to conjecture. Thirty-seven percent of respondents forecasted the number of medical office support will probably increase, whereas 21% predicted that number will stay the same, and 28% believed there will possibly be a decrease.
Patient wait time was also problematic. Along with the 60% of respondents forecasting a dramatic increase in waiting time for medical procedures, 16% felt the wait time might stay the same, and only 4% believed wait time could possibly decrease. More cautious in their assessment, 19% of respondents indicated "It's hard to say at this point."
Furthermore, there was a divergence of opinions concerning the overall benefits of universal health care. A key survey question was "Do you feel that patient care would be better or worse in a UHC system?" Interestingly, 32% said "probably better," but 47% indicated "probably worse." Seven percent felt there would not be any significant change.
Other key concerns:
The survey raised another central question. Physicians were asked to comment on what impact Universal Health Care might have on their careers plans. Certain factors were cited as having an important bearing on career decisions:
Personal income potential - 51% Amount of government regulation - 66% Quality of resultant patient care -- 61% Costs associated with overhauling / streamlining personal medical practice - 42%.
Their "raw" comments included in the survey results clearly establish that, depending on how any proposed plan is adopted, one definite career option for is "early retirement."
The fact that the outcome of the presidential campaign is very much undecided adds an extra layer of uncertainty as to how healthcare practitioners will be impacted by any proposed changes in the current system.
"Even the people who know the system best are not really sure what needs to be done, which candidate can do it best, and whether they can live happily with change. If health care reform was easy, it would have been done a long time ago--and the varying sentiments of these professionals prove it," Dr. Sabato explains
Sandra Garrett, president of Jackson & Coker, adds a final comment: "This survey was intended to help give voice to deep-seated concerns that physicians and health professionals have in discussing healthcare reform. Placed in the context of the presidential election, the survey advances the ongoing discussion of what needs to be done to improve healthcare delivery, whether a 'universal' system or some other model is adopted."
About Jackson & Coker:
Begun 30 years ago, Jackson & Coker is a prominent physician recruitment firm headquartered in Alpharetta, GA. The firm has two divisions: Locum Tenens (temporary staffing) and Retained Search (permanent placement). The company matches physicians in over 40 medical specialties--as well as advanced practitioners--with temporary or permanent practice opportunities.
Jackson & Coker is a member of a "family of companies" known as Jackson Healthcare (JH). The corporation provides information technology and human resources solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations around the nation. Jackson Healthcare was selected by Atlanta Business Chronicle as among "Atlanta's Top 10 Fastest-Growing Companies" and designated by Inc. Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Health Companies" in the Inc. 5000's ranking of growing entrepreneurial organizations.
More information concerning Jackson & Coker--along with the monthly Jackson & Coker Industry Report (www. jacksoncoker. com/newsletter/Long_3312008.aspx (http://www. jacksoncoker. com/newsletter/Long_3312008.aspx)) -- can be found at www. jacksoncoker. com.
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