Are San Diegans Getting The Healthcare They Need As Costs Keep Rising?
Should You Listen To Your Doctor's Advice?
/EINPresswire.com/ Survey ranks top 10 San Diego hospitals by patient assessment; finds patients will follow their doctor's advice when seeking a specialist, even when the hospital is not among the top ranked; and that as healthcare costs rise, many San Diegans are not getting the care they need.
San Diego, CA - September 27, 2012 -- Most San Diego residents are skipping the healthcare they need because out-of-pocket medical expenses have risen so high, according to a recent survey by Blue Research, a local market research consultancy. Nearly all respondents to the August 2012 survey of San Diego County residents say that increasing out-of-pocket expenses have changed if, how and when they use healthcare services.
The study also found significant challenges for San Diego patients trying to choose the best place to be treated. When respondents were asked about their experience at 13 local hospitals, just two of the facilities received strong recommendations from a majority of survey participants. The quality of patients' experience varied greatly even among hospitals run by the same parent company -- including institutions run by Scripps, Sharp, University of California - San Diego and Kaiser.
The survey is the first of its kind, designed specifically to independently assess the experiences with the major healthcare providers in San Diego County. The study demonstrates that patients' level of satisfaction and care options vary among the different hospitals. For example, while Scripps Memorial is ranked No. 1 in the county, Scripps Mercy ranks No. 6 based on patients' satisfaction, recommendation, consideration, and preference. Sharp's reputation varies even more, with its hospitals ranked within the top 10 at No. 2, No. 7 and No. 10. The survey found that one of the key factors among patients' hospital choice is their doctors' recommendation. The results cast doubt on whether doctors know which hospitals provide the best experience for their patients.
"This study sheds light on issues that are important to San Diegans," said Paul Abel, Ph.D., Managing Partner at Blue Research. "As healthcare costs continue to rise for consumers, more people are playing an active role in deciding how, when and where they will address health problems. Knowing how the providers in the region stack up from the patients' perspective is very valuable information to make informed decisions that affect both our health and wellness."
Detailed Findings
Rising Out-of-Pocket Expenses Affect San Diego Healthcare Consumers
Two in three San Diegans report an increase in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses over the past year of at least 5%, with one in three reporting an increase of 15% or more.
98% say that increasing out-of-pocket expenses have changed how they use healthcare:
36% report making fewer visits to a primary care physician for preventative care
36% used over-the-counter or home remedies in place of traditional medical treatment
26% postponed medical treatments
Patient/Consumer Experience with San Diego Healthcare Providers:
The top 10 hospitals, based on patients' recommendations, were:
Scripps Memorial
Sharp Memorial
UCSD Health System
Kaiser
Rady Children's
Scripps Mercy
Sharp Grossmont
Palomar Medical Center
Tri-City Medical Center
Sharp Chula Vista MC
Healthcare Providers' Selection Influencer:
36% of respondents say they choose a healthcare provider based on the primary-care doctor's recommendation, but their decisions are also driven by insurance coverage and which institutions are perceived to be on the forefront of medical science.
Methodology
Custom designed online survey completed by 511 respondents. Respondents were carefully screened to ensure each is covered by commercial healthcare insurance, has a role in choosing the healthcare provider(s) used in their household and reside in the San Diego metropolitan area. The data collection period was August 18 through August 23, 2012, survey length 12 minutes. Blue Research (www.blue-research.com) designed the survey, managed the data collection process, conducted the analysis and created the research report.
About Blue Research
Blue Research provides proprietary information businesses use to better understand their markets, develop compelling products and services as well as capture and maintain market share. Blue uses state-of-the-art market research techniques to create reports that drive action throughout the organization. Blue Research specializes in the healthcare and technology industries. Blue conducts market research at the local, regional and worldwide level. Blue Research is a preferred market research consultancy for some of the largest healthcare and technology brands and upcoming innovators. Blue has offices in Portland, OR and San Diego, CA. For more information, to review testimonials or case studies, please visit www.blue-research.com
A copy of the full research report is available by contacting:
Cecile Bos at Blue Research, www.blue-research.com, 888-780-BLUE Ext. #702
or cecile@blue-research.com.
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/EINPresswire.com/ Survey ranks top 10 San Diego hospitals by patient assessment; finds patients will follow their doctor's advice when seeking a specialist, even when the hospital is not among the top ranked; and that as healthcare costs rise, many San Diegans are not getting the care they need.
San Diego, CA - September 27, 2012 -- Most San Diego residents are skipping the healthcare they need because out-of-pocket medical expenses have risen so high, according to a recent survey by Blue Research, a local market research consultancy. Nearly all respondents to the August 2012 survey of San Diego County residents say that increasing out-of-pocket expenses have changed if, how and when they use healthcare services.
The study also found significant challenges for San Diego patients trying to choose the best place to be treated. When respondents were asked about their experience at 13 local hospitals, just two of the facilities received strong recommendations from a majority of survey participants. The quality of patients' experience varied greatly even among hospitals run by the same parent company -- including institutions run by Scripps, Sharp, University of California - San Diego and Kaiser.
The survey is the first of its kind, designed specifically to independently assess the experiences with the major healthcare providers in San Diego County. The study demonstrates that patients' level of satisfaction and care options vary among the different hospitals. For example, while Scripps Memorial is ranked No. 1 in the county, Scripps Mercy ranks No. 6 based on patients' satisfaction, recommendation, consideration, and preference. Sharp's reputation varies even more, with its hospitals ranked within the top 10 at No. 2, No. 7 and No. 10. The survey found that one of the key factors among patients' hospital choice is their doctors' recommendation. The results cast doubt on whether doctors know which hospitals provide the best experience for their patients.
"This study sheds light on issues that are important to San Diegans," said Paul Abel, Ph.D., Managing Partner at Blue Research. "As healthcare costs continue to rise for consumers, more people are playing an active role in deciding how, when and where they will address health problems. Knowing how the providers in the region stack up from the patients' perspective is very valuable information to make informed decisions that affect both our health and wellness."
Detailed Findings
Rising Out-of-Pocket Expenses Affect San Diego Healthcare Consumers
Two in three San Diegans report an increase in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses over the past year of at least 5%, with one in three reporting an increase of 15% or more.
98% say that increasing out-of-pocket expenses have changed how they use healthcare:
36% report making fewer visits to a primary care physician for preventative care
36% used over-the-counter or home remedies in place of traditional medical treatment
26% postponed medical treatments
Patient/Consumer Experience with San Diego Healthcare Providers:
The top 10 hospitals, based on patients' recommendations, were:
Scripps Memorial
Sharp Memorial
UCSD Health System
Kaiser
Rady Children's
Scripps Mercy
Sharp Grossmont
Palomar Medical Center
Tri-City Medical Center
Sharp Chula Vista MC
Healthcare Providers' Selection Influencer:
36% of respondents say they choose a healthcare provider based on the primary-care doctor's recommendation, but their decisions are also driven by insurance coverage and which institutions are perceived to be on the forefront of medical science.
Methodology
Custom designed online survey completed by 511 respondents. Respondents were carefully screened to ensure each is covered by commercial healthcare insurance, has a role in choosing the healthcare provider(s) used in their household and reside in the San Diego metropolitan area. The data collection period was August 18 through August 23, 2012, survey length 12 minutes. Blue Research (www.blue-research.com) designed the survey, managed the data collection process, conducted the analysis and created the research report.
About Blue Research
Blue Research provides proprietary information businesses use to better understand their markets, develop compelling products and services as well as capture and maintain market share. Blue uses state-of-the-art market research techniques to create reports that drive action throughout the organization. Blue Research specializes in the healthcare and technology industries. Blue conducts market research at the local, regional and worldwide level. Blue Research is a preferred market research consultancy for some of the largest healthcare and technology brands and upcoming innovators. Blue has offices in Portland, OR and San Diego, CA. For more information, to review testimonials or case studies, please visit www.blue-research.com
A copy of the full research report is available by contacting:
Cecile Bos at Blue Research, www.blue-research.com, 888-780-BLUE Ext. #702
or cecile@blue-research.com.
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