A majority of Americans don't use digital technology to communicate with their physicians, due to unawareness or inaccessibility, based on a new Nielsen survey released by the Council of Accountable Physician Practices and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
The survey included more than 5,000 Americans, 18 years old or older.
Here are seven highlights from the survey:
1. Less than half of respondents receive telephone appointment remainders.
2. About 20 percent of respondents have access to online portals for scheduling appointments.
3. Only 15 percent of respondents use email as a form of communication with their physicians.
4. Only 9 percent of respondents receive text reminders.
5. A mere 2 percent of respondents may access video visits.
6. Parents, chronically ill patients, patients with acute conditions and adults under 35 years old reported interest in better access to digital technology for their healthcare needs.
7. The survey found of those respondents who don't have digital access to their healthcare providers, they are most interested in online interactions.
"Healthcare providers must step up our adoption of these common-sense and available solutions if we are truly going to reform healthcare delivery," said Robert Pearl, MD, chairman, Council of Accountable Physician Practices, and CEO, The Permanente Medical Group and the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.
Recent articles:
10 statistics on clinical & office staff additions in the coming year
Pamplona Capital Management acquires MedAssets for $2.7B: 5 things to know
Physician groups seek help from Congress — 5 points