New Survey Shows Providers Feel Left Out of Debate on Health Reform: Most Doctors, Nurses Believe Medical Expertise Excluded from Debate
Two-thirds (66%) of physicians surveyed and a majority (53%) of nurses surveyed believe that their expertise has barely been considered in healthcare reform. Beyond this, a substantial plurality of physicians (43%) and a majority of nurses (54%) indicate that they have not received enough information to understand the policy changes being proposed as part of healthcare reform, according to a survey released this week, as the Senate prepares to begin floor debate on health reform.
The online survey, conducted by Chandler Chicco Companies (www.chandlerchiccocompanies.com/), a global network of healthcare communications companies, was conducted from September 17 – October 2, 2009 among 385 physicians (+/- 5.1%) and 444 nurses (+/- 4.8%) nationwide.
"Physicians and nurses are feeling bypassed as it relates to the debate around healthcare reform," said Robert Chandler, principal, Chandler Chicco Companies. "Making sure this important group of stakeholders feel their voices are being heard should be the top priority for the President, the Congress and the media. After all, these are the people on the frontlines of healthcare delivery."
This survey also revealed that roughly 9 in 10 (88% of physicians, 90% of nurses) respondents describe news coverage of healthcare debate as being too focused on politics instead of policy.
"Patients rely on doctors and nurses who treat them for information about health and health care," said Chandler. "Given these findings, it is not surprising that many Americans are unsure about whether the health reform debate in Washington will actually result in better health care."
Additional survey findings:
A plurality of physicians (43%) and majority of nurses (54%) surveyed say they don't understand the policy changes being proposed as a part of healthcare reform.
7 in 10 (70%) physicians surveyed believe that tort reform is not likely to result in less recourse for patients.
Approximately 6 in 10 physicians surveyed believe that tort reform is extremely or very likely to lead to fewer unnecessary tests (63%) and lower insurance costs (59%).
Comments:
Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:13:51 PM by dinapie
A SICK BODY: So let's imagine that our current health system is a really sick body. I mean, the arms are losing circulation. The heart is starved of needed oxygen. The feet are becoming black. The head and lungs are deprived of the right amount of blood. The poor body still lives. But not very well. Certainly it does not experience any quality of life. Who would you rather have with their finger on your pulse were that body yours? A well qualified medical team? OR, a bunch of greedy hyenas milling about the room rubbing their hands together and licking there lips as they discuss just what parts they can cut off of you just to keep you alive so that they can squeeze more profit from your wallet. I am shocked and amazed at how many "panel members" appointed by a very savvy president have missed the needle point on this one. And I voted for them!
