Two-fifths of US adults report experiencing unsafe, wasteful, or poorly coordinated health care
From EurekAlert! - Breaking News:
Patients, who experience the health care system on a first-hand basis, find much that could be improved. According to a new survey from The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, a surprisingly high proportion of Americans -- 42 percent -- reported experiencing poorly coordinated, inefficient, or unsafe care at some time during the past two years.
Overall, the survey found strong public support for efforts to improve care coordination, and a shared belief that expanded use of information technology and teams could improve the quality of care.
When care isn't coordinated there is a higher risk for unsafe care and duplicative or wasteful medical spending," said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis.
"This survey shows that patients place high value on having a medical home that coordinates all of a patient's care and provides better access to information and care.
The nationally representative survey of over 1,000 adults reveals widespread concerns about the affordability of health care, access to quality care, and the safety and efficiency of care.
The survey was conducted in June by Harris Interactive for the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System.
Paying for and Receiving Health Care Is Increasingly a Middle Class Problem About half (48%) of adults in middle-income families ($35,000 to $50,000 annual income) reported serious problems paying for health care and health insurance.
In fact, health care costs are now stretching budgets even for those with higher incomes.
Forty-three percent of those who had experienced a medical error in the past two years said the system needs to be rebuilt, compared with 27 percent of those who did not experience a medical error.
Asked about the importance of health care policy actions for President and Congress, survey respondents said the four top priorities were: ensuring that all Americans have adequate and reliable health insurance, controlling the rising costs of medical care, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and ensuring that Medicare remains financially sound long-term.
Thirty-nine percent of adults said they experienced serious problems getting timely appointments to see doctors.
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