Your Patients Want Web-Based Healthcare Services

According to a recent survey by market research firm Harris Interactive,  patients want to use online health care tools, but few have access to such services.

For the survey, researchers polled 2,311 U.S. adults between July 16 and July 23. They found that:

• 65% of respondents said having online access to their medical records is “important” or “very important,” but only 17% reported having such access (Roney, Becker’s Hospital Review, 9/13);
• 62% said having access to an online health cost estimator is “important” or “very important,” but only 6% reported having such access (Pogorelc, MedCity News, 9/11);
• 53% said the ability to email their physician is “important” or “very important,” but only 12% reported having email access to their doctor;
• 51% said the ability to schedule appointments online is “important” or “very important,” but only 11% reported that their physician offered such tools; and
• 50% said the ability to pay medical bills online is “important” or “very important,” but only 10% reported having access to such tools (Becker’s Hospital Review, 9/13).