PA patients' healthcare priorities

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 15:52

PA patients' healthcare priorities

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, January 26:

More than half the people surveyed in a recent poll say they're concerned about the effect the new health care law will have on the quality of care they receive. Almost one third engage in no planned exercise and 85% say waiting time at their doctor's office is important to them.

These are just a few of the findings from the Pennsylvania Medical Society's fourth annual poll conducted in 2011.

On Thursday's Radio Smart Talk, Dr. Marilyn J. Heine, the president of the organization that represents doctors and other healthcare providers across the state, will appear to discuss the poll's results and what it tells us about what patients want.

You may be surprised at some of the results, but the poll provides a good barometer of patients' priorities.

For example, how often can you get an appointment with your family doctor within a few days of when you call? Have you ever asked for a specific test or treatment that the doctor did not already suggest? What about asking for a drug you saw advertised on TV?

We'd like to hear your answers.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

Published in Smart Talk

Tagged under

Radio

comments

# Betsey Johnson 2012-01-26 10:06

I recently had the experience that my child had been sick with flu; while the doctor's office was available to talk me through the symptoms and what to do over the phone, by the time my child was well enough to go back to school, I was required to provide a doctor's excuse. Rather than be a walk-in patient and wait at the office for perhaps half a day, we opted to stop in at one of the local "Patient First" type care facilities, where we could get in and out and have a doctor make sure my child was well enough to go back with a written note from them. That way, my child did not miss much more school, and I had peace of mind that she was well.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# LYLE 2012-01-26 10:15

How would a listener find the entire poll results? I could not find a link on the PA Medical Society website.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Tom Banks 2012-01-26 10:27

going back to Bill's comment-
with the internet available, there is little reason for people to be ill informed about any condition they may be suffering, tho i might say that most folks simply don't know their bodies, or have a grasp on the physiology of the body, in general. but if someone comes into a Dr's office and seems to know what they are talking about, maybe the doctor should give them a listen. sometimes IME it becomes a game of ego- you have to overcome the doctor's supreme belief in himself as the only authority.

i would add that when you go to the Dr., maybe you should do a little homework, then write down specific questions to maximise the short time you have with the Dr.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Samantha 2012-01-26 10:33

Is there a website where you can grade your doctor or dentist? Or find doctors or dentists that are recommended in our community?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Jessie 2012-01-26 10:34

Are the clinics like Patient First reliable? Can you list clinics in the area that we can use besides Patient First?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Elaine 2012-01-26 10:36

The survey being discussed shows that over half of the people interviewed are worried about the quality of care they will receive under the new healthcare law. My current concern is how often my physician says he has to alter the care he gives his patients in order to ensure that the insurance they have will pay for that care. My insurance company would not pay for a shingles vaccination, which my doctor wanted me to get.

Why are people afraid of government controlled healthcare, but not profit-driven insurance controlled healthcare?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Tom 2012-01-26 10:37

Write your questions down before you go to the doctor. I always do.

I had to take my 6 year old daughter to the doctor. My wife could not that day. The doctor looked at me, looked at her, then looked back at me and said, "Okay, where's you note from mom?" My wife had written everything down, symptoms, on-set, everything. I had no clue, as usual...

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Steve 2012-01-26 10:38

I have been a patient of Dr. Frank Brescia for almost 30 years, all of my in laws now see him as he is one of a dying breed of family practitioners who work from 7-5 or later, 4 days a week. He runs his practice by himself with a loyal, competent staff who have been with him almost since the doors opened. When I make an appointment I know that I will see him, he knows me and that gives a level of comfort and trust almost that of an older brother or uncle. I hope that he never retires.

Why is it that family practitioners are going by the way of the dinosaur and being replaced with meat grinder walk in clinics and mega-mart practices?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Lisa 2012-01-26 10:39

I have a concern with what is happening with hospitals becoming health care insurers. I feel that this is a conflict of interest when the doctor is employed by the health insurance company. If hospitals become both insurers and providers, the independence of a doctor to say what tests, procedures, etc. are needed is compromised as is the ability of a patient to chose which hospital or rehab center can be used. This is already becoming a problem in the Pittsburgh area.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Leroy 2012-01-26 10:54

In this day and age when a lot of communication is done via email, there are some doctors who are willing to communicate via email while others are not. Is there a standard procedure on the part of the medical establishment about using email technology in the doctor-patient relationship? Also, why aren’t patients encouraged to maintain a copy of their records to maintain better interest in their health?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Kesse 2012-01-26 11:08

I find it interesting with insurance coverage that it will not cover "experimental" holistic medicine which is much cheaper and less dangerous than most pharmaceutical drugs, but the insurance will cover these "experimental" drugs which come with a scroll of side effects and dangers.(some of which are even derived from natural substances, but altered so the drug companies can make money from them) If I pay for my insurance every month why can't I decide where I want to receive my healthcare? Another way we are not trusted as individuals to make the "right" choice.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# PAMED 2012-01-26 12:38

Thank you to WITF for having Dr. Heine on your show today, and thank you to the listeners for taking an interest in The Patient Poll. The Pennsylvania Medical Society has a limited supply of the 2011 Patient Poll books available. If you would like a free copy, please send an email to stat@pamedsoc.org. We are currently making adjustments to our website, but soon they'll be online at www.pamedsoc.org.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Kevin Brubaker 2012-01-27 08:10

Thank you for this informative broadcast. I am so thankful for my primary care physician. Dr. Higgins always comes into the room having looked at my file and showing great care for me as a person. I know that he sees lots of patients, but when he is with a patient, he is totally focused on that patient. I have been blessed over the years to have great doctors -- Drs. Howard and Robert McDougall, Dr. Devlin, Dr. Tiruchelvam, Dr. Knudson and others. Thank you all very much. We don't thank our doctors enough.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post