Flemington, NJ, May 18, 2009 – A new national study among 3,933 physicians and consumers revealed that consumers continue to have a more positive outlook on the future of U.S. health care reform, compared to a similar study conducted among both groups in April.
The study was conducted by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) on May 13, to obtain consumers’ and physicians’ perceptions of current health care reform in the U.S., the outlook for the future, and their perceptions of specific health care related industries and professions.
The study is being conducted on a monthly basis among physicians and consumers to measure perceptions of the health care reform process in the United States. Each month, an overall metric score will be reported for physicians and consumers to monitor trends and perceptions.
The metric is comprised of two questions. One question measures the perceived progress of health care reform; and the other question determines whether respondents perceive that health care reform is heading in the right direction. The metric is reported on a scale ranging from -100 points to +100 points.
Among the study findings:
Consumers again expressed slightly more confidence than physicians with regard to U.S. health care reform when comparing this month’s health care reform metric to last month’s metric.
Consumers
|
|
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Overall Metric Score |
-4 |
-3 |
Physicians
|
|
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Overall Metric Score |
-9 |
-10 |
Consumers and physicians were asked to provide agreeability ratings regarding the following statements related to health care. The ratings are based on a scale ranging from -100 points to +100 points, with -100 representing “completely disagree” and +100 representing a “completely agree” rating.
Consumers’ Level of Agreement
|
|
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Health care reform has made a significant amount of progress. |
-37% |
-33% |
|
The current US health care system will be considerably improved in 5 years. |
-13% |
-13% |
|
I am extremely confident that the current US health care system will be better in 5 years. |
-17% |
-17% |
|
Health care reform is heading in the right direction. |
-13% |
-10% |
Doctors’ Level of Agreement
|
|
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Health care reform has made a significant amount of progress. |
-53% |
-47% |
|
The current U.S. health care system will be considerably improved in 5 years. |
-43% |
-43% |
|
I am extremely confident that the current U.S. health care system will be better in 5 years. |
-47% |
-43% |
|
Health care reform is heading in the right direction. |
-40% |
-37% |
Consumers and physicians were asked to provide favorability ratings for the following industries/professions related to health care.
The ratings are based on a scale ranging from -100 points to +100 points, with -100 representing “not at all favorable” and +100 representing an “extremely favorable” rating.
Consumers Level of Favorability
Industry |
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Medical insurance |
-7% |
-10% |
|
Prescription insurance |
0% |
-7% |
|
Hospitals and long-term care facilities |
7% |
3% |
|
Physicians |
23% |
23% |
|
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers |
-7% |
-7% |
Doctors’ Level of Favorability
Industry |
April 2009 |
May 2009 |
|
Medical insurance |
-40% |
-30% |
|
Prescription insurance |
-30% |
-23% |
|
Hospitals and long-term care facilities |
0% |
0% |
|
Physicians |
53% |
43% |
|
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers |
3% |
-3% |
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research or Chris Borick, Ph.D., director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).
HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based marketing and communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call 908-788-9393. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, MCIPO is a respected source of public opinion data on local, state and national issues. For additional information onMuhlenberg College, go to www.muhlenberg.edu
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