How COVID-19 Is Changing Patients’ Perception of Healthcare

March 31, 2020

Stephanie Kovalick

A new survey of 500 U.S. consumers by Sage Growth Partners and Black Book Market Research reveals how COVID-19 is significantly changing patients’ healthcare concerns and preferences.

COVID-19 is already significantly changing how patients approach healthcare, and the ramifications of these changes could last long after the pandemic is over. That’s according to a recent survey of 500 U.S. consumers by healthcare consultancy Sage Growth Partners and Black Book Market Research.One of the biggest findings? Concerns about the safety of healthcare settings is driving more interest in telemedicine, such as virtual visits and remote health monitoring. In fact, 59 percent of survey respondents said they are more likely to use telehealth services now than in the past, and 36 percent would switch their physician in order to have access to virtual care.Dan D’Orazio, CEO of Sage Growth Partners, has broad experience across healthcare and is a recognized thought leader in virtual care/telemedicine, population health, health integration, and issues impactingÂ theÂ changing healthcare landscape.Â Stephanie Kovalick, Chief Strategy Officer at Sage Growth Partners, is a leading healthcare authority with extensive workflow, product management, and marketing expertise focused onÂ theÂ health plan, provider, and health information technology sectors. She is an expert on payment reform, population health, reimbursement models, revenue cycle, and clinical workflows.Â

Appetite for telehealth

· 59 percent of respondents say they are more likely to use telehealth services now than previously and 19 percent say they are not

· 44 percent of respondents say telehealth services are available to them while 35 percent are unsure and 21 percent do not

· 36 percent of respondents say they would switch their physician in order to get access to virtual care

Getting healthcare needs addressed

· 64 percent of respondents were concerned about having access to care in the next four weeks

· Of the respondents who have used telehealth options, 57.3 percent are extremely concerned about their access to care in the next four weeks

· Of those respondents who have not used virtual care, 21.8 percent are extremely concerned about accessing care in the next four weeks

Safety in the doctor’s office

· 58 percent of respondents feel safe going to the doctor’s office while 27 percent feel unsafe

· 43 percent of respondents feel safe getting treatment at a hospital while 33 percent feel unsafe

· 40 percent of respondents feel safe at urgent care while 39 percent feel unsafe

COVID-19 coronavirus testing confidence

· 34.4 percent of respondents say they believe that testing is adequate and available while 52 percent feel it is not

· Women were less likely to believe testing is adequate and available with 24 percent, while 43 percent of men believe it is

Social distancing

· 47 percent of respondents reported their anxiety was high

· 51 percent say they’re feeling very isolated

· 45.2 percent of respondents say they want more access to virtual behavioral or mental health services for anxiety, depression, and social isolation

Access to medical supplies

· 18 percent of respondents do not believe their doctors have access to and the ability to stay stocked on supplies to meet medical needs

· 12 percent do not believe their pharmacy is well stocked to meet their needs