Americans are so dissatisfied with their healthcare system that 82 percent think it should be rebuilt, according to a new survey by The Commonwealth Fund.
Payment reform is among the strategies Commonwealth proffers in a separate report.
The report's authors recommend moving away from traditional fee-for-service payments to a system in which providers and hospitals are paid for high quality, patient-centered, coordinated healthcare.
Both the survey and the report indicate there was substantial public support for wider adoption of health information technology, like computerized medical records and sharing information electronically with other doctors as a means of improving patient care. Nine of 10 adults say they want easy access to their own medical records and think it's important that all their doctors have such access as well.
The Commonwealth Fund Commission's report on "A High Performance Health System" outlines what an ideal healthcare system would look like and offers strategies that could create it.
The Commonwealth Fund tapped Harris Interactive to conduct the survey of more than 1,000 adults in May.
Among the results, nine of 10 people surveyed indicated it's important that the two leading presidential candidates propose reform plans that would improve healthcare quality, ensure that all Americans can afford healthcare and insurance, and decrease the number of uninsured.
One in three adults say their doctors ordered a test that had already been done or recommended unnecessary treatment or care in the past two years. Adults across all income groups reported experiencing inefficient care. And eight in 10 adults across all income groups support efforts to improve the health system's performance with respect to access, quality and cost.
"It is clear that our healthcare system isn't giving Americans the healthcare they need and deserve," said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis. "The disorganization and inefficiency are affecting Americans in their everyday lives, and it's obvious that people are looking for reform. With the upcoming election, there is great opportunity for our leaders to hear what the American people are saying they want from a healthcare system, and to respond with meaningful proposals."
The survey, "Public Views on U.S. Health Care System Organization: A Call for New Directions," found that in addition to their dissatisfaction with the healthcare system, people are frustrated with the way they get healthcare.
Forty-seven percent of patients said they experienced poorly coordinated medical care in the past two years - meaning they were not informed about medical test results or had to call repeatedly to get them, important medical information wasn't shared between doctors and nurses, or communication between primary care doctors and specialists was poor.
Respondents pointed out the need for a more cohesive care system. Nine of 10 surveyed believe that it is very important or important to have one place or doctor responsible for their primary care and for coordinating all of their care.
Those surveyed also reported problems with access to healthcare - nearly three out of four (73 percent) had a difficult time getting timely doctors' appointments, phone advice or after-hours care without having to go to the emergency room.
Although the uninsured are most likely to report problems getting timely care without going to the emergency room, 26 percent of adults with health insurance also said it's difficult to get same- or next-day appointments when they are sick. And 39 percent of insured adults said it's hard to get through to their doctors on the phone when they need them.
The Commission report, "Organizing The U.S. Health Care Delivery System For High Performance," outlines strategies that could help lead to a better healthcare system with higher quality and better efficiency.
"There is no one policy or practice that will make our healthcare system run like an efficient, well-oiled machine," said James J. Mongan, MD, chairman of the Commission on A High Performance Health System and CEO of the Partners Healthcare System." This is going to take strong national leadership and a commitment from all of the players in our healthcare system, but with that and the strategies outlined in this report, real progress could be made."
What role can IT play in creating a more efficient healthcare system? Send your comments to Editor Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com