Doctors don't have to do much to make themselves look bad to a millennial, so says a recent study.
Young people are very willing to ditch a provider due to lackluster facilities and long wait times, according to an analysis of patients by the Health Industry Distributors Association. They are more than twice as likely then older patients to have researched a provider through ratings sites such as Yelp and Consumer Reports.
The analysis shows the greatest grievance patients have with their providers are long wait times, either to see a doctor or to get the results from a test. Wait times are shaped by a number of factors, including the provider's diligence in getting in touch with a patient.
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But the trade group, which represents companies that distribute medical devices and therefore has an interest in promoting the importance of new medical technology, adds that newer devices can also have a major impact in how quickly patient get their test results.
Thirty-seven percent of the patients surveyed say they have been dissatisfied in the past by tests that were unable to deliver results during the appointment.
Another important factor which shapes a patient's perception of a provider is cleanliness, or rather, evidence that the provider is diligently taking steps to avoid infections, such as hand sanitizer dispensers and signs advising patients and staff to wash hands.
If a doctor must make a patient wait, he or she should at least make the waiting environment as pleasant as possible. Comfy seats and some free snacks and coffee might help out as well, since 41 percent of respondents say that such things improve their experience.
What the study did not shed light on was the extent to which a patient is willing to pay more for improved experiences or shorter wait times.
While much of the debate over health care focuses on patients being able to choose and keep their preferred doctors, studies have shown that a large percentage of consumers are willing to accept narrower networks with less choice in doctors or services in exchange for paying less.
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