First few Article Sentences
Every business must plan. As you begin your 2019/2020 business planning consider what your patients are expecting from your practice. Your patients are the lifeblood of your practice, if their expectations change and you do not adapt, you will wonder why you have open appointment slots.
United Healthcare performs an annual Consumer Sentiment Survey, the results of the September 2018 surveys should interest all physicians that are preparing a business plan. The survey found that 68% of the respondents used an internet search engine to research a potential health issue. The use of "internet research" crossed generations it was not just millennials, 63% of baby boomers used internet searches for health information. The survey found that 36% of respondents used the internet or mobile applications to shop for health care services. This is a 257% increase from 2012. Not surprising that 51% of millennials shop for healthcare services online, that is a 6% increase over 2017. An interesting finding of the survey was that 84% of those who used mobile apps or the internet to comparison shop healthcare procedures found the experience "very helpful" or "somewhat helpful". This is a signal that transparency in pricing, location and access is becoming more prevalent. Finally, 43% of the respondents are likely to use telemedicine to access health care services.