Research from Finn Partners shows patients are becoming a more vital part of healthcare economics, as reported in Drug Store News. They are more educated consumers and aren't afraid to cost- and quality-compare for their care.
Here are eight key points from the survey:
1. Consumers are likely to change physicians as often as they change health insurance. Half of the survey respondents reported changing their plan in the past three years.
2. Around half of Americans with health insurance have been with their physician for three years or less.
3. Three out of four patients consult their physician or their pharmacist with questions about prescriptions; only 8 percent visited a medication website.
4. Nearly half — 43 percent — report their pharmacist recommended alternative medicines from what their physicians prescribed. Of those patients, around half always or almost always accept the pharmacist's recommendation.
5. Sixty percent of the survey respondents said they expected their health plan to be active on social media.
6. Fifty-five percent of the respondents said celebrity endorsements don't influence their decision about choosing healthcare.
7. There is evidence showing out-of-pocket costs and health insurance formularies are a "deciding vote on drug of choice."
8. About 46 percent of the respondents said they only see a primary care physician once per year — when they're reminded about an appointment or when they are ill.