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Meeting patients’ needs in healthcare

JR

It involves more than providing diagnostic and treatment expertise. Today, meeting patients’ needs includes using electronic tools that make it easier for everyone to communicate.

Results from a just published survey show a disconnect between patient desires and provider services.

  • 82% of patients never received an email message from their primary healthcare provider
  • Only 15% indicated that their healthcare providers give them the option of scheduling their own appointments by email or through a Web site
  • Nearly three-quarters of patients would prefer paying medical bills online
  • But only one in seven can do so
  • Three out of four patients currently pay their medical bills via postal mail
  • But only 30% actually prefer this approach

Note to CAM providers: To provide a service that will be appreciated by your patients, make better use of the Internet.

8/2/06 18:15 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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