Current changes in the healthcare system have caused 83 percent of physicians to think about quitting, according to survey results from the Doctor Patient Medical Association Foundation.
Survey results are based on 699 random physician respondents of various specialties who participated in a faxed survey in May. Roughly 90 percent of the physicians are office-based, with the remainder hospital-based. Here are some key findings.
• Ninety percent said the current path of the healthcare system is on the wrong track.
• Sixty-five percent said pay-for-performance will not improve quality of care, and 70 percent said it will not reduce overall costs.
• Forty-eight percent said they are not planning to joint an accountable care organization in the next three to five years, and 26 percent said they would only if required.
• Sixty-five percent thought problems in the industry are due to the government's involvement in healthcare. Respondents could choose three parties. Health plans (50 percent), third-party payors (42 percent) and lawyers (42 percent) were also highly blamed.
• Eighty percent said physicians and other medical professionals are the most likely to improve healthcare problems.
• Forty-nine percent said they would stop taking new Medicaid patients in response to lower Medicare/Medicaid payments. Physicians could choose more than one strategy, so 42 percent also said they'd stop taking new Medicare patients, and 33 percent said they would stop practicing or retire.
• Eighty-five percent thought the patient-physician relationship is declining.
• Forty-five percent said expanding the scope of practice for nurses would worsen quality of care.
• Sixty-two percent said they are "not at all" hesitant to voice opinions about healthcare politics, policy or laws due to potential reactions from patients, colleagues or administrators.
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Survey results are based on 699 random physician respondents of various specialties who participated in a faxed survey in May. Roughly 90 percent of the physicians are office-based, with the remainder hospital-based. Here are some key findings.
• Ninety percent said the current path of the healthcare system is on the wrong track.
• Sixty-five percent said pay-for-performance will not improve quality of care, and 70 percent said it will not reduce overall costs.
• Forty-eight percent said they are not planning to joint an accountable care organization in the next three to five years, and 26 percent said they would only if required.
• Sixty-five percent thought problems in the industry are due to the government's involvement in healthcare. Respondents could choose three parties. Health plans (50 percent), third-party payors (42 percent) and lawyers (42 percent) were also highly blamed.
• Eighty percent said physicians and other medical professionals are the most likely to improve healthcare problems.
• Forty-nine percent said they would stop taking new Medicaid patients in response to lower Medicare/Medicaid payments. Physicians could choose more than one strategy, so 42 percent also said they'd stop taking new Medicare patients, and 33 percent said they would stop practicing or retire.
• Eighty-five percent thought the patient-physician relationship is declining.
• Forty-five percent said expanding the scope of practice for nurses would worsen quality of care.
• Sixty-two percent said they are "not at all" hesitant to voice opinions about healthcare politics, policy or laws due to potential reactions from patients, colleagues or administrators.
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