A New York Times article, posted earlier this week, cites the following statistic: The overuse of emergency rooms is responsible for up to $38 billion in wasteful spending in the United States every year. The healthcare industry has worried about this waste for at least two decades, as studies show that an estimated 56% of visits to the emergency room are avoidable.
So why do patients run to the ER at the first sign of trouble?
- Convenience – Help is there when you need it, especially if your problem arises outside the normal 9 to 5 business hours of a doctor’s office.
- Uncertainty – Untrained in medicine, how do patients know if they have the virus going around or if they have meningitis? Researching symptoms on the internet can intensify the fear that they may have a serious condition.
- Lack of preventative care – Often patients with chronic health problems do not have a primary physician who is following up on their care. They are also not being educated to call a primary care doctor at the first sign of trouble. Instead of having someone to course-correct their treatment, patients are now waiting until they need urgent care to reach out for help.
As the need for primary care in America increases, so does the need for the healthcare industry to listen to their consumers. After healthcare changes take effect in 2014, the next big trend will be responsive care that truly understands the consumer. It is, after all, a $38 billion problem that needs solving. Here at The Pert Group, our experts understand the complex issues facing the healthcare industry today and we also know how to react to the needs of consumers. Let us help nurse your brand back to health.