Seniors are fed up with long waits at doctors' offices and are open to using the Internet for health-related tasks but may be unaware of the possibilities, according to a recent study by Age Wave Impact, an integrated marketing firm in Emeryville, Calif. The study highlights the need for physicians to become more customer-focused.
The survey involved more than 3,300 seniors, age 65 and over, nationwide. Key findings include:
- Only 12 percent of those who had to wait at least 30 minutes were satisfied with their care, while 56 percent of those who waited less than 15 minutes were very satisfied.
- Those most satisfied with their physician care had an average wait of 22 minutes but spent 20 minutes with their doctor, while those least satisfied had an average wait of 37 minutes and spent only 15 minutes with their doctor.
- The survey also found that Internet awareness among seniors is low. Only 20 percent know of Internet-related health services and only 4 percent have ever used them.
- While seniors would like to receive medical tests over the Internet at least two-thirds of them are not likely to perform any other health-care related activities in the future. (Age Wave Impact, Jack Greenfield, 212/780-1900)