More than ever, patients are consumers and consumers are patients. The consumerism of healthcare continues to shape the ever-changing healthcare market. However, this shift in healthcare attitudes and perceptions does not mean organizations need to abandon their brand strategies. Understanding new behaviors due to this shift, as well as the continued impact of COVID-19, is crucial for organizations as they navigate this new healthcare landscape. At its core, consumerism reflects the desire of consumers to interact with healthcare as they do with other industries, such as retail. This trend is largest among younger consumers, but with the impact of COVID-19, the trend has started to increase across all age groups. Patients like to have options and want to feel empowered to make their own healthcare decisions.
Responding to the constant evolution in healthcare habits, PRC annually conducts a random survey of consumers across the country, specifically looking for habitual trends. Some of the aspects measured include:
- Healthcare utilization and preference
- Advertising awareness
- Importance of factors when choosing a physician
- Impact of the internet on healthcare consumption, including telemedicine.
Given recent market trends, developing technology, and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare behaviors, the study also closely examines how consumers search for healthcare online and how this information influences their care decisions. Healthcare decision-makers in each household shared their responses via online panels. The results point to relevant data regarding cross-generational care, attitudes which impact their decisions surrounding healthcare, and the expectations consumers have concerning their quality of care.
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