By Greg Hazley
A large majority of adults say they would not use social media or instant messaging-type services for medical communication with their doctors, according to a poll by Raleigh-based Capstrat and Public Policy Polling.
Eighty-four percent – or five of six respondents – said they would avoid such digital communications. Only one-fifth (21%) of the coveted millennial bracket of young adults aged 18-29 said they would take advantage of an online health option.
The survey did show an opening for doctors to tape such technology for administrative and non-medical communications with patients, however.
Eighty-nine percent said they would take advantage of email if their doctors offered it – 52% would confer with a doctor via email -- and the same percentage said they would welcome online appointment scheduling. More than three-quarters (78%) said they’d pay their doctors’ bills online.
“It appears consumers are willing to move administrative experiences such as bill payment and records access online, but when it comes to conferring with their healthcare providers, people still prefer more traditional communications,” said Capstrat president Karen Albritton.
Only 11% said they would use social media like Twitter or Facebook to communicate with their doctor with a slighter larger number – 20% -- saying they’d chat or use an instant-messaging service.
The survey also took a pulse on how patients view healthcare reform. Asked what they “fear” will be affected the most by reform, the largest percentages included 23% who said doctor and provider choice and 26% who cited “something else/not sure.”
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