Survey: Medical pros harbor ill feelings about healthcare reform
Sixty percent of physicians believe healthcare reform will have a negative impact on overall healthcare, according to survey results from The Doctors Company, a physician and surgeon medical liability insurer.

“The majority of physicians feel that the pressure to reduce costs, increase volume and improve quality will have a negative effect,” the report continued. The survey included 5,105 responses from medical professionals including primary care physicians, surgical specialists and inpatient medical specialists.

Conversely, 22 percent have a positive outlook on reform, citing broader medical coverage for more people. Improved access to care for the poor and elderly, better preventative care, coverage for children up to 25 years old on parents’ medical plans and help for those with pre-existing conditions were cited as benefits.

The survey seemed chock full of gloom and doom, noting nine out of 10 physicians were unwilling to recommend healthcare as a profession. Additionally, 51 percent of respondents believe reform will negatively impact their relationship with patients and 78 percent believe healthcare reform will have a negative impact on their earnings.

In relation to specific reform initiatives, 14 percent of respondents are planning to participate in accountable care organizations (ACOs), 29 percent are choosing not to participate and 57 percent are undecided or lacking ACO participation information. Only 10 percent of respondents are planning to embrace the patient-centered medical home model.

In terms of EHRs, 30 percent of respondents already have implemented EHRs that meet meaningful use criteria, according to The Doctors Company, while 17 percent have no plans to use an EHR and 14 percent plan to implement an EHR in the next three years.

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