Poll: Most important non-medical skills for healthcare providers

A recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of University of Phoenix, of more than 2,200 U.S. adults, has interesting findings related to patient preferences and needs.

What patients want in providers

When asked about the most important nonmedical skills a medical professional could possess, more than eight in 10 of the survey respondents said it was very important for medical professionals to have listening skills (84%) and/or verbal communication skills (83%). 

Respondents also indicated that the following skills were also important:

• Bedside care/empathy skills (71%) 

• Time management skills (64%)

• Written communication skills (61%)

What patients want in health insurance coverage

In addition, 48% of respondents said the rising cost of insurance would be the biggest challenge facing the healthcare industry in the next five years, with three-quarters of respondents indicating that prescription drug coverage (77%) and monthly premium costs (77%) were very important when selecting healthcare coverage.  

Savron

“Understanding patient preferences is important to managing operations and providing healthcare services,” says Doris Savron, executive dean, University of Phoenix College of Health Professions. “Healthcare executives need to understand what patients want and need to continue delivering high-quality care.”

“Additionally, with monthly premium costs, prescription drug coverage and deductible amounts driving healthcare coverage decisions, it’s important that managed care executives continue to identify quality cost-effective treatment solutions by leveraging technology appropriately within the care setting,” Savron says.

The survey also found that eight in 10 respondents (79%) had a primary care check-up within the past year, but significantly fewer had a dental checkup (58%), received a flu shot (50%) or saw a specialist, like a dermatologist or optometrist (50%).