Americans anxiety about the US healthcare industry is rising: new research

Americans’ anxiety about the healthcare industry is on the rise, according to new research.But trust in their providers hasn’t wavered — a new survey of 2,000 U.S.adults who visited a doctor within the past year found that while 43% reported increased anxiety about healthcare, 84% still trust their providers and the information they share.For respondents experiencing more anxiety, there are a variety of factors impacting their “health-xiety,” but the No.

1 concern was the general cost and affordability of healthcare (54%).That theme continued, as respondents also flagged inflation (41%) and concerns about affording treatments (34%) as reasons for their increased anxiety.That was alongside government policy changes (39%) and simply not trusting the health system as much (28%).This increase in anxiety is affecting patient behavior, with nearly half (47%) of patients saying healthcare-related concerns have caused them to delay preventive care.Commissioned by PatientPoint (https://patientpoint.com/) and conducted by Talker Research as part of PatientPoint’s annual Patient Confidence Index, the survey found this distrust of the industry didn’t translate to the same feeling for their own doctor.While 22% said they feel “excited” about the direction of healthcare, more respondents described themselves as “nervous” (30%) or “scared” (15%) — highlighting the uncertainty many Americans feel about the healthcare system.“This research highlights the essential role trusted provider relationships play in building patient confidence,” said Kyle Barich, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at PatientPoint.“While patients have concerns about the healthcare system overall, they continue to rely on their healthcare providers for trusted guidance.

That trust becomes even more important as healthcare continues to evolve.”And for many, AI is also playing a role: Two-thirds (67%) of respondents are concerned that AI will remove the personal touch of...