-- 99% of Physicians Surveyed Say Chronic
Care Should Be a Priority for the U.S. Health Care System, But Only
45% Believe That is the Case --
-- Highlights Need for Specialized Care
Networks --
The U.S. health care system does not optimally meet the unique
needs of people with chronic conditions, according to research
findings released today by Fresenius Medical Care North America
(FMCNA), a division of Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS).
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Ron Kuerbitz, CEO, Fresenius Medical Care
North America (Photo: Business Wire)
The FMCNA 2015 Health Indicator surveyed a nationally
representative sample of 1,000 Americans and more than 280
physicians to gauge their perceptions of the ability of the health
care system to meet the needs of the chronically ill. Chronic
diseases include a range of conditions that require continuous
treatment and patient support. Notably, the overwhelming majority
(99%) of physicians believe that chronic care should be a priority
for the U.S. health care system, yet only 45% of physicians
reported that chronic care is currently a priority. The results of
the FMCNA 2015 Health Indicator survey will be presented at the
FT-FMCNA Chronic Care Forum in New York City later this
morning.
The current shortfall in chronic care is more than just a
clinical crisis. It is also an economic one. According to the
Centers for Disease Control, approximately 20% of people in the
U.S. live with at least one chronic condition and their treatment
accounts for 86% of the country’s health care costs.
Ron Kuerbitz, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care North America,
commented:
“In both the primary and acute care settings, the U.S. health
care system is rapidly transforming to provide a better coordinated
care experience, resulting in improved patient outcomes and lower
costs. The FMCNA 2015 Health Indicator Survey makes clear that the
country desperately needs to put the same focus on the unique needs
of the chronically ill. It is imperative that we bring an
integrated approach that coordinates regional health systems with
condition-specific clinical and psychosocial services to equip
chronic patients, their families and caregivers with the tools,
support and services necessary to manage their conditions. Today at
the Chronic Care Forum we are pleased to bring together leaders
from across the health care industry to have a candid discussion
about the challenges in building these systems and to share some
early indicators of success. This is just the start of the
conversation. From here, we must work together to build a system
that improves patient outcomes and the quality of life for those
with chronic diseases.”
The Health Care System Does Not Offer Coordinated Care for
the Chronically Ill
Physicians surveyed overwhelmingly believe that coordination
with colleagues enables them to deliver better care to patients,
yet they also feel that the system does not support this
collaboration. Patients believe their providers do not communicate
enough and that their quality of care is impacted.
- Virtually all physicians (97%) agree
that working with other medical professionals provides patients
with better care overall.
- More than half (55%) consider
insufficient coordination among other physicians a significant
obstacle to adequate chronic care.
- Yet over half (54%) also note that
working with other physicians or medical professionals complicates
the process of caring for a patient.
- Nearly one quarter of chronic disease
patients who see multiple doctors say they do not believe their
doctors communicate with each other to address all of their medical
needs in the best way possible.
As a result, chronically ill patients and their loved ones must
navigate a complicated health care system that is not equipped to
meet their needs.
Physicians and Patients Define Care Needs Differently
The vast majority (90%) of physicians are focused on providing
the best possible medical care but patients and their families have
unmet treatment needs that extend beyond traditional medical
care.
- Over a quarter (28%) of the general
population report that their providers never discuss non-medical
care with them.
- Only 57% of physicians report that
psychological care and psychosocial services are a high
concern.
- 40% of survey respondents report that
their health care providers never discuss psychological care with
them.
- Nearly 80% of physicians believe that
they often discuss medical treatments with patients; however, only
45% of the general population says that their doctor often
discusses medical treatments with them.
Patients Challenged to Successfully Manage Their
Conditions
Patients recognize that the system does not offer the support
they need to manage their conditions, which can have a negative
impact on their quality of life.
- At roughly 40%, both patients and
family members agree that the health care system is not effective
in helping them with psychological care or psychosocial services
and 40% of physicians agree.
- Over half (55%) of physicians say their
patients need assistance navigating the health care system, such as
coordinating between all providers and treatments.
- One quarter of those who have a chronic
disease spend at least an hour per day directly taking care of
their disease.
Integrated Networks Offer a Possible Solution
These findings underscore the urgent need for specialized,
integrated networks that enable sufficient flexibility and deliver
optimized, evidence-based care. Perhaps more importantly, patients
want the opportunity to manage their own care.
- 90% of patients say they are prepared
to take care of needs arising from their disease.
- Two-thirds of physicians say they would
more effectively treat patients if they had more integrated care
networks.
- 86% of the general population says that
a coordinated treatment experience is important.
“Even in the most effective, integrated health systems, current
models of care delivery are not adequately meeting the needs of
patients with complex medical conditions,” said John D. Birkmeyer,
MD, Executive Vice President, Integrated Delivery System and Chief
Academic Officer, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System. “As our own
health system moves from volume to value-based payment models, we
are looking for innovative care models and partners with
specialized networks and expertise for managing these high risk,
high cost populations.”
A summary of the survey findings from the 2015 FMCNA Health
indicator can be found at:
http://www.freseniusmedicalcare.us/fileadmin/data/us/pdf/FMCNA-2015-ChronicCareReport.pdf
Survey Methodology
The Fresenius Medical Care North America 2015 Health Indicator
consisted of an online survey of 288 physicians and a phone survey
conducted among 1,000 general population adults.
The online survey of physicians was conducted between September
14 and September 21, 2015, among 288 physicians, distributed among
cardiologists (25%), nephrologists (23%), endocrinologists (25%)
and hospitalists (26%). Physician respondents were required to have
at least one year of experience and work directly with
patients.
The general population telephone survey was conducted between
September 11 and September 17, 2015 among 1,000 general population
adults 18 years of age and older living within the United States.
The sample is nationally representative of the U.S. population as
it relates to age, gender, region and ethnicity. A dual sampling
method of landline and cell phone was used. The total sample has a
margin of error of +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
The surveys were both conducted by FTI Consulting.
About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care
company focused on providing the highest quality care to people
with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its
industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac
and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the
country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers,
Fresenius Medical Care provides coordinated health care services at
pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill
customers throughout the continent. As the world’s only fully
vertically integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy
and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most
comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products, and
renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA
website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.us. For information about
patient services, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151104005529/en/
Fresenius Medical Care North AmericaJon Stone, 781-699-9704(C),
781-392-4680Jonathan.d.stone@fmc-na.com
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