The nation's population of people 50 years old and older like their family doctors, nurses, local hospitals and pharmacists, but they are not too fond of health plans or drug companies—and they are also worried about not getting the treatment or drugs they need, according to a survey released by the AARP, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.
The survey of 1,001 U.S. residents randomly called between Sept. 4 and Sept. 7 found that 73% of respondents had a “very favorable” opinion of their doctor. Next were nurses at 68%; pharmacists, 64%; hospitals, 54%; insurance companies, 23%; and drug companies, 14%.
The survey also found that 55% of respondents said they were “very concerned” that under the current healthcare system, they or someone they knew would not get the treatment or drugs they need. Of those with healthcare coverage, only 41% were “very confident” they would get the healthcare they needed if they became ill, while 20% said they were either “not too confident” or “not at all confident.” Half said they were concerned about there not being enough doctors and nurses to provide care in the near future.
