Physician Survey: Cost-cutting patients putting off care, getting sicker

A national survey of family physicians found that more patients are forgoing care in an attempt to save money, leading to an increase in more expensive, preventable conditions (Source: “Patients trying to save money are getting sicker before they seek care, family doctors say,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2009).

The report from the American Academy of Family Physicians (pdf, 8 pages) was based on an e-mail survey that was sent to the organization's 8,000 members, asking about the effects of the recession on their patients. Of the 505 doctors who completed the survey in March and April:

• 73 percent reported that more patients are cutting prescription dosages
• 60 percent said they had seen one or more health problems caused by patients skipping preventive care
• 58 percent reported more cancelled appointments