How Americans feel about the US healthcare system

For the poll, YouGov surveyed 1,200 U.S. adult citizens between June 21 and June 24.

The poll found that just 40% of Americans have a very or somewhat favorable view of the U.S. healthcare system, while 53% have an unfavorable view of it. Favorable views of the U.S. healthcare system were more common among men than women and among adults ages 65 and older than adults under 30.

However, the poll found that medical professionals had much higher favorability rates, including doctors (78%) and nurses (87%). Still, there were disparities among different age groups, as 91% of Americans over the age of 65 had a favorable view of doctors, and 94% had a favorable view of nurses, compared to 64% and 78% respectively of adults under the age of 30.

The poll also found that, while 60% of Americans said they haven't experienced discrimination by medical providers, 31% said a doctor negatively targeted them because of their identity, including 11% who said a doctor treated them negatively because of their weight and 6% who said they were discriminated against because of their mental health.

As a result, 32% of respondents, including 23% of men and 40% of women, said they have avoided seeking medical care because of negative experiences they've had with a previous doctor.

Over 75% of Americans said they've seen a medical provider within the last year, including 64% who saw one in the last six months.

According to the poll, 82% of respondents said that doctors can help patients feel comfortable by listening to them, while 75% said they feel comfortable when a doctor allows them to ask questions and 70% said they feel more comfortable when they can talk through everything.

When choosing a doctor, the vast majority of respondents said that acceptance of their insurance plan and a doctor's availability in appointments were either very or somewhat important.

Beyond that, a doctor's behavior, such as their bedside manner, and logistical convenience were considered very or somewhat important by over 80% of respondents. Meanwhile, a doctor's age, gender identity, or religious beliefs were considered not very important or not at all important by most respondents.

In addition, 30% of Americans said they'd prefer to be treated by a doctor who is a woman, including 12% of men and 46% of women. Meanwhile, 12% of Americans said they'd prefer to be treated by a doctor who is a man, including 20% of men and 3% of women.

Most respondents also said that a doctor's stance on pain management, mental health, and vaccines were very or somewhat important when selecting a doctor.

According to Advisory Board's Emily Heuser, the interesting story here isn't that Americans are dissatisfied with their healthcare.

"That's a tale as old as time, and, even with systemic change, unavoidable to some degree," Heuser noted. "What is interesting — and actionable, at the individual and institutional level — is that survey respondents are calling out that health inequities and biases are impacting the care they receive and the quality of their outcomes."

The data in this report "can help health plans and providers make business plans, prioritize access and patient experience interventions, and better integrate health equity implications into all their other strategies," Heuser said.

To learn more about the consumer experience in healthcare and how you can adapt your strategy to meet consumer needs, register for our upcoming webinar and check out these resources:

• 6 insights on consumer preferences in healthcare
• Top drivers of change impacting consumer preferences and behaviors

(Healy, YouGov poll, 8/6)