Material
Survey
COVID-19’s Impact on Physician Practice and their Patients
The Physicians Foundation’s 2020 Survey of America’s Physicians finds that the majority of physicians believe COVID-19 won’t be under control until January 2021, with nearly half not seeing the virus being under control until after June 1, 2021. Furthermore, a majority of physicians believe that the virus will severely impact patient health outcomes due to delayed routine care during the pandemic.
Part 3
Key Findings
Part One of The Physicians Foundation’s Survey of America’s Physicians: COVID-19 Impact Edition focuses on how the coronavirus has affected physicians’ practices and their patients. The survey was conducted from July 15 – 26, 2020. Data is based on 3,513 responses. Complete methodology available on page 16 of the full report.
Key survey findings include:
- 12 percent of physicians have switched to a primarily telemedicine practice as a result of COVID-19. In 2018, only 6,000 physicians were in a primarily telemedicine practice, according to data from The Physicians Foundation.
- 52 percent of physicians plan to increase use of telemedicine in their practices.
- Close to three quarters (72 percent) of physicians indicated that COVID-19 will have serious consequences for patient health in their communities because many patients delayed getting care they needed during the pandemic.
- A primary cause of harm to patients presented by COVID-19, cited by 76 percent of physicians, is employment changes that may result in patients losing health insurance.
- 37 percent of physicians saw volume decreases in their practices of 25 percent or less.
- By contrast, 41 percent saw volume decreases of 26 percent or more, which may be difficult or impossible for most physician practices to sustain for more than a few months.
- Of those physicians who applied for Paycheck Protection Program support, 75 percent indicated they received the support and it was sufficient for them to stay open.
- 12 percent of physicians have switched to a primarily telemedicine practice as a result of COVID-19. In 2018, only 6,000 physicians were in a primarily telemedicine practice, according to data from The Physicians Foundation.
- The majority of physicians (59 percent) believe opening businesses, schools and public places presents a greater health risk to patients than prolonging social isolation.
- 88 percent of physicians believe a potential spike in COVID-19 cases poses the risk of moderate to great harm to patients.
- 8 percent of physicians have closed their practices as a result of COVID-19.
- 43 percent of physicians have reduced staff due to COVID-19.
- 72 percent of physicians have experienced a reduction in income due to COVID-19. Of these, 55 percent have experienced income losses of 26 percent or more.
- 52 percent of physicians plan to increase use of telemedicine in their practices.
- The majority of physicians (72 percent) believe the widespread use of telemedicine will not continue unless reimbursement rates for telemedicine visits remain comparable to in-person visits.
- The great majority of physicians (96 percent) will not leave medicine due to COVID-19 health risks.
- The majority of physicians (59 percent) agreed that COVID-19 will lead to a reduction in the number of independent physician practices in their communities.
- One-half (50 percent) said that hospitals will exert stronger influence over the organization and delivery of health care as a result of the pandemic.
