1,100+ respondents highlight “something’s missing” from current care, seek trusted relationships with a care team built around their needs
PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 2021 — A new national survey conducted for Patina, a primary care company dedicated to improving the healthcare and aging experience for older adults, found that people aged 64+ and caregivers are seeking new primary care options that break the traditional model of in-office, transactional visits.
More than half (57 percent) of the older adults studied and an overwhelming 85 percent of non-paid caregivers found the idea of a primary care team built around their needs or the needs of their loved ones “appealing” or “very appealing.” Most respondents also said that the proposed model of care delivered by a dedicated team of providers with whom they have a personal, trusted relationship was “believable,” with 43 percent indicating it was not at all similar to the current model of care they are receiving.
The online survey of 200 caregivers and 956 seniors aged 64 to 85 who are either enrolled in or will soon be eligible for Medicare Advantage plans was conducted by Deft Reserach between August 23 and October 7, 2021.
Verbatim comments from the survey show positive receptivity to a more personalized, team-based approach to senior care that is focused on the home, virtual-first and in-person when appropriate. Many of those surveyed said they feel “something is missing” from their existing medical care and indicated a desire for care that goes beyond “transactional” and “immediate” needs to a more proactive, collaborative, and dedicated approach.
“The results of this survey underscore that the current healthcare system is not working for older adults in this country, or the loved ones and trusted others who support them,” said Jack Stoddard, CEO of Patina. “That’s why we’re reinventing primary care from the perspective of what’s best for those we serve, rather than what’s best for providers. We’re passionate about getting this right. We are using insights from this study as well as ongoing dialogues with older adults and caregivers to help shape a primary care model that’s founded on trusted relationships and the ability to reach more people in the convenience and safety of their homes.”
Among the top desires expressed by both older adults and caregivers in the survey include:
- “A primary care team built around my needs.”
- “A care team that gets to know me.”
- “The ease of one place to go for all healthcare needs.”
- “A dedicated team member to advocate for me.”
Nearly four in 10 older adults said they have met with their doctor by telehealth over the past two years, suggesting that many will likely use virtual health options again and are receptive to a hybrid virtual and in-person approach to care.
“The results from the research reinforced other findings we have seen recently,” said George Dippel, EVP of Deft Research. “Our other studies have shown that COVID fears are not the sole reason why seniors are turning to virtual health today. More than half of the virtual visits this year were sought, at least in part, due to the desire for convenience. The positive health care experiences that can be delivered virtually appear to be more enduring than any pandemic.”
In addition, the survey found that older adults are comfortable using technology and internet-enabled devices without assistance, with 90 percent indicating that they have used laptops or desktop computers, and 74 percent using smartphones and downloading apps.
About Patina Health
Patina is reinventing primary care from the ground up to provide the healthcare and aging experience that older adults and their loved ones deserve. Each person we serve gets a dedicated care team built around them composed of primary care clinicians, a health champion and behavioral health and other specialists – all enabled by purpose-built technology and analytics. The team meets people on their terms, with comprehensive and convenient in-home and virtual care options that eliminate the frustration of rushed and transactional office visits. We take the time to see each individual, understand their values and preferences, build trusted relationships and stay with them over time as their needs change. As a value-based primary care model, we are focused on delivering a high-quality, high-value experience to the people we serve, not on the volume of patients served. We will share risk and accountability for outcomes with our strategic Medicare Advantage health plan partners. The company is backed by leading investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Google Ventures (GV), F-Prime, Viking Global and Rock Springs Capital. For more information about Patina Health visit https://patinahealth.com/our-story/
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