Study: Focus of health care changed after pandemic

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People are seeking a deeper and more meaningful relationship with their health care providers after enduring the global pandemic. 

Dr. Joel Helle, vice president of Physician Services for CVS Specialty, a division of CVS Health, said, “They view their health as encompassing social, emotional, mental health and physical health, and are increasingly searching for a health care experience that is more holistic, collaborative, affordable, and convenient.” 

The CVS Health’s 2022 Health Care Insight Study (HCIS) reveals that U.S. consumers ­­­­– ­many of whom delayed care over the past several years because of COVID-19 – are now eager to restart their health and wellness journeys.  

Consumers said in the study that they want more meaningful and engaging relationships with health care providers and want them to know about and address their holistic health goals. 

The annual HCIS data is shared across the CVS Health enterprise and used by multiple teams to infuse their understanding of consumer needs and the health care marketplace, CVS said. Numerous complex inputs help drive corporate strategy, and the HCIS is one component of the company’s social listening and consumer mindset. 

“The study revealed that people want a more personalized and engaging experience regarding their health care,” Helle said, adding they said more communication via digital messaging, email, text, or patient portals would benefit their health care journey.   

The study showed 83% of consumers say coordination among their health care providers is important to their health and 85% said it is important that their primary care provider knows what prescription drugs are prescribed by other health care providers. 

“While we can’t speak to how the study’s findings will affect every individual, we hope that the insight gathered from the survey can help providers understand what consumers need and what a better health care journey can look like,” he said. 

The goal of the HCIS is to look at the needs and mindsets of consumers, as they pursue their individual health journeys, and providers, as they support patients.  

“The findings highlight how the health care industry is evolving, what’s next in primary care, how we can build healthy communities, and how we can improve clinical care,” Helle said.  “Our mission is to reimagine health care that is centered around people—simpler, more accessible, and more affordable, with better health outcomes—and the study’s findings help us, and the industry, recognize what remains to be addressed.”