SAN MATEO, Calif., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- America's future physicians believe that the U.S. healthcare system is facing severe challenges, and only 30 percent believe it will improve in the next five years. In the largest study of its kind, Epocrates Inc. and Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. surveyed more than 1,000 medical students across the nation giving them a voice about the future of healthcare.
Medical students were asked to "grade" various healthcare sectors as well as share their opinions on topics such as the future of technology in medicine. In a report card, based on a compilation of study results, the quality of the U.S. healthcare system received a "C+"; the performance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a "C"; and the quality of medical training a "B".
"It was refreshing to be asked what I think," said Joe medical student. "In the first few years of medical school, I was just absorbing information. Now that I've started seeing patients, doing independent research and interacting with pharmaceutical sales representatives, I've become much more concerned with the issues that will influence how I will run my practice and care for patients."
What's behind the grade?
-- Medical students identified the increasing cost of medical
malpractice insurance, increasing number of uninsured patients and
managed care restrictions as the primary challenges facing the
healthcare industry. Consequently, more than 40 percent of medical
students believe the U.S. healthcare system will worsen in the next
five years.
-- The study also showed that more than half of medical students
believe the FDA needs to put more emphasis on scientific data
review, demonstrating their desire for information and clinical
analysis. Interestingly, while the FDA's relationship with
pharmaceutical companies has been under scrutiny, 50 percent of
respondents believe that the two entities should make more of an
effort to work closely together. However, they feel it would only be
beneficial if more stringent guidelines were implemented.
-- Students are also optimistic about the benefits of technology in
medicine, with more than half believing that electronic medical
records (EMR) can reduce medical errors and improve patient safety.
In fact, more than 90 percent of medical students believe that the
government should devote a significant proportion healthcare funding
to EMR development and deployment. The same majority believes that
EMRs will be fully adopted within ten years, which is consistent
with President Bush's healthcare initiatives. With 80 percent(1) of
practicing physicians not currently using an EMR system, students
will be essential to driving future adoption.
-- Knowing what they know now, nearly one in five medical students are
unsure or would not become a physician if they had the chance to do
it all over again. The majority of students reported an interest in
science and their wish to help people as the top motivations for
deciding to enter medicine. Surprisingly, more than 60 percent of
students rated the school's location as their top consideration,
with costs as a distant second for 26 percent of respondents.
Consistent with other industry surveys, Johns Hopkins and Harvard
are the most respected medical schools, according to more than 70
percent of medical students.
This is the inaugural year for the Future Physician's of America survey, which will be conducted on an annual basis. Survey participants are opted-in to participate in market research surveys through the Epocrates Honors Panel(TM).
Editor's note: Comprehensive survey results are available upon request.
ABOUT EPOCRATES, INC.
San Mateo, Calif-based Epocrates is transforming the practice of medicine by providing innovative clinical solutions at the point of care and deploying leading-edge technologies that enable communication. The company has built a clinical network connecting more than 500,000 healthcare professionals, including one in four U.S. physicians and nearly one in two U.S. medical students, with the healthcare industry. Epocrates' products have shown a positive impact on patient safety, healthcare efficiency and patient satisfaction. Epocrates was recently ranked 257 in the 24th annual Inc.500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. For more information about Epocrates, please visit
www.epocrates.com.
ABOUT GERSON LEHRMAN GROUP, INC.
Gerson Lehrman Group is the leading provider of customized consulting and collaboration solutions to corporations, non-profit organizations and the investment community. Through its proprietary Knowledge Logistics Platform, Gerson Lehrman Group enables its clients to consult and collaborate with the largest and highest quality network of independent experts, the GLG Councils. For more information about Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. visit
http://www.glgroup.com.
(1) Manhattan Research 2005
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