A Revel survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults, reveals 66% of Americans have postponed or cancelled healthcare visits due to the COVID-19 crisis. Ten million Americans postponed and cancelled appointments for chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer.**
The implications of rapidly changing patient behavior cut across every sector of the healthcare system, including pharma. According to The Harris Poll COVID-19 tracker, nearly one-quarter of Americans (23%) would not go out to the pharmacy during government restrictions due to the novel coronavirus. Further, results from the Revel survey warns that health systems, clinics, and doctors’ offices will likely be overwhelmed as two-thirds of those who cancelled or postponed healthcare visits (67%) hope to reschedule care within a month of COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed.
The Revel survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Revel, a Minneapolis-based leading health action platform that uses data, analytics, and smart tools to help clients move their members and patients to better health.
“The Harris Poll conducted for Revel reveals that as many as 10 million Americans are missing chronic health treatments including chemotherapy and radiation because of COVID-19,” said Jeff Fritz, CEO of Revel. The study shows 6% of Americans postponing cancer screenings and 10% postponed specialist care for existing conditions such as diabetes and cancer. “The survey shows a shadow demand curve building on the horizon.”
“67% of patients plan to reschedule health visits within a month after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. There is no way the current system can handle the impending crush of patients anxiously awaiting an opportunity to see a healthcare professional. We have to transform how members and patients interact with and access healthcare services—and we have to do it fast.”
Jeff Fritz
Revel, CEORevel is using results from its Harris Poll survey, and The Harris Poll COVID-19 Tracker data, to help health plans and systems prepare for the next great challenge: the overwhelming number of delayed patient visits for everything from preventive annual checkups to critical care for life-threatening symptoms and conditions. Revel built a proprietary platform, Revel, which uses advanced analytics and AI to help the nation’s largest health plans educate and transform the way members and patients utilize services and systems to manage their health.
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Listen Now“Revel is working with its clients to deploy proactive communications encouraging patients access to remote preventive care,” said Sara Ratner, Revel SVP of Government Programs and Strategic Initiatives. “Telemedicine is just one example of a tool that can help maximize the number of patients who may be screened on a daily basis. We have to educate members on how to use and access telemedicine so when they need access to a healthcare professional, the first appointment or consultation may be conducted from home,” Ratner said.
Beyond telemedicine, Revel has launched a full array of programs during the COVID-19 crisis designed to engage patients and ensure they have access to healthcare professionals, enroll in prescription delivery services, and take their medications, as prescribed, on a timely basis.
Survey Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Revel from April 13-15, 2020 among 2,032 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
** Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045219 from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States Frequently requested statistics for: United States. 250 million times 4 percent = 10 million.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. They work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Their mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.
