While Most (94%) Think It's `Important' to Have Access to One's Own Medical History, Only Six in Ten (60%) Say It's `Easy' To Access Them
Toronto, ON - While almost all (94%) Canadians `agree' (70% strongly/23% somewhat) that it's important for them to access their medical history when they need to make decisions about their health, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of TELUS has revealed that only six in ten (60%) Canadians `agree' (31% strongly/28% somewhat) that obtaining this access is easy. In fact, one in three (35%) `disagree' (18% strongly/17% somewhat) that this is the case.
Perhaps this access is difficult for some to obtain because of the manner in which their medical history is tracked and stored. A majority (55%) of Canadians say their medical history is tracked on paper, while only three in ten (30%) say their history is stored electronically. A further 26% say that their history is currently tracked `by memory', and 5% say it is done by some other means (multiple answers were permitted).
Moreover, it appears that the keeper of these records, in most cases is not oneself, with only 31% of Canadians saying that they track their own medical history, meaning that access to their records is probably not close at hand. Two thirds (66%) of Canadians indicate their records are tracked through their doctor(s), while others say their pharmacist(s) (10%), specialist(s) (6%) or caregivers (4%) do this for them. One in ten (9%) say their medical record is not currently tracked by anyone.
Focusing on some of the advantages of tracking one's medical history electronically, nine in ten (93%) Canadians believe that medical errors can be prevented by improving collaboration between medical professionals using technology, and that efficiencies could be created through the additional exchange of information amongst care givers and medical professionals (91%). A similar proportion (87%) is of the opinion that electronic health records help medical professionals make better decisions when addressing health issues of patients.
Nine in ten (91%) believe that the information they get from their medical professionals allows them to take an active role in managing their own health and the health of the family members. Similarly, most (89%) say they want to play a more active role in the health care decisions made for them and their family.
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of TELUS from November 4 to 6, 2008. For this survey, a representative randomly selected sample of 1,005 Canadian adults was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Canada been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure that the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.
Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.
In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).
Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.
Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP
