Younger adults more open to care in a non-traditional environment

Washington, DC, October 25, 2022 

A new Ipsos poll, conducted on behalf of Stericycle Communication Solutions, surveys a nationally representative population on a series of topics regarding healthcare, such as how adults receive care, scheduling an appointment, and receiving care in-person vs. virtually.

Detailed Findings

• Regardless of demographic profile, a large majority of Americans have visited their primary care provider in the last year.
• Younger adults are more likely to have received care at a non-traditional venue (56% age 18-34 vs 47% age 35-54 and 33% age 55+).
• Nearly half (45%) of Americans used telehealth at least once in the last year.
• Scheduling healthcare appointments by phone continues to be the most common approach (57% of all Americans scheduled most recent appointment via phone).
• Greater percentages are satisfied with communication from healthcare providers when a doctor communicated post-visit follow-up instructions clearly (66% very satisfied if received clear follow-up instructions compared to 42% who did not receive clear follow-up instructions.
• When seeking a new healthcare provider, online reviews much more likely to impact decisions of younger adults (72% age 18-34 impacted by online review compared to only 57% age 35-54 and 37% age 55+).
• Younger adults much more likely to have sought mental health treatment in the last year (39% age 18-34 compared to 25% age 35-54 and 5% of those age 55+).
• When it comes to a waiting room before an appointment, 73% of adults aged 55 or older prefer the physical waiting room while only 46% of adults aged 18-34 prefer this to a virtual waiting room.
• Within the past year, younger adults more likely to have receive care from emergency room visit (33% age 18-34 compared to 25% age 35-54 and 13% age 55+).
• Within the past year, younger adults more likely to have used home health care services for themselves or other family member (32% age 18-34 compared to 24% age 35-54 and 9% of those age 55+).
• Nearly nine in ten Americans (89%) schedule appointments by phone at least some of the time (49% always and another 41% sometimes).

About the Study

These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between July 5-8, 2022. For this survey, a sample of 1,004 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English and Spanish.

The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education. 

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.8  percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (N=1,004, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-5.3 percentage points). The poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points for individuals with a rewards credit card.                                                               

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Mallory Newall

Vice President, US

Public Affairs

[email protected] 

About Ipsos 

Ipsos is the world’s third largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

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