Social impediments to health pervasive, Washington physicians say

November 28, 2018

Eighty-eight percent of physicians nationally indicate many of their patients are affected by social conditions posing a serious impediment to their health. Among Washington physicians, the number is 91 percent. This is one key finding of a survey of 8,772 physicians commissioned by The Physicians Foundation and conducted by Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner Merritt Hawkins, the nation’s leading physician search and consulting firm.

The wide-ranging survey asked physicians about morale, practice metrics, practice plans and the physician/hospital relationship.

  • More than 57 percent of physicians nationally said they do not believe employment of physicians by hospitals is likely to enhance quality or decrease cost. For Washington physicians, the number was 52 percent.
  • Msore than 46 percent of physicians nationally described the physician/hospital relationship as negative.  For Washington physicians, the number was 41 percent.

A more detailed preview is available. WSHA members can also access complete survey results, including Washington-specific information, by contacting Ben Adams at ben.adams@merritthawkins.com.

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