With patients occasionally striking up conversations with doctors about their jobs and what employee benefits they get, these patients say that their physician has rarely given their take on what they think of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a new survey reveals.
According to health insurance information website HealthPocket, 50 percent of respondents said that their doctors have been mum on the ACA, never bringing up their feeling about whether it's a good or bad thing. However, of those who have made their opinions known, there's been a fairly even split in sentiment. About 38 percent were opposed, 33 percent were in favor and 29 percent were neutral.
Bruce Telkamp, CEO at HealthPocket, indicated that it is possible for physicians to keep politics out of the conversation and still give their patients an idea of the ACA's implications.
"Many consumers are confused or have unanswered questions about the Affordable Care Act," said Telkamp. "Doctors, as trusted healthcare experts in the eyes of consumers, can help their patients understand how patient care will be affected."
Those who are opposed to the ACA may help explain why some doctors are opting to leave the profession entirely. A recent poll conducted by Jackson healthcare found that 42 percent of respondents were unsatisfied with their jobs and considering retirement.
