MDLIVE Survey: Young “Invincibles” Favor Mobile Healthcare

According to a new survey commissioned by MDLIVE, 82% of Americans ages 18-34 who have a doctor say consultations over a mobile device are the best option for them, and 54% of Americans who have a doctor admit they have postponed a visit because it is too inconvenient.

MDLIVE, a provider of telehealth services and software, today announced the findings from its 2014 Mobile Health Index. The nationwide survey was conducted online in March within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of MDLIVE among over 2,000 adults ages 18 and over. The survey, which was aimed at discovering how Americans feel about having mobile access to doctors in the United States, found that more than half of Americans who have a doctor (54%) have postponed a visit because it is too inconvenient. Top reasons for postponing a visit include:

· Cannot take a day off from work – 30%

· High costs (co-pays, co-insurance) – 25%

· Takes too long to get an appointment – 16%

· Don’t want to sit too long in the waiting room – 12%

· Embarrassment about my condition – 7%

· Too many germs at healthcare provider’s location – 6%

· Not comfortable discussing personal medical issues in person – 4%

The “Young Invincibles” (those ages 18-34) who have a doctor are more likely than any other age group to have delayed an appointment with their doctor (71%, vs. 60% of those age 35-44, 54% of those age 45-54, 48% of those age 55-64, and 30% of those age 65 plus).

Nearly 3 in 10 Will Surrender Something for Mobile Access to Their Doctor

According to the survey, more than one quarter (27%) of Americans who have a doctor revealed that there are things they’d be willing to give up if it meant they would always have access to their doctor on a mobile device. Among the sacrifices some are willing to make include giving up shopping for a month (13%), skipping their next vacation (9%), skipping showers for a week (5%), or forfeiting a salary increase (3%). Some Americans (1%) would even give up their significant other if it meant complete access to a doctor on mobile devices. The 18-34 age group (42%) even admitted they’d be willing to make some kind of sacrifice if it meant they could speak to a doctor at anytime on their mobile device, while the older generations (32% of those 35-44, 20% of those age 45-45, 19% of those age 55-64 and 16% of those age 65 plus) are less likely to say the same.

“The study demonstrates that telehealth is not just seeing a demand for access to quality patient care anywhere, anytime but that the industry is at an inflection point where adoption among the younger generations will drive demand among both consumers and young professionals entering the workforce,” says MDLIVE Founder and CEO Randy Parker. “MDLIVE is leading this movement by announcing along with the results of our study the release of the world’s most feature rich, user-centric mobile app, marking the first truly integrated virtual health system. MDLIVE is fully focused on providing the best quality, and most accessible, healthcare at an affordable rate for all users worldwide where and when they want it.”

Americans Would Access Telehealth on Vacation

The survey also discovered where Americans would be most likely to have a consultation with a doctor via a mobile device, with the number one choice (35%) being while on vacation. Other top choices include:

· In bed – 33%

· While at work – 23%

· While riding in a car – 20%

· While walking down the street – 12%

· While in the bathroom – 12%

· From a child’s sporting event – 8%

More Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Makes Lives Easier

More than two thirds (69%) of Americans who have a doctor have recommendations of how their doctor can make their lives easier. Among top preferences are providing more affordable options or payment plans (28%), working with insurance companies for better payment processing (26%), and being available 24 hours a day (26%). Providing quality patient care online (24%), making referrals to a specialist easier (24%), and providing quality patient care on a mobile device (19%) were also suggested improvements.

Americans Said There are Benefits That Make Telehealth a Better Option

More than two thirds of Americans who have a doctor (67%) said that there are benefits that would make consulting their doctor over a mobile device the best option for them. Among top benefits are if it lowered the cost of the consultation (36%) or if there were no waiting rooms or cancelled appointments (36%). Shorter consultation times (34%), the doctor having access to full medical histories (32%), doctors available 24 hours a day (29%), if their doctor was a U.S. Board Certified physician (24%), or having more private consultations (14%) were also suggested benefits.

The new MDLIVE mobile app for iPhone provides consumers and healthcare providers with immediate, secure 24x7x365 access to telehealth services from the privacy of the home, at work or even on the go, including weekends and Holidays. The app is compatible on iPhone and available now for free download at the App Store.

Key features include:

· MDLIVE Assist: One-touch assistance to connect with medical professionals to schedule appointments and answer medical questions

· Symptom Checker: Visual, interactive interface gives users the ability to identify symptoms and potential causes

· Health History: Comprehensive health history form allows doctors to quickly access every patient’s need

· Intuitive User Interface: Designed to be intuitive, friendly, and informative

· Video Capabilities: Easy to use on all 3G, LTE, and WiFi wireless networks

System requirements:
Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Android OS and Windows compatibility are scheduled for later this year.

MDLIVE physicians can diagnose, treat and, if needed, write prescriptions (non-controlled substances only) for routine medical conditions 24/7/365 Anytime, Anywhere.

The MDLIVE app is available to both current MDLIVE members and new consumers who are looking for a consultation. The app is available now for free download at the App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mdlive/id839671393?ls=1&mt=8

Learn more at
http://www.mdlive.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MDLIVETelehealth

To see a brief video about MDLIVE’s connected care delivery services watch:
http://www.mdlive.com/media/storkmdlive.html