Survey finds patients and doctors rank compassion as most important element in healthcare

This survey, from global digital health assistant technology company HealthTap, finds patient compassion is the most significant element in healthcare. Eighty-five percent of patients said compassion and listening carefully were very important to them while 31% consider cost as very important. The survey of doctors and patients found 89% of doctors reported that compassion was a very important part of delivering the best care. This trumps even the importance they place on education and up-to-date command of medical knowledge (86%). The survey also found patients valued short wait times more than doctors. Full results include:
From doctors:

• 89% of doctors say compassion is very important.
• 86% of doctors say being knowledgeable (scholarly, up-to-date command of medical knowledge) is very important.
• 28% say short wait times are very important.
• 16% say low cost is very important.

From patients:

• 85% of patients say compassion and listening carefully are very important.
• 85% of patients say being knowledgeable is very important.
• 48% of patients say short wait time is very important.
• 31% of patients say low cost is very important.