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The HSM Group, Ltd.
2003 Press Releases

June 25, 2003
Jim Hendrix, Vice President of Research
Sheryl Bronkesh, President
The HSM Group
800-776-8078 or (480) 947-8078
www.hsmgroup.com

Doctors Open Up in Internet Survey

What do America's doctors do when their OWN mothers suddenly are ill and hospitalized?

They do exactly what the rest of us do.

They worry. And female physicians worry more than their counterparts.

Fewer than 25 percent of physicians recently surveyed by Scottsdale, Arizona-based The HSM Group, Ltd. would be "very confident" of hospital care for their moms if they couldn't be there to oversee the care. Approximately nine percent of those surveyed would be comfortable only if they knew the hospital physician personally. And, of the female physicians surveyed, 14 percent reported they would be comfortable only if they knew the physician.

The findings are part of "What America's Doctors are Saying," a study developed and conducted by The HSM Group, Ltd, a health care research and marketing consulting group that provides strategic insight and direction for a vast array of U.S. health care entities. The study was conducted via the iPhysicianNet (iPNI) database of 8,000 of America's busiest doctors. The iPNI system, which is Internet-based, provides ready access to the physicians' opinions.

"Doctors are busier than ever, so learning their opinions in a timely, cost-efficient manner is a challenge," says Sheryl Bronkesh, HSM's president. "However, we can now quickly gather accurate information about specific medically-related topics. This data was collected from 408 physicians with target response numbers within 48 hours using the iPNI system."

What else do physicians say about hospital safety? Since the Institute of Medicine's report, "To Err is Human," was published in 1999, only 41 percent of doctors believe patient safety has improved. While one-quarter report no change, only three percent believe patient safety has worsened.

What's the problem? It may be a shortage of quality bedside nurses, the study suggests. Roughly 28 percent of physicians have experienced a significant negative impact as the result of a bedside nurse shortage. Overall, physicians experienced a high negative impact (3.9 out of 5) from the perceived shortage. Doctors in the East have experienced a greater negative impact than those in the Midwest or West.

"What America's Doctors are Saying" also reveals physicians' thoughts on other topics, including specialized hospitals, prescription drug costs, smallpox vaccination, practice incomes, electronic appointments and the Internet. Many doctors also admitted they don't always follow their own advice about diet and exercise (10 percent say they don't get regular medical attention for themselves). The entire study can be found on The HSM Group's Web site at www.hsmgroup.com or by calling 800-776-8078.

iPhysicianNet created the e-detailing space, and is unique in providing live, face-to-face, interactive video detailing. The system utilizes a network of video conferencing equipped personal computers operating through high-speed telecommunications lines to provide physicians with access to live interactions with pharmaceutical companies, the Internet, e-mail, medical news and references, and continuing medical education resources. Formed in 1996, the company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a Sales and Service satellite office located in Princeton, N.J. For more information, visit www.iPhysicianNet.com.

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