Harvard/Politico: Americans trust physician offices more than hospitals, payers with their data

While only 7 percent of adults say they trust search engines like Google to keep their data private, sentiment is much different for healthcare organizations, according to a new poll by Politico and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Advertisement

The poll, conducted with 1,009 adults by telephone from July 16-21, found that of 11 institutions, Americans have the greatest trust in healthcare and banking companies. Specifically, 34 percent of adults said they trust their physician’s office will keep their personal data secure. Fewer respondents — 24 percent — said the same about hospitals, and only 17 percent said the same about their health insurers.

When it comes to adults who searched for health information or health products online, 30 percent expressed concern about how their search data would be used by companies trying to sell them medical goods or treatment.

The Harvard/Politico poll also looked at adults’ use and trust in patient portals. Twenty-three percent of adults never set up a patient portal. Of those who do use patient portals, the poll found 81 percent of adults use the portal to check test results, while 59 percent use it to schedule appointments and 42 use it to request a prescription refill. Twenty-six percent of respondents expressed concern about their portal data being accessed by an unauthorized person.

To view the full poll, click here.

More articles on health IT:
Hackers steal California hospital’s website domain, email addresses
Apple Health partners with Allscripts
12 Cerner implementations, go-lives this year

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

The hidden cost of lost clinical time and how leading health systems are responding

Friday, August 7
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Kassaundra McKnight-Young, Zebra TechnologiesGregory Carras, Zebra TechnologiesJennifer Gene, Levata

Advertisement

Next Up in Health IT

Advertisement

Comments are closed.