WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2003-- New Survey From GE Medical Systems' The Patient Channel Finds Hospital Staffs Often Don't Spend Enough Time Educating Patients And Loved Ones About Conditions, Treatments
GE Medical Systems, a unit of the General Electric Corporation (NYSE:GE) today announced the startling results of a survey on patient education, which shows that 43% of Americans felt that they didn't receive enough information regarding their own or a loved one's condition during their last hospital stay(1).
The survey was commissioned by GE Medical Systems' The Patient Channel, which provides educational healthcare programming to hospitals across the country.
The survey also demonstrated 36% of Americans thought that hospital staff sometimes, rarely or almost never spent enough time to fully educate them or a loved one on their condition or possible treatments.
Yet the problem goes beyond patients feeling uninformed. Patients who know little about their condition may have difficulty taking care of themselves and may face unnecessary return trips to the hospital.
According to Hospitalmanagement.net, a publication of the International Hospital Federation, health illiteracy negatively impacts up to 90 million patients in the United States.
Additionally, the publication estimates that the financial impact of low health literacy on the US health system is estimated to be in the range of $60 to $70 billion dollars annually.
Clearly, as hospital staffs suffer personnel shortages, they have less and less time to educate patients on conditions, treatment options and other healthcare issues during their hospital stay as the survey demonstrates, said Dr. Bruce B. Dan, managing editor of The Patient Channel.
There is a distinct need for services like The Patient Channel to supplement patient education in the hospital.
For patients who may not understand how to treat their diabetes, or understand the importance of smoking cessation, an educational service like the Patient Channel offers another way to send those critical messages, said Sharon Alexander, education coordinator, RN, CDE, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
As a recent survey shows, patients feel that The Patient Channel is a valuable resource. We believe it encourages our patients to ask more questions about their health and take additional responsibility.
Other survey findings include:
-- Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed believed it is important to educate patients in a hospital about healthcare primarily because it helps patients to take better care of themselves when they leave the hospital.
-- Ninety percent would watch a TV channel in a hospital if it had programs focused on their specific disease, its treatment, and how to change their lifestyle in response to illness.
-- In addition to speaking with a doctor, 49% prefer to receive information on an illness/condition and its treatment via television or video.
About The Patient Channel
The Patient Channel currently delivers 39 educational programs covering a wide range of healthcare topics to patient rooms and waiting rooms of close to 900 US hospitals. It is provided by hospitals for patients at no charge. Educational content is developed and reviewed by outside advisory boards comprised of medical and educational experts.
Advertising is also carefully reviewed to ensure adherence to guidelines, and all programs clearly separate educational content from advertising with the on-air disclaimer: This Patient Channel program will continue after this commercial message.
For more information, program listings and transcripts, please visit www.thepatientchannel.com.
About GE Medical Systems Healthcare Services
GE Medical Systems Healthcare Services offers a broad portfolio of business and clinical solutions for healthcare providers. These include asset, performance improvement, education and financial services designed to help healthcare providers improve quality, enhance performance, increase productivity and reduce costs.
GE Medical Systems Healthcare Services is a business of GE Medical Systems, a $10 billion global leader in medical imaging and technology.
Additional information about GE Medical Systems can be found at www.gemedical.com.
1. The Patient Channel Hospital Patient Education Survey was commissioned in August 2003 through ORC International. The survey was conducted August 8-11 among 1,025 American adults (509 men and 516 women) living in private households, age 18 years and older. The overall margin of error for the survey was +/- 3%.
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CONTACT: GE Medical Systems
Britt Zarling, 262-544-3453
[email protected]