In October, CHA conducted its fourth Google insights poll on willingness to seek care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are some topline results that reflect the 1,000+ respondents’ concerns and willingness regarding hospitals and the pandemic:
- 70% of respondents said if they had a serious health condition that required medical care today they would be willing to seek care in a hospital; 30% said no or unsure. These opinions have remained consistent during the past four months.
- When asked about some reasons they might be reluctant to seek medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, 29% said they were concerned about the cost of care. This is up from 20% in July.
- A new question about telehealth was added to the October poll; 51% of respondents said they had heard about this safe option for routine care services from their local hospital.
- During the past three months, support for additional state or federal assistance to hospitals to pay for more supplies, equipment, and staff to care for patients rose slightly among undecideds – from 22% in August to 24% in October.