Perceptions of young adults as to the future of health care in the 21st century.
This study assessed the perceptions of the need for and quality of future health care programs of those who will be major users of medical services in the 21st century. Findings indicated that most recognize the importance of having medical coverage. While copayment costs were most important in health plan selection, less personal factors (e.g., ease of obtaining appointments) were more important than the plan's quality reputations and its physicians. Finally, few respondents thought the quality of physicians and hospitals would improve. Even fewer believed the range of services covered would be better, access to care would be easier to obtain, or that service would be more personalized. They also expect the costs of health care to escalate, and costs to have more impact on the availability of medical services.
Tootelian
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Center for Small Business, California State University, Sacramento 95819-6088, USA.
Gaedeke
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008297:Male; D011639:Public Opinion; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States