YONKERS, NY — Let’s face it. Americans hate to wait. In fact, long waits in exam and waiting rooms bother them more than inconvenient office hours or filling out reams of paperwork. Those are some of the 16 peeves that Consumer Reports captures in its Gripe-o-Meter. Details are available in the June issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
In a nationally representative survey, Consumer Reports asked Americans to rate 16 complaints that might bug them on a scale of 1-to-10, with 1 meaning “you are not bothered at all” and 10 meaning “you are bothered tremendously.” Consumer Reports’ Gripe-o-Meter shows the results. The Gripe-o-Meter reflects the extent to which Americans are peeved about specific experiences at the doctor’s office; it is not a gauge of the frequency with which a gripe was experienced.
Women were much more bothered than men about private discussions taking place within earshot of other patients, rushed office visits, too-early release of hospital patients, and inconvenient office hours. They were also more likely than men to be bugged if a doctor took notes on an electronic device instead of interacting face to face.
More highlights:
The top gripe on the Consumer Reports Gripe-o-Meter: “unclear explanation of a problem” scored an 8.1.
“Test results not communicated fast” scored nearly as high with a 7.9.
Some complaints that bothered Americans almost as much the above include: “Billing disputes hard to resolve,” “hard to get quick appointment when sick,” and “rushed during office visit.” All three of those gripes were tied for third place with a 7.8 on the Gripe-o-Meter.
A little further down the list: “Long wait for doctors in the exam or waiting room” scored a 7.6.
Americans 65 and older were more peeved about having to fill out long forms than were those younger than 65.
Americans from Western states were much more bothered than other respondents by the discouragement of alternative medicine and by doctors who rushed through visits.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit
membership organization that works side by side with consumers to
create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product
testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education,
and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or
other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives
to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto
safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to
fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always
been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2013 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may
not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent,
nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer,
safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are
not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®
magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees,
and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use
of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other
commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open
to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit
membership organization that works side by side with consumers to
create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product
testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education,
and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or
other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives
to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto
safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to
fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always
been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2013 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may
not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent,
nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer,
safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are
not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®
magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees,
and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use
of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other
commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open
to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
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