Ease of access, cost-effectiveness in healthcare reigns supreme in Australia: survey

Most still prefer a personal consultation but many consider virtual care a decent alternative.

Australians primarily value access to care for both themselves and loved ones and a more cost-effective system in their healthcare, according to a report by professional services provider EY.

The EY Global Consumer Health Survey 2023 showed 60% of respondents in the country agreed that access to healthcare during times of need while 47% said a more cost-effective system is what they value most from their healthcare system. 

They also generally prefer in-person care over virtual consultations, but most consumers remain open to the idea of switching to virtual primary care due to its convenience and only for less serious medical conditions.

The majority of Aussies consider the overall performance of their country’s healthcare system to be above average, mainly because it is highly technologically advanced, provides ease of use, has a focus on customer service and improves the overall health of the community. 

Despite the high regards to their local health systems, respondents said the sector still has a lot of room to grow, especially in terms of further improving access to care and ease of use, as well as finding the right balance between hospitals, primary and community care.

Australians also believe that technology will enhance and shape healthcare services over the long term, with around half agreeing that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (56%) and virtual presence (47%) will be more commonplace in the next decade. 

“The survey results suggest more work for health organisations when it comes to the virtual care experience to build trust and better relationships with consumers,” EY said. 

The findings were based on a poll of more than 6,000 consumers in Australia, England, Germany, Ireland, Canada and the United States between January and March.