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POLL: PATIENTS WANT NEW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES

October 24, 2005

Most patients want their doctors to use new medical technologies because they believe these devices will result in cost savings and better care, according to an online survey.

A recent Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care poll of 2,048 adults, found at least 75 percent strongly favor or somewhat favor having their doctors use new technology, including electronic medical records, home monitoring devices and digital imaging equipment.

The poll also found that 67 percent felt the benefits of these devices outweighed the costs. Thirty-one percent of those polled believed these new technologies would improve patient care, while 36 percent felt that these new devices would reduce costs. Ten percent believed that the new technologies cost more money than they are worth and 23 percent were not sure, the poll found.