2007 PRC National Consumer Survey

In a recent consumer survey by Professional Reserach Consultants, Inc. about how consumers make their choice about where to seek care, UCAOA was invited to add a question to the survey. Results of the responses are below:  (sample size 1000)

"Did you consider using an urgent care center prior to going to this particular hospital emergency room?"

Overall Results - "Yes" = 14.1%, "No" = 85.9%

By Region

Midwest - Yes=15.1%, No=84.9%
Northeast - Yes=10.3%, No=89.7%
South - Yes=14.1%, No=85.9%
West - Yes=16.4%, No=83.6%

By Age Group

18-34 = 13.8% Yes
35-44 = 17.8% Yes
45-54 = 11.9% Yes
55-64 = 17.5% Yes
65+ = 8.7% Yes

By Household Income

Under $25,000 = 15.5% Yes
25,000-49,999 = 12.2% Yes
50,000-74,999 = 19% Yes
75,000-99,999 = 13.8% Yes
Over 100,000 = 12% Yes

Other findings...

Consumers who COULD NOT name the local hospital in their area that was the BEST for minor emergencies were more likely to have considered an urgent care center before going to the emergency room.

There was virtually no variation between the genders as to whether they considered urgent care or not. (M=13.8 Yes, F=14.1 Yes)

Consumers with children were more likely to consider an urgent care center before going to the emergency room (18% Yes vs. 11% Yes with no children)

Among the different states represented, California had the highest percentage of those who considered urgent care first (11.5% of California respondents).

Source:  Professional Resource Consultants, Inc., Omaha, NE, 2007 National Consumer Perception Study.