On the heels of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leading medical news site for healthcare professionals MedPage Today releases the findings from a survey of physicians,Today's Physician: Managing Change. The survey uncovers insights into physicians' points of view and demonstrates their ever-increasing interactions and usage habits with digital technology.  Plus, it offers advice on how marketers can better engage this increasingly over-scheduled and difficult to reach audience.

The first in a series of three studies with physicians, Today's Physician: Managing Change by MedPage Today demonstrates that physicians are increasingly worried about their futures amidst a rapidly evolving landscape for medical care in the U.S. – 1 in 10 doctors anticipate closing their practice in 5 years. Another concern is a 43 percent increase in the number of weekly patients.  Physicians report they have less time to spend with each patient, as well as less time for their own continuing education to attend conferences, read journals, and meet with pharmaceutical reps. 

There is no digital divide among doctors.  No matter what age demographic, physicians cite digital touch points as effective tools. 80 percent of doctors believe that advances in technology have improved their communication with patients.  More than two-thirds spend three or more hours on a computer each day, and one in four physicians spend over three hours on a mobile device.  The number one reason for doctors using the internet and mobile devices is for medical news.

"Today's physicians are heavy users of technology in both their professional and personal lives; there is, however, a gap between how they would like to use technology at work and what they can do with it today," said Dr. Kevin Pho, MD, founder of KevinMD.com and a leading physician voice within the social media space. "The interest is there, now we need solutions that can help the patient and physician in a simple and seamless way."