Information technology is top of mind among women polled about the state of healthcare today. Sixty percent said technology that enables doctors to send medical records and patient histories electronically to other doctors is extremely/very important.

The Harris Interactive poll was commissioned by the American Academy of Family Physicians. It gathered information from 1,193 U.S. women who said they were the primary healthcare decision-makers for themselves and/or their family members. The survey sought to gauge consumer support a patient-centered medical home, which the AAFP and other organizations are promoting.

Nearly 60 percent of the respondents say they faced challenges in obtaining healthcare for themselves and family members. They identified problems with confusing communications, duplicative paperwork and tests and, at times, contradictory recommendations from different doctors.

Other poll findings include:

• 43 percent of the respondents said they have had to fill out complete patient histories and other forms at each medical provider's office;
• 26 percent said they have had to inform one medical provider what another had recommended or diagnosed;
• 16 percent have had to carry lab reports, X-rays and other test results from one medical provider's office to another;
• 11 percent have received contradictory recommendations from different medical providers;
• and nearly 10 percent have had to repeat lab tests unnecessarily because of lack of communication between medical providers.

"These findings point to some of the most important cost-drivers in America's healthcare system," said Jim King, MD, president of the AAFP. "A system that is difficult to navigate and relies on patients to deliver tests and communicate diagnoses leads to fragmented care, duplication of tests and sometimes unnecessary procedures - all of which steadily drive up the cost of healthcare for the nation as a whole."

Other results from the survey include:

• 68 percent said same-day appointments with a primary care physician for unexpected illnesses - either for them or a family member - are extremely/very important;
• 63 percent said the ability to have a relationship with a doctor who knows one's medical history in order to help aid in diagnosing and treating other family members is extremely/very important;
• 63 percent said one doctor who can manage chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease is extremely/very important;
• 60 percent said technology that enables doctors to send medical records and patient histories electronically to other doctors is extremely/very important;
• 57 percent said one doctor who can provide high quality health care to all family members regardless of age or gender is extremely/very important;
• 51 percent said technology that allows doctors and patients to communicate electronically is extremely/very important;
• and 50 percent said technology that enables doctors to send prescriptions to pharmacists electronically is extremely/very important.

"These are all elements of a patient-centered medical home," King said. "This concept is taking hold across the country. Family physicians are at the forefront in developing this model of personalized, top quality healthcare that every patient deserves."