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Not surprising, the majority of respondents who visit the doctor report that they are proactive about their health, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. And about one-third of respondents indicated that they were "very proactive" about their health.

Web searches, app usage and product information searches top the charts for smart device usage, according to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers. As many as 91% of smart-device users visited a search engine over the past 30 days, while 85% reported using an app and 83% searched for a product.

While pharmacists are reported as the primary source of information on OTCs, doctors are the ‘go-to’ on vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Two-in-5 survey participants reported that they were primarily given information about their supplements from their doctor, followed by 28% who received that information from a friend or relative, and 18% who researched their supplements online.

When considering the purchase of a never-before-used OTC, consumers are diligent about learning more, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September. Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicate they always read the instructions/insert before taking an OTC product for the first time.

Insurance coverage is a significant factor that is driving increased OTC utilization — 67% of respondents switched to an OTC once insurance coverage was suspended for a prescription formulation. According to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September, one-third of consumers reported insurance stopped covering a prescription once an OTC equivalent was available.

As many as 26% of consumers increased their usage of over-the-counter products in the past year, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September. Anticipated increases in OTC use for the upcoming year are driven by those who have already reported a rise in usage in the past year.

Among those health conditions treated with OTCs, AccentHealth viewers reported that allergies, sinus/nasal congestion and pain — including back, muscle and menstrual — to be the most commonly suffered chronic conditions. And cold symptoms and headaches were the most commonly suffered acute conditions, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers that was conducted in September.

As many as 95% reported that either themselves or someone in their household had a cold, 92% suffered from a cough or sore throat, and 91% experienced a headache. The top conditions suffered chronically by respondents included sinus/nasal congestion (90%), muscle ache/pain (87%) and allergy (87%).

More and more, consumers are turning to OTCs as the first line of defense when they first get sick — regardless of the condition suffered — and that appears to be consistent among AccentHealth viewers. According to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September, one-quarter of patients said they have increased their use of OTC products in the past year.

When given a choice, patients prefer to receive an electronic prescription if they receive a prescription from their physician, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, 64% of respondents said they would choose an e-prescription when provided an option, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. How many patients are actually given a choice as to how they receive their prescription, and how many currently are receiving electronic prescriptions?

The interest in healthcare reform has reached a new high, especially in light of the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, yet there's no denying that consumers are still unclear as to the impact on their personal healthcare and insurance issues. That being said, Americans see a need for change as they battle rising costs and a lack of access to care, and many are saying "aye" to healthcare reform, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, two-thirds of respondents say they support healthcare reform, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Costs are the biggest concern for opponents of healthcare reform. They’ve done the math — additional healthcare consumers means care that’s both more expensive and harder to come by. As many as 3-in-4 consumers who are not big fans of healthcare reform share that concern — 30% of those consumers suggested it’s their greatest concern, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. A reduction in care quality was concern No. 2 (62%), and a lack of choice over which practitioner to see was concern No. 3 (58%). But at least they’ll still be covered — only 22% said they were concerned their employers would stop the coverage.

A satisfied customer could just offer the highest return on investment of any marketing vehicle available to a retail pharmacy, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. In all, 72% of patients say they would recommend their preferred pharmacy to their friends and family, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. And again, grocery stores finished at the top (80%). If you've been following Patient Views every day, you’d know that 73% of patients say they are very satisfied with their preferred pharmacy.