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Public recognition of specialty designations
Daniel M Laskin1, John A Ellis, Al M Best
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298, USA. DMLaskin@vcu.edu
Summary
Public recognition of medical specialists varies, with oral and maxillofacial surgeons being recognized by 77% of respondents. Efforts to improve public understanding should target younger and less-educated individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Public Health Awareness
- Surgical Specialties
Background:
- A common perception exists that the public is unaware of the services provided by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
- This study investigates whether this lack of public recognition is unique to oral and maxillofacial surgery or if it extends to other medical specialties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public knowledge regarding the treatments offered by 12 distinct medical specialties.
- To determine if unfamiliarity with oral and maxillofacial surgeons is an isolated issue or a broader trend across various specialties.
Main Methods:
- Two patient groups, one in a dental setting (n=101) and another in a general medical office (n=157), participated.
- Participants matched 12 specialists with 15 treatment options, with demographic data (education, gender, age) also collected.
- Logistic regression analyzed the correlation between correct specialty identification and demographic variables.
Main Results:
- Respondents correctly identified an average of 72% of specialists across both settings.
- Gastroenterologists were most recognized (90%), while nephrologists (dental setting, 44%) and otolaryngologists (medical setting, 53%) were least recognized.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons achieved a 77% recognition rate, with older and more educated individuals demonstrating higher recognition levels.
Conclusions:
- The study concludes that name recognition challenges are not exclusive to oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
- Findings suggest that public awareness campaigns should prioritize younger and less-educated demographics to enhance understanding of medical specialties.