Level of education and patient opinion: significant differences in perceptions of health care

As part of the general competencies set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), residents must have an understanding of systems-based practice, which is demonstrated by an awareness of-and responsiveness to-the comprehensive health care system. Residents must be able to effectively access and use system resources to provide care that is of optimal value. Essential to understanding and implementing systems-based practice is an awareness of how different patient populations perceive health care; one key factor that influences patients' perceptions of health care is their level of education.

We surveyed 2900 adult patients in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and stratified them into 2 groups based on their level of education. Group 1 included patients with some high school education or a high school degree. Group 2 included patients with some college education, an undergraduate degree, or graduate/professional-level coursework. We then compared the groups' perceptions of common health care issues, including physician compensation, patient obligation for medical bills, and increased cost for the freedom to choose a physician.

Of 395 respondents, a higher percentage of Group 2 patients, compared with those in Group 1, understood that physicians do not collect 100% of what they bill (p < 0.001) and that businesses do influence the amount a physician is paid by insurance companies (p = 0.009). Conversely, a higher percentage of Group 1 patients thought that physicians are overpaid (p = 0.030) and that they keep a large portion of what they charge (p < 0.001). Further, fewer Group 1 respondents felt obligated to pay medical bills not covered by insurance (p = 0.002); they also were less willing to pay more for better medical care (p = 0.002) or for the freedom to choose a physician (p = 0.015).

This study indicates that patients with a lower level of education believe that physicians are overpaid and that they keep a large portion of insurance reimbursement. These findings may explain why fewer patients in this group feel that they are obligated to pay medical bills not covered by insurance and why they are less likely to pay more for better medical care or for the freedom to choose a physician.