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Selecting a provider: what factors influence patients' decision making?
Jean Abraham1, Brian Sick, Joseph Anderson
1Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. abrah042@umn.edu
Patient provider selection hinges on physician and organizational reputation, plus health plan affiliation and appointment ease. Formal quality data and ads have minimal impact on consumer healthcare choices.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Consumer Behavior in Healthcare
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Consumer engagement is crucial for healthcare efficiency.
- Factors influencing patient healthcare decisions require investigation.
- Understanding provider selection criteria informs healthcare strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors consumers use when selecting healthcare providers.
- To assess patient awareness and utilization of formal provider selection resources.
- To analyze the influence of provider attributes, care experience, and reputation on patient choice.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 467 patients across four Minnesota clinics.
- Analysis of patient-reported factors influencing provider selection.
- Evaluation of awareness and use of formal quality information sources.
Main Results:
- Physician and healthcare organization reputation are paramount.
- Health plan affiliation and appointment availability significantly influence choices.
- Advertisements and formal quality data sources have limited impact on decisions.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare organizations should prioritize reputation management and referral networks.
- Satisfying existing patients and referring physicians is key to attracting new patients.
- Exploring new media and social networking can enhance organizational reputation.
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