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What factors do patients consider when choosing a hand surgeon?
Monika Debkowska1, Brian Lynch1, Jeremy Ruskin1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Patients often choose hand surgeons via referrals. Key factors in surgeon selection include credentials and insurance, highlighting the need to inform referring physicians.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Understanding patient decision-making is crucial for healthcare provider selection.
- Identifying key factors influencing patient choice of a hand surgeon is essential for practice development.
Observation:
- A survey of 303 patients was conducted to determine their criteria for selecting a hand surgeon.
- Referrals from medical professionals or personal contacts were the most common method for finding a hand surgeon (p < .05).
Findings:
- Surgeon credentials and accepted insurance were the most frequently prioritized factors (p < .001).
- Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of credentials and insurance in patient choice.
Implications:
- Healthcare practices should focus on highlighting surgeon qualifications and insurance compatibility.
- Educating referring physicians about practice offerings can improve patient referrals and selection outcomes.
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