How patients choose their doctor: 8 insights physicians should know
What are patients looking for when they search for a doctor?
When it comes to finding information about doctors, making an appointment to see one, or choosing where to obtain medical care patients have far more options than ever before. Kyruus, a developer of patient access and scheduling software for healthcare systems, has been surveying consumer preferences in these and related areas for several years. Highlights of their 2019 report follow. Â Â
When it comes to finding information about doctors, making an appointment to see one, or choosing where to obtain medical care patients have far more options than ever before.
Kyruus, a developer of patient access and scheduling software for healthcare systems, has been surveying consumer preferences in these and related areas for several years.
Highlights of their 2019 report follow.
Survey respondents said the following factors were “extremely" or “very” important in their choice of a healthcare provider:
•Accepts my insurance: 91%
•Clinical expertise on my condition: 88%•Communication skills: 84%•Reputation of hospital/health system: 83%•Cost: 73%•Appointment availability: 83%
•Internet: 54%•Healthcare professional (e.g. physician referral): 39%•Friend or family member: 35%•Insurance company: 33%•Hospital/health system staff: 27%
•Search engines (e.g. Google): 58%•Health system website: 43%•Insurance company website: 41%•Content website (e.g. WebMD): 28%•Non-healthcare review site (e.g. Yelp): 27%
Booking online through health system
2017: 16%
2019: 18%
Booking online via provider search website or mobile app
2017: 9%
2019: 14%
Having a healthcare provider book on patient behalf
2017: 13%
2019: 14%
Telephone
2017: 62%
2019: 55%
Improved communication/care coordination among providers: 46%
Belief that care quality will be better: 40%
Ability to see different providers affiliated with that system: 37%
Increased access to medical records: 34%
Access to co-located care teams, facilities, and/or services: 33%
•Speed of seeing a provider: 46%•Convenience of hours: 44%•Convenience of location: 42%•Unable to get appointment with regular primary care doctor: 36%•No appointment required: 29%
•Convenience of location: 48%•Speed of seeing a provider: 36%•Convenience of hours: 35%•No appointment required: 31%•Unable to get appointment with regular primary care doctor: 27%