JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

As patient access to consumer review websites, medical provider information available on the internet, as well as increasing direct consumer healthcare advertising, elective orthopedic surgery has become more patient and market-driven.

Objective:

Our goal is to determine the importance of physician ratings and review websites and the role these websites have in the decision to establish care with an orthopedic subspecialist.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study involving 5 multi-specialty orthopedic surgery groups. 328 patients who sought treatment by 6 different orthopedic surgeons were asked to anonymously answer a questionnaire consisting of 25 questions. We asked demographic information and asked patients to rate the importance of specific criteria regarding the selection of their orthopedic surgeon.

Results:

Across all ages, 79% of respondents selected it was very important that the surgeon is covered by their insurance. Out of pocket cost was very important to 66% and moderately important to 19% of the respondents. Only 39% of the respondents searched for information about the doctor on the internet. Recommendations from family or friends to the surgeon were moderately or very important to only 61%. The surgeon’s website was visited by 49% of respondents, followed by the website of the office or surgical group at 27%.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that insurance coverage, insurance network coverage, and out-of-pocket cost are very important in patient’s choice of their orthopedic surgeon. Television and print advertising played little to no role in choosing a surgeon for the majority of patients surveyed. Patients' rising role in health care provider selection makes understanding elements that affect their decision imperative. Clinical Trial: N/A