Primary Care Physicians’ (N = 553) Ratings of Importance of Different Factors in Choosing a Specialist
| Importance Rating, Percent of Respondents | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factor | No. | No. | Mild | Moderate | Major |
| Medical skill | 545 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 12.3 | 87.5 |
| Previous experience with specialist | 552 | 0.2 | 6.2 | 34.4 | 59.2 |
| Appointment timeliness | 549 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 40.8 | 55.4 |
| Quality of communication | 552 | 0.0 | 4.9 | 42.6 | 52.5 |
| Likelihood of good patient-physician rapport | 553 | 0.7 | 5.4 | 42.5 | 51.4 |
| Specialist returns to primary physician | 550 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 34.9 | 51.1 |
| Insurance coverage | 550 | 8.2 | 15.5 | 26.7 | 49.6 |
| Patient preference for particular specialist | 553 | 0.9 | 10.0 | 48.3 | 40.9 |
| Primary care physician relationship with specialist | 552 | 3.6 | 15.8 | 44.8 | 35.9 |
| Board certification | 549 | 5.8 | 20.2 | 40.1 | 33.9 |
| Patient convenience | 551 | 1.1 | 19.1 | 56.1 | 23.8 |
| Attitudes of colleagues toward specialist | 553 | 4.7 | 34.2 | 46.7 | 14.5 |
| Hospital affiliation | 551 | 10.9 | 33.6 | 41.9 | 13.6 |
| Office location | 551 | 4.9 | 34.7 | 51.0 | 9.4 |
| Specialist refers patients to primary physician | 552 | 37.3 | 42.0 | 16.5 | 4.2 |
| Medical school | 553 | 47.0 | 43.8 | 8.9 | 0.4 |
| Fellowship training institution | 552 | 40.4 | 44.4 | 15.0 | 0.2 |