What Factors Determine the Patients’ Choice in Finding Their Office Urologist?

Abstract

Purpose The present study aimed to investigate how patients identify a quality urologist in primary health care and how they determine and evaluate their provider’s qualities before their first examination. Patients and Methods A specific questionnaire (The ESUO Questionnaire) was prepared to describe the domains that influence the patient’s evaluation and summarize the urologist related characteristics and behaviours that the patients estimate are more important. A total of 335 patients, over 18 years of age, presented in primary healthcare urology practice, completed the survey. The participants were divided into three age groups; 18–39 years of age (111 patients), 40–59 years of age (111 patients) and 113 patients 60 years of age and older. Results The majority of patients (68.4%) selected that the urologist must be efficient and well trained. This attitude was primarily expressed in patients ≥60 years of age. Individuals under 60 years old stated that they expect a detailed examination and that the patient should be the urologist’s priority. The majority of the patients evaluates friends or family’s proposals concerning the urologist’s quality primarily and believes that there is at least good quality of urological health care. Conclusion Most patients evaluate primarily the effectiveness of the care they receive instead of the urologist’s personality traits or personal relationships.

Gender Bias in Urology: How Do Patients Really Choose Their Urologist?

“…Although research has begun to increasingly focus on patient satisfaction, there is only limited knowledge on how patients choose their urologist and for gender preference. 4,5,[9][10][11][12] Recently, we could show that patients chose their urologist based on fairly rational grounds, focusing on certain core variables, such as professional skill and academic criteria of the urologist, or being attended by the same urologist at every visit, or by personal referral. 5 These findings were later corroborated with the European Association of Urology Section of Outpatient and Office Urology (ESUO) questionnaire by Zachariou, et al 4 Those studies included board certification as surrogate for professional skill, and academic degree as visible external factor for professional accomplishment.…”

“…4,5,[9][10][11][12] Recently, we could show that patients chose their urologist based on fairly rational grounds, focusing on certain core variables, such as professional skill and academic criteria of the urologist, or being attended by the same urologist at every visit, or by personal referral. 5 These findings were later corroborated with the European Association of Urology Section of Outpatient and Office Urology (ESUO) questionnaire by Zachariou, et al 4 Those studies included board certification as surrogate for professional skill, and academic degree as visible external factor for professional accomplishment. While practicability, like location/convenience, or affordability may play an important role -or in case of the latter -greatly bias the patients' decision, few studies have focused on the impact of gender in male-dominated medical disciplines.…”

“…Although research has begun to increasingly focus on patient satisfaction, there is only limited knowledge on how patients choose their urologist and on the impact of gender. 4,5,[9][10][11][12] Patients in the German healthcare system provide an ideal study cohort, as Germany has one of the most restrictionfree and consumer-oriented healthcare systems. Compared to other healthcare systems, in which insurance networks may greatly influence patients' choice of a urologist according to a particular healthcare plan or healthcare provider, as is often the case in the US, the German healthcare system allows patients to seek nearly any type of care they wish, and whenever they want it.…”

“… 3 With healthcare professionals acknowledging that treatment satisfaction and adherence is essential to provide high quality health care, personalized medicine has become the ultimate goal. 4 Thus, there is an increasing interest in the patients’ views and expectations of their doctors. The first step in this process is the selection of a physician by the patient, whenever possible.…”

“…The first step in this process is the selection of a physician by the patient, whenever possible. 4 , 5 As satisfied patients usually establish a long-term treatment relationship with their doctor, they can also significantly alter other patients’ choice in care provider by recommendation. Therefore, patient satisfaction may not only result in increased treatment adherence and medication compliance but may also result in substantial financial profits.…”