Spine Surgeon Selection Criteria: Factors Influencing Patient Choice

• Published in: Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Vol. 41; no. 13; p. E814
• Main Authors: Manning, Blaine T, Ahn, Junyoung, Bohl, Daniel D, Mayo, Benjamin C, Louie, Philip K, Singh, Kern
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Choice Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures - methods; Orthopedic Procedures - psychology; Patient Preference - psychology; Physician-Patient Relations; Prospective Studies; Spinal Cord Diseases - surgery; Surgeons - psychology; Surgeons - standards; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1528-1159
• DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001385

A prospective questionnaire. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that patients consider when selecting a spine surgeon. The rise in consumer-driven health insurance plans has increased the role of patients in provider selection. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that may influence a patient's criteria for selecting a spine surgeon. Two hundred thirty-one patients who sought treatment by one spine surgeon completed an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 26 questions. Four questions regarded demographic information; 16 questions asked respondents to rate the importance of specific criteria regarding spine surgeon selection (scale 1-10, with 10 being the most important); and six questions were multiple-choice regarding patient preferences toward aspects of their surgeon (age, training background, etc.). Patients rated board certification (9.26 ± 1.67), in-network provider status (8.10 ± 3.04), and friendliness/bedside manner (8.01 ± 2.35) highest among factors considered when selecting a spine surgeon. Most patients (92%) reported that 30 minutes or less should pass between check-in and seeing their surgeon during a clinic appointment. Regarding whether their spine surgeon underwent training as a neurosurgeon versus an orthopedic surgeon, 25% reported no preference, 52% preferred neurosurgical training, and 23% preferred orthopedic training. Our findings suggest that board certification and in-network health insurance plans may be most important in patients' criteria for choosing a spine surgeon. Advertisements were rated least important by patients. Patients expressed varying preferences regarding ideal surgeon age, training background, proximity, medical student/resident involvement, and clinic appointment availability. The surgeon from whom patients sought treatment completed an orthopedic surgery residency; hence, it is notable that 52% of patients preferred a spine surgeon with a neurosurgical background. In the context of patients' increasing role in health care decision-making and provider selection, understanding the factors that influence patients' selection of a spine surgeon is important. 3.