The public's opinions of physicians: do perceived choice and exercised choice matter?
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the public's opinions of physicians are affected by one's perceived ability to choose providers and by past experience with switching providers or health plans.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of the American general public in 1998.


METHODS
Multivariate quantitative analyses of opinions according to respondents' perceived ability to choose providers, history of exercising choice of providers or plans, and health status. Exploratory factor analyses resulted in 4 scales of opinions: trusting personal physician, positive opinions of physicians as a group, negative opinions of physicians as a group, and concerns about the influence of managed care on personal physicians' practice patterns.


RESULTS
Although 75% (879/1172) of the sample perceived that they could use any physician they wanted, only 20% had ever switched health providers or plans owing to dissatisfaction. Perceived lack of choice is associated with lower levels of trust in personal physicians and with higher levels of concern about the influence of managed care on personal physicians. Individuals who have not switched in the past are more positive about physicians as a group and are less concerned about the influence of managed care. Health status affected opinions significantly. Educational attainment is negatively associated with opinions.


CONCLUSIONS
The public's opinions of physicians are significantly associated with one's perceived ability to choose any provider, past experience with switching health providers or plans, health status, and education. Ensuring consumer choice of providers and targeting those who have switched in the past and the sick could potentially improve the public's opinions. Meaningful provider quality information is necessary to ensure choices that can enhance consumer welfare.
Tai-Seale
Ming
M
Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Rural Public Health, Health Sciences Center, Texas A&M University System, 3000 Briarcrest Dr, Suite 300, College Station, Bryan, TX 77802, USA. mtaiseale@srph.tamushsc.edu
Pescosolido
Bernice
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011639:Public Opinion; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States