title: Spine Surgeon Selection Criteria: Factors Influencing Patient Choice.
abstract: METHODS
  A prospective questionnaire.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that patients consider when selecting a spine surgeon.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  3.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Blaine T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: Junyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Bohl
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Philip K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Louie
authors.forename: Kern
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D066231:Surgeons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult