The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 156, Issue 5 , Pages 841-845.e1 , May 2010

Perspectives and Preferences among the General Public Regarding Physician Selection and Board Certification

  • Gary L. Freed, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • University of Michigan Health System, the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Gary L. Freed, MD, MPH, University of Michigan, 300 North Ingalls Building 6E08, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0456.
    • ,
  • Kelly M. Dunham, MPP

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • University of Michigan Health System, the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • ,
  • Sarah J. Clark, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • University of Michigan Health System, the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • ,
  • Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP,

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • University of Michigan Health System, the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • ,
  • on behalf of the Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics

      Affiliations

    • List of members of the Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics is available at www.jpeds.com (Appendix).
    • American Board of Pediatrics, Chapel Hill, NC

Received 7 July 2009 ,Revised 16 October 2009 ,Accepted 18 November 2009.

References 

  1. Chen P.W. In search of a good doctor. The New York Times 2009 January 8. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/health/08chen.html?_r=1&em. Accessed January 9th, 2009.
  2. Tai-Seale M, Pescosolido B. The public's opinions of physicians: do perceived choice and exercised choice matter?. Am J Manag Care. 2003;9:631–718
  3. Tu HT, Lauer JR. Word of mouth and physician referrals still drive health care provider choice. in Research Brief: Findings from HSC, Center for Studying Health System Change. December 2008. Available at http://www.hschange.com/CONTENT/1028/
  4. Rabin RC. You can find Dr. Right, with some effort. The New York Times 2008 September 30;Sect. F4.
  5. Robinson S, Brodie M. Understanding the quality challenge for health consumers: the Kaiser/AHCPR Survey. Jt Comm J Qual Improv. 1997;23:239–244
  6. Boscarino JA, Adams RE. Public perceptions of quality care and provider profiling in New York: implications for improving quality care and public health. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2004;10:241–250
  7. Hibbard JH, Jewett JJ. Will quality report cards help consumers?. Health Aff (Millwood). 1997;16:218–228
  8. Lubalin JS, Harris-Kojetin LD. What do consumers want and need to know in making health care choices?. Med Care Res Rev. 1999;56(Suppl 1):67–102discussion 103–12
  9. Marshall MN, Shekelle PG, Leatherman S, et al. The public release of performance data: what do we expect to gain? A review of the evidence. JAMA. 2000;283:1866–1874
  10. The Gallup Organization for The American Board of Internal Medicine. Awareness of and Attitudes Toward Board-Certification of Physicians. Princeton, NJ: The Gallup Organization; 2003 August;
  11. Bundorf MK, Wagner TH, Singer SJ, et al. Who searches the internet for health information?. Health Serv Res. 2006;41:819–836
  12. Davis MM, Fant K. Coverage of vaccines in private health plans: what does the public prefer?. Health Aff (Millwood). 2005;24:770–779
  13. Harris KM. How do patients choose physicians? Evidence from a national survey of enrollees in employment-related health plans. Health Serv Res. 2003;38:711–732
  14. Piette JD, Heisler M, Wagner TH. Cost-related medication underuse among chronically ill adults: the treatments people forgo, how often, and who is at risk. Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1782–1787
  15. Tarini BA, Singer D, Clark SJ, et al. Parents' interest in predictive genetic testing for their children when a disease has no effective treatment. Pediatrics. 2009 Aug 24;[Epub ahead of print]
  16. Siegrist R. Helping patients become more educated about provider quality. Case Manager. 2006;17:63–66
  17. Schneider EC, Epstein AM. Use of public performance reports: a survey of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. JAMA. 1998;279:1638–1642
  18. Freed GL, Singer D, Lakhani I, et al. Use of board certification and recertification of pediatricians in health plan credentialing policies. JAMA. 2006;29:913–918
  19. Freed GL, Uren RL, Hudson EJ, et al. Policies and practices related to the role of board certification and recertification of pediatricians in hospital privileging. JAMA. 2006;295:905–912
  20. Davis MM, Hibbard JH, Milstein A. Consumer tolerance for inaccuracy in physician performance ratings: one size fits none. Center for Studying Health System Change, Washington, DC: Issue Brief No. 110, March 2007. Available at: http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/921/. Accessed December 8, 2008.
  21. Freed GL, Dunham KM, Abraham L. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics. Protecting the public: State medical board licensure policies for active and inactive physicians. Pediatrics. 2009;123:643–652
  22. U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. Frequency of Training and Evaluation. 2005 [cited December 10, 2008]; Available at: http://www.faa.gov/education_research/training/aqp/more/frequency/
  23. The ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education. Summary of MCLE Jurisdiction Requirements. 2008 [cited December 10, 2008]; Available at: http://www.abanet.org/cle/mcleview.html

 Funded by a grant from the American Board of Pediatrics Foundation. The sponsor had no involvement in the collection of data, preparation, or submission of this manuscript. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

PII: S0022-3476(09)01190-1

doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.11.055

The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 156, Issue 5 , Pages 841-845.e1 , May 2010

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