Published online May 18, 2022. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v13.i5.472
Peer-review started: October 12, 2021
First decision: March 7, 2022
Revised: March 16, 2022
Accepted: April 22, 2022
Article in press: April 22, 2022
Published online: May 18, 2022
Processing time: 212 Days and 11.7 Hours
There have been efforts to elucidate what factors patients use to select medical oncologists and orthopedic surgeons, but no studies have specifically investigated the patient selection factors for orthopedic oncologists.
Better understanding what factors patients deem important in their process of selecting a physician may allow for better tailoring of a clinical practice.
This study aimed to identify the factors that patients deem important in selecting an orthopedic oncologist with whom to establish care.
All new patients presenting to an orthopedic oncology clinic were invited to complete an anonymous survey consisting of 27 questions that identified patient demographic factors, patient social media utilization, and patient identified factors on a Likert scale that are important to selecting an orthopedic oncologist.
The most important factor for patient selection overall was a good reputation of the hospital. Other important factors were the number of years in practice of the orthopedic oncologist, referral from the patient's primary care provider, and how other patients rated the surgeon. Social media and Internet presence of the surgeon was more important to patients under the age of 40 and those over the age of 60 felt it more important that the surgeon work in an academic center.
Strong hospital reputation, primary care referral, and physician reputation were among the strongest selection factors among patients. While hospital reputation may not be adjustable by the individual orthopedic oncologist, it appears important for surgeons to network with primary care providers to increase referrals in order to grow one's practice.
Future studies could investigate selection factors for patients who come to orthopedic oncology for second opinions after having been evaluated elsewhere.