One of the first decisions that patients must make; that is, the choice of a primary care doctor (PCD). What factors influence patient decision? Moreover is the patient's first contact observation a contributing factor in the patient's choice of this attending physician, hence this study.
METHODOLOGY: Using a pre-validated standardized survey questionnaire, this study involved purposively selected 400 patients admitted in Visayas Community Medical Center from March 2015 to August 2015. After informed consents were secured from the respondents, a face-to-face survey approach was conducted to ensure that the question included in the survey reflected the reality of patients' perception and their experience of choice. The respondents were interviewed in emergency room/ in the patient's room which may last between 10 and 15 minutes.
RESULTS: The respondents choice of physicians was greatly influenced by family members (50%). They highly rated the physicians' respect to patients (mean = 10.00), with good communication skills (mean = 10.00), friendly clinic staff (mean = 10.00), rapport (mean = 9.98), quality of care (mean = 9.98), and compassion (mean = 9.02). In terms of qualifications, the respondents would prefer doctors who are Board-certified (mean = 8.95) and achievers (mean = 7.50). Lastly, hospital or clinical factors were anchored on organization of clinic (mean = 10.00), ease of access (mean = 10.00), duration of waiting time (mean = 9.07), and practice open after 5pm (mean = 9.01).
CONCLUSION: The common factors identified by respondents in choosing their primary physicians were; respect to patients, good communication skills, friendliness of physicians staff, rapport with the patients, quality of care, and compassion. They focused on the doctors having board certificate, organization of clinic, ease of access, duration of waiting time, and clinical practice beyond 5pm. Lastly, they would prefer doctors who were referred by family members or friends.