How do Saudis choose their surgeons? A Cross-sectional study in Riyadh, KSA

Abstract

Objectives: Even though there has been much research regarding which factors influence patients' choice of healthcare providers, only a restricted number of them have examined why patients choose their surgery providers. This study attempts to answer that question with the Saudi context in mind. Furthermore, it compares the opinions of those who visited private and governmental hospitals to achieve a more nuanced analysis. This information will allow surgeon providers with an opportunity to optimize their delivery based on the factors that influence Saudi healthcare choices. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 393 patients who came to be evaluated for any number of operations at surgical clinics, either private or governmental hospitals, throughout Riyadh, KSA. The questionnaire consisted of thirty-nine items, which utilized a five-point Likert scale. It was used to assess the patients' level of understanding of the seven-recognized clinical and nonclinical metrics, which patients are known to consider when choosing surgical providers as well as examine the level of importance that patients gave to a number of other pertinent factors such as patients' ability to effectively find and utilize quality information. Results: Patients rated physician manner (average Likert; 4.5) and customer service (average Likert; 4.2) as most important in their selection of surgical provider. Despite the expressed importance of surgeon and hospital quality, only 63.6% of patients were able to find useful information to compare outcomes among surgeons and 64.7% for hospitals. Conclusions: Physician manner and customer service were the most important considerations for patients when choosing a surgical provider in Riyadh, KSA. There were only a few significant differences between the opinions given by private and governmental hospital patients.