According to the American Osteopathic Association, the majority of Americans do not prioritize quality outcomes when selecting their medical providers. Instead, they consider the following factors to be the most important:

1. Acceptance of insurance plan (83.3%)
2. Bedside manner/empathy (60.5%)
3. Proximity of office to home, work, or school (57.4%)
4. Convenient office hours (42.9%)
5. Medical specialty (37.5%)

It’s expected that patients will select doctors who accept their insurance plans in order to avoid out-of-network costs. However, once affordability is taken into account, shouldn’t the doctor’s expertise become a primary consideration?

Prestigious medical schools are often associated with top-tier research hospitals, where students have the opportunity to learn about the latest medical developments and treatments. Therefore, these doctors may be more likely to be up to date with the newest research and clinical practices.

In addition to residency and fellowships, board certification is another important qualification to consider when choosing a medical provider. Board certification indicates that the doctor has met the highest standards of knowledge and expertise in their specialty. It is a rigorous process that involves passing comprehensive exams and demonstrating ongoing commitment to continuing education. Patients can have confidence in board-certified doctors knowing that they are receiving care from professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes.

The importance of residency: a case study

When considering qualifications, factors such as residency and, for specialists, fellowships, are crucial. Ideally, a doctor should have completed their residency at a hospital in a large city to gain exposure to a wide range of medical conditions that may not be prevalent in rural or small city hospitals. Tuberculosis (TB) serves as a prime example of the importance of diverse exposure during medical training. Although TB is a global disease, its prevalence varies greatly. Urban areas, especially those with significant immigrant populations or a large number of underserved individuals, may have higher TB rates. Conversely, smaller, more affluent areas may experience TB cases infrequently. Due to the challenging nature of TB diagnosis, a hospitalist who has only trained and worked in such a region may struggle to recognize the condition, potentially causing significant harm to the patient.

Many medical specialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology, and endocrinology, require physicians to undergo extensive additional training after completing their residency. This specialized training is typically obtained through a fellowship program, which allows doctors to gain advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen field. When considering a physician for a particular specialty, it is crucial to take into account where they completed their fellowship. The reputation and quality of the facility where the physician received their fellowship training can greatly impact their expertise and competence. It is worth noting that the rankings of these fellowships may differ from those of medical schools. In our view, the more extensive the training a physician has received in their specialty, the more proficient and capable they are likely to be in providing high-quality care to their patients.