Does the family physician's role correspond to the patient's expectations?

A telephone survey of Ohio residents was undertaken to measure how respondents rate 12 selected characteristics of physicians and medical practices when choosing a doctor. All parameters were found to be important, some more than others. "The doctor being able to explain things in an easily understood way" ranked first, followed closely by "being able to reach the doctor easily for emergencies," and "the doctor's fees being reasonable." The effect of several demographic characteristics of the 12 parameters was tested; only age of the respondent had a consistent impact. Factor analysis showed that the interests of potential patients centered primarily in the areas of interpersonal relations, continuity of care, access to services, and activities such as preventive care, all of which are highly valued by family medicine.