Dive Brief:
- More than 70% of Americans prefer to see a physician over nonphysician providers when they get medical care, according to a survey conducted by private research firm Ipsos.
- Also, 90% would choose a physician to lead their "ideal medical team," while just 10% would choose a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or chiropractor for that role.
- "Americans...associate the physicians more strongly with the most desirable healthcare characteristics indicating their greater comfort with medical doctors," said Ipsos Public Affairs research director Chris Jackson in a news release.
Dive Insight:
While it's all well and good that consumers respect doctors, and like the idea of them leading healthcare teams, it would be good if more Americans understood the role and qualifications of other key clinicians likely to be involved in their care at some point. To me, this study suggests that Americans need further education as to how other clinical professionals support the care their doctor provides.