Clinical Competence of Family PhysiciansThe Patient Perspective
Arch G. Mainous III, PhD;
Alan K. David, MD
Arch Fam Med. 1992;1(1):65-68.
Abstract
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Objective
This study examines the attitudes and perceptions of patients regarding the clinical competence of family physicians.
Design
Telephone survey employing probability sampling (random-digit dialing).
Setting
A sample of adults living in Kentucky.
Participants
Data come from a sample of 650 completed calls (64% response rate).
Measurements/Main Results
Ninety-three percent of the patients reported having a physician who provides primary health care. Only 1% of those with a physician listed a specialist as their source of care. Patients generally agree that family physicians are clinically competent to handle common medical problems. Of 11 investigated conditions, depression and heart disease were the conditions with the lowest reported patient confidence. A stepwise logistic regression model indicated that the quality of care provided by one's primary care physician was the only significant predictor of patient confidence in the competence of family physicians.
Conclusions
These results suggest that patients believe family physicians are competent to treat a wide variety of common medical problems.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Family Practice, Kentucky Clinic, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (Dr Mainous), and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio (Dr David).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Rural Human Immunodeficiency Virus Health Service Provision: Indications of Rural-Urban Travel for Care
Mainous and Matheny
Arch Fam Med 1996;5:469-473.
ABSTRACT
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