Business
Consumers not swayed by "top doc" rankings
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 2, 2009
Top-doctor lists published annually in various metropolitan magazines receive a lot of media hype, but most consumers say they are skeptical about how those lists are compiled and do not use them to choose a doctor.
However, more than 67% of those responding to a study conducted by The Melior Group, a Philadelphia-based research and consulting firm, say they like the idea of using a medical practice that has access to top doctors, even if the physician they see is not named on the list. The group called this the "top doctor effect."
The Melior Group found 38% of study respondents choose a doctor through another physician's recommendation and 30% by whether the doctor accepts their insurance.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/02/bibf0302.htm.
