Physician Disability: What Do Patients Want?
As a physician, you have a million things to supervise. Managing a practice; protecting yourself with physician disability insurance; and above all, taking care of your patients. The physician/patient relationship is the most crucial component in patient satisfaction. But what exactly do patients want from their primary care physicians? 
The relationship extends far beyond a physician’s intelligence or capabilities as a doctor. According to Modern Medicine, a survey by Physicians Foundation of more than 2,000 adults, patients who were satisfied with their physicians noted specific things. “He/she cares about my health,” and “he/she takes time to listen to me and address my concerns” were two top reasons for high patient satisfaction.
Following these top reasons, customer service, communication, treatment and diagnosis, and scheduling all followed as other factors determining patient satisfaction. Physician intelligence was the least common reason for satisfaction.
Patient satisfaction also increased as patients got older. Overall, patients were satisfied with their primary care physicians. Seventy-nine percent of consumers who visited their family doctor or primary care physician at least once in the last year were “very satisfied” or “extremely satisfied.”
Patient pessimism emerges when asked about healthcare costs. For rising medical costs, patients primarily placed blame on pharmaceutical companies. They also listed blame on patients who don’t take responsibility for their own health, malpractice insurance costs, the government, and hospitals.
As a physician or dentist, you work hard to cultivate strong relationships with your patients, and to build a strong practice. But you need to take measures to protect yourself as well. Could you continue to support your family and pay your bill if you were sidelined due to illness or injury?
Even if you have group disability coverage, there is a significant gap between compensation and your salary. Take measures to protect yourself with physician disability insurance. Contact us today for more information.