[Determinants of the Distance-Related Choice of Physician Using the Example of Patients with Psoriasis and Chronic Wounds].

STUDY AIM: There is only little knowledge about the influence of individual and sociodemographic characteristics determining patients' choice of their physicians. Furthermore, the role of patients' mobility is not clear. The primary aim of this study was the analysis of patients' decision patterns when choosing a physician. Patients' mobility as well as sociodemographic aspects were included in the analysis.

METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were assessed at office-based dermatologists and at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Patients with psoriasis and chronic wounds were interviewed about their behaviour when choosing a physician. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and multivariate methods.

RESULTS: Data on 309 patients (50.5% male, mean age 58.3 years) were analysed. 211 patients were recruited at the outpatient unit of the university clinic, 98 at office-based physicians. The decision to visit a physician is primarily influenced by the physicians' competence, his range of service and the physician-patient relationship. The perspective of a better therapy as well as worsening of quality of life are responsible for a higher motivation to travel a longer distance to the physician.

CONCLUSION: The results show a complex behaviour pattern of patients when choosing a physician. The physician's competence and his range of services are crucial for the patients' decision. The results also show that patients are willing to travel longer distances than necessary.