An Exploration of Clinician Perceptions of Patient Economic Status and Plan of Care: A Codman Card Study
Discussions and Conclusions
- Almost all of the clinicians in this study extracted important socioeconomic information from their patients.
- Of 12 clinicians, 4 were involved with changing their patient plan of care based on their perception of the patients’ socioeconomic status.
- Overall, changes in plan of care occurred in 12.2% of the patient visits and covered referrals, follow ups, and medications.
- Clinicians were significantly more likely to change a care plan for a patient on publicly provided insurance then private insurance.
- Clinicians were significantly more likely to change a care plan for a patient in a perceived poor or working poor socioeconomic status than middle class or well to do.
- The majority of our rural clinicians, 73%, generated their perception of their patient's economic status by just being aware and knowing them, suggesting that rural primary care clinicians believe they know their patients well.
- Despite other methods available, 24% of our clinicians continued to use general appearance as part of their socioeconomic assessment of patients.
In a rapidly changing economic climate, the general knowledge that rural clinicians have about their patients may not represent the most accurate, current, or pertinent socioeconomic information. We feel that the most reliable method, despite its reluctant usage, is overtly questioning the patient to establish their current ability to accrue out-of-pocket expenses for their health care. This should transcend the established socioeconomic perception and source of payment, to include consideration of financial burdens on all patients and to provide an optimal level of care.
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Background
Purpose
Materials and Methods
Patient Population
Results
Discussions and Conclusion
Future Research
Works Cited
Preceptors in Participating Clinics
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