BASIC RESEARCH
Changes in Patient Preferences When
Choosing a Surgeon and Hospital for Elective Hip Surgery: Ten Years Later
Roger Torga Spak,
Roberto Valentini, Agustín O. Perea, Lucía Rojas Alcorta, Marcos Meninato,
Ignacio Troncoso Pesoa
Orthopedics
and Traumatology Service, CEMIC Hospital Universitario, Autonomous City of
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Total
hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful procedures in modern medicine.
Globalization, increased access to information, and the diversity of healthcare
systems have driven greater public engagement in health-related decisions.
Patients are increasingly seeking detailed information before undergoing
arthroplasty. Objective: To identify and analyze the
factors influencing the selection of a surgeon and hospital for elective hip
replacement, and how these preferences have changed over the past ten years. Materials and
Methods: Anonymous surveys were conducted
among 100 patients who underwent hip replacement for osteoarthritis between
2011 and 2013. Their responses were analyzed and compared with those of 100
patients who underwent the same procedure between 2021 and 2023. Results: In terms of surgeon selection, patient recommendations have
become the most influential factor, surpassing the surgeon’s professional
reputation. While the popularity of the healthcare institution remains a secondary
consideration, the surgeon’s recommendation continues to be the key determinant
in selecting the facility for surgery. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into evolving trends
in patient decision-making, within a landscape increasingly influenced by
digital connectivity and technological access. Understanding these changes is
essential for healthcare professionals aiming to adapt their communication
strategies and foster trust in an era where shared experiences play a critical
role in the decision-making process.
Keywords: Elective
total hip replacement; surgeon selection; hospital selection; social media.
Level of Evidence: IIIB
Cambios en las preferencias de los pacientes al elegir un
cirujano y un hospital para una cirugía programada de cadera. 10 años después
RESUMEN
Introducción: El
reemplazo articular de cadera es una de las cirugías más exitosas de la
medicina actual. La globalización, el acceso a la información y la diversidad
de sistemas asistenciales han impulsado un mayor interés de la población en el
cuidado de su salud, que demanda cada vez más información antes de someterse a
una artroplastia. Objetivos: Identificar y analizar los
factores que influyen en la selección del cirujano y del hospital, y su
variación en los últimos 10 años. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizaron encuestas anónimas a 100 pacientes sometidos
a un reemplazo de cadera por artrosis, entre 2011 y 2013. Estas encuestas
fueron analizadas y comparadas con las de otros 100 pacientes operados por el
mismo cuadro, entre 2021 y 2023. Resultados: En
cuanto a los determinantes en la preferencia del especialista, actualmente, la
recomendación de otro paciente pasó a ocupar el primer puesto, por sobre la
reputación del cirujano. La popularidad del centro de salud continúa teniendo
una importancia secundaria respecto a la sugerencia del especialista, la cual
es el factor determinante al elegir dónde operarse. Conclusiones: Este estudio aporta valiosa información sobre las
tendencias emergentes en la toma de decisiones de los pacientes en un contexto
cada vez más influido por la tecnología y la conexión digital. Comprender estos
cambios es esencial para que los profesionales de la salud adapten sus
estrategias de comunicación y refuercen la confianza en una era donde las
experiencias compartidas tienen un peso terminante en el proceso de elección.
Palabras clave:
Reemplazo total de cadera programado; elección del cirujano; elección del
hospital; redes sociales.
Nivel de Evidencia: IIIB
INTRODUCTION
Hip joint
replacement is one of the most successful procedures in modern medicine. Since
the 1960s, advances in technology and surgical techniques have significantly
improved the effectiveness of this operation.1
Patient satisfaction rates are high, and quality of life is greatly enhanced
following surgery. In recent decades, increased life expectancy has been
accompanied by a rise in the prevalence of degenerative joint diseases and,
consequently, a growing number of arthroplasties performed.2
Globalization,
widespread access to information, and the broad range of available healthcare
systems have also sparked a greater interest among the population in managing
their health. Currently, there is a growing demand from patients for
information when undergoing joint replacement surgery.
Several
studies have investigated how patients choose their physicians and care
centers. According to McGlone et al., the most influential factors in the
initial selection include reputation, manners, location, qualifications, office
environment, insurance coverage, and patient reviews.3 Meanwhile, Faber et al., in a review of 14
randomized controlled trials, concluded that presenting information clearly, in
an easy-to-read and explanatory format, plays a critical role in patients’
selection of both physicians and healthcare facilities.4 In our country, there is a lack of
literature on the factors patients consider when choosing specialists and
hospitals.
The
objectives of our study were to identify the factors that patients consider
when selecting a surgeon and hospital for elective hip replacement surgery, and
to analyze whether these preferences have changed over the past
decade—particularly in light of the growing influence of social media, online
reviews, and online ratings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We
included 100 consecutive patients in Group 1. Inclusion criteria were a
diagnosis of primary hip osteoarthritis and a scheduled total hip replacement.
This first cohort was treated between 2011 and 2013. The series was analyzed
and subsequently compared with a new cohort of 100 patients (Group 2), who
underwent arthroplasty between 2021 and 2023. All procedures were performed by
a staff surgeon from the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service team or by a
resident physician under direct supervision, at the Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”
(CEMIC). Patients in both groups had the option to choose between two surgeons. Patients undergoing
revision surgeries, those with hip fractures, and individuals affiliated with
the hospital’s internal health insurance system were excluded, as they did not
have the option to choose a different healthcare center.
All
patients completed a survey ranking, in order of importance, the factors they
considered in selecting both the surgeon and the hospital. Surveys were
completed either during hospitalization or at the first postoperative follow-up
visit.
The
survey was divided into two forms (Appendix).
Form 1 assessed factors influencing the choice of surgeon and included five
main categories, each subdivided into five subcategories: 1) Surgeon’s
reputation (information obtained via the internet, provided by the institution,
disseminated by scientific societies, or through other means); 2) Patient
recommendation (from another patient operated on by the same surgeon, seen but
not operated on, seen by another member of the Orthopedics and Traumatology
Service, or treated within the institution); 3) Professional recommendation
(from the patient’s primary care physician, another orthopedic physician from
the same or another institution, or non-medical institutional staff); 4)
Hospital reputation (information sourced online, from the institution itself,
through external channels, or from patients previously treated at the same
hospital); 5) Doctor-patient relationship established during the initial
consultation (clarity of information about the condition, the surgeon’s
appearance and demeanor, trust conveyed, and the support/interest demonstrated
by the professional).
Form 2
assessed the factors influencing hospital choice, also subdivided into five
main categories: 1) Hospital reputation (e.g., level of medical staff,
scientific achievements, university affiliation, or lack of knowledge about the
institution’s reputation); 2) Hospital proximity (≤30 blocks, 30 blocks to 10
km, 10 km to 100 km, or >100 km); 3) Hospital accommodation (precarious but
adequate, inadequate/insufficient, adequate and comfortable, or irrelevant); 4)
Recommendation to choose the hospital (from the operating surgeon, primary care
physician, another professional, or another patient); 5) Satisfaction with
prior care (experience in the emergency department, orthopedic outpatient
clinic, another professional’s office, or reported by another patient).
At the
beginning of each form, participants were instructed to rank each factor
according to the level of importance attributed to it in their decision-making,
using the Likert scale.5-7 This
psychometric tool is used to assess degrees of agreement or importance across a
range of statements, offering more nuanced responses than simple binary
(yes/no) options.
A 1-to-5 scale was used to rank the factors
influencing the choice of surgeon and hospital. Additionally, respondents were
asked to mark with an X the specific breakdown of
factors previously explained.
RESULTS
The
results of the comparative analysis between two groups of patients who
underwent total hip replacement during different periods are presented. Group 1
consisted of patients treated between 2011 and 2013, and Group 2 of those
treated between 2021 and 2023. The objective of the comparison was to identify
the factors influencing the selection of hospital and surgeon in each group,
highlighting how patient preferences have evolved over the past decade.
Surgeon Choice
In Group
1, the surgeon’s reputation was the most highly weighted factor (Likert mean
score: 3.9), followed by recommendation from another professional (3.5) and the
doctor-patient relationship (3.4). In contrast, in Group 2, recommendations
from other patients emerged as the most influential factor (Likert 4.8),
displacing surgeon reputation to second place (Likert 4.4) (Table 1).
Fifty-one
percent of patients in Group 1 discovered their surgeon via the institution’s
website, while only 12% did so through social media platforms. In Group 2,
there was a notable increase in the use of social media platforms (35%) and
medical portals (45%) as primary sources of information (Figure 1).
Professional
recommendations showed no significant difference over time in terms of their
influence on surgeon choice (Figure 2).
Unlike
ten years ago, when the choice of surgeon was primarily based on trust (81%)
stemming from reputation or professional recommendations, patients today place
greater importance on interpersonal factors—particularly emotional support,
interest shown by the doctor (46%), and the overall quality of the
doctor-patient relationship (Figure 3).
For Group
1, most patients obtained information through the institutional website (49%)
or from patients previously treated at the hospital (38%). In contrast, 56% of
patients in Group 2 received information via recommendations from other
patients, indicating a growing influence of shared personal experiences (Figure 4).
Eighty-nine
percent of Group 1 were referred by patients previously seen by the same
surgeon, 59% of whom had undergone surgery, and 30% had only attended
consultations. In Group 2, 99% of patients were referred by individuals
previously seen by the same surgeon
(Figure 5).
Choice of Hospital
With
respect to hospital selection, in Group 1, the surgeon’s recommendation was the
most decisive factor (Likert 4.8). Although still important in Group 2, its
weight decreased (Likert 4.5). In this group, other factors such as hospital
reputation (Likert 4.0) and satisfaction with previous care (Likert 3.5) gained
greater relevance compared to Group 1 (Table 2).
In Group 1, the surgeon’s recommendation was the
leading factor in hospital choice (83%), followed by
recommendations from other professionals (11%) and from other patients (6%). In
Group 2, although the hierarchy remained the same, 60% selected the hospital
based on the surgeon’s advice, while 20% did so based on recommendations from
another physician or patient
(Figure 6).
Regarding
institutional prestige, the high level of the medical staff was cited as the
most critical factor in both groups (71% and 70%, respectively) (Figure 7).
Satisfaction
with previous care in the Orthopedics and Traumatology outpatient clinic was
high in both groups (57%). However, 27% of patients in Group 2 highlighted
their experience in the emergency department, indicating the rising influence
of post-pandemic emergency care in hospital selection (Figure 8).
There
were no significant differences between the groups regarding hospital proximity
(Figure 9).
Seventy-five
percent of Group 2 rated the hospital’s accommodation as adequate and
comfortable, compared to only 30% in Group 1—suggesting a substantial
improvement in hospital facilities over the past decade (Figure 10).
DISCUSSION
Currently,
there is greater demand for and accessibility to information among patients
regarding their disease, therapeutic alternatives, institutions, and healthcare
professionals. Accordingly, the objective of our study was to identify changes
over the last 10 years in the factors influencing the choice of surgeon and
hospital for hip joint replacement surgery.
Regarding
the determining factors in specialist selection, recommendations from other
patients have overtaken the surgeon’s reputation as the most influential
factor, while the remaining factors maintained their relative positions.
Shared
experience plays a crucial role in healthcare decision-making, as patients tend
to place trust in the empathy and authenticity perceived in others who have
undergone similar situations. In their cross-sectional observational study,
Entwistle et al.8 described how
subjective experiences and personal narratives help to reduce uncertainty and
establish an emotional connection that is often lacking in technical or
academic information.
Broom9 similarly emphasized how shared
experiences through online forums and social media influence patients’
confidence, as these narratives are perceived as more genuine and relatable
than the clinical information delivered during medical consultations.
Through
semi-structured interviews, Iglesias et al. found that personal recommendation
was the most important factor in selecting a surgeon—ranked above the surgeon’s
experience, hospital reputation, and individual attributes such as surgical
expertise and communication skills. Variables such as sex, ethnicity,
publication history, and treatment cost were deemed less relevant.10
Conversely,
Marshall et al. surveyed 422 patients and reported that surgeon reputation
remained the most significant factor, with patients willing to wait up to seven
months for a consultation with a referred specialist in cases of severe pain,
rather than seeking a different physician.11
In their analysis of 538 surveys, Fabrizio et al. concluded that patients most
often choose specialists based on referrals from other physicians, over factors
such as reputation, insurance coverage, or academic training. They also
emphasized the weight of professional credentials within the medical community
in attracting referrals.12
Manning et al, in a study of 382 patients, reinforced this finding, stating
that referrals outweigh the influence of mass media advertising—including
radio, television, or internet sources.13
Digital
platforms such as social media and healthcare review websites have
significantly transformed how patients perceive and select healthcare
professionals. These platforms provide access to others’ personal experiences,
which often carry greater perceived value than formal medical credentials.
Furthermore, these digital environments foster ongoing interaction and
community-building, thereby reinforcing trust in patient-generated reviews.14
It is
also important to mention that, in recent years, there has been a growing
distrust of medical authority, particularly due to patient experiences
characterized by a lack of empathy or perceived conflicts of interest within
the healthcare system.15 This
distrust prompts patients to seek alternative sources of information and to
place greater trust in their peers, whom they perceive as free from such
conflicts of interest.
In
parallel, there has been exponential growth in the influence of social media
personalities who share personal experiences related to their health and
treatments. These influencers present themselves as accessible and relatable
figures, fostering a sense of community and emotional connection with their
followers. As a result, patients may place more trust in their recommendations
than in traditional sources. By translating complex medical information into
easy-to-understand, visually appealing content, influencers have effectively
become a new form of advertising for healthcare professionals or institutions.
However, their influence often lacks ethical oversight, increasing the risk of
disseminating erroneous or misleading information.16
This
reflects a broader shift toward increased reliance on peer opinions, driven by
factors such as trust in shared experience, the emotional resonance of personal
narratives, the persuasive power of digital platforms, and, in some cases,
skepticism toward the medical establishment.
Regarding
the preference for healthcare institutions, this remains secondary to the
surgeon’s recommendation, which continues to be the primary determinant—albeit
to a lesser degree than a decade ago. Our findings are consistent with those of
Moser et al.,17 who conducted a
qualitative descriptive study in Europe, and with Al-Faifi et al.,18 who conducted a nationwide
cross-sectional survey in the Middle East. Proximity was not a determining
factor in hospital selection. Notably, while there was
a marked improvement in perceived hospital accommodation—likely due to the
relocation of services—this was not a decisive factor in patients’ hospital
choice.
As
described, there is a growing body of literature seeking to evaluate how
patients choose their surgeon and healthcare facility. However, there is a
notable absence of research within our local context on the decision-making
process for elective surgeries and how it has evolved over the past decade.
Our study
has several limitations. First, respondents evaluated only a specific group of
surgeons within a single institution. Second, due to
the design of our survey, patients could only select one option per item
(beyond the initial Likert-scale rankings), which limited their ability to
express multiple or nuanced preferences. Third, all participants had health coverage
through private insurance plans or public systems, which inherently restricts
the range of available healthcare facilities. Lastly, the population studied
had a mean age close to 70 years—an age group that is not among the highest
users of the Internet or social media. We can reasonably hypothesize that
younger patients might place even greater importance on these digital sources
when making healthcare decisions.19As
a strength, we believe this study contributes to a better understanding of
evolving patient behavior in the context of users of health insurance. We
recognize that good outcomes from prior surgeries, combined with a cordial relationship,
are key factors in the selection of a surgeon. At the same time, trust and
support in the doctor-patient relationship, as well as the professional’s
reputation, are values developed over the long term and sustained beyond the
act of surgery itself. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that the rise of
digital tools—websites, online reviews, social media, and influencer-driven
content—now plays an emerging, active, and prominent role in shaping patients’
decision-making processes.20
CONCLUSIONS
This
study highlights significant changes in the factors influencing surgeon
selection for total hip replacement over the past decade. The recommendation of
another patient has emerged as the most important determinant. This shift
suggests that shared experience and patient empathy have overtaken the
traditional emphasis on the specialist’s reputation as the primary factor in
decision-making. The increasing accessibility of digital platforms and social
media has transformed how patients gather and value information, giving greater
weight to the opinions and experiences of other users.
Furthermore,
technical credentials and professional distinctions have become less relevant,
while trust based on personal experience and perceived authenticity has gained
prominence. Confidence in the online community and the influence of social
media figures have introduced new dynamics—creating alternative information
sources that often complement, and in some cases compete with, traditional
medical authority.
With
regard to hospital selection, although still a factor, its influence has
declined relative to that of the surgeon.
Elements
such as proximity or infrastructure now play a secondary role in the
decision-making process.
Despite
its limitations, this study provides valuable insight into emerging trends in
patient behavior in a healthcare context increasingly shaped by digital
interconnectedness. Understanding these evolving dynamics is essential for
healthcare professionals to adapt communication strategies and reinforce trust
in an era where shared experience plays a decisive role in patients’ choices.
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B, Jeong H, Bengs BC, Sanders DP, SooHoo NF, Buerba RA. Total
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DA, Deal K, Conner-Spady B, Bohm E, Hawker G, Loucks L, et al. How do patients
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Orthop Trauma Surg 2024;144(5):2057-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-024-05314-5
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Y, Liu J, Li J, Zhang P. Understanding health care social media use from
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APPENDIX
Form 1
Please
rank the following factors from 1 to 5 according to their importance in your
choice of surgeon (1 = most important). Do not repeat numbers.
• Reputation of the surgeon.
• Recommendation from another patient.
• Recommendation of another professional.
• Reputation of the hospital where the surgeon
operates.
• Doctor-patient relationship established during the
first consultation.
Please mark with a cross the most applicable option
for each of the following items. Select only one option per item.
Reputation of the surgeon
- I learned about the surgeon through:
√
Personal
website
√
Institutional
website
√
Professional
information portals (LinkedIn, TopDoctors, AAOT, ANM)
√
Social
media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
Recommendation from another patient.
- The surgeon was recommended by:
√
A patient
operated on by the same surgeon
√
A patient
seen (but not operated on) by the same surgeon
√
A patient
seen by another member of the O&T team
√
A patient
treated at the same institution
Recommendation from another
professional.
- The surgeon was recommended by:
√
My
primary care physician
√
Another
physician from the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service
√
A
physician from another institution
√
Non-medical
staff from the institution
Reputation of the hospital
-
I learned
about the hospital through:
√
The
institutional website
√
Direct
information from the institution
√
Other
media (magazines, TV, radio)
√
Recommendations
from previous hospital patients
√
Social
media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
Doctor-patient relationship in the
first consultation
- What I valued most in the first encounter:
√
Information
provided about my condition
√
The
surgeon’s demeanor and appearance
√
Trust and
confidence conveyed
√
Support
and interest shown by the professional
Form 2
Please
rank the following factors from 1 to 6 according to their importance in your
choice of hospital (1 = most important). Do not repeat numbers.
• Reputation of the hospital
• Proximity to the hospital
• Hospitality
• Recommendation of the surgeon
• Satisfaction with prior care
• Referral from another source
Please mark with a cross the most applicable option
for each of the following items. Select only one option per item.
Hospital reputation
- I consider the hospital reputable based on:
√
High
level of medical staff
√
Scientific
achievements
√
Being a
university-affiliated center
√
I am not
aware of the hospital’s reputation
Proximity
- Distance from my home:
√
< 30
blocks.
√
30 blocks
to 10 km.
√
10 km to
100 km.
√
More than
100 km.
Hospitality/accommodation
- I would describe the hospital’s accommodation as:
√
Precarious
but sufficient
√
Inadequate
and insufficient
√
Adequate
and comfortable
√
Irrelevant
to my decision
Recommendation source
- The hospital was recommended by:
√
The
surgeon
√
My
primary care physician
√
Another
healthcare professional
√
Another
patient
Satisfaction with previous care
- I base my hospital preference on prior care
received in:
√
Emergency
Department
√
Orthopedics
and Traumatology outpatient clinic
√
Another
specialty outpatient clinic
√
Previous
hospitalization
––––––––––––––––––
Conflict of interest: The
authors declare no conflicts of interest.
R. Torga Spak ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5944-1716
L. Rojas Alcorta ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6415-5856
R. Valentini ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0330-6721
M. Meninato ORCID ID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1858-4238
A. O. Perea ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7011-8966
Received
on November 14th, 2024. Accepted after evaluation on April 10th,
2025 • Dr. Ignacio
Troncoso pesoa • itroncosopesoa@gmail.com
• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7879-0992
How
to cite this article: Torga Spak
R, Valentini R, Perea AO, Rojas Alcorta L, Meninato
M, Troncoso Pesoa I. Changes in Patient Preferences When Choosing a Surgeon and
Hospital for Elective Hip Surgery: Ten Years Later. Rev
Asoc Argent Ortop Traumatol 2025;90(3):263-276. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.3.2064
Article
Info
Identification: https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.3.2064
Published: June, 2025
Conflict
of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Copyright: © 2025, Revista de la Asociación Argentina de
Ortopedia y Traumatología.
License:
This article is under Attribution-NonCommertial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Creative Commons License (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0).