Medscape surveyed physicians to determine why patients visited one physician over another.
Here are five key statistics:
1. Word of mouth from family and friends was the No. 1 reported factor, which 72 percent of physicians cited as the way they draw patients to their practice.
2. Seventy percent of physicians reported their reputation influenced a patient's choice.
3. Accepting the patient's insurance was reported by 49 percent of physicians as the reason patients chose them over another.
4. Appointment availability also influences a patients choice, with 42 percent of physicians saying it was a reason patient's came to their practice.
5. Thirty-eight percent of physicians indicated their reputation as an expert was the reason patients sought out their services.