Understanding Quality Report Cards

Being an informed patient and having candid, open conversations with your physician about your health care, your concerns and your questions, will go a long way to ensure you are receiving the best possible medical care and that you are comfortable with your treatment plan.

Much like consumer products, physicians are now being rated on a host of criteria -- part of the growing trend of "transparency" in health care.

Those criteria can include measurements of clinical quality, such as whether a recommended test was performed, and cost efficiency, such as whether a more economical yet equally effective treatment was used.

These measurements should be viewed as tools to help you become a more informed patient, to spur frank conversation with your physician. These measurements are not intended as criticisms of the abilities of physicians, but instead are meant to more actively engage patients in the care giving process. By sharing this information, patients can ultimately become better patients as their understanding of treatment options increases, allowing them to make better informed decisions with their physicians.

Things to consider:

Advancements in medical treatments are frequent. Report Cards may use older information on treatments that do not accurately reflect the way your care is currently being provided. Is it important to make sure clinical information is no older than two years.
Many Report Cards rely upon information drawn from billing invoices sent by physicians' offices to health insurers. That information may give an incomplete picture of your care. Your medical record, either in paper or electronic form, provides the most accurate record of your care. If you have questions, be sure to discuss your individual medical record with your physician.
Report Cards may not list all physicians providing care in your area, resulting in an incomplete comparison. For example, some Report Cards may miss physicians in solo practices or smaller groups of physicians. Other physicians may not be listed because no data were available to assess them. The absence of those physicians from a Report Card should not be interpreted as a criticism of their quality of care.

So how can you make the best use of a Report Card?

Talk to your physician about questions you may have regarding his or her ratings. For example, if the Report Card raises a question about whether a particular test was performed, ask your physician if he or she feels you need that test, and how frequently that test should be performed. That way, you can better understand your physician's recommendations in managing your care. There can be very good reasons why your specific treatments differ from those provided to other patients generally. Each patient is unique and your care should meet your needs.
Physicians may dispute the accuracy of specific findings within a Report Card. Watch for indicators (such as symbols or notations) that point to whether the accuracy of a particular finding is currently being disputed by the physician.
If you disagree with your physician's plan of care, tell him/her. Don't keep it a secret! For example, if your physician prescribes a particular medication and you decide to stop taking it, let your physician know. Otherwise, he/she might base your treatment plan on misinformation.

Utilizing physician Report Cards effectively can be an important tool in becoming a more informed, smarter patient. Working as a team with your physician and opening a meaningful dialogue about your health care will help ensure you are receiving the best possible care.

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