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Study: Americans Trust Word-Of-Mouth For Health Recommendations

Americans trust word-of-mouth and personal recommendations from doctors far more than provider quality data coming from the government or third parties.

The survey was conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

It finds when it comes to what being a quality health care provider means, there is a disconnect between how experts and consumers define it. According to the study's authors, most Americans focus on doctor-patient relationships and interactions in the doctor’s office, with fewer thinking about the effectiveness of treatments or health outcomes. People also reported they value provider quality over cost and are willing to pay more for higher-quality doctors, but when asked directly in the survey, few report having done so.