Disclosure of Physician Information - Essay Example

The practice of surgery is very important in helping patients recover from their ailments. It is a noble requirement that patients and their families are updated on the risks and procedures involved in when patients undergo treatments. This ensures that clients can make informed decision on the specific specialists to consult and what to expect during treatment. One advantage associated with public disclosure of physician performance ratings is to that the clients have the opportunity to choose their service providers based on facts.

Furthermore, disclosure is critical in ensuring that there is provision of quality medical care. The disclosure of physician report ratings may foster positive competition among the health practitioners thereby improving the health standards of the nation and people’s quality of life. For example, a survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2006 showed an improvement in quality measures by about 8% following the administration of report cards (Protomag, 2012). Yet another example of the vitality of the report cards is seen in the fact that a study showed improved obstetric conditions following the institution of report cards in some hospitals (Protomag, 2012). . Considering this fact, information concerning the professional training and experience of physicians should be availed to the clients so that their confidence in the health facility can be boosted.

Many physicians often think of surgical procedures and other treatment outcomes as illusory and feel that the report cards are not fair and balanced. No wonder they have been in opposition of need for public disclosure of their performance rates. In this respect, they ignore the ethical issues being raised by the public. They fail to consider the ethical issues that have necessitate the disclosure of their particulars to the public. However, the physicians have an ethical responsibility to ensure that they communicate their performance levels to patients as part of the informed consent procedure.

Yet again, physicians have the obligation to come up with information systems that will enable clients assess their performances. The systems should also make it possible to establish the accuracy of physician report cards and their professional competencies. Do physician report cards provide information consumers need to make medical decisions? Physician report cards offer statistics related to the physician skills and experience, care process, patient experience, efficiency, cost, and mortality all of which are important for decision making (Christian, Volmar, Alexander & Scanlon, 2010).

However, the data provided in the report cards may not be comprehensive enough to help clients make informed decisions especially in relation to the treatment of certain diseases. For one, physicians may provide inaccurate information in the cards for fear that the information may be used to damage their reputation. The physician reputation is important in ensuring that