Does patient awareness of physician financial conflicts of interest impact patient healthcare decision making

Physician financial conflicts of interest exist in many forms ranging from ownership in ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic centers and specialty hospitals. Evidence in the literature suggests growth in these types of ventures and an increase in utilization. Physician financial conflicts of interest are not always transparent to the patient and it is unclear if awareness of physician financial conflicts of interest would impact a patients' healthcare decisions.;Using a qualitative research approach through two focus groups, awareness of physician financial incentives and whether it influences healthcare decisions was investigated. The population for the study was women ages 18-65 who do not work in the field of healthcare. Twenty women participated in the study.;Participants were aware of physician ownership in facilities however they did not associate it with being a financial incentive and therefore a financial conflict of interest. Participants had a high level of trust in their physician and they would appreciate financial disclosure however it would not influence their healthcare decisions.