Transportation should also be provided to rural patients who require a sophisticated level of care that can be found only in metropolitan medical centers. Physicians have an obligation to offer reasonable support to such plans. All health care delivery systems should provide each individual with the greatest possible personal freedom of choice in selecting a provider or health care mechanisms, regardless of whether they are based in the private or public sector. To promote informed personal choice, adequate information concerning both private and public sector options should be made available to the public providers, employers and other payors of health care. In local communities, it is important that the public understand health care plans designed for their benefit and how these plans affect everyone concerned.
Physicians have an obligation to actively participate in such educational efforts.
Physicians, in particular, should accept a responsibility for being guardians for the quality of medical care and should not allow other elements of access consideration to jeopardize the quality of care provided.