Patients choose hospitals based on the quality of the medical care they receive and the hospital’s distance from their home. But what nonclinical criteria do patients value most? The Salud y Gestión blog reviews the findings of a study in The McKinsey Quarterly. The study found that patients rank the following as the most important nonclinical criteria influencing their hospital choice.
- Keeping patients informed about treatment both during and after visit (77%)
- Conducting Scheduled appointments on time (75%)
- Room appearance (66%)
- Ease of scheduling appointments (64%)
- Food and entertainment options in room (63%)
- Value for the money (62%)
I think people often choose their health care facility based upon personal recommendations. I have heard a lot of times people, especialy women, ask where they had their baby and if they liked it there. They often ask if they liked the doctor who performed the service.
I think the survey is a little biased by the fact that people want to respond intelligently so they respond with the optimal answer. Plus, what parent would say that they willingly chose a less qualified care center.
The factors they list are important, but there are important social factors that affect their decisions too.