How do the Dutch Choose their Hospitals? Results from a Survey among 311 Patients

Abstract

Objective: Although it is widely assumed that in the Netherlands patients use public information from websites in their hospital choice, empirical data on the actual use of such information is scarce. Our aim is to describe the process of hospital choice and to study what factors, including social media, are related to hospital choice. Methods: In June 2011, a sample was drawn from patients who were seeking out-patient care from hospital-based clinics in the CWZ hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. These patients were asked to fill in a short, self-administered questionnaire about hospital choice. A total of 419 patients visiting the hospital was included. The response rate was 74% (n=311). Results: Only 1.3% of the patients reported having used public information in their hospital choice. Most patients (85.2%) stated that they had been referred by their GP. Information from the GP, age, previous experience with the hospital and belonging to a specific patient group are much more important in the hospital choice process than written information and social media. Conclusions: So far, the assumption that patients use public information from websites or social media in their hospital choice appears to be unfounded.