The effect of the proximity of patients' nearest alternative hospital on their intention to search for information on hospital quality
Victoor,A. Rademakers,J.J.D.J.M. Reitsma-van Rooijen,M. Jong,J.D. Delnoij,D. Friele,R.D.
Victoor,A.
Rademakers,J.J.D.J.M.
Reitsma-van Rooijen,M.
Jong,J.D.
Delnoij,D.
Friele,R.D.
Abstract
Objective In several countries, patients are encouraged to choose health care providers. Simultaneously, there is a tendency towards the concentration of health care, which might lessen the choice. Our aim was to assess the impact of patients’ distances from their providers on their information-seeking, which is one element of choice. Methods Two thousand members of the Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel were sent a questionnaire that included a question on whether they would search for information about hospitals to inform their choice. Distances from providers were obtained from a database that includes the distances between all postcodes in the Netherlands. To assess the influence of distance on information-seeking, logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results There was a good response (75%). Older, less educated respondents were less inclined to seek information when their nearest alternative was located further away (OR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.79–0.92), and younger, more educated respondents were more inclined to search in this situation (OR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22). Conclusions As fewer older, less educated patients would search for information to guide their choice, they might not opt for the best hospital. Additionally, the need for providers to compete for the patronage of these patients might be lessened.
Description
Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Victoor, A, Rademakers, J J D J M, Reitsma-van Rooijen, M, Jong, J D, Delnoij, D & Friele, R D 2014, 'The effect of the proximity of patients' nearest alternative hospital on their intention to search for information on hospital quality', Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 4-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1355819613498380
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess