Consumer Choice and the Rural Hospital. Abstract, Executive Summary, Final Reportand Appendices A and B

摘要

This national study of the organizational factors and consumer perceptions ofsmall, sole community hospitals sought to identify factors which may account for patterns of consumer 'outshopping' in small hospital services markets in the United States. The study includes data from three separate but interrelated primary sources: (1) a mailed questionnaire survey of administrators of operating hospital and converted facilities; (2) a national mailed survey of up to 15 physicians practicing in each of these communities. Data from the study have shown that proximity to these small rural hospitals, and not preference for these facilities, is of greater importance in explaining the intention and the willingness of consumers to used these facilities.