Effective Factors on Selecting Public or Private Hospitals by Patients in Kerman City, Iran

Introduction: Since the condition of hospital services is important from the perspective of patients referring to hospitals, this study was carried out to recognize the factors influencing the choice of public or private hospitals by patients in Kerman city, Iran, in 2012. Method: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, the statistical population consisted of hospitalized patients in private and public hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences, of whom 220 were selected through random sampling. A questionnaire consisting of two parts was applied for data collection the first part included demographic questions and the second part contained questions on the effect of different factors on referring to hospital. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Man- Whitney U and t statistical tests. Results: The most principal factors of choosing public hospitals by patients were access to skillful physicians, good physician-patient relationship, and presence of physician on the bedside, and physicians' relations and reputations. However, the most principal factors of choosing private hospitals were access to qualified and experienced physicians and patients income. Discussion and Conclusion: The most important factor in selecting public or private hospitals by patients is the expert physicians. The hospital costs and patient’s income are also effective factors in the selection.

Effective Factors on Selecting Public or Private Hospitals by Patients in Kerman City, Iran Keywords:

Influential factors , Hospital selection , Private hospitals , Public hospitals , Kerman , Iran , عوامل موثر , انتخاب بیمارستانها , بیمارستانهای خصوصی , بیمارستانهای دولتی , کرمان