Survey alerts hospital to needs of consumers.
Because of rapidly changing developments in the healthcare field, more emphasis is being placed on marketing of hospital services. A hospital's success will depend more and more on strategic planning based on timely and accurate information. In light of this, Lourdes Hospital, Paducah, KY, undertook a survey to evaluate its current performance and to determine a path for the future. The survey found, among other discoveries, that patients want more voice in determining their own treatment; they prefer outpatient treatment when possible, even if it is not covered by insurance; and stress management and health assessment clinics are the most popular extra services a hospital could offer. Physicians surveyed said they wanted more input into the evaluation of new services and equipment at the hospital. The survey also found that most patients either select a hospital in conjunction with their physician or have their physician choose the hospital. The findings led to some major changes at the hospital, including a restructuring of the planning process to get physicians more involved, a new marketing strategy to enhance communication with consumers, and increased outpatient services. The results have given direction to the hospital administration, helped shape advertising, and provided support for certificate-of-need requests.
D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D007087:Illinois; D007221:Industry; D007629:Kentucky; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D010361:Patients; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee