title: The factors that influence patients' choice of hospital and treatment.
abstract: The Government has published a series of papers that aim to turn the NHS into a patient-led service. One aspect of this change is to allow patients choice in their selection of a hospital for elective surgery. This programme hopes eventually to extend choice to other areas of care. This article reviews the literature surrounding patient choice and identifies the issues that affect how patients will reach a decision. Although there is limited information on the subject, a clear difference has been identified between those with acute conditions and those with chronic conditions. Nurses need to be aware of both the policy and the underpinning concepts and patients' views of the topic because it will bring about a major change in the culture of the NHS.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Research Development Team, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dealey
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000523:psychology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom