title: An empirical analysis of the public's attitudes toward advertising hospital services: a comparative cross-sectional study.
abstract: This study investigates current opinions about hospital advertising and compares them to the attitudes expressed 25 years ago. It replicates a survey done in 1985, using the same questionnaire and population to compare responses longitudinally. The study indicates some changes in the public's opinions of hospital advertising. Although the image of hospitals remains positive, most of the 2010 respondents' opinions were rather mixed regarding whether it is proper for hospitals to advertise. The study also confirmed that the quality of service and reputation of hospitals remain more important to the public than price.
authors.affiliation: a Business & Technology, Cumberland University , Lebanon , Tennessee.
authors.forename: H Ronald
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Gordon L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004469:Economics, Hospital; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013714:Tennessee