Patient preference for a particular hospital: A prospective questionnaire-based investigation from India

Background: The ubiquitous access to media, the Internet, and suggestions from friends relatives have empowered patients not only choose but also make informed decisions about their health needs and how and where to be addressed. Although there are many guides and studies on the main factors which infl choice, particularly in the USA. There are very few from India and also hospitals from the large private sector constantly advertise their strengths. Aim: We studied the factors which influenced a patient's decision to seek medical attention at a not-for-profit tertiary care centre in India. Materials and Methods: Four hundred consecutive patients or their relatives were provided with a printed sheet that contained a total of 15 questions, which included the unit's and hospital's trustworthiness, reputation, infrastructure, affordability and accessibility, among others. SPSS (version 24) was used, and reliability and validity tests were done. Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation method was done. Results: There were four constructs from 15 observed variables with a cumulative variance of 55%. Construct 1 had a variance of 31%, and it included variables such as trust in hospital and doctor, infrastructure, diagnostic facilities and ancillary programmes. Construct 2, with a variance of 8.9%, had accreditation, academics and research. Construct 3, with a variance of 7%, had information seeking through the Internet and easy accessibility. Construct 4 had a variance of 7% with health insurance and a suggestion from a neighbour/family or from a friend. Nearly 64% of the patients in the study group travelled more than 100 km. Conclusion: The most influential factors for choosing a hospital are trust in hospital and doctor, along with infrastructure and ancillary services, followed by certified standards of care and academics and research. Surprisingly, the distance was not a deciding factor in the majority, nor was empanelment with insurance companies.