Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

Background: Several factors have affects on the hospital choice by patients. One of these factors can be the quality of services and other factors such as the treatment expenditures, economic situation, cultural and social status, etc. This study aims to find the relevant factors affecting the choice of private hospitals for treatment by patients.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd Province by the cooperation of 110 patients during 1392. The population was patients admitted in private hospitals of Yazd.  Sampling was done randomly. Data collection were accomplished by the use of a researcher-made questionnaire and then face and content validity where confirmed and alpha =78%. For data analysis, SPSS software and T-Test, ANOVA (p<0.05) was used.

Results: The findings revealed that among all the influential factors, the following aspects are the most important ones for patient selection. In the case of personal issues, personal interest was categorized as the most significant, in the case of quality factors, the relationship of physician with patients and the presence of him for treatment among economic factors, the individual income and hospital expenditure and among external factors, the physician access after treatment.

Conclusion: It seems necessary that the opinions, needs, and expectations of the patients for the quantitative and qualitative services elevation and processes improvement should be considered.