Countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States
Survey Organization: Harris Interactive
Field Dates: April 2003–May 2003
Sample: Random sample from largest general or pediatric hospitals in each country
Sample Sizes: 100 in Australia; 102 in Canada; 28 in New Zealand; 103 in United Kingdom; and 205 in United States
Interview Method: Telephone
Hospitals account for 40 percent of spending on health care in industrialized nations and are at the center of efforts to improve quality and control costs.
The survey found that the ability of hospitals and hospital executives to serve the needs of patients continues to be a major concern of elected representatives, citizens, and health care professionals. Compared with the U.S., hospital administrators in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the U.K. are more satisfied with their systems, but are struggling with greater financial challenges, capacity shortages, and inadequate facilities.
To view the survey questions, download the attachment posted at right. To read analyses of the surveys, see the Fund publications under Related Resources, on the right, or download the May/June 2004 Health Affairs article, Confronting Competing Demands To Improve Quality: A Five-Country Hospital Survey.
