Informationsquellen und Erwartungserfüllung im Rahmen der Krankenhauswahl bei Patienten mit Hüft- und Knie-TP in der Schweiz

The introduction of Swiss DRG in 2012 offers patients in Switzerland the possibility of free hospital choice. The objective of this study was to rate information sources to the degree of utilization affecting the choice of patients with hip and knee replacement in Switzerland and to give an answer if the expectations of the patients were fulfilled. In four Swiss hospitals, located in the German part of Switzerland, patients were interviewed in writing. Very important sources of information are recommendations of the general practitioner, the specialist, own experience gained during previous hospital stays, recommendations of friends, family and the hospital's homepage. Patients use more than one information source. The relationship to the specialist or family doctors is important, because they strongly influence the process of decision making, followed by the own experience with the hospital or the experience of friends or family. Patients' expectations regarding the professional competence, quality of care and a good patientcentred care of the doctors were fulfilled or excelled. Expectations regarding specific criteria's like e.g. "no infections or no complications" suggest a high quality of treatment and underline a high patient satisfaction for both treatments (hip and knee replacement).