Consumer evaluation of the quality of hospital services from an economics of information perspective.

Consumer evaluations of the quality of hospital services have become increasingly important as the patient and the patient's family have become more involved in hospital selection. The authors investigate the appropriateness of the search, experience, and credence typology of economics of information theory as a framework for analyzing how consumers judge the quality of specific hospital services. Advertising strategies are recommended for each category for hospitals seeking to create images of quality and excellence.