[The health survey in Finnmark--satisfaction with hospital services]

Global satisfaction with hospital services was examined in a comprehensive population study (age group 20-62) in the county of Finnmark, Norway. Indicators of availability of and access to the health care services in general appeared to have considerable impact on the evaluation of hospital services. People were least satisfied in municipalities with a high rate of turn-over of general practitioners, and among respondents who had difficulty in getting in touch with a general practitioner. Further, geographical proximity to hospitals and shutting down of local hospitals significantly influenced satisfaction. Various measures of health status, chronic disease and use of health care services were found to have marginal or no impact. On the other hand, low satisfaction with life in general, length of education and high preoccupation with health appeared to increase dissatisfaction.