Table 1.

Weighted respondents' characteristics and reported awareness of and utilisation of freedom of choice of hospital.

Patients characteristics		Response rate (%)	Respondents' reported awareness	Reported use of choice
Gender	Men	58	38*	52**
	Women	42	43*	63**
Age (years)	0-9	5	41	53
	10-19	5	31	40
	20-29	4	33	71
	30-39	10	44	65
	40-49	13	42	58
	50-59	22	45	56
	60-69	20	42	56
	70-79	14	39	63
	80+	6	38	66
Specialty	Rheumatology	9	34**	63
	Internal medicine	27	39**	58
	Surgery	17	39**	56
	Neurology	5	34**	46
	Ophthalmology	6	54**	70
	Ear, nose and throat	12	46**	57
	Paediatrics	5	33**	36
	Gynaecology/- obstetrics	7	46**	57
	Orthopaedics	13	45**	62
	Surgical specialties	55	44**	60
	Medical specialties	45	37**	56
Referring doctor	GP	51	40	62
	Specialist	27	43	55
	Ambulatory	7	40	53
	Other	14	40	54
	Does not remember	1	22	75
Education	Very short	32	37*	57
	Short	40	44*	56
	Medium or long	29	46*	63
Employment	Student	3	35*	78**
	Non-skilled labor	4	42*	64**
	Skilled labor	6	39*	61**
	Salaried employees, priv.	17	37*	59**
	Salaried employees, publ.	22	49*	58**
	Self-employed	8	44*	63**
	Unemployed	13	39*	38**
	Pensioners	26	40*	66**

**: p < 0.01 *:p < 0.05