目標：由於醫療具有高度專業性，故醫療照護市場向來存有專業資訊不對等之問題，又因市場資訊並未完全公開流通，致使醫療消費者無法在擁有充分資訊的情況下做出其最適選擇決策，導致市場的無效率。本研究欲瞭解病患在求醫前搜尋就醫選擇資訊的行為，並瞭解病人所需要的資訊內容，以及信賴的資訊提供者。方法：本研究立意選擇北部七家醫院之內科、外科與婦科18歲以上之住院病患為研究對象，以面訪方式完訪688位樣本。結果：約有43%及52%的病人在住院曾分別打聽醫院或醫師的消息，有56%的受訪者表示需要就醫選擇資訊，最需要的資訊項目，依序為醫師的專 長、醫術、及醫德等。此外，需要就醫選擇資訊的受訪病患中，有63%希望資料能以印行小冊子之方式提供，而政府衛生單位為大多數受訪病患所信賴的資訊提供者。結論：有半數的受訪住院病患，對就醫選擇資訊有需要，且表示不易獲得，政府部門可考慮未來應有系統性彙整資訊公開流通，以降低民眾之資訊搜尋成本，增進醫療服務市場之效率。

　　　　　Objectives: This study aims to understand patients' information searching behavior before selecting health care providers, and to investigate patients' need for health information needs. Methods: During the study period, patients admitted to the internal, surgical and gynecology departments of seven hospitals in north Taiwan were enrolled as subjects. A total of 688 inpatients aged 18 and above were interviewed. Results: About 43%-52% of the inpatients sought for information about hospitals and physicians. Fifty-six percent of the inpatients expressed the need for consumer health information. The top five items of information were: (1) the specialty of physicians, (2) their medical expertise, (3) their medical ethics, (4) their willingness to communicate with patients, and (5) the general information of a hospital. About 63% of those who need information preferred to receive the information via booklets, and the governmental health agency was considered the most reliable source of such information. Conclusi ons: The health authority and non-government organizations should collect and disseminate consumer health information to the public to facilitate their selection of health care providers.