Table 1 Weighted respondents' characteristics and reported awareness of and utilisation of freedom of choice of hospital.

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**