KOREASCHOLAR

Hospitalized patients' perceptions of the quality of hospital foodservice and their importance were surveyed through questionnaires by 820(men 435, women 385) hospitalized patients in Seoul. The results are as follows: Most respondents agreed with the following foodservice characteristics that meals arrived exactly the same time every day(74.6%), cleanliness of dishes(64.9%), employees leave food within reach(60.2%), and employees who bring meals are cheerful(58.7%). Only 34.2% of respondents agreed to variety of menu; 12.9% of respondents viewed these foodservice characteristics as important in selecting a hospital; cleanliness of dishes(66.4%), variety of menu(55.0%), and varying food item combination(45.9%) were considered important by respondents; appetite, mood, and atmosphere of ward were positively correlated(p<0.001) with rating of the foodservice characteristics, but length of hospitalization was negatively correlated(p<0.001) with them; familiarity with cooking method, varying food item combination, cleanliness of the dishes, and foodservice employees' pleasant greeting were positively correlated(p<0.001) with rating of the taste, nutrition, and fresshness of the food characteristics.

• 류은순 | Lyu, Eun-Soon