BERLIN—In late August,
Atlantic General Hospital will begin conducting a two-week-long community needs
assessment. The hospital has secured the assistance of RKM Research and
Communications, Inc., a market research firm to conduct the research on the
hospital’s behalf.

The 25-minute telephone
survey will be administered to randomly selected households in Worcester County
 and portions of lower Sussex
County, Del., eastern Wicomico County and northern Accomack County, Va.

The purpose of the survey is
to obtain opinions concerning healthcare in our communities so that Atlantic
General Hospital and Health System can better plan to meet residents’ healthcare
needs.

“We want to know what
residents think about their healthcare options,” said Kim Justice, vice
president of planning and operations. “We value their opinions and hope that
anyone called by RKM will choose to participate in the survey.”

All responses to the survey
will be kept confidential, hospital officials said. Atlantic General will
receive only summary information with statistics in its report from RKM. The
information is crucial for planning strategic initiatives and for providing health
education to the public.