Attempts were made to determine which specific aspects of inpatient care are most important to patients and to document patients' perceptions of those aspects of care in hospitals nationwide. Another goal was to assess the extent to which variations in reported quality of care might be related to characteristics of patients. Of particular interest was whether patients with fewer resources, older patients, or patients in poorer health were more likely to report problems with their care. Interviews focused on events that indicate the quality of care in several clinically important areas of which patients are the best judges, namely: 1. patient education and communication with providers, 2. respect for patients' needs and preferences, 3. the provision of emotional and physical comfort, 4. family involvement, and 5. discharge preparation. Studies that elicit reports from patients increasingly are viewed as an important method of assessing hospital care.