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. “Wue 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.