Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center in southern Seoul were selected as the best hospitals for medical checkups in a Korea Consumer Agency survey.

The agency said Tuesday that in a poll of 450 consumers, both Samsung and SNU hospitals scored 5.45 out of 7 to take joint first place in terms of consumer satisfaction with medical screening programs. Samsung showed strength in satisfaction with facilities while SNU was competitive in the overall examination process and personnel service.

Samsung topped five categories ― program variety, program distinction, checkup items, ease of procedures and methods and convenience of applying for additional checkups. It also ranked first with 5.73 points in consumer satisfaction with facilities including parking and medical equipment.

The largest number of respondents also said they would revisit Samsung hospital, followed by the SNU service center and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.

Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center took the top spot in price competitiveness. It captured the first place in meeting appointments on time and manpower quality.

Behind the two giants were Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Asan Medical Center, SNU Hospital in Hyehwa-dong of northern Seoul and Severance Hospital in Shinchon, in that order.

“Recently, hospitals have been competing against each other by remodeling the buildings and introducing state-of-the-art equipment, a key factor behind customer satisfaction, the agency said, “However, their high prices are still obstacles in inducing people to use such facilities.”

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)