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In spring and summer 2005, HRET surveyed US hospital CEOs and their Board chairs for a comprehensive look at how Boards operate. Responses were received from 1586 CEOs and 906 Board chairs. The respondent group was representative of the hospital populations, with the exception of an underrepresentation of hospitals that are parts of larger systems. Partners in this ongoing project include the Center for Healthcare Governance, Health Forum, and the American Hospital Association.

The 2005 survey was expanded from previous work done in the mid-1990s and late 1980s. Reports identifying critical changes and trends in governance will be released in 2006. The CEO Survey included factual information about the structure and operations of the Board and addressed the following domains:

• Governance and organizational context
• Governing board composition and organization
• Committees
• Board/management relationships
• Operations
• Accountability

A separate, shorter questionnaire for board chairs focused on perceptions and opinions about such topics as:

• Board activities
• Time allocation
• Decision-making dynamics
• Ways in which the board might change or improve
• Board education 

For more information, contact Frances Margolin at (312) 422-2607 or fmargolin@aha.org.