Examining the Impact of Publishing Restaurant Inspection Reports Online

Opinion Survey among Public Health Inspectors/Operators

Abstract

Purpose: The Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) agency began putting restaurant inspection reports online in April of 2002. Sufficient time has passed to examine how effective the change has been on both Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and restaurant operators in the region. Results of the research may influence how the online system is handled in the future.
Methods: A survey addressing the impact of restaurant inspections online was either electronically mailed or done over the telephone/fax to PHIs in British Columbia, and to restaurant operators randomly chosen within the VCH region.
Results: A total of 138 out of 411, or 34% respondents completed the survey from both groups. The two groups were found to have similar opinions with regards to online inspection reports with PHIs scoring slightly higher at 79% versus operators at 74%. Individual survey question scores on the whole were similar to what the total survey scores showed. Each survey question score from both groups were similar with operators scoring only four percent lower on average versus PHI scores. Correlation/regression analysis showed fair to good correlation with PHIs and Operator survey scores decreasing with increasing years in profession. Mean survey scores differed significantly between PHIs with online inspection reports in their health region (82.1%), versus regions without (76.7%).
Conclusions: Survey results showed no difference of opinions between PHIs in BC and restaurant operators in the VCH region with respect to the impact of online inspection reports. Since both groups scored in the 74-79% range for the survey, one can suggest they feel there is a fair to major impact of online inspection reports on the public and their respective professions. From the survey question results, both groups felt the following if reports were online: They would slightly change their inspections/business operations. They somewhat agreed it enables the public to make informed dining choices. They would somewhat support an online reporting system if none was in their region. They somewhat agreed that other inspected public facilities should be posted online. It was somewhat important to post inspection reports online. PHIs definitely agreed the public had a right to see this information in this manner, whereas the operators somewhat agreed. A fair to good correlation was found for a decreasing survey score with increasing years of experience in their profession for both groups. Since age is usually tied with years in profession, this may indicate a greater reliance on the internet as a source of information for younger generations.