Work

Entry into primary care and continuity: the effects of access.

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between access and use of primary care physicians as sources of first contact and continuity with the medical system. METHODS: Data from the 1987 National Medical expenditure Survey were used to examine the effects of access on use of primary care physicians as sources of first contact for new episodes of care (by logistic regression) and as sources of continuity for all ambulatory visits (by multi-variate linear regression). RESULTS: No after-hours care, longer office waits, and longer travel times reduced the chances of a first-contact visit with a primary care physician for acute health problems. Longer appointment waits, no insurance, and no after-hours care were associated with lower levels of continuity. Generalists provided more first-contact care than specialists acting as primary care physicians, largely because of their more accessible practices. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide support for the linkage between access and care seeking with primary care physicians.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.88.9.1330

Authors: C B Forrest, B Starfield

Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Primary Care and Health Outcomes

Subfield: Family Practice

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Johns Hopkins University, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality