Characteristics of the patient overusing on-demand general medical services
Fuertes Goñi, M.C.; Alvarez Tutor, E.; García de la Noceda Montoya, M.D.; Fernández Velilla Ruiz de la Torre, M.; Echarte Osacain, E.; Abad Vicente, J.
Atencion Primaria 14(6): 809-814
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-6567 PMID: 7986978 Document Number: 429518
To determine the characteristics and reasons for consultation of the patient who over-uses on-demand general medical services. A case-control study of a sample of over-user patients and a control group of normal users. The Chantrea Health Centre in Pamplona during 1991. An age and gender-stratified sample of 411 over user patients and a control group of normal users were selected. Over-users corresponded to 5% to those attending. We found no significant differences for gender, but we did for age (p < 0.001), regarding the control group; 84% of over-users had a chronic associated pathology. Comparatively, over-users made more bureaucratic and prescription visits (35%) and attended less scheduled appointments. The over-users is associated to being older and especially to having a chronic pathology and not attending scheduled appointments.