Foot, ankle, and leg problems in Australian primary care: consultation patterns, management practices, and costs.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore consultation patterns, management practices, and costs of foot, ankle, and leg problems in Australian primary care.

Study design

We analyzed data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health program, April 2000 to March 2016. Foot, ankle, and leg problems were identified using the International Classification of Primary Care, Version 2 PLUS terminology. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics examining general practitioner (GP) and patient characteristics associated with a foot, ankle, or leg problem being managed. Cost to government was estimated by extracting fees for GP consultations, diagnostic imaging, and pathology services from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database. Costs for prescription-only medicines were extracted fro

SUBMITTER: Menz HB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11324318 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature