Having a family doctor was associated with lower utilization of hospital-based health services.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Primary care in the United States and most countries in Asia are provided by a variety of doctors. However, effectiveness of such diversified primary care in gate-keeping secondary medical services is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate health services utilization rates of hospital emergency and admission services among people who used different primary care doctors in Hong Kong.

Method

This study was a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey using structured questionnaire on health services utilization rates and pattern in Hong Kong in 2007 to 2008. Information on the choice of primary care doctors, utilization rates and patterns of primary care service were collected. Poisson and logistic regression analyses were used to explore any differences in se

SUBMITTER: Fung CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4312460 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature