OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of frequent attendance as a persistent characteristic of patients by repeat studies of attendance at a health centre. DESIGN: A follow-up of frequent attenders and compared patients in 1991 among frequent attenders in 1996. SETTING: Mariehem health centre in Umeå in northern Sweden providing care for 10,500 and 12,000 inhabitants in 1991 and 1996, respectively. SUBJECTS: Frequent attenders, defined as patients who had at least 5 consultations with physicians during 1 year at the health centre, compared to attenders who had between 1 and 4 consultations in 1991 and 1996. RESULTS: The proportion of people who lived in the area and consulted a doctor at the health centre at least once during 1 year increased from 40.0% in 1991 to 45.2% in 1996. The number of frequent attenders increased from 179 to 303 and they took 15% and 20% of all consultations in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Twenty-five patients (21 females and 4 males) were identified as frequent attenders in both years. CONCLUSION: With the exception of a small group of patients, mostly females, frequent attendance seems not to be a persistent characteristic of patients.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of frequent attendance as a persistent characteristic of patients by repeat studies of attendance at a health centre. DESIGN: A follow-up of frequent attenders and compared patients in 1991 among frequent attenders in 1996. SETTING: Mariehem health centre in Umeå in northern Sweden providing care for 10,500 and 12,000 inhabitants in 1991 and 1996, respectively. SUBJECTS: Frequent attenders, defined as patients who had at least 5 consultations with physicians during 1 year at the health centre, compared to attenders who had between 1 and 4 consultations in 1991 and 1996. RESULTS: The proportion of people who lived in the area and consulted a doctor at the health centre at least once during 1 year increased from 40.0% in 1991 to 45.2% in 1996. The number of frequent attenders increased from 179 to 303 and they took 15% and 20% of all consultations in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Twenty-five patients (21 females and 4 males) were identified as frequent attenders in both years. CONCLUSION: With the exception of a small group of patients, mostly females, frequent attendance seems not to be a persistent characteristic of patients.
Authors: Frans ThM Smits; Henk J Brouwer; Henk C P van Weert; Aart H Schene; Gerben ter Riet Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2009-02 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Frans Th M Smits; Karin A Wittkampf; Aart H Schene; Patrick J E Bindels; Henk C P M Van Weert Journal: Scand J Prim Health Care Date: 2008 Impact factor: 2.581
Authors: Anne Santalahti; Sinikka Luutonen; Tero Vahlberg; Hans Moen; Sanna Salanterä; Päivi Rautava Journal: J Prim Care Community Health Date: 2021 Jan-Dec
Authors: Frans T Smits; Henk J Brouwer; Aeilko H Zwinderman; Marjan van den Akker; Ben van Steenkiste; Jacob Mohrs; Aart H Schene; Henk C van Weert; Gerben Ter Riet Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-09-05 Impact factor: 3.240