B Christensen1. 1. Institute of General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study's purpose was to determine how conditions of payment influence attendance at preventive health examinations. METHODS: A multi-practice study of 65 general practitioners (GPs) was conducted in two areas in the county of Aarhus, Denmark. The GPs invited 2,452 men aged 40-49 to a preventive health examination for coronary heart disease (CHD). The examination was free in one area but cost $40 in the other area. A risk profile was estimated, based on a summation of points for risk factors for CHD, including blood pressure, serum cholesterol, smoking behavior, body mass index, and family history of CHD. RESULTS: Attendance at the examinations was 37% in the required payment area and 66% in the free area. Of the total attenders, 13% had an increased risk of CHD. A slight but significant tendency, a lower risk for developing CHD, existed among attenders who paid for the examination. CONCLUSION: A requirement for payment for health examination leads to fewer patients obtaining examinations.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study's purpose was to determine how conditions of payment influence attendance at preventive health examinations. METHODS: A multi-practice study of 65 general practitioners (GPs) was conducted in two areas in the county of Aarhus, Denmark. The GPs invited 2,452 men aged 40-49 to a preventive health examination for coronary heart disease (CHD). The examination was free in one area but cost $40 in the other area. A risk profile was estimated, based on a summation of points for risk factors for CHD, including blood pressure, serum cholesterol, smoking behavior, body mass index, and family history of CHD. RESULTS: Attendance at the examinations was 37% in the required payment area and 66% in the free area. Of the total attenders, 13% had an increased risk of CHD. A slight but significant tendency, a lower risk for developing CHD, existed among attenders who paid for the examination. CONCLUSION: A requirement for payment for health examination leads to fewer patients obtaining examinations.
Authors: Anne-Karien M de Waard; Per E Wändell; Martin J Holzmann; Joke C Korevaar; Monika Hollander; Carl Gornitzki; Niek J de Wit; François G Schellevis; Christos Lionis; Jens Søndergaard; Bohumil Seifert; Axel C Carlsson Journal: Eur J Prev Cardiol Date: 2018-06-19 Impact factor: 7.804