Do access factors affect utilisation of general practitioner services in south Auckland?

To describe basic features of access to general practitioner services in south Auckland, and to examine the effect of different factors on utilisation of general practitioner services with particular attention to access issues.

A random population survey of relatively established residents was undertaken with the sample drawn from electoral rolls. A questionnaire was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers.

Ninety-eight percent of respondents claimed to have a regular family doctor. The median travelling time to a respondent's general practitioner was 10 minutes. Ninety-five percent of respondents' general practitioners operated appointment systems. The median waiting time was 20 minutes, 30% felt the doctors fees stopped them going to the doctor sometimes. The average reported visiting rate was 6.9 visits per year. Poor perceived health, longer times with a given doctor and long waiting times were associated with decreased utilisation. Demographic factors were not associated with utilisation. Patient fees were not associated with utilisation in the sample. Only 23% of the variation in utilisation could be explained by the model.

Long waiting times are associated with decreased utilisation in this population. Although there is significant dissatisfaction with general practitioner fees, this does not manifest itself in decreased utilisation. Only a small proportion of the variation in utilisation can be explained by linear models of the variables studied.