Use of medical services after participation in a community-based epidemiological health survey

Personally relevant health information is an important factor that can change individuals' perceptions of their health needs. Health information can be delivered through various mechanisms, including health promotion campaigns and the general media. Another means by which individuals may receive personal health information is by participating in an epidemiological health survey. This study investigated effects of such participation on numbers of health services used by a representative sample of 7485 Australians.

Participants in the PATH Through Life Project lived in Canberra and environs, Australia, and were drawn from three age groups: 20-24 years, 40-44 years and 60-64 years. Information obtained included socio-demographic variables, mental and physical health as measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire, and national insurance data on numbers of general practitioner (GP) services used before and after survey participation.

Both men and women in the youngest age group, men aged 40-44 years and women aged 60-64 years obtained more GP services for 3 months after interview. After this 3-month period, levels of service use by these participants returned to pre-interview levels. Increased service use related primarily to participants reporting poorer mental or physical health and to their being given information on potential health risks as part of the survey process.

These findings suggest that participating in such surveys may increase self-awareness of current physical and mental health status, potential health risks and health care needs.