Upper secondary school leaving celebrations and final exams - consultations in general practice and emergency care

Increased use of antibiotics and a higher rate of injury in May for 19-year-olds have been described earlier. We examined whether 19-year-olds also demonstrate greater use of general practitioner services at the time of russefeiring – celebrations in connection with completion of upper secondary school.

The study is based on data from the Directorate of Health’s system for the control and payment of reimbursements to healthcare providers (KUHR) for all consultations in the general practitioner services for age group 18 – 20 years in the period 2012 – 15. The number of consultations per month and age group were analysed using Poisson regression, with 19-year-olds in March as a reference group. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was the outcome measure.

All calendar years showed a sharp increase in the number of consultations among 19-year-olds in May in all calendar years compared with other calendar months and the cohorts above and below. The incidence rate ratio for consultations with GPs and emergency departments was 1.40 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.38 – 1.41) and 2.07 (95 % CI 2.02 – 2.13). The increase was greatest for respiratory infections (IRR 3.64, 95 % CI 3.55 – 3.73). The incidence rate ratio for injuries was 1.21 (95 % CI 1.16 – 1.27). The increase commenced in the three weeks before 17 May (Constitution Day) and persisted in the following two weeks.

The sharp increase in the number of consultations for 19-year-olds in the general practitioner services is associated timewise with celebrations in connection with completion of upper secondary school (russefeiring). More frequent contact with these services lasts well into the ensuing examination period.