Utilization of medical services by single-parent and two-parent families

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of family structure on the utilization of health care services. Data from the Family Health Utilization Survey, a six-month prospective study, showed that when confounders were controlled using a multiple regression model, being in a single-parent family was predictive of a statistically significant increase in overall utilization of ambulatory health care services. There were no differences between single-parent and two-parent families in rates of hospitalization or emergency room visits. There was a trend toward a higher rate for obtaining telephone advice by the single-parent families and a higher rate of after-hours care among the two-parent families. Single-parent families were also more likely to feel they needed care but did not obtain it. Differences that exist in the health care utilization patterns of single- and two-parent families should be considered in assessing health care needs of families.