Physicians' attitudes to after-hours callers: a five year study in a university based family practice centre

A study of 8179 after-hour calls over a five year period is reported from a single training family practice centre. The analysis of the perceived validity of after-hours calls and the physicians' reactions to these contacts showed important differences with regard to patients' race, sex and age and frequency of calls per patient. Negative attitudes were particularly evident in relation to frequent users of after-hours services, black female patients, psychological problems and calls for prescriptions. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed.