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Explaining the declining rate of physician utilization among the oldest-old.
F D Wolinsky1, C L Arnold, I V Nallapati
1Department of Sociology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4351.
Medical Care
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Physician utilization declines in the oldest-old due to reduced response to activity limitations. This study analyzes elderly Americans' health services use over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Services Research
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Physician utilization patterns among elderly populations are critical for healthcare planning.
- Understanding factors influencing healthcare access for older adults is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze physician utilization rates across different age cohorts of elderly Americans.
- To identify aging, period, and cohort effects on healthcare-seeking behavior.
Main Methods:
- Regression-based cohort analysis using data from Health Interview Surveys (1972-1981).
- Involved 99,445 noninstitutionalized individuals aged 56-95.
- Estimated behavioral model parameters and constructed standard cohort tables.
Main Results:
- Physician utilization rates showed a decline among the oldest-old.
- This decline correlated with an accelerated decrease in response to health-related activity limitations.
- Aging, period, and cohort effects were examined for their impact on utilization.
Conclusions:
- The observed decrease in physician visits among the oldest-old is linked to their response to functional limitations.
- Further investigation into six plausible explanations for this changing response is warranted.
- Findings inform strategies for improving healthcare access for the aging population.