Utilization of inpatient and emergency care: effects of changes in primary care system

At the Vännäs Health Centre changes in practice style and work routines were introduced in 1978. The concomitant changes in hospital use in Vännäs and three reference areas were followed. The results were based on recorded visits to the emergency department of the hospital three months each year 1976-1980 and upon all individual admissions to hospital care in the county 1977-1979. We found a decrease in the number of visits to the emergency department and no changes in admissions to inpatient care for inhabitants of the Vännäs catchment area. The question remains unresolved, whether a mere change in the way of working in the health centre, caused a change in hospital use.