A causal model for physician utilization: analysis of Norwegian data

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Medical Sociology
• Econometrics

Background:

• Physician utilization is a key indicator of healthcare system performance.
• Understanding factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior is crucial for resource allocation.
• Previous models often focused heavily on perceived illness, potentially overlooking other significant determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test a causal model of physician utilization in Norway.
• To investigate the influence of enabling and predisposing factors, beyond perceived illness, on physician visits.
• To identify the most significant predictors of physician utilization in the Norwegian context.

Main Methods:

• Employed a linear structural equation model (SEM).
• Incorporated variables representing enabling factors, predisposing factors, and perceived illness.
• Analyzed data specific to the Norwegian population.

Main Results:

• The number of disability days due to illness emerged as a primary explanatory variable.
• Psychological well-being was identified as another highly significant factor influencing physician utilization.
• The impact of perceived illness alone was less pronounced than initially hypothesized when considering other variables.

Conclusions:

• Disability days and psychological well-being are critical drivers of physician utilization in Norway.
• Healthcare policy and interventions should consider these broader socio-economic and psychological factors.
• Future research should continue to explore multifaceted determinants of healthcare access and utilization.