[Factors related to choice of medical facilities by residents]

Using a study of 1,326 residents and 107 clinics in a city in the Tokai area, factors associated with patient selection of medical facilities were examined. Choice behaviors were divided into 2 separate levels: 1) choice behavior for the initial medical examination, 2) choice behavior in the case of treatment for chronic illness. The independent variables were 1) attitudes toward medical care, 2) accessibility to medical facilities, and 3) health status. 1. Those interviewees who were older, who had continuing medical care after the first medical examination, and had strong interest in new treatment technology showed a strong tendency to elect to see physicians in hospitals for the first medical examination. 2. The group that had lower self-rated health, lower accessibility to medical facilities, and who did not work showed a strong tendency to see physicians in hospitals for chronic illnesses. 3. The data from clinics showed that more patients were introduced from clinics to hospitals than were introduced from hospitals to clinics. This result suggested that the one-sided stream of patients from clinics to hospitals was a part of the reason for a strong tendency for patients to elect to see physicians in hospitals.