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Explaining variations in the frequency of night visits in general practice
1Department of Economics, University of Nottingham, UK.
Family Practice
|April 1, 1996
Summary
General practitioners' night visit frequency is explained by practice characteristics like list size and home visit rates. Six key factors account for 72% of variations in these crucial out-of-hours services.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Healthcare Management
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Night visits by general practitioners (GPs) are a critical component of out-of-hours care.
- Understanding the factors influencing the frequency of these visits is essential for resource allocation and service planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the key determinants of variations in the frequency of GP night visits.
- To develop a predictive model for GP night visit frequency based on practice characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional regression analysis was employed.
- Data were collected from general practices in Lincolnshire in 1993.
- Twenty-two independent variables representing practice characteristics were analyzed.
Main Results:
- A regression model successfully explained 72% of the variation in GP night visit frequency.
- Six variables significantly contributed to the final model.
- Key explanatory factors included average GP list size, home visit frequency, maternity claims, list inflation due to temporary residents, proximity of other practices, and unemployment levels.
Conclusions:
- Practice list size, patient demographics, service utilization patterns, and local socio-economic factors significantly influence GP night visit frequency.
- The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing out-of-hours primary care services and resource management.