Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 M.A. student in Health economic, department of Health Economic, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
2 Faculty member, Health Economic Department, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
3 Rezayatmand*: Assistant Professor, Health Economic Department, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
High costs in the health sector have led policy-makers to implement referral systems for more cost-effective management. Considering the importance of general practitioners in the referral system, it is possible to determine the factors affecting demand for general practitioners’ visits, regulation of the role of family physicians and achievement of an effective referral system can be possible.
This study is an applied, quantitative, and cross-sectional study. The statistical population of consisted of the individuals referring to general practitioners in Isfahan in 2015-2016. A sample of 425 participants were selected for this study and copies of a questionnaire was used to collect data. Considering that the response variable is quantitative discrete, a count data model was employed for the analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software.
The average rate of women referring to general practitioners was 15% higher than that of men. The average number of visits of single individuals was 17% lower than that of the married ones. Household income significantly affected the demand for GPs. Health levels and the number of previous illnesses were both significant with the probability value (P-Value), 0.0001.
Considering that individuals who have worse health conditions with previous illnesses, women and married individuals have referred to general practitioners higher than other groups, it can be suggested that family physicians should provide adequate training for individuals with a high rate of referring to general practitioners to reduce their rate of referral.
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