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Use of Physician Services by Older Adults: 1991/1992 to 2000/2001

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2010

Diane E. Watson ,
Petra Heppner ,
Robert Reid ,
Bogdan Bogdanovic  and
Noralou Roos
Diane E. Watson*
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
Petra Heppner
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
Robert Reid
Affiliation:
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Noralou Roos
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
*
Requests for offprints should be sent to: / Les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être addressées à : Diane Watson, Ph.D., M.B.A., B.Sc.O.T., Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, 4th Floor, 2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3. (diane.watson@chspr.ubc.ca)
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Abstract

Canadians have expressed concern that access to family physicians (FP) has declined. Anonymized physician services data for 1991/1992 to 2000/2001 were used to evaluate changes in supply and age-specific rates of use of FPs and specialists in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Physician-to-population ratios declined 7.5 per cent, FP-to-population ratios declined 4.8 per cent, and specialist-to-population ratios declined 10.0 per cent. Among the general population, FP visit rates declined 3 per cent. Among older adults, physician visit rates increased 2.3 per cent, FP visit rates increased 10.9 per cent, and specialist visit rates declined 15.7 per cent. By comparison, we document declines in FP use by those younger than 5 years (25.5%) and those 6 to 19 years of age (18.6%). Increases in FP and declines in specialist use occurred primarily among those aged 65 to 84 years. By 2000/2001 older adults accounted for 25 per cent of all FP encounters. Gains in FP use among older adults was less attributable to the presence of more seniors and more related to the fact that a higher proportion of them are visiting a FP each year and, potentially, substituting primary for secondary care.

Résumé

Les Canadiens et Canadiennes ont exprimé des inquiétudes au sujet de la diminution de l'accès aux médecins de famille (MF). Des données sur les services fournis entre 1991/1992 et 2000/2001, par des médecins dont le nom n'a pas été divulgué, ont été utilisées pour évaluer les changements en matière d'effectifs disponibles ainsi que la fréquence des consultations de MF et de spécialistes, en fonction de l'âge des patients, à Winnipeg, au Manitoba. La proportion de médecins dans la population a diminué de 7,5 p. 100, celle de MF, de 4,8 p. 100 et celle de spécialistes, de 10,0 p. 100. Dans la population en général, la fréquence des visites chez des MF a diminué de 3 p. 100. Chez les personnes âgées, la fréquence des visites chez le médecin a augmenté de 2,3 p. 100, celle des visites chez des MF a augmenté de 10,9 p. 100 et celle des visites chez des spécialistes a diminué de 15,7 p. 100. Par comparaison, nous constatons des diminutions dans la consultation de MF chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans (25,5 p. 100) et chez les jeunes de 6 à 19 ans (18,6 p. 100). Des augmentations dans la consultation des MF et des diminutions dans la consultation des spécialistes ont surtout été constatées chez les personnes âgées de 65 à 84 ans. En 2000/2001, les personnes âgées représentaient 25 p. 100 de toutes les visites chez un MF. L'accroissement de la consultation des MF par des personnes âgées découle moins de la croissance du nombre d'aînés que du fait qu'ils sont plus nombreux à consulter un MF chaque année et, dans certains cas, à remplacer les soins primaires par des soins secondaires.

Keywords

family physiciansspecialistsservice utilizationphysician supplyagingmédecins de famillespécialistesutilisation des serviceseffectifs de médecinsvieillissement
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 24 , Issue S1: Health and Health Care Use Among Older Adults: Using Population-Based Information Systems to Inform Policy in Manitoba , Spring/Printemps 2005 , pp. 29 - 36
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2005

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