Identifying Frequent Attenders in General Practice
Author Information
Author(s): Frans TM Smits, Jacob J Mohrs, Ellen E Beem, Patrick JE Bindels, Henk CPM van Weert
Primary Institution: Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
Hypothesis
What is the most effective method for selecting frequent attenders in general practice?
Conclusion
To correctly identify frequent attenders in general practice, we recommend dividing patients into at least three age groups per sex.
Supporting Evidence
- 24% of enlisted patients did not consult the practice during the study year.
- The mean number of contacts increased significantly with age for both men and women.
- All selection methods showed acceptable results except the three group method.
Takeaway
Some patients visit the doctor a lot more than others, and we need to find a good way to identify these frequent visitors so they can get the help they need.
Methodology
Data were collected from 375,899 persons registered with 104 practices over a one-year period, comparing different methods for selecting frequent attenders.
Limitations
The study may not be applicable to smaller populations due to low patient numbers in each age band.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 15 to 74 years, with a slight under-representation of single-handed GPs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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