Impact of Health Questionnaires on Doctor Visits
Author Information
Author(s): Jeffery Amanda, Jinks Clare, Jordan Kelvin
Primary Institution: Primary Care Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Keele University
Hypothesis
Does completing a health-related questionnaire change primary care consultation behavior?
Conclusion
Health-related questionnaires do not significantly affect patients' consulting behavior in primary care.
Supporting Evidence
- The percentage of subjects consulting for any condition was slightly higher after the survey.
- There was a 37% increase in knee disorder consultations after the survey compared to before.
- Consultation prevalence for knee problems was similar across the years before and after the survey.
Takeaway
When people fill out health questionnaires, it doesn't really change how often they go to the doctor, even for knee pain.
Methodology
The study compared primary care attendance before and after participants completed a health-related questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Participants who consented to medical record review may not represent the general population.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a single region, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults aged 50 and over, with a mean age of 67.3, and 56% were female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.0%, 3.9%
Statistical Significance
p=0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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