Changing Patterns of Home Visiting in General Practice
Author Information
Author(s): van den Berg Michael J, Cardol Mieke, Bongers Frans JM, de Bakker Dinny H
Primary Institution: NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research
Hypothesis
The study investigates changes in home visiting rates by analyzing electronic medical records from 1987 and 2001.
Conclusion
The proportion of home visits has declined significantly since 1987, but this decline varies by diagnosis and is not necessarily problematic.
Supporting Evidence
- The proportion of home visits decreased from 14.1% in 1987 to 7.4% in 2001.
- Home visits are more likely for elderly patients.
- The decrease in home visits is stronger for less urgent complaints.
- Medical knowledge and management practices have evolved since 1987.
Takeaway
Doctors are making fewer home visits than they used to, but that's not always a bad thing because they still consider what's best for their patients.
Methodology
The study analyzed routinely collected data on diagnoses from electronic medical records of general practitioners in the Netherlands.
Limitations
The study does not differentiate between types of visits and relies on aggregated data.
Participant Demographics
Patients included were from 103 practices in 1987 and 80 practices in 2001, with a mix of ages and both genders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website