RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Factors associated with the consultation of GPs among adults aged ≥16 years: an analysis of data from the Health Survey for England 2019
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP BJGPO.2022.0177
DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0177
VO 7
IS 3
A1 Song, Fujian
A1 Bachmann, Max
A1 Howe, Amanda
YR 2023
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/7/3/BJGPO.2022.0177.abstract
AB Background Understanding the factors associated with demands for general practice care is crucial for policy decision makers to appropriately allocate healthcare resources.Aim To investigate factors associated with the frequency of GP consultations.Design & setting Data on 8086 adults aged ≥16 years was obtained from cross-sectional Health Survey for England (HSE) 2019.Method The primary outcome was the frequency of consultations of a GP in the last 12 months. Multivariable ordered logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between GP consultations and a range of sociodemographic and health-related factors.Results Frequency of GP consultations for all reasons was higher among females (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.64 to 2.01), those aged ≥75 years (OR 1.48, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.92), ethnic minority populations (Black: OR 1.42, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.84; Asian: OR 1.53, 95% CI = 1.25 to 1.87), lowest household income (OR 1.53, 95% CI = 1.29 to 1.83), adults with long-lasting illnesses (OR 3.78, 95% CI = 3.38 to 4.22), former smokers (OR 1.17, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.22), being overweight (OR 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.29), and being obese (OR 1.32, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.50). Predictors of consultations for physical health problems were similar to predictors of consultations for any health problems. However, younger age was associated with more consultations for mental health problems, or a combination of mental and physical health problems.Conclusion The higher frequency of consultation of GPs is associated with female sex, older age, ethnic minority populations, being socioeconomically disadvantaged, existence of lasting illnesses, smoking, being overweight, and being obese. Older age is associated with increased consultations for physical health problems, but associated with reduced consultations for mental health or a combination of mental and physical health problems.