Hong Kong Med J 2011;17(Suppl 3):S28-32
Utilisation patterns of primary health care services in Hong Kong: does having a family doctor make any difference?
CLK Lam, GM Leung, SW Mercer, DYT Fong, A Lee, TP Lam, YYC Lo
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1. The population adjusted monthly primary care consultation rate was 0.70 (95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.75), equivalent to 8.4 consultations at a cost of HK$2553 per person per year.
2. About 63% of the population reported having a regular primary care doctor with one third having a regular family doctor.
3. One third of the respondents had used the medical service in a month, and one third of all primary care consultations were provided by family doctors and Chinese medicine practitioners respectively.
4. Primary care consultations were effective in enabling better illness coping and improving health.
5. Compared to persons without a regular family doctor, those with such a doctor were 50% less likely to use accident and emergency and in-patient services, but they were more likely to report non-drug management and greater enablement after consultation.
2. About 63% of the population reported having a regular primary care doctor with one third having a regular family doctor.
3. One third of the respondents had used the medical service in a month, and one third of all primary care consultations were provided by family doctors and Chinese medicine practitioners respectively.
4. Primary care consultations were effective in enabling better illness coping and improving health.
5. Compared to persons without a regular family doctor, those with such a doctor were 50% less likely to use accident and emergency and in-patient services, but they were more likely to report non-drug management and greater enablement after consultation.