Physician utilization and urban native people in Saskatoon, Canada.
This paper compares the physician utilization patterns of similarly disadvantaged urban native and non-native people in the western Canadian city of Saskatoon. Through the administration of a large survey instrument to 142 native and 84 non-native respondents, the author demonstrates the extensive utilization by native residents of a particular 'walk-in' clinic located in the area which has come to be viewed by many natives as their regular source of medical care. Non-natives, in contrast, demonstrated a greater utilization of physicians in private practice. Beyond the actual location of the physician providing the service, the data demonstrate few differences between natives and non-natives in the extent of their physician utilization. The paper suggests that socio-economic rather than cultural factors better explain the observed patterns of behaviour.
Waldram
J B
JB
Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D012525:Saskatchewan; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health