title: A method for projecting ambulatory visits to a family practice center.
abstract: Family practice model centers serve multiple teaching, research, and patient care roles. Accurate projection of patient care demand should promote a center's efficiency. Clinic visit forecasts were performed for a university based family practice center using an exponential time series analytic model. The model provided reliable clinic projections for a one-year time horizon. The projections proved useful for administrative, educational, and academic governance purposes. Time series analysis is a useful and relatively easily implemented tool which can facilitate family practice center administration and support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of Kentuncky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D015233:Models, Statistical; D000078329:Workforce