title: [Medical care in 12 Chilean cities].
abstract: Frequency of diseases and accidents and the main aspects of medical care were studied in 12 larger Chilean cities, excluding the metropolitan area of Santiago. A survey of 4,737 individuals was performed in a random sample of homes and medical problems observed during a 2 week period were analyzed. A mean of 4.17 disease episodes per person-year was registered, 47% of them receiving medical care. This rate was higher for acute conditions (69%) than for chronic diseases (32%). The sum of consults for disease and health controls gave a total assistance of 3.42 per person-year. 70% of visits took place in outpatient hospital clinics and 30% in private practice facilities. Two thirds of the visits were done in National Health Service's outpatient clinics. The quality of medical care was rated by patients as good or very good in 81% of cases, fair in 13% and deficient in 6%. Main reasons given by patients for not seeking medical care (31% in acute episodes and 68% in chronic patients) were the short course of disease in acute conditions or a feeling that control was not needed in chronic diseases. Problems linked to the medical care system, including financial reasons, explained lack of care in 28% of cases. The medical care situation in these 12 larger cities is similar to that observed in Santiago, using the same type of survey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kaempffer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cumsille
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000208:Acute Disease; D002677:Chile; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D011787:Quality of Health Care
vernacular_title: Atención médica en doce ciudades Chilenas.