Access to medical care among persons with musculoskeletal conditions. A study using a random sample of households in San Mateo County, California.
OBJECTIVE
To study access to medical care services, including subspecialty care, among persons with musculoskeletal conditions.


METHODS
In early 1993, a random sample of households in San Mateo County, California, was screened for the presence of household members with musculoskeletal conditions, and a member of each household so identified was administered a structured survey about access to medical care and other related subjects.


RESULTS
Eighty-six percent of all persons with a musculoskeletal condition had ever seen at least one physician for the condition, but only 6.5% had ever seen a rheumatologist. Those without health insurance were only 82% as likely as those with health insurance to have ever seen a physician.


CONCLUSIONS
Most persons with a musculoskeletal condition have seen a physician for the condition, but lack of health insurance significantly reduces the proportion who have done so.
Yelin
E
E
Rosalind Russell Arthritis Center, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0920, USA.
Bernhard
G
G
Pflugrad
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009985:Orthopedics; D011897:Random Allocation; D012219:Rheumatology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors