[Characteristics of the patient overusing on-demand general medical services].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics and reasons for consultation of the patient who over-uses on-demand general medical services.


METHODS
A case-control study of a sample of over-user patients and a control group of normal users.


METHODS
The Chantrea Health Centre in Pamplona during 1991.


METHODS
An age and gender-stratified sample of 411 over user patients and a control group of normal users were selected.


RESULTS
Over-users corresponded to 5% to those attending. We found no significant differences for gender, but we did for age (p < 0.001), regarding the control group; 84% of over-users had a chronic associated pathology. Comparatively, over-users made more bureaucratic and prescription visits (35%) and attended less scheduled appointments.


CONCLUSIONS
The over-users is associated to being older and especially to having a chronic pathology and not attending scheduled appointments.
Fuertes Goñi
M C
MC
Centro de Salud de Chantrea, Pamplona.
Alvarez Tutor
E
E
García de la Noceda Montoya
M D
MD
Fernández Velilla Ruiz de la Torre
M
M
Echarte Osacain
E
E
Abad Vicente
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain
Características del paciente hiperfrecuentador de las consultas de demanda de medicina general.