[The impact of primary health care reform in the utilization of medical and nursing services. Working Group on the Utilization of of Health Services].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of medical and nursing services and changes attributable to the Primary Care reform.


METHODS
A crossover study based in the community.


METHODS
The city of Mataró (Barcelona), divided into seven Health Districts, four of which are reformed.


METHODS
A representative sample of 1,880 beneficiaries of the public health service.


METHODS
A home survey (February to June 1994).


RESULTS
The annual rate of use of the doctor was 78.9% and the frequency of attendance was 7.74 visits per person per year. Both rates were higher among women and increased with age, the 0 to 14-year old group being exceptional. The rate of use was greater in the reformed Districts as against the non-reformed ones; with the difference in frequency of visits not reaching statistical significance. Reformed Health District users stated they made less administrative visits and more prevention or follow-up attendances. Nursing services were used in the 2 weeks before the interview by 6.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
In both Primary Care models, factors meaning greater demand on both doctors and nurses are advanced age and being female.
Fernández
J L
JL
Institut de Recerca Epidemiològica i Clínica (IREC), PASS. Mataró, (Barcelona).
Bolíbar
I
I
López
J
J
Sanz
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain