title: Psychosocial determinants of health care utilization in sickle cell disease patients.
abstract: This article reviews the literature on psychosocial factors associated with sickle cell disease and health care utilization. The Health Belief Model is proposed as a framework that may help guide our understanding about how these variables influence health care utilization. Since the existing literature on psychosocial variables and health care utilization among sickle cell disease patients is scant, studies from related behavioral medicine research will be presented as a basis for future research. This review suggests that identifying modifiable psychosocial variables associated with utilization could aid in the development of interventions aimed at reducing utilization and thereby reducing health care costs.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23284-2018, USA.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003363:Cost Control; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*