title: How doctors live with the spectre of ghost patients.
abstract: Describes the system of inbuilt 'inflation' that has evolved in maintaining GP patient lists. Although GPs are paid on a capitation basis, absolute accuracy is impossible and 'ghost patients' provide the necessary flexibility.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donovan
mesh_terms: D002204:Capitation Fee; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D012042:Registries; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics*