Does having regular care by a family physician improve preventive care?
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether regular care from a family physician is associated with receiving preventive services.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of the 1994 National Population Health Survey.


METHODS
Cross-sectional sample of the Canadian population.


METHODS
A total of 15,731 non-institutionalized adults.


METHODS
Reported visits to general practitioners and specialists in the previous year and reports of having had blood pressure measurements, mammography, and Pap smears.


RESULTS
A graded relationship was observed between level of regular care by a family physician in the previous year (none, some, regular) and receiving preventive services. Those without regular doctors and those reporting only some care by a family physician were less likely to have ever had their blood pressure checked than adults receiving ongoing care from a regular family physician. Women reporting some or no care were less likely to have had mammography within 2 years or to have ever had Pap smears.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults who receive regular care from a family physician are more likely to receive recommended preventive services.
McIsaac
W J
WJ
Mount Sinai Family Medicine Centre, Toronto, Ont. wincisaac@mtsinai.on.ca
Fuller-Thomson
E
E
Talbot
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data