title: Linking survey data with computerised records to predict consulting by older people.
abstract: Despite high consultation rates, little is known about predictors of primary care use by older people. A survey of patients aged > or = 65 years from two London practices included details on physical health and functioning, psychological measures, social support, and socioeconomic measures. The response rate was 75% (1704/2276). We obtained consent to link the survey data to subjects' computerised primary care records for 92% (1565/1704) of responders. Individual factors (physical ill health, anxiety, female sex), social factors (frequent telephone contact with friends or family), and practice factors independently predicted consultation in the year post survey. Although physical ill health was the most important, the other factors had independent effects and may be useful in understanding the increase in consulting by older people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London. tharris@sghms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tess
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Derek G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Christina R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beighton
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dewilde
authors.forename: Iain M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors