[Access to health care: perceptions of patients with multiple chronic conditions].
OBJECTIVE
To explore access to health care for patients presenting with multiple chronic conditions and to identify barriers and factors conducive to access.


METHODS
Qualitative study with focus groups.


METHODS
Family practice unit in Chicoutimi (Saguenay), Que.


METHODS
Twenty-five male and female adult patients with at least four chronic conditions but no cognitive disorders or decompensating conditions.


METHODS
For this pilot study, only three focus group discussions were held.


RESULTS
The main barriers to accessing follow-up appointments included long waits on the telephone, automated telephone-answering systems, and needing to attend at specific times to obtain appointments. The main barriers to specialized care were long waiting times and the need to get prescriptions and referrals from family physicians. Factors reported conducive to access included systematic callbacks and the personal involvement of family physicians. Good communication between family physicians and specialists was also perceived to be an important factor in access.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic callbacks, family physicians' personal efforts to obtain follow-up visits, and better physician-specialist communication were all suggested as ways to improve access to care for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
Fortin
Martin
M
Département de Médecine de Famille, l'Université de Sherbrooke.
Maltais
Danielle
D
Hudon
Catherine
C
Lapointe
Lise
L
Ntetu
Antoine Lutumba
AL
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians; D011792:Quebec; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone; D014850:Waiting Lists