["Oh no, not him again" frequent attenders: the range of the phenomenon and how to cope with it?].
Frequent attenders (FA) pose a significant issue to a family practice and are considered to be a major burden on the physician and on resources utilization. The socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of FA are well known, however we know little about the management of these patients. The authors reviewed the literature on the bio-psychosocial characteristics of these patients and the approach to frequent attenders. The cornerstone of coping with the problem is based on finding the motive for the visits and management of the reason without giving the opportunity for secondary gain. A comprehensive approach to FA can reduce the burden on the physician, improve the practice's function and contribute to the well-being of the patient.
Green
Ilan
I
Family Medicine Department, Medical Corps, I.D.F, Israel. ilangreen.md@gmail.com
Israeli
Vered
V
Vinker
Shlomo
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012919:Social Behavior