title: Factors that influence the choice of seeking treatment at polyclinics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients in Singapore can choose their primary care provider on a per-episode basis and pay out-of-pocket for services rendered. The infrastructure of subsidised and private primary care sector facilities differs. Onsite ancillary services are available in subsidised facilities, allowing for convenience of routine investigations, while private clinics are usually standalone practices. This study sought to examine the factors influencing patients' choice of polyclinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional survey of a convenient sample of 484 random patients who sought treatment at a polyclinic located in a new housing estate from 24-27 June 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 85.4% (n = 409). 38.1% of the patients were male. Mean age was 36.2 years. Only 13.8% had a regular private family physician, while 37.3% were followed up at polyclinics. Patients on regular polyclinic follow-up were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), unemployed, retirees or housewives (p < 0.001) and were seeking treatment for chronic diseases (p < 0.001). Geographical convenience (p = 0.002), low cost of consultation (p = 0.024), and onsite laboratory (p = 0.001) and imaging services (p = 0.018) significantly influenced those on regular polyclinic follow-up to attend the polyclinic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Affordability, convenience of travel and onsite laboratory facilities influence patients' choice of seeking treatment at polyclinics. Further research examining whether the overall convenience of onsite ancillary services influences patients' choice of primary care provider would be useful in redesigning private primary care infrastructure to enhance patient convenience and encourage more patients to have a regular private family physician.
authors.affiliation: SingHealth Centre for Health Services Research, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd, 168 Jalan Bukit Merah, #06-08 Tower 3, Singapore. chow.wai.leng@singhealth.com.sg
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: D W L
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: J F Y
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012846:Singapore; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult