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A selective systematic overview is provided of the literature on the utilization of health and welfare services that appeared in the United States and Europe, mainly within the last two decades. Methodological questions that appear to characterize much of the work to date, are discussed and analytically distinct approaches or research strategies in the study of utilization behavior are presented. The paper traces the emergence of work in this area, questions the wisdom of investigators proceeding along traditional research lines, and highlights a number of promising new possibilities for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]