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Background: High utilization of health care services is a costly phenomenon commonly observed in primary care practices. However, while frequent attendance in primary care has been broadly studied across age groups, aspects of high utilization by elderly patients have not been investigated in detail. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of frequent attendance in primary care among elderly people. Methods: We searched five databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubPsych, and Cochrane Library) for published papers addressing frequent attendance in primary health care among elderly individuals. Quality of studies was assessed using established criteria for evaluating methodological quality. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria and were included for detailed analysis. The average number of patients frequently utilizing primary care services varied across studies from 10% to 33% of the elderly samples and subsamples. The definition of frequent attendance across studies differed substantially. The most consistent associations between frequent attendance and old age were found for presence and severity of physical illness. Results on mental disorders and frequent attendance were heterogeneous. Only a few studies have assessed frequent attendance in association with factors such as drug use, social support or sociodemographic aspects; however results were inconsistent. Conclusions: Severe ill health and the need for treatment serve as the main drivers of frequent attendance in older adults. As results were scarce and divergent, future studies are needed to provide more information on this topic. Since prior studies have offered only a snapshot of this service use behaviour, a longitudinal approach would be preferable in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Looking at what makes General Practitioners (GPs) happy in their profession, may be important in increasing the GP workforce in the future. The European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN) created a research team (eight national groups) in order to clarify the factors involved in GP job satisfaction throughout Europe. The first step of this study was a literature review to explore how the satisfaction of GPs had been studied before. The research question was "Which factors are related to GP satisfaction in Clinical Practice?" Methods: Systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement. The databases searched were Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane. All articles were identified, screened and included by two separate research teams, according to inclusion or exclusion criteria. Then, a qualitative appraisal was undertaken. Next, a thematic analysis process was undertaken to capture any issue relevant to the research question. Results: The number of records screened was 458. One hundred four were eligible. Finally, 17 articles were included. The data revealed 13 subthemes, which were grouped into three major themes for GP satisfaction. First there were general profession-related themes, applicable to many professions. A second group of issues related specifically to a GP setting. Finally, a third group was related to professional life and personal issues. Conclusions: A number of factors leading to GP job satisfaction, exist in literature They should be used by policy makers within Europe to increase the GP workforce. The research team needs to undertake qualitative studies to confirm or enhance those results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]