The Utilization of Physicians' Services in Los Angeles Country, 1973.

This paper reports preliminary findings from research concerning the utilization of physicians' services. Data were obtained via interviews in a sample of Los Angeles County households in 1973. The results reported herein pertain only to the adult respondents. The relationships between adjusted family income and physician visits were found to vary with the scales and methods used. The indigent report a significantly greater number of physician visits than the nonindigent. Correlation and regression and regression analyses, however, show adjusted income to be unrelated to physician visits. One-way analysis of variance showed significant variation in physician visits by age, sex, and public insurance coverage (Medicaid or Medicare). Regression analysis showed days disables, public insurance coverage, and sex to be key predictors of physician visits. Path analysis was used to test a model of utilization derived from our interpretation of arguments proposed by Monteiro (1973). Adjusted income was found to have no significant effect on visits-either directly, or indirectly via days disabled and public insurance coverage. Disability and public insurance coverage were found to be positively related to visits, the latter even with disability controlled. Age was found to be positively related to visits via its effect on disability and public insurance coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]