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Socioeconomic Patterns in the Frequency of Doctor Visits in Germany and Spain in Subjects With and Without Chronic Diseases.
- Source :
- International Journal of Social Determinants of Health & Health Services; Apr2024, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p121-130, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- The objective of universal health care systems is to achieve equality in the use of health services at the same level of care need. This study evaluates the relationship of socioeconomic position with the frequency of doctor visits in subjects with and without chronic diseases in Germany and Spain. The dependent variables included number of consultations and if a medical consultation occurred. The socioeconomic factors were income and education. The magnitude of the relationship between socioeconomic position and medical consultation frequency was estimated by calculating the percentage ratio using binomial regression and by calculating the difference in consultations by analysis of the covariance, in the case of number of visits. Statistically significant findings according to education were not observed. The percentage ratio in the medical consultations among those with lower and higher income was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.88) in Germany and 1.11 (95% CI 1.03-1.20) in Spain among subjects with any of the studied chronic conditions. Also, in Germany the difference in the average number of consultations comparing lower income subjects with higher was 3.98 (95% CI 2.40-5.57) in those with chronic conditions. In both countries, there were no differences in the frequency of doctor visits according to education. However, a pro-inequality trend exists in favor of subjects with lower income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- RESEARCH funding
INCOME
EDUCATION
INSURANCE
SOCIOECONOMIC factors
QUESTIONNAIRES
STATISTICAL sampling
INTERVIEWING
HEALTH insurance
ANALYSIS of covariance
FAMILIES
CHRONIC diseases
SURVEYS
MEDICAL appointments
UNIVERSAL healthcare
PHYSICIANS
CONFIDENCE intervals
MEDICAL referrals
REGRESSION analysis
COMORBIDITY
EDUCATIONAL attainment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 27551938
- Volume :
- 54
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Social Determinants of Health & Health Services
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 176182543
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/27551938231224708