Frequent Attenders in a Health Insurance Clinic in Alexandria

Abstract

The individuals who most often consult GPs are called frequent attenders [FAs]. The aim of the present study was to compare the pattern of use of frequent and infrequent attenders and to identify segments of beneficiaries most likely to be frequent users. The study was conducted at one of the Health Insurance clinics in Alexandria using unmatched case control design. Socioeconomic, utilization and morbidity data were collected from 150 frequent attenders [those who had made 20 or more visits in the previous year] and 150 infrequent users [those who had made 5 or less visits in the previous year]. Results revealed that the mean GP visits was 31.56 ± 12.6 for frequent attenders and 3.75 ± 1.22 for infrequent users. The study shows that frequent attenders are frequent users for not only of general practice services, but also of all other health care services provided at the health insurance clinic [specialist, hospital services, laboratory and radiology investigations]. Chronic conditions and follow up constituted more than 75% of presenting condition for frequent attenders and 32% for infrequent attenders. Hypertension, cardiac conditions, and diabetes were the most common somatic complaints for frequent attenders. Segment of beneficiaries most likely to be frequent attenders was those who had 2 or more chronic diseases one of them is a cardiac disease and having university or higher level of education. It was concluded that reducing costs at HIO clinics and improving quality of care could be supported by tailoring interventions to high attender segments of beneficiaries.