Abstract
Background: Thus far, there is a lack of a systematic review synthesizing empirical studies that analyze the link between personality factors and healthcare use (HCU) or costs. Consequently, the purpose of our systematic review is to give an overview of empirical findings from observational studies examining the association between personality factors and HCU or costs. Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO, and NHS EED (NHS Economic Evaluation Database) were searched. Observational studies examining the association between personality factors and HCU costs by using validated tools were included. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction and evaluated the study quality. Findings were synthesized qualitatively. Results: In total, n = 15 studies (HCU, n = 14; cost studies, n = 1) were included in the final synthesis. A few studies point to an association between conscientiousness and HCU (with mixed evidence). Some more evidence was found for an association between higher agreeableness, higher extraversion, and higher openness to experience and increased HCU. The majority of studies analyzed found a link between higher neuroticism and increased HCU. Conclusion: Personality factors, and particularly neuroticism, are associated with HCU. This knowledge is important to manage healthcare use. However, future research based on longitudinal data and studies investigating the link between personality characteristics and costs are required.
Highlights
Knowledge about the factors associated with healthcare use (HCU) is key to manage healthcare resources and, to avoid overuse or misuse
N = 15 studies were included in the final synthesis (HCU: n = 14; COI: n = 1)
Ordinal logistic regression revealed that people with neuroticism had more visits (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.4) to the general practitioner
Summary
Knowledge about the factors associated with healthcare use (HCU) is key to manage healthcare resources and, to avoid overuse or misuse. Friedman and colleagues [6] demonstrated, among others, a link between neuroticism and HCU in the United States using a cross-sectional approach. Another longitudinal study from Germany [7], showed that while an intraindividual increase in neuroticism was associated with an intraindividual increases in physician visits, an increase in extraversion was associated with an increased probability of hospitalization. There is a lack of a systematic review synthesizing empirical studies that analyze the link between personality factors and healthcare use (HCU) or costs. The purpose of our systematic review is to give an overview of empirical findings from observational studies examining the association between personality factors and HCU or costs.
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