An analysis of factors affecting the increased usage of emergency rooms for primary care

Abstract

This paper explains the increased use of hospital-based emergency facilities for primary care. The analysis identifies socio-demographic characteristics, individual resources and selected access variables which influence use of physician services or emergency rooms. The selection of variables is based on a model of facility use which has been derived from the literature on medical care. The results from the analysis concluded that socio-demographic characteristics are both directly and indirectly related to facility use, but there is no apparent association between health insurance as an individual resource and access variables, and use of health care services. Suggestions of further research ar:e proposed based upon a theoretical model of health care choice behavior.