The impact of symptom interpretation on physician utilization

This article explores physician consultation decisions among a sample of elderly people living in community settings. The analysis integrates the insights of research on illness behavior, particularly symptom interpretation and lay consultation, with previous specifications of the Health Behavior Mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of aging and health Vol. 6; no. 4; p. 507
Main Authors Stoller, E P, Forster, L E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1994
Subjects
Aged
Data Collection
Decision Making
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Models, Psychological
New York
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Physicians - utilization
Probability
Rural Population
New York
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Summary:This article explores physician consultation decisions among a sample of elderly people living in community settings. The analysis integrates the insights of research on illness behavior, particularly symptom interpretation and lay consultation, with previous specifications of the Health Behavior Model. Data were gathered through personal interviews and health diaries completed on a daily basis for 21 consecutive days by a probability sample of older people living in community settings. Results indicate that uncertainty regarding potential seriousness, level of pain or interference, and causal attributions were the most consistently significant predictors of physician contact.
ISSN:0898-2643
DOI:10.1177/089826439400600405