Original Research

Association between potential primary care emergency service and general practitioner care utilisation in New South Wales

Corresponding Author

Baohui Yang

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-3810-0587

System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Correspondence: Dr Baohui Yang, System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, Level 1, 100 Christie Street, St Leonard, NSW 2065, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Raymond Messom,

Raymond Messom

System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

Baohui Yang,

Corresponding Author

Baohui Yang

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-3810-0587

System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Raymond Messom,

Raymond Messom

System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 28 June 2020

https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.13564

Citations: 4

Baohui Yang, BS, MS, MBiostat, MPH, PhD, Principal Performance Analyst; Raymond Messom, BS, MA, CMA, Executive Director.

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Abstract

Objective

To examine patterns of potential primary care (PPC) ED presentations and any association between PPC ED presentations and frequency of general practitioner (GP) care utilisation in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

Retrospective cross-sectional study of 6 221 762 New South Wales patients who had at least one service in public hospitals, EDs or Medical Benefit Schedule claimable for GP service between 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 is conducted to examine association between PPC ED presentations and GP care utilisation using logistic regression adjusting for comorbidity index and a number of other covariates. Data over 2010/2011 to 2014/2015 are included for analyses of trends and patterns in PPC ED and GP care utilisation.

Results

Forty-one percent of the ED presentations were PPC ED presentations over the 5 years 2010/2011 to 2014/2015. Population rates of PPC ED presentations and GP care both increased over the period, with higher PPC ED presentation rates in regional areas, and higher GP care rates in major cities. GP care utilisation was associated with reduced odds for PPC ED presentations, with the adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.28 for patients with one GP care service to 0.48 for patients with five or more GP care services compared with patients with none. Increased comorbidity index was also associated with increased risk of PPC ED presentations.

Conclusion

GP care utilisation was associated with reduced risk for any PPC ED presentations after adjusting for comorbidity index and the other factors.

References

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Volume33, Issue1

February 2021

Pages 52-57

Association between potential primary care emergency service and general practitioner care utilisation in New South Wales

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Association between potential primary care emergency service and general practitioner care utilisation in New South Wales

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