Published: 31 May 2007
Authors: Crampton, P., Jatrana, S., Lay-Yee, R., & Davis, P.
The aim of this study was to estimate (among different population groups and different practice types) the average population exposure to primary medical care in New Zealand. The study used a representative survey of visits to general practitioners in New Zealand. Average exposure to primary medical care for a particular class of patient (e.g. by age group) was calculated as the average of the product of number of visits over the past 12 months and duration of visit for the current visit. Annual exposure to primary medical care was highest amongst the elderly (65+ years), followed by adults (18–64 years), and was higher in the European ethnic group than in the Māori, Pacific, and Asian ethnic groups.
