Consultation with the general practitioner triggered by advice from social network members

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether advice from a person's social network triggers contact with the general practitioner (GP).

Design Case-crossover design comparing the frequency of advice given to seek medical attention in the period before contact with a GP and the frequency in matching control time periods for the same individual.

Setting Twenty-one Danish GPs working in single-handed practices.

Subjects 322 patients, aged between 18 and 91 years, were interviewed by telephone after an unscheduled visit to their GP; 148 were interviewed again 3–6 months later.

Main outcome measures The odds of individuals consulting their GP after receiving advice from network members in the period before they contacted their GP compared with the odds of those consulting their GP in the control period(s).

Results Being advised by others to seek medical attention increased the likelihood of seeking primary health care approximately fivefold – single men received advice significantly less frequently (7%) than women (18%) and cohabiting men (32%).

Conclusion Advice from other social network members to seek medical attention is a frequent and influential cue prompting individuals to contact their GP.

• case-crossover
• family practice
• general practice
• health behaviour
• primary health care

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:54–59. ISSN 0281-3432

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:54–59. ISSN 0281-3432