Consultation rates in English general practice

Abstract

Methods of estimating the annual consulting rate per patient are reviewed. Methodological problems include the definition of consultations as opposed to problems encountered, the definition of population at risk, the reliability of data about home visits and the limitations of extrapolating data collected over a short period. Estimates of consultation rate are usually obtained from surveys which have other primary objectives. The annual consultation rate in 1981, excluding telephone contacts, was estimated at 3.5 consultations per patient. In spite of its limited sample size, the general household survey provides a reliable estimate of the national consulting rate. There is, however, a need to validate it against a survey covering a longer period in which consultation rates are measured and not just estimated from memory. The total workload of the 'average' doctor changed little between 1970 and 1981 in spite of reducing list size. Home visits accounted for approximately 15% of all consultations in 1981 and this value has been consistent over the period 1980-83.