Do patients who move to a new town consult their doctor more often?

Abstract

A study was conducted to measure any difference in the consultation rate of patients from two new town housing estates compared with patients from the rest of the practice. Patients from the new estates consulted 15% to 20% more than those in other areas, but newly registered patients showed no difference compared with the indigenous population. It is suggested that patients who chose to move to new town rented accommodation bring with them a more casual attitude to the general medical services.