Document Detail


Time elapsed since the last medical visit: analysis of a statistical model applied to the case of Spanish women.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21537702     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study aims at two objectives: I) to develop a model capable of predicting the statistical distribution of the variable "time elapsed since the last medical visit"; II) to empirically test the theoretical model.
METHODS: To develop the theoretical model, the author will use a demonstration that is statistical in nature. In order to test the theoretical distribution, the 2006 Encuesta Nacional de España data regarding females will be used.
RESULTS: The results found show that the distribution of the time elapsed since the last medical visit follows a Poisson distribution. This conclusion was empirically validated, and additionally, a few determinants were found that increase the likelihood that Spanish women will resort to a doctor, namely, inactivity, residence in small places and being older.
CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the time elapsed since the last medical visit follows a Poisson distribution; thus, going to a medical appointment is still seen as a rare phenomenon for Spanish women. By comparing this data with our results, we found that a higher ratio of physicians to population, a higher time availability for each woman (especially in a labor inactivity setting) and strong personal relationships can lead to a higher medical visit rate, thus reducing the time elapsed since the last visit.
Authors:
Paulo Reis Mourão
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992)     Volume:  57     ISSN:  0104-4230     ISO Abbreviation:  Rev Assoc Med Bras     Publication Date:    2011 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-03     Completed Date:  2012-01-26     Revised Date:  2012-04-11    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9308586     Medline TA:  Rev Assoc Med Bras     Country:  Brazil    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng; por     Pagination:  164-70     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, University of Minho, and Investigation Nucleus in Economic Politics, Portugal. paulom@eeg.uminho.pt
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Appointments and Schedules
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Office Visits / statistics & numerical data*
Poisson Distribution
Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
Socioeconomic Factors
Spain
Time Factors

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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