The Effects of Regular Source of Care and Health Need on Medical Care Use Among Rural Adolescents

Abstract

This study provides compelling evidence that for rural adolescents, having a regular source of care and medical need are the most important predictors of use across a variety of types of ambulatory care.

Emergency Department Reliance Among Rural Children in Medicaid in New York State

“…In our study, we identified a protective relationship between having had at least 1 adolescent well‐care visit and the likelihood of being emergency department reliant. This is consistent with a published study on the greater use of the emergency department when rural adolescents did not have a regular provider for both preventive and illness care 21 . Our study expands on this by analyzing rural and metro Medicaid adolescents.…”

Inequalities in dental services utilization among Brazilian low-income children: the role of individual determinants

“…In addition, the utilization of the FHP as a regular source of health care also increases the odds of having a dental visit at least once. These results are consistent with other research conducted with children, adolescents and adults demonstrating the importance of a regular source of care in ensuring the receipt of health services (13,15,19). According to Ryan et al .…”

Sickle cell disease in California: Sociodemographic predictors of emergency department utilization

“…As a routine source of care both in SCD[28,55] and non-SCD populations[56] decreases ED utilization, such utilization patterns are consistent with the premise that these factors act as barriers to accessing comprehensive SCD care. Guidelines for preventive comprehensive SCD care were endorsed by the National Institutes of Health[57]; these include annual hematologist visits and screening procedures to stem the tide of severe disease that leads to premature death.…”