Having a Regular Doctor: Rural, Semi-urban and Urban Differences in Newfoundland

Lead Researcher and Department
Dr. Maria Mathews, Dept of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University

Collaborators and Students
Alison C. Edwards, Dept of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University

Summary
It was previously estimated that 23% of Newfoundlanders did not have a regular doctor. Various factors have been suggested to contribute to the lack of a regular physician. One of the major factors thought to account for this is rural/urban status. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of Newfoundlanders who do not have a regular doctor.

Statistical analysis of data from the 1995 population-based telephone health survey from the Newfoundland Panel on Health and Medical Care was used. Information was gathered on socio-demographic and health-related factors.

The results showed 15% of Newfoundlanders did not have a regular doctor. The largest proportion of these respondents lived in rural communities; were male; were 20-29 years old; married; of high socio-economic status; working full time; had excellent or good health; had no chronic illness, disability, or impairments to activities of daily living; and were in excellent or good emotional health. Compared to their urban counterparts, residents of semi-urban communities were as likely not to have a regular doctor and residents of rural communities were more likely than their urban counterparts not to have a regular doctor.

Understanding these characteristics, specifically rural/urban status, is an important step in developing and evaluating human resources policies.

Dates
1995

Keywords
Rural Medicine, Doctor Patient Relations, Rural/Urban Status, Family medicine, Rural health, Physicians General practice.

Locations
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
St. John's
Avalon Peninsula

Industry Sectors
Offices of Physicians (Health Care and Social Assistance — Ambulatory Health Care Services)
Health Research and Development Laboratories (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — Scientific Research and Development Services — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences)

Thematic Categories
Physicians (Health and Community Services)
Rural Health (Health and Community Services)

Departments
Faculty of Medicine (STJ)