Evaluation of demand rate for medical services provided by physicians in Golestan province

ABSTRACT

Providing health and medical services in any division needs a comprehensive and appropriate knowledge of the actual condition. On the other hand, it is based under valid information. This study aimed to define the demand rate of society for medical services provider by physicians in Golestan province. This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study being performed in four seasons within the years 1380 to 1381 in urban and rural areas of Golestan province. The study population was 9479 being selected via cluster sampling. The smallest unit was family. The data was collected by questionnaire. The data form consist of information about individual characteristics, medical history, history of hospitalization, history of visiting physicians, the specialty of visited physicians, etc. The data was collected by trained interviewers. Analysis and judgment of diseases was based on interviews being performed two weeks before and three months after the study. The mean age was 25.63 +/- 18.1. The disease percentage was 24.9%. The percentage of physcians for treatment was 61.1%, and 38.9% of patients didn't seek medical advices. Among diseases infectious diseases were the most common complaint of patiants [42.6%]. Psychiatric diseases [13.3%] and internal diseases [12%] made up sunsequent ranking most patients were treated by general physicians [>85%]. 1.4% of patients had a history of hospitalization, the most of whom were males. The results show that a considerable population of the society cannot use medical services properly. Infectious diseases are the most common complaint of visiting patients and general physicians had the most important role in the treatment of patients