English Abstract
Journal Article
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

[Postponement and cancellation of physician visits among Icelanders: extent and explanations].

Læknablađiđ 2011 October
OBJECTIVE: Equal access to health care is a central goal in socialized health systems like the one in Iceland. Previous research in Iceland indicates considerable individual and group differences in access to health care. The study maps the distribution of postponement and cancellation of physician care among Icelandic adults and considers a number of potential explanations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data come from a national postal health survey of Icelandic adults, age 18-75, who were randomly drawn from the National Register. 1532 individuals responded to the survey yielding a 60% response rate.

RESULTS: 22% of the respondents had postponed or cancelled a physician visit they thought they needed in the past 6 months. The study found considerable variations in postponement rates. Postponement was positively related to younger age, full employment, financial difficulties, high out-of-pocket health care costs, inflexible daily schedules (fixed roles), dissatisfaction with last physician visit, and the number of chronic medical conditions experienced.

CONCLUSIONS: Postponement or cancellation of medical care is fairly common among Icelandic adults, although considerable individual and group differences in postponement are observed. The results raise concerns, as equal access to care is a central goal of the Icelandic health care system. It is incumbent upon health authorities to pursue effective ways to equalize access to medical care and prevent postponement and cancellation of needed services.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

Related Resources

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app